Meet the James Millikin Homestead Board of Directors

Please click on the “+” icon to read each Board Member’s biography.

Ann-Marie Hillyer - President
Ann-Marie is a native of Groton, Connecticut, an area of southeastern Connecticut that is rich in Revolutionary War history. She and her family have made Decatur their home since 1982 when her husband, a recent graduate of UCONN was recruited by the Illinois Power Company. 

Ann-Marie holds a B.S. degree from Millikin University and an M.Ed. degree from Kennesaw State University. As a retired educator, she spent her career as a primary grades’ teacher in Decatur Public Schools and most recently was an Adjunct Professor in the Education Department at Millikin University. 

Ann-Marie has been associated with the Homestead since 2011 and is currently president of the Board of Directors. In addition to volunteering at the Homestead, she enjoys traveling, reading, baking, stitching and attending musical events in which her daughter is performing.

Jennifer Brandyberry - Vice President of Outreach

Jennifer Brandyberry is retired from a career in academic advising and teaching. She was an undergraduate advisor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign to students studying Biology and taught Microbiology at Parkland Community College before that. You will find her working in her yard and walking her dogs, Roxie and Hazel, when she is not involved with a Homestead activity. When the weather drives her inside, she loves to read mysteries. She is the mother of three grown, young men and grandmother to Sadie, her first grandchild.

Jim Wilkerson - Vice President of Operations

Jim Wilkerson is a graduate of Mt. Zion High School and Millikin University. He majored in English/Writing. He has over 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and sales. He is the Director of Marketing for Vieweg Real Estate. He is married to his wife, Stephanie, and they have two amazing daughters – Taylor and Carli. Oh, and two dogs – Sugar and Cookie. Jim loves the Homestead, the history behind it, and he enjoys working with the Homestead Board to grow and strengthen its vision in preserving the home and property, as well as continuing its legacy of promoting the arts. 

Nola Wilkinson - Secretary
Nola Wilkinson is a retired Decatur Public Schools teacher married to a retired Millikin University professor. They have 6 children and 27 grandchildren. Together they enjoy doing science activities with church, civic, and school children. Nola enjoys reading and studying history. She volunteers at the Decatur Public Library, Project Linus, Decatur Public Schools Foundation, and the Young Women’s organization at her church.
Doug Warren - Treasurer
Douglas is married to Christina (Traxler) Warren with three children, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. He graduated from the University of Missouri Magna cum Laude with a degree in Information Systems and a degree in Accounting. He is retired from the City of Hannibal, MO. as Director of Finance. Chris and Doug have always had an interest in preservation and restoration. Doug has a love for American History and is both a Descendent of the Mayflower and a Son of the American Revolution.
Amanda Butterick - Assistant Treasurer

Amanda is a native of Indiana, graduating from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She has been a resident of Decatur for over twenty years, living with her husband, Jason, and son Patrick. Her volunteerism includes serving as financial secretary of Prairie Avenue Christian Church and the Clokey Park Neighborhood Association. When not loving numbers or things related to accounting, she enjoys reading and knitting.

David Bowman

David Bowman returns to JMH’s Board (serving 2012-18) when he led the Master Gardener program and our Storm Window upgrade to National Historic Landmark Standards. David is a UIUC retiree, where he was assigned to its campus Grounds Management (8-yr) and off-campus Robert Allerton Park (22-yr).

David holds an undergraduate degree (Ornamental Horticulture) and a graduate degree (MBA), both from the UIUC. He is an adult educator – professionally orchestrating industrial training, non-credit & credit instruction, and lastly as curriculum developer for RCC, LLCC, and UIUC. Dave is a hands-on team player!
Jason Butterick
Jason Butterick grew up in Bement, Illinois (on land originally owned by James Millikin when the village was established). He graduated as a James Millikin Honors Scholar from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Music-Commercial Emphasis in 1998. He completed his Master of Divinity at Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis 2008. He has served at Prairie Avenue Christian Church since 2007; as pastor since 2015. When he is not occasionally composing, he loves researching “lost” Decatur history, including the Clokey Park neighborhood and east end, when not called upon to help us find out more about the Millikins. He has served on the board since 2018.
Michael Gibson
Michael is a retired attorney. He received his Bachelor of Science at Benedictine University and his JD at the University of Illinois, College of Law. He was a tax attorney at Boleu, Robinson & Ellis. He volunteers at the Cancer Care Center in Decatur and likes to golf (still learning).
Tiffany Hall

Tiffany is a graduate of Millikin University with a BS in Nursing as a James Millikin Scholar. She has a love of historic architecture and has lived in a Gothic Victorian home in the historic district for more than 20 years. A former member of the Near Westside Restoration and Preservation Society, Tiffany understands the importance of preserving historic landmarks such as the James Millikin Homestead and enjoys both learning and sharing its history. Professionally, she works as a registered nurse in the fields of surgery and surgical oncology. She has two sons and a rescue dog. 

Karla Miller
Karla Miller is the Director of Client Experience at Hickory Point Bank where she oversees the bank’s advertising, public relations, communications, and marketing activities.

Prior to working at Hickory Point Bank, she served as Director of Advancement at St. Teresa High School where she marketed and fundraised for the school.

Karla has past experience working for Archer Daniels Midland Company in communications and advertising and served as Vice President Public Relations and company spokesperson. While at ADM, she founded the company’s first women’s networking affinity group, ADM WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) to provide young women with professional development and mentoring opportunities.

In 2007 she founded the Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon, a nonprofit annual triathlon event for adult and children that commemorated the life and spirit of her late husband. She chaired the event for 10 years and raised over $80,000 for area children’s sports activities and programs.

She is a Millikin University graduate, earning a bachelor of arts degree in English, and was president of her Tri Delta sorority.

She currently serves on the boards of the James Millikin Homestead and Early Bird Kiwanis Club. Of all her accomplishments and achievements, Karla is most fulfilled and happiest in her role as mother to Daley and Zach.

Ginny Murphy
Ginny Murphy is new to Decatur and instantly fell in love with the Homestead and its mission. She comes to us with decades of experience in finance – both professionally and with non-profits.
Lindsay Nolan

Lindsay Nolan is the Project Manager at Hickory Point Bank & Trust where she oversees and coordinates all aspects of the bank’s current and upcoming projects.

Prior to her current position, she served as the Director of Donor Relations at Millikin University. Lindsay worked in athletics at the Division I and Professional levels holding a variety of duties with the Chicago Wolves, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A native of White Heath, Ill., Lindsay graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in leisure studies with an emphasis on sports administration.

Deroan Peters
Deroan is a Millikin University alumnus with her BS in Chemistry.  She relocated to Decatur from the state of Washington after graduation to be with the love of her life, Mark Peters, who is a lifetime resident of Decatur and also a Millikin alumni. They have lived in Decatur’s historic district for over 20 years and share a love of historic houses. Deroan and Mark also share three children and one grandchild. She enjoys being on the board and sharing the history of the Millikins in Decatur.
Pattie Smith-Phillips

Pattie Smith-Phillips joined the University of Illinois Foundation in November 2013 as AssociateDirector of Principal Gifts/President’s Office Liaison and currently serves as Senior Director of
Board and Donor Engagement. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served for seven years at her alma mater Millikin University with increasing levels of responsibility for donor relations.
Before her professional move to higher education advancement, Pattie spent the first decade of her professional career as a crisis mental health professional for a variety of not-for-profit organizations, including Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center, S.O.S of Madison Center
Hospital, the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County, and the Mental Health Association of Macon County. At the Foundation, Pattie’s department functions as one of three key areas of Central Development Services, and she leads a team of six engagement professionals who
provide “value add” support in the areas of donor engagement, board and volunteer engagement, community engagement, and event engagement. Pattie is a first-generation college student who wholeheartedly believes in the transformative work of higher education and is grateful for the chance to daily work for passionate philanthropists dedicated to that cause.

Michael Sexton

Bio coming soon

Kelly McCourt (Edwards) Springman
Kelly McCourt (Edwards) Springman is a native of Decatur, Il. She has grown strong roots within the Decatur and Mt. Zion Community. She is the Mother of Mikkenzi Edwards, and wife of Robert Springman. She is an Eisenhower High School graduate and attended Millikin University.

Her passion for history began as a child, with the adventures she shared with her mother, Ruth E. McCourt. Her passion grew in time, while visiting many historic homes all over the United States and abroad.

Her love for the Homestead was the venue for her Period Wedding in a 1919 theme in every aspect. Her late husband, Michael Edwards and she loved the James Millikin Homestead and knew that it had to be the center of their Day.

Kelly has always been a supporter of the Arts/Music in our Community. She started performing at 4 years of age and has continued through the years a member of the Millikin University Choir, Millikin University Singing Blue, and Millikin University Vocal Jazz. She has participated in local choirs, Praise Team Band, Opus 24, Show Choir, and past Theatre 7 productions. She has volunteered for many day camps, and fundraised to promote education of the Arts and History.

Kelly worked for Heartland Region, Regional office of Education for Macon and Piatt Schools as a Marketing/Media/Outreach/Recruiting Specialist and worked for DPS#61 for 23 years combined.

Kelly is known for Event and Program Planning along with her successful media and fundraising efforts for numerous events in and around our area – always extending her expertise to anyone in need.

Kelly created, executed, and managed several events: Yes I Can Math and Science Fairs for Macon and Piatt County Schools; Stepping Out into the Work Place, Technology in the Workplace, to name a few for the Heartland Region, Regional Office of Education.

Kelly managed several events from 2013 to 2017 for the Village of Mt. Zion.

Kelly worked with large corporations and private businesses to develop sponsorship programs and rental bookings; media and marketing, and social media for all events.

She has also worked with many notable music artists and entertainers such as Kentucky Head Hunters, Jim Belushi, and hundreds of other performers weekly.

Kelly has organized many events with the dedication of student and adult volunteers in our local and surrounding areas. “It is not always the win that allows you to be successful, it’s what you learn from doing it that will get you to your true success and gift you with the ability to change a moment of time and someone’s life “- KMS

Kelly had served on Mt. Zion School Foundation Fundraising Board, AMBUCS, Decatur Downtown Council, IDES Board, DOVE Board, and Currently the James Millikin Homestead Board which she was a co-chair of Mansions of the Prairie 2023; a co-representative for building MU Alumni connections with the James Millikin Homestead and the Alumni Association and students.

Being on a board filled with knowledge, humor, support, hard-work, and sharing the passion for JMH is a privilege and a gift!
Donna Williams
I am a retired electrical engineer, a graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and I reside in an historic home in the Near West Side. I’ve worked with NWRAPS and Heritage Holly for 9 years, served on the Decatur Public Library board for 6 years and am currently in my 5th year with the James Millikin Homestead Board. I love gardening and refinishing hardwood floors!