USF Elects Locals, Alumni to Its Board of Trustees

The University of St. Francis in Joliet issued this news release:

The University of St. Francis (USF) Board of Trustees has elected new members – including alumni – to its ranks, as announced USF President Arvid C. Johnson.

“Our new trustees bring a wealth of knowledge and experience — from business to theology — to our university, and all are greatly committed to support our mission of preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership by providing a Catholic, Franciscan higher education,” said Johnson.

Michael J. Dowd, of Joliet, is director of Operations for City Beverage in Markham, Ill. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Francis. Dowd is affiliated with the Will County Boys and Girls Club.

Brian J. Giegerich, of Joliet, is senior private banker for Northern Trust in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. He is also part owner of Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home in Joliet. He holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a degree in mortuary science from Worsham College. He is affiliated with Senior Services Center of Will County; the Kiwanis Club of Joliet; the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Will County Center for Economic Development; Somer Services Center of Will County; and the Will Grundy Medical Clinic.

Sr. Margaret Guider, of Cambridge, Mass., rejoins the Board of Trustees as a representative of the University’s sponsors, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. She is an associate professor of missiology at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Guider holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois-Chicago, along with a master’s degree from the Catholic Theological Union, a doctor of theology degree from Harvard University, and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology.

Joseph T. Mallof, of Sarasota, Fla., is the retired president and CEO of World Kitchen, LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, where he also serves on the Advisory Council for the School of Industrial Engineering. He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Karl Maurer, of New Lenox, Ill., is a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch in Oak Brook, Ill. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from DePaul University. He is a certified public accountant and a Certified Management Investment Analyst (CIMA). Maurer is a director of The Blues Foundation and the Will County Community Foundation; serves on the Professional Advisors Networks for both Lurie Children’s Hospital Legacy Society and Advocate Health Care; and is a member of the Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce and the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Michael Turk, of Plainfield, Ill., is president of the Turk Furniture Co., Inc. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Regis College. Turk serves on the Joliet City Center Partnership Board; the board of directors for the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Lewis University Presidential Board; and is a member of the Joliet Rotary Club.

Thomas J. Vana, of Mokena, Ill., is president and CEO of Kurtz Ambulance Service and Kurtz Memorial Chapels. He holds degrees from Joliet Junior College as a paramedic and in mortuary science from Worsham College. He serves on the Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center Board of Directors and is a Foundation Board member. He is a board member for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and an Advisory Board member for Peoples First Community Bank. He is also a member of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In addition, Alumni Association Board President, Karen Ciarlette, of Channahon, Ill., serves as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees. Ciarlette holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from USF, where she is involved in the Business Alumni Network as a member and past president. She serves as a mentor for students in the Student Alumni Mentor program. She is a senior business systems analyst for RR Donnelley and Sons in Warrenville, Ill. Ciarlette also serves as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee for the Village of Channahon.