YNOT Outdoors is a non-profit Illinois corporation. It has a governing Board of Directors made up of Springfield area individuals, from a variety of professional and business backgrounds. The absolute first criteria for these Directors is that they are parents. Although the day-to-day administration of YNOT is handled by the Executive Director, having the additional support and approachability of those listed below allows YNOT to flourish within a caliber that is unmatched in the Midwest.

Harvey M. Stephens is a partner with the Brown, Hay and Stephens law firm in Springfield. He has been instrumental with the legal aspects of forming our organization and making sure we have all the "T's crossed and I's dotted!"

Honorable Leslie Graves, a judge in Sangamon County with Illinois' 7th Judicial Circuit is also a board member.  I believe YNOT benefits from having an individual who sees an array of family situations and can be counted upon to give us her insight regarding the family, as viewed by the justice system.

Larry Ellinger, who is a Team Captain for the Central Illinois area for Farm Credit Services is also a board member. When you meet Larry, you wonder why all people aren't as gracious and out-going as this man is. Larry's successful motivation of youth is evident by all who know him. In the past, Larry has been heavily involved with our kids and others in soccer and the athletic development of local youth, in general. I think his vision of how and where today's young people could be spending their time and YNOT's vision are identical. Nobody is a stranger to Larry and his quick responses and follow-up to YNOT's needs and direction have been very appreciated.

Dick Lyons is a board member and friend. Dick has been a fixture at Lincoln Land Community College, teaching Agriculture and more importantly, conveying those things to students that they come to know as real-life lessons that they can use. I asked Dick if he'd participate because he always has a good spin on a decent idea...making it a better, more usable idea. He feels a real need for YNOT and believes in our goal. Dick motivates people so well that he started an employee training business called Employability Skills Unlimited, where they focus on adapting and coping with change in the workplace, communications, team-work, ethics and problem solving. He's made a mark on a lot of students over the years and we welcome his views and his contribution to YNOT.

Doug McNeely, a personal friend and parent of two children is a board member. Doug grew up in Chatham, Illinois and has been involved almost exclusively in grain marketing and leadership positions with U.S. agribusiness companies such as Con-Agra, Dupont, Bunge North America and others since our high-school and college days. Doug is an avid outdoorsman and shares the feeling that kids get a lot out of the outdoors... as long as they get there!

Gene Sullivan, owner of Sullivan Chiropractic Clinic in Chatham, Illinois serves YNOT as a board member. Gene's chiropractic clinic is growing leaps and bounds as people discover his easy demeanor and knowledge of the body's correct and intended use. From a family of outdoorsman, Gene understands the role and importance of activity and outdoor enjoyment for the well-being and physical improvement of our kids. Gene, his wife Ann and children live in Rochester, Illinois.

Mitzi Loftus became a board member at our 2005 Annual Meeting.  Mitzi's virtual daily involvement with fielding phone calls, paying bills, doing payroll, keeping the eye on the fiscal posture of YNOT and ongoing communications to Perrino & Associates makes Mitzi the most underpaid but most appreciated Board member of YNOT!

YNOT Outdoors relies on this group's advice and direction for a very successful program for our youth.