BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Build Team was born out of a shared vision to give back to the community. What started as a brief discussion on a Sunday afternoon, led five business and professional leaders to come together to help local families in financial need with essential home repairs. Organized in December, 2013 as an Illinois not-for-profit company (NFP), we received 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in August, 2014. The Build Team NFP began helping its first family in late-Spring of 2014. Since that time we have completed

many projects for families in Northwest Cook and surrounding counties and currently we have more in the planning stages. These projects to Repair Homes and Restore Hope for families have been completed by 94 volunteers who have graciously contributed over 10,000 hours of service. All of our projects are cost-free to the families, and thanks to the extraordinary generosity of individual contributors and grantors, those numbers will continue to grow.

The combined experience and expertise of our volunteer Board of Directors makes The Build Team possible.

David BROOKS

Director

Before retiring in February 2020, David spent 40+ years in the telecom industry, starting with ROLM, which was subsequently purchased by IBM, then Siemens. The last 10 years David worked for Vertical Communications as their VP of Partner Sales. David is also a volunteer for the NeuroBalance Center, a non-profit organization that is designed for people living with physical challenges. David and his family have lived in Barrington for 30 years.

John DAWSON

Director, President Emeritus

John has extensive experience in management and ownership positions with domestic and international companies. Following his passion for home building and remodeling he created Dawson Builders, which he successfully operated from a showroom and offices in Barrington, Illinois. John has elevated his passion for helping others by accepting a directorship with Habitat For Humanity. John has a B.S. in finance from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire and a Masters from the University of Utah.

Ray DECRAENE

Director

Throughout his life Ray has always enjoyed working with his hands on various projects. During his 40 years as an enterprise software executive, he was able to find time to make a fireplace mantle or install crown molding in his home for his wife and four daughters to enjoy. “As a member of The Build Team I have the opportunity to do things I enjoy while making a difference in people’s lives.” Ray is also a volunteer driver for the NeuroBalance Center.

Matt KEREKES

Director

As a retired equities trader, there's no selling short the value Matt has added to our mission. He has quickly become a skilled project volunteer while guiding The Build Team as a director. Matt, too, is an active volunteer with NeuroBalance.

Jerry ROMAN

Director

Jerry Roman has over 45 years of experience in advertising, branding, and marketing. Following his studies at the University of Illinois and The Art Center College of Design in California, he was an art fellow at Bradley University where he taught advertising design. He spent fifteen years as an art director/creative director in major international agencies before starting his own company, a Chicago creative agency, that served national and local corporations for 30 years. Jerry, a tool geek, gravitated to The Build Team through his interest and experience in construction.

Peter B SHAEFFER

President & Secretary

Peter recently retired as an attorney after many years of experience in complex financial, regulatory and litigation matters. He has held various positions as a board member and secretary for the governing board of a local church and other committees of that board. Peter has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. degree from New York University.

Shane WINTERS

Director & Treasurer

Shane is a certified public accountant associated with a local accounting and advisory group. Shane has a diversified client base of individuals, companies and not-for-profit entities. Shane joined The Build Team in 2017. He has a B.S. from Northern Illinois University.

Owen HEATH

Director (Retired)

Owen has 31 years of experience with a major insurance company in the areas of operations, accounting and data processing. During his working career, he actively engaged as a volunteer, and continues to do so in his retirement. Owen has a B.S. degree in Business from the University of South Florida.

R.J. YOUNG

Director (Retired)

R. J. has extensive technical, management, and leadership experience from a 35 year career in insurance. Throughout his working career he volunteered with numerous nonprofits and has served as a Director and as an Officer on multiple nonprofit organizations. Since retiring he has continued his work with nonprofits and has been an active parishioner at his church. RJ has served as a Director and President of a number of local United Way Boards over the years. He is also a past Treasurer and Director of the Executive Service Corps of Chicago and currently serves as a Director on the One Hope United Board. R.J. has a B.S. in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University and is a Fellow in the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS).

Erin HYNES

Director (Retired)

Erin is the author of more than ten books on gardening and related subjects and has the rare distinction of having a Masters Degree in Weeds. She gravitates to what most of us try to avoid or remove and that includes nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty volunteer tasks. In addition to her duties as director, Erin has elevated our communications efforts through emails and volunteer management.