New Leadership Named for TransPORT Board of Directors

Peoria, IL – TransPORT (The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District) is pleased to announce that two new board members have been appointed by Woodford and Fulton Counties to the TransPORT board of directors. The Woodford County board has appointed Joe Bachman to take the Woodford seat filling the spot of Ed Dwyer, and Kent Kowal has been appointed by Fulton County to replace David Byerly.

"I am pleased that Joe and Kent have agreed to serve on the TransPORT board," said Dan Silverthorn, TransPORT board chairman. "Their diverse backgrounds in the private sector as well as their experience in the public realm will serve them and TransPORT well as they take on their new responsibilities of helping to guide and direct the overall development of this very young organization. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated board that will work diligently to capitalize on the many exciting opportunities TransPORT has on the horizon in the coming year. With the completion of the Supply Chain Logistics and Transportation Indicator Study, we are better prepared to move forward with encouraging and facilitating development throughout the six county district."

Kent Kowal serves as TransPORT board member with many years of banking experience. Kowal has served as President of the Bank of Farmington since 1990, where he has been employed since 1971. Kowal is the current President of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce (11 years) and is Director of the Farmington Betterment Association (10 years). Kowal has served on the Farmington Public Library Board for 17 years, Farmington School Dist #325 board for 17 years, and Graham Hospital board for 13 years.

Joe Bachman, a local farm owner, represents Woodford County on the TransPORT board. Bachman was born and raised in Roanoke, IL , where he operates his farm with his two sons. Bachman has extensive farming experience along with a strong background in construction. He played a major role in the initial construction of Parsons Manufacturing and assisted in the rebuild after the tornado damage.

The nine-member board of directors is made up of one individual appointed by each of the six counties through their respective county boards, and three members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Illinois Senate. The Board members serve six-year terms, with regular meetings to be held the third Thursday of every month at 2:30 p.m. in the Heartland Partnership board room.

The board oversees development activities of TransPORT, covering 100 miles of the Illinois River from Marshall County in the North to Mason County in the South, encompassing Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria , Tazewell, and Woodford counties. TransPORT is a powerful economic development tool, with the primary benefit being the creation of industrial and transportation employment for the region, stimulating the growth of intermodal logistics and industrial maritime development in the region and the state.

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