Officers take roles on Silver Cross board

The Silver Cross board of directors' new officers assumed their roles at the hospital's September board meeting.

Dr. Daniel Gutierrez continues for his second year as chairman.

James Roolf was named chairman-elect and will move into the chair position on July 1, 2010.

Other new officers include Douglas Hutchinson Jr., first vice chairman; Mark Stofan, second vice chairman; Alvin McCowan, secretary; and Steve Morrissette, treasurer.

Roolf is well known for his leadership throughout Will County. As president of Joliet's First Midwest Bank, Joliet Banking Center, Roolf focuses his time and talents on improving the community.

He has led pivotal economic development initiatives, such as improving low-income housing and as a member of the Illinois State Highway Authority Board, was instrumental in the expansion of the Interstate 355 Tollway.

Roolf has served as a member of the Will County Center for Economic Development board for 10 years and currently is the chairman of the CED's Airport Task Force Business Labor Coalition.

Recently Roolf was the recipient of Big Brothers Big Sisters first national award, Big Citizen of the Year 2009.

He has served on countless boards and led numerous philanthropic initiatives for the following organizations: United Way of Will County, Housing Foundation of Will County, Joliet Catholic Academy High School, University of St. Francis' President's Advisory Council, Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate/Pension Committee and the Illinois Bankers Association where he currently serves as vice chairman of the board.

He was elected as a member to Silver Cross Hospital's board of directors in 2002. Roolf lives in Joliet with his wife, Kim.

"Silver Cross has been exceptionally fortunate to have such outstanding leadership", said Paul Pawlak, president/CEO for Silver Cross Hospital. "Dr. Gutierrez is an exceptional chairman and has guided the board with vision and determination. Jim Roolf has given so much of himself to Silver Cross and to our community," Pawlak continued.

"Under his leadership, we will continue our mission of providing the very best health care for the next 100 years with a replacement hospital."

Hutchinson, of Joliet, is the former chief financial officer/chief operating officer of Alpha Steel Corp. in Hammond, Ind. In 2004, along with his wife, Leslie, he started Inspire Staffing Group LLC. He was elected as a member to the hospital's board in 2003.

McCowan has since 2003 been the mayor of University Park where his vision is to position the village to have major influence in the future growth and development of eastern Will County and the south suburbs. Currently, he is on an honorary committee for Governors State University.

In addition, McCowan has more than 30 years of management experience with Johnson & Johnson, Miller Brewing Co., The Habitat Co., Downs Mohl and Metroplex Inc. He was elected to the board in 2002.

Morrissette, a lifelong Joliet resident with his wife, Maureen, is president and CEO of First Community Bank of Joliet specializing in commercial and industrial lending to a broad range of companies. He serves on many community boards including Providence Catholic High School.

He was elected to the board in 1998.

Stofan, a Joliet resident of 45 years with his wife, Debby, is president of Stofan, Agazzi & Co., an investment brokerage firm that has been in business in Joliet for more than 30 years.

He is also director of First Community Bank of Joliet and is on the board at Our Ladies of Angels Retirement Home and serves on the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate/Pension Committee. He was elected to the board in 2003.