The staff is what makes everything possible at Premier Boys State. Chuck Neff / County Counselor Chuck Neff has served as the County Counselor of Geiger County since 1992. He was a citizen of Premiere Boys State in 1979 and has put in 23 years with the program. He is a graduate of Illinois State University (B.S. - History) and attended graduate school at Western Illinois University. Chuck is a resident of Stronghurst, Illinois. He owns a grain/livestock farm and is the Director of the Bank of Stronghurst. He has been the Republican precinct committeeman for Stronghurst Township since 1988 and was elected the Henderson County Republican Chairman in April 2002. David Higgens / Asst. County Counselor Although a native of Joliet, Illinois, David currently lives in Austin, Texas, where he operates his own photography business. A Boys State citizen in 1985, he was elected Governor and he has been able to serve as a counselor not only at Premiere Boys State, but also at Boys Nation. David is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign with a B.A. in philosophy, and he loves to study psychology and theology as well. John Donovan / Burns City I am now in my seventh year at Boys State. I have spent six years as a staff member of Geiger County. I am a Music Education major, attending the Vandercook College of Music this fall. I'm from Kankakee and a proud graduate of Herscher High School. I am also a member of the SAL. Mike Mencarini / Burns City This is my second year as a counselor at Boys State. I am from Chicago and I attended Loyola Academy. I am currently attending Marquette University, where I am majoring in International Affairs. I am also a cadet in the Army R.O.T.C. unit at Marquette. Supervisor Pritesh Patel Born in a suburb of Chicago named Elk Grove Village, moved to Morrison in the summer of 2000. Born on July 24 in the year 1985. Was elected as a junior class rep and also Senior class representative for Studen Council Secretary. Was elected Junior Class from prince for MHS Prom 2002. Will be entering in medicine for a career. Midshipman Sean Purdy / Kapschull City My name is Sean Purdy and I am the counselor for Kapschall City in Geiger County. It has always been a great pleasure to work with the leaders of tomorrow and inspire them to achieve higher goals. This is what attracts me to the Boys State program so much. There is no better feeling than making a difference in a young person's life. Currently, I am a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and I have just completed my first year. Being a citizen of Boys State inspired me to do better as a scholar, but also as a patriot. I am proud to serve my country and my community in this facet of life. Tom Potter / Kapschull City My name is Tom Potter and I am a Vietnam War Veteran. I served in the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division, which was stationed in Nieko. I joined the Illinois Air National Guard's 217th Squadron, which is based out of Chicago's O'Hare Airport. I am a member of the American Legion Post 16, VFW Post 1984, a member of the Morning Star Masonic Lodge, and as an ATM - S in the Lincoln - Douglas Toastmasters. I have been a Boys State recruiter for 6 years and a city counselor for 2 years. I am also a charter member of the Premiere Boys State Alumni Association. I am retired from Ameritech, and am a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. Doug Howell / Lucas City I have been involved in Boys State for nine years. I was a citizen in 1994 and I have been a counselor every year since then. In my other life, I actually work for the Housing Department here at Eastern Illinois University. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with two Bachelor of Arts degrees (one in Social Science Education and one in History Education). I then continued with my graduate education and I received my Master of Science in Education in the field of Educational Administration. I am also a member of the Mattoon Squadron of the Sons of the American Legion. I really enjoy spending my time with everyone at Boys State. Adam Chrismore / Lucas City AGE: 17 BIRTHDAY: 05 July 1984 This is my first year as a counselor. I couldn't have asked for a better county to be in. I will be attending Illinois State University this fall and will be pursuing a Computer Animation major. My favorite sport is soccer, and I have played since I was 5 years old. Matt Schubring / Merritt City Matt Schubring currently lives in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and will attend the University of Missouri this fall. At U of M, he plans to be a member of the N.R.O.T.C. and major in history. He was a Boys State citizen in 2001. He was a citizen of Merritt City in Geiger County. Dustin Barnett / Merritt City My name is Dustin Barnett, 21 years young, and I am a resident of Peoria, Illinois. I am going into my senior year at Western Illinois University and I am majoring in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. When I attended Boys State I was very active. I was the Geiger County and Merritt City Model Citizen, an alderman, the Vice - Chairman of the State Central Committee, a candidate for state office, the Leader of the Knights of the Spoon Order, and the Geiger County States Attorney. I am also on the Defense Council for members of the counseling staff. In the future, I plan to enlist in the United States Navy, and chart a course, which includes completing Officer Candidate School. After becoming an officer, I will go to law school and obtain my Juris Doctorate degree. Finally, I will practice law for the U.S. Navy in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.