Barb has lived in Plano for 28 years, previously she lived in Erie Illinois and her childhood in Joliet, Illinois, one of five siblings. Her father was a nuclear engineer for Commonwealth Edison, while her mother was a stay-at-home mom. They encouraged Barb to get involved in community activities, including scouting, dance, home economics programs, and theater. She was a Girl Scout and Explorer Scout and was active in several clubs and organizations through high school and college.

While attending Joliet Junior College, Barb started dating her future husband Mike. Barb graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1979, where she majored in journalism. Barb and Mike’s mutual love of service and helping others brought them together and has continued throughout their marriage for the past 42 years. Their four children – Andy, Scott, Peter, and Sean – also inherited their parents’ strong spirit of patriotism and community pride.

In 1992, Barb moved to Plano when Mike became principal of Plano High School, a job he held for nine years. They have been active members of the Plano community ever since. Barb has personally volunteered for countless organizations and events throughout Kendall County, focusing especially on healthy endeavors for youth.

One of Barb’s favorite endeavors is volunteering with Kendall County Operation Snowball, a teen leadership and drug prevention program focused on helping teens make good life choices. She served for several years as the program coordinator of Operation Snowball, arranging presenters for the weekend conferences held twice each year. She also is actively involved with St. Mary Catholic Church of Plano, the Plano Rotary Club, and the Boy Scouts of America, from whom she earned the prestigious national Silver Beaver Award in 2012 for her exemplary service to youth through scouting.

Barb’s professional career has made her even more visible throughout the area. From 1997 to 2014, she worked as the television host and producer of “Fox Valley Today,” a daily 30-minute talk show featuring human interest and political interviews. She also worked for WSPY as a radio news reporter and anchor for 13 years, covering various news stories in and around Plano. Her achievements on the air earned her three Silver Dome Awards from the Illinois Broadcasters Association for “Best News Reporter.” Barb’s journalistic experience also helped her as the managing editor, writer, and photographer for several seasonal newspapers each year, in which she highlighted community fairs and festivals.

From 2014 through 2019, Barb hosted the Fox Valley Television program “Fox Valley In Focus” and concurrently became a monthly columnist for “The Voice Newspaper” in Aurora Illinois, an opportunity she continues to enjoy.

In 2014, she became the Volunteer Coordinator/Transportation Coordinator for Senior Services Associates of Southern Kane and Kendall Counties, helping both seniors in need and active adults looking to be involved with meaningful projects.

In 2018, she moved on to work as the Community Relations Manager of Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois where she serves seniors in a five-county region and assists transit and Meals on Wheels programs to help older adults stay safe and healthy in their own homes.

Barb and Mike enjoy spending time with their four sons, three daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. Barb’s other interests include outdoor adventure, camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, crafts, sewing, jewelry design and repair, reading and researching.

She constantly pushes herself to lead an active and charitable life. Working as Alderman of Ward 1 for the past four years has offered many opportunities and challenges.  Barb appreciates the concerns of every resident and continues to do her best to help the City of Plano improve and thrive in the future.