March 19, 2008

Jane Bowers, Sr. Administration Assistant, Heritage YMCA Association Office 630.420.0960

(Naperville, IL) -- The Heritage YMCA, serving the Aurora, Naperville and Oswego communities, is pleased to announce the election of five new corporate board members. These appointments represent an on-going affirmations of the YMCAs commitment to the community in putting the right people in the right places that can continue to pursue the mission work of the YMCA which is: To enhance the quality of life for families through programs reflecting Christian principles to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

The newly elected board members are Jason Altenbern, Mike Jannusch, John Rico, Renee' L. Robinson, and Zaidi Syed. All individuals bring a personal dedication and professional expertise to the YMCA as Tom Beerntsen, President & CEO of the Heritage YMCA, continues to build a talented team of volunteers to better position the YMCA as it works towards becoming one of the best YMCA's in America.

Jason Altenbern, Community Relations Coordinator for Indian Prairie School District, is married to Amy and has two daughters. Jason is affiliated with Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church, holds two undergraduate degrees from Western Illinois University in Psychology and History as well as a masters degree in College Student Personnel, and brings extensive volunteer experience to the YMCA. Jason is also the Fry and Field House Family YMCA Branch Chair.

Mike Jannusch, Senior Vice President, Division Head, Commercial Banking, Park National Bank, is married to Jennifer and has three daughters. Mike is affiliated with St. Thomas the Apostle Church, holds a degree from Virginia Military Institute, and is involved with the Community Career Center and North Central College Board of Trustee Associates.

John Rico, founder and CEO of Rico Enterprises, Inc., is married to Guadalupe Rico, has two sons and one daughter. He holds degrees from Northern Illinois University, University Illinois-Chicago. John brings a long list of volunteer experiences to the YMCA, as a Board Member of the Pilson YMCA, ChicagoLand and Southland Chambers of Commerce Board Member, Co-chair of the Education to Careers, School to Work (STW) Private Sector Committee State of Illinois 1997-2003, Vice President on the Advisory Board to the President at Harold Washington College. He also serves in Mayor Daley’s Chicago Workforce Board (Youth Council) and is a motivational speaker in the Chicago Public Schools, Youth Motivation Program.

Renee' Robinson, Attorney at Law, in Aurora, IL, attended Northern Illinois University College of Law receiving a Juris Doctorate, an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management, a BS degree in Accounting from Chicago State University, and State of Illinois Real Estate Broker, Series 7.66 and Life/Health licenses. Renee' has volunteer experiences with the Kane County Bar Association, with Mutual Ground-Certified Hospital, Aurora Kiwanis, Joseph Corporation-Board of Directors, Adjunct Professor at Waubonsee Community and Robert Morris Colleges.

Zaidi Syed, Principle, Zaidi Enterprise, LLC, has one son and one daughter, holds a BS degree in mathematics, and is heavily involved in the Naperville community.  Zaidi is in the process of opening a new restaurant, "Zaidi’s", in Naperville.  Zaidi has a wealth of experience serving in many volunteer capacities including as a board member for Little Friends, DNA, Rotary Club of Naperville, Naper Settlement, Naperville Cares, Taste of Naperville, Naperville Wine Festival, the Naperville Chamber, and Cystic Fibrosis.

The Heritage YMCA welcomes these outstanding individuals to the corporate board. "The professional, personal and community outreach experiences these newly elected board members bring to the YMCA will further enrich our work as we build a better tomorrow for kids, families and the communities," said Tom Beerntsen, President and CEO, HeritageYMCA Group.

For more information about this release, contact Jane Bowers at 630.420.0960.