Dobski Appointed/ Maitland Reappointed to Illinois State University Board of Trustees

Governor Rod Blagojevich has appointed Bloomington business owner Bob Dobski to a six-year term on the Illinois State University Board of Trustees. Dobski replaces Stan Ommen, who has served on the Board since October 2000.

Dobski and his spouse, Julie, own eight Bloomington-Normal McDonald's Restaurant franchises and the Little Jewels Learning Center. A 1969 DePaul University graduate, Dobski is also president of the Peoria-Bloomington McDonald's Co-op, a member of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and vice chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Board in Springfield.

"Bob has an excellent, long-standing relationship with Illinois State," said President Al Bowman. "He is a member of our Community Partners university leadership organization, and both he and Julie have been very engaged in fundraising and other activities on campus. We look forward to Bob's entrepreneurial acumen and leadership as a member of Illinois State's governing board."

Ommen leaves the Board of Trustees after almost eight years of service. He has served as board secretary since July 2003 and assumed the role of chair following the February 2008 resignation of Carl Kasten. Ommen remains as chair of the Illinois State University Foundation Board.

"The last eight years have been a remarkable time in Illinois State's history, and Stan Ommen has played an important role in that success," Bowman said. "While we are saddened that he will no longer be a member of our Board of Trustees, we are grateful and fortunate that he continues his service as chair of the Foundation."

Blagojevich also reappointed Bloomington resident Joanne Maitland to a six-year Board term. Maitland was first appointed as an Illinois State trustee in 2002.
"Joanne has been an extremely active and involved trustee, and we look forward to her continued service," Bowman said.