College of Business Hall of Fame 2015 - 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
From senior-level executives at top corporations to highly successful entrepreneurs, we are proud to welcome our 2022 College of Business Hall of Fame inductees back to Illinois State University to interact with students, faculty, alumni and industry partners. Their accomplishments and commitment to excellence not only reflect their professional dedication and service to others, but also add value to our programs and the Illinois State brand for all of our graduates.
Holding this induction ceremony and luncheon during Business Week provides students, faculty, and other alumni the chance to interact with the inductees and learn from their experiences.
Bill Allison, '79
Bill Allison is the National Managing Director of Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Pursuit Center of Excellence. In this role, Bill leads a team of seasoned professionals who pursue the largest, most strategic commercial opportunities.
A principal with Deloitte since 1999, Bill has more than 25 years of experience in the analysis, design, and implementation of information systems, systems strategy, and business process improvement and has worked with some of the largest, most complex technology clients in the world.
Prior to his current role, Bill held numerous leadership positions including serving as the Global Consulting Technology Leader, where he provided strategic vision to guide engagement teams on the delivery of world- class, value-added and highly differentiated services in Enterprise Applications, Technology Advisory, and IT Outsourcing services. He relentlessly drove efficient delivery of the highest level of quality to clients across the globe and acted in a risk and advisory role on many of Deloitte’s most significant engagements. Under his leadership, Deloitte’s Global Technology program was recognized as a leader in over 2 dozen reports by Gartner, Forrester, and other analysts. Bill also served on the Board of Directors for Deloitte’s consulting practices in India and China.
Bill has spoken at various internal and external engagements in the U.S. and globally, provided media commentary on a wealth of topics, and has published on subjects such as the innovative CIO and reinventing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois State University. Additionally, he attended the Northwestern University Executive Program in Manufacturing Physics.
In his spare time, Bill has served as a Trustee for the Autry National Center, and as a Director of the First Tee of Los Angeles. Bill enjoys playing golf and guitar, as well as horseback riding. He lives with his wife, Mary, and daughter, Berkeley, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Benjamin A. Hart, MBA '95
Hart is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bloomington-based Heritage Enterprises Inc. Founded in 1963, Heritage focuses on serving the health care and therapy needs of seniors. With over 50 years of experience, Heritage now operates and manages over 55 facilities throughout Illinois, and one community in Indianapolis.
As a respected leader in the long-term care industry, Heritage provides comprehensive skilled nursing care, including Alzheimer’s and dementia memory care support, nutrition services and much more. Heritage’s exclusive RESTORE to Home Therapy program boasts licensed therapists trained to provide top-level physical, occupational and speech therapy tailored to seniors’ unique needs. In conjunction with a cutting edge long-term care pharmacy, Green Tree Pharmacy, Heritage fulfills a broad spectrum of senior care needs. From skilled nursing facilities to assisted living, supportive living and independent living communities, Heritage Enterprises raises the bar in senior health care.
Hart earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He proceeded to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Illinois State University (1995). Hart’s career in health care began in 1996 when he joined Heritage Enterprises, Inc. There he took on responsibilities for new development, acquisitions, and capital reinvestments of projects in excess of $100 million. Additionally, Hart oversaw the functions of facility management, information technology, environmental services and marketing.
Hart serves on the Illinois State University Foundation Board and the Illinois State University College of Business Advisory Council. He also serves on boards for several business organizations, including the Health Care Council of Illinois, Affordable Assisted Living Coalition and the Advocate BroMenn Philanthropy Council.
J. William Lin, MS '70
Lin & Lincoln CPA’s was founded in 1980 by William Lin and has since been growing rapidly into a full service CPA firm serving business as well as personal for more than 30 states and 10 countries internationally for: auditing, taxation, accounting, financial planning, and management advisory.
William received an M.S. in Business Administration from Illinois State University in 1970, and in 1960 he received B.A. from National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, Taiwan.
With an American dream in his mind, he came to ISU for a master’s degree in 1969. Prior to attending ISU, he worked as a high school teacher, and also worked for the National Bank of Communications in Taiwan.
As soon as he graduated from ISU, he concurrently served as chief accountant for Computer Service Inc., Maxium De Paris, and Bistrol Restaurant under the same owner.
In 1987, he organized the New Asia Bank, the biggest Chinese Bank in the Chicago area and he served on the board of directors for 18 years. During that time he chaired the loan committee which contributed to the success of the bank and helped communities and people with a low credit rate.
William is serving as Board of Directors for: Taiwanese World Chamber of Commerce, Taiwanese American CPA Association of North America, Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of North America, and Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago. He served on the Board of Directors for: New Asia Bank, AA Investment LLC, Executive Building II Corp., Mt. Jade Technological Association, Wilmette Family Services, and Asian American Advisory Council.
Besides Lin & Lincoln CPA’s LLC, he is serving as president for: Hsing-Pei University Alumni Association Mid-West Chapter (Alumni Combination of National Chung-Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan, and National Taipei University in Taipei, Taiwan), AA Investment II LLC, and Executive Building Corporation. He served as president for: Taiwanese CPA Association of North America, Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago.
William Lin also contributes effort in helping communities and people.
Catherine L. Lynch, '80
Lynch is the Chief Financial Officer of Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation, and a member of the board of directors of The Inland Group, Inc. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate and finance groups, representing more than 45 years of expertise and integrity in the industry, and has received the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for marketplace ethics in 2009 and 2014.
Lynch graduated from Illinois State in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy. She went to work for Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (currently KPMG LLP) as an auditor for nine years, and then joined Inland in 1989. She has held various accounting positions at Inland, eventually becoming CFO in 2011, where she is responsible for all of the finance and accounting activities for multiple Inland entities. In 2012, she was the first woman and non-founding principal appointed to the board of directors of The Inland Group, Inc.
As a strong believer in the benefits of mentoring, Lynch was a founding member of the Women’s’ Initiative Network at Inland, a program offering career education and advice for employees, and is an active mentor for several women in the Inland organization.
Lynch is a certified public accountant, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society, and is also registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority as a financial operations principal.
She and her husband divide their time between their home in Wheaton, Illinois and their farm in southwestern Wisconsin.
Joseph E. McNeely, ’86
Mr. McNeely is a successful leader with comprehensive rail industry experience and a diverse business background with a track record of driving value in manufacturing, leasing and distribution industries. He has significant rail, mergers, acquisitions and international experience.
Joe began his career with Arthur Andersen, LLP and was a senior manager on numerous attest and consulting engagements. He went on to hold positions at GATX Corporation, including Vice President of Finance for GATX Rail as well as Vice President Sales and Marketing at Mitsui Rail Capital. He was the Chief Financial Officer at FreightCar America, Inc. from 2010 to 2013 when he assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer.
He currently serves on the American Association of Railroads Associate Advisory Board and the Illinois State University College of Business Advisory Board, is a member of the Railway Supply Institute Board of Directors, and is the President of the RSI American Railway Car Institute Committee (ARCI).
Joe is a graduate of Illinois State University (BS Accounting 1986), Notre Dame (MBA 2007) and is a CPA.
Greg Morris, ’94
Greg Morris is senior vice president and president of ADM’s Oilseeds processing business unit, and an officer of the corporation. In that role, Morris has responsibility for all commercial activity, operations and production for the company’s Oilseeds business.
Previously, Morris led the launch of the company’s WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business unit, which includes ADM’s specialty ingredients businesses, as well as the company’s WILD Flavors business, and ADM’s portfolio of dried fruits, seeds, legumes and ancient grains.
Morris joined ADM in 1995 and has held several senior-level merchandising and management positions across three of the company’s four business units. Prior to leading the launch of WFSI, he served as ADM’s president, North American Oilseeds Processing. In that role, he oversaw more than two dozen crushing plants, Southern Cellulose Products, Inc., and the company’s Foods & Wellness group.
Morris serves on the board of directors of Stratas Foods, LLC, and is a member of Illinois State University’s Finance Advisory Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Illinois State University, and an MBA from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.