Category: CNF Board Members - Carlin Nalley Foundation Scholarship & Alumni Support

Carlin Nalley Foundation, Ambassador Director, Rachel Birkley

10/24/2023

Rachel Birkley (class of 2013) was voted on to the Foundation board in 2020, and in 2021 Rachel was voted the Ambassador Director. She earned her AA from the College of DuPage in 2015, BA from North Central College in 2018, and MA in Higher Education Leadership from North Central College in 2021. She is also a Fulbright alumna, as Rachel served as an English Teaching Assistant in Logroño, Spain, for an academic year. Currently, she is employed at North Central College as Associate Director, Education Abroad.
“Lisle Community School District #202 provided countless opportunities for me to soar during my time as a student and established a foundation of learning that allowed me to achieve my dreams upon graduation. Thanks to my K-12 teachers, supportive staff members along the way, and the tight-knit community in Lisle, I learned how to collaborate, empathize, and lead others. I am honored to serve as a board member for the Carlin Nalley Foundation and give back to the community that gave me everything. I hope to create a strong network of our Lisle alumni, celebrating each of our successes, as well as supporting current students to achieve their dreams, just as I did. Go Lions,” Rachel Berkley!

Carlin Nalley Foundation, Communications Director, Don Krause

10/24/2023

Don Krause (class of 1972) was voted on to the Foundation board in 2015 & is currently the Director of Communications. He is a ’74 grad of the College of DuPage and has owned his own advertising firm since 1988. He is also a business broker at Strategic Business Brokers. He lives with his wife, Kathy, in Lisle and has two children, Katelyn & Donny, and a grandson Brody.
“Being part of an organization with Coach’s namesake is quite an honor. I pray that I serve with the same selflessness that Coach Nalley has lived," Don Krause"

Carlin Nalley Foundation, Director, Bill Buchelt

10/24/2023

Bill Buchelt (Class of 1984) has been serving as director on the foundation since 2012. He is a graduate of Illinois Benedictine University (Class of 1988) with a degree in marketing and economics. Since 1988, he has owned and operated Elan Photography in Lisle. He presently lives in Lisle with his wife, Nicole and their four children; Mackenzie, a senior at Valparaiso University, Benjamin, a sophomore at Illinois State University, and Alison a senior and Jordan, a freshman at Lisle High School.
"I am very proud and honored to be a member of the foundation named after a man who is very influential in my life when I was growing up, Coach Nalley. In a cause that I absolutely believe in, this foundation serves to support the graduates of Lisle Senior High School in their continuing education endeavors," Bill Buchelt.

Carlin Nalley Foundation, Treasurer, Alan Nalley

10/24/2023

Alan Nalley (Class of 1986) has served as Treasurer for the Carlin Nalley Foundation since 2008. Alan graduated from NIU and passed the CPA exam in 1991. He also has an MBA from the University of Chicago. Alan works as a Finance Manager at BP in Chicago, Illinois, and lives with his wife (Denise) and daughter (Katie) in Plainfield.
"I believe the unique experience of growing up in Lisle has formed a strong connection across alumni. I am proud to be a part of this community and generate support for current outstanding LSHS graduates," Alan Nalley

Carlin Nalley Foundation, Secretary, Karl Csukor

10/24/2023

I am from the Class of 1980 at LSHS and have served as Secretary for the Carlin Nalley Foundation since 2022. I then graduated from North Central College in 1984 with a BA and the John Marshall Law School in 1987 with a Juris Doctor Degree. I became licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois immediately thereafter. I worked for a larger firm, then a smaller boutique, firm both in Chicago, until I opened my own practice in 1998 in Naperville, where I have remained. I primarily handle real estate, estate planning and administration along with PI litigation.
"I believe that Coach Nalley contributed a great deal to Lisle High School, and the greater community as an administrator. I was proud to be asked to me a member of an organization that continues in the same path set forth by the Coach, and for years to come. "

Carlin Nalley Foundation, Director, Jay Grochowski

10/24/2023

Jay Grochowski (Class of 1977) is a founding member of the Carlin Nalley Foundation and served as its President before stepping down after his second term and moving to a Director position. Jay is in sales with Epson America and is a graduate of Indiana University. He and his wife Rhonda have two children, Lauren and Stefan.

"The Carlin Nalley Foundation celebrates the graduating seniors who honor our school, community, and alumni with their achievements, citizenship, and dedication. Our Foundation and each scholarship is named after a faculty member or alumnus who embodied these values. We are proud to honor the students and faculty, past, present, and future, who make our high school a special place," Jay Grochowski.

Meet Carlin Nalley Foundation, President, John Bartels

10/23/2023

John Bartels has been on the Carlin Nalley Foundation Board of Directors since 2009 and has served as President since 2013.
John is a 1985 graduate of Lisle High School and a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a degree in Chemical Engineering. and has worked as an engineer and manager at BP for the last 26 years. He lives in Lincoln Park with his wife and two daughters.
“I am extremely proud to be a graduate of Lisle High School and honored to serve on the Board of this unique foundation that has provided dozens of significant academic scholarships to highly achieving Lisle High School graduates and that brings together the Lisle Alumni for events to celebrate our common history. My experience at Lisle High School was outstanding thanks to many dedicated educational leaders like Carlin Nalley and their commitment to provide opportunities to bring out the best in Lisle’s students. As Board President, I aspire to lead the Carlin Nalley Foundation in growing its role in rewarding excellence among Lisle High School students and cultivating alumni support to do so,” John Bartels.

Meet Carlin Nalley Foundation, Director, Karla (Nalley) Modelski

12/20/2022

Karla (Nalley) Modelski
Karla is a 1983 graduate of Lisle Senior High School and was voted on to the Carlin Nalley Foundation board in 2022. She graduated from EIU with a M.A. and B.A. in Speech Communication with an English minor. She has over thirty years of experience in education as a speech and film teacher at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL. Living in Roselle, Karla and her husband (Bill) have raised three sons, Kevin, Danny, and Brian, who have all followed in their grandfather’s footsteps as high school or college coaches.

“I am so fortunate to have grown up in Lisle. My childhood has had such a tremendous impact on not only my chosen career as an educator, but moreimportantly, on me as a parent. As a board member of the Carlin Nalley Foundation, I want to give back to Lisle schools and the community by assisting the foundation in enhancing the alumni connections with the current LSHS students in hopes that they, too, will share that sense of incredible pride and bond of community that we have as LSHS alumni.”

Meet Carlin Nalley Foundation, Director, Nicole Urban

12/17/2022

Nicole Urban
Nicole Urban, Class of 2011, was voted on the Carlin Nalley Foundation Board in 2022. Nicole earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Relations from the University of Iowa while being a 4-year letter winner for the Hawkeye Women’s Soccer Program. She then completed her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Arkansas, where she led the team as Director of Operations. She currently works for PepsiCo on the Gatorade brand as a Marketing Development Associate.

“Growing up in Lisle holds a very special place in my heart. I cherish that I was able to build more meaningful relationships because of the tight-knit community that can be found here. I am forever grateful for the Carlin Nalley Foundation supporting me through my education and athletic endeavors. The foundation support was not only present in my high school years, but also expanded into my college athletic career, most recently with my induction to the Lisle Hall of Fame. I am ecstatic to now be able to give back and be a part of the foundation in order to help future generations of Lisle students be successful in accomplishing their goals."

Meet Carlin Naley Foundation, Director, Steve Doyle

12/17/2022

Steve Doyle
Steve Doyle (Class of 2009) was voted onto the Foundation Board in 2022. Steve earned his BS in Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Financial Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2013. Steve is currently a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Naperville. Steve and his wife, Bridget, live in Naperville with their daughter, Kayleigh.
Quote: “Growing up in a town and attending a school as unique as Lisle presents a wide variety of opportunities that are second to none. I was fortunate enough to make many lifelong friends, make unbelievable memories in both academics and athletics and be a part of such a tight-knit community. I am honored to serve the Carlin Nalley Foundation and its mission to support Lisle students as they pursue their future endeavors. I look forward to advancing our work and engaging with our hometown, students and alumni.”

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