April 20, 2020
Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials (TRRC) is adding to its staff as West-Central Illinois’ Community Action Agency is responding to assist those suffering during the national COVID-19 Pandemic.
TRRC Executive Director Bob Gough is announcing that Jeremy Oshner will become the agency’s Deputy Executive Director. Oshner has 14 years with TRRC and also serves as the agency’s Workforce Development Director. He specializes in program development, grant writing, staff management, and many other skills needed for Two Rivers Regional Council. Oshner received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Hannibal-LaGrange University.
“Jeremy’s institutional knowledge will be invaluable as we attempt to re-familiarize Two Rivers to the area and demonstrate what we contribute to the local economy,” Gough said. “We are going to be leading the region in putting people back to work and Jeremy is a key player for us to re-establish the connection between workers and employers as we ramp up.”
Chad Frederick is also joining TRRC as the agency’s Deputy Director of Economic Development. Frederick has been working for Western Illinois University in Macomb for the last 10 years, but before that, he was a grant writer for the Western Illinois Regional Council in Macomb. Frederick has a Masters in Communications from Western Illinois University.
Teaming with TRRC’s economic development veterans Charles Bell and Earl Bricker, Gough says Frederick will be leading a renewed effort to expand the agency’s presence.
“Chad brings a working knowledge of West-Central Illinois and will be a big asset as we improve our outreach to all of the counties in our Economic Development District,” Gough said. “Employers from the Illinois River to the Mississippi River are looking to us to help them navigate the details of the state and federal aid and loan programs that will be critical to re-starting the economy during the recovery period.”
Gough said TRRC was preparing a major investment in its agency before COVID-19, but the silver lining of the pandemic is to remind people what Two Rivers can provide to the region.
“We have received additional funding for most of our services because of the pandemic and we are planning to maximize that to help the increased number of people in need,” Gough said. “We’re seeing more need in our food pantries Mt. Sterling and Pittsfield and DOT Foods has stepped up in a big way for us. Whether it’s food, shelter or energy assistance through LIHEAP, Two Rivers is here for West-Central Illinois.”
