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Staff

Staff

Meet the Team

The expertise at the Greater Freeport Partnership spans decades of service to community excellence. You can contact us via our general email or call the office at 815-233-1350.

Andrea Schultz Winter is the executive director for the Greater Freeport Partnership. Andrea works on economic development efforts for the Partnership, including downtown Freeport beautification efforts, data analysis, business support regarding financial incentives and loan programs, and employer workforce development support. Andrea has a wide range of experience–from working on complex architecture and construction projects to urban and regional planning developments.  Andrea started her professional career in the Pacific Northwest where she gained an understanding and appreciation for ‘green’ design and best practices.  More recently, Andrea has worked with a local architecture, construction, and development firm where she led local urban planning efforts.  Andrea attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where she received her Bachelors of Architecture, Masters of Architecture and Masters of Urban and Regional Planning.  Freeport has been Andrea’s adopted hometown for the past 10 years.  She loves being back in the Midwest and closer to family.  Andrea and her husband have three energetic children.  She values the Freeport community and volunteers her time sitting on multiple non-profit boards.

awinter@greaterfreeport.com

Bill Clow is the business engagement director for the Greater Freeport Partnership. Bill has had a long and varied career, including involvement in four different chambers, working in healthcare, education and consulting, and the running of two radio stations, including one of which he helped to start. Bill enjoys working with local businesses, learning of their stories and helping them overcome challenges. He is happy to be a resident of Freeport and Stephenson County.

Bill lives near downtown in Freeport with Sarah and, except for a three year stint in  northern Wisconsin, lived his adult life in northern and central Illinois. Before his adventure in the Northwoods, Bill lived for 20 years in Woodstock, IL. Bill has a BS in Communications and an MBA from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He has two adult children, who live on opposite coasts, giving him good vacation options. Bill is always anxious to get his kayak wet in some of the rivers and streams of northwest Illinois. In the meantime, he will mark time sampling all of the great food and drink and meeting the interesting people of Stephenson County!

bclow@greaterfreeport.com

Nicole Haas is the brand director for the Greater Freeport Partnership. She is charged with telling the story of the beauty and innovation of Freeport and Stephenson County to attract visitors, employees and residents to the region.  She also helps to curate visitor and community information in multiple media channels to draw visitors into the county and showcase all of its amenities.

Nicole grew up in Pearl City and received her degree in communications and public relations from Western Illinois University and master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Adler University. She worked as general manager for Erickson Publishing in Madison, WI before returning to the area to work in non-profit development and fundraising for several local agencies. Before becoming part of the Partnership’s team, she was the executive director of the Illinois Association of Groundwater Association. Nicole serves on several boards in the area and volunteers her time regularly in a variety of professional capacities. She resides on a farm in rural Stockton with her husband and two sons.

nhaas@greaterfreeport.com

John Bosco is the development services manager for the Greater Freeport Partnership, where he plays a pivotal role in driving the achievement of the strategic goals and policies of the Partnership. In his career, John has had successful operations in the areas economic and community development, land use and spatial planning, business development, grant writing, administration, and data analysis.

John has worked in many capacities in the private and public sectors across the world and his diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of the complexities in building resilient communities and economic development efforts. With the focus of his work geared towards improving the lives of citizens, sustaining existing businesses and attracting the needed investment for long-term economic sustainability, John excels in fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams, emphasizes innovation and a clear commitment to delivering tailor-made, high-quality outcomes that align with the expectations of stakeholders and ensures the achievement of the strategic goals of the Partnership.

Outside of work, John loves the outdoors and is an amazing soccer player. His admiration and love for the Freeport community stems from his belief in community engagement. He therefore participates in any community activity that brings residents together in a fun, purposeful and soul-satisfying way.

jbosco@greaterfreeport.com

Katie Gentz is the event and engagement manager for the Greater Freeport Partnership, where she spearheads community events and initiatives. With over 20 years of experience living in the area, Katie has deep roots in the community and a keen understanding of its needs.
In her role, Katie not only coordinates a variety of local events but also manages the Illinois Main Street program, working to enhance and revitalize downtown areas through strategic planning and community engagement. Her passion for building strong community connections and fostering local pride drives her efforts to create memorable and impactful experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Katie lives in the area with her husband and two kids. In her free time, she enjoys camping and traveling.

kgentz@greaterfreeport.com

Becky Eberle is the administrative services manager for the Greater Freeport Partnership. She assists the executive director in management of the corporation’s board of directors, committee, membership, and strategic allies and establishes a smooth functioning office noted for its excellent customer service, operating efficiency, professional image, product quality and high-quality prospect responses and client research.

Prior to working for the Partnership, Becky’s work history reflects 23 years throughout various areas of the banking industry.

Becky is originally from the Sterling/Rock Falls area but has resided in Freeport with her husband, son and two dogs, for the past seven years. Becky enjoys spending time with family and friends.

beberle@greaterfreeport.com

Billy George is the administrative coordinator at the Greater Freeport Partnership. He holds an A.S. in Digital Media from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.  From there he moved back to the Midwest because he missed the winters.  Freeport is lucky to have him back in the area, first working for his family’s business, Bill George Plumbing and Heating, and now at the Partnership.

In his free time, Billy can be found checking out the awesome food that Stephenson County restaurants have to offer.

bgeorge@greaterfreeport.com

Key Industries

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Healthcare

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Construction, Plumbing, Heating, & Service

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Private Label Food Manufacturing

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Celebrating Hispanic Businesses for Hispanic Heritage Month October 9, 2024 Greater Freeport Partnership está comprometida a promover la equidad, celebrar la diversidad y crear una cultura de pertenencia en Freeport y el condado de Stephenson. Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre se conmemora el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y el impacto de la cultura hispana en nuestras comunidades. Como organización de desarrollo empresarial para Freeport y el […]
Manufacturing in Stephenson County is an Opportunity for Students October 3, 2024 freeport il, greater freeport partnership, Stephenson County October is National Manufacturing Month. Throughout the month, you will see information regarding economic impact, business spotlights, and promotion of this vital industry. Manufacturing has long been a cornerstone of Stephenson County’s economy. From producing essential goods to driving local employment, the industry plays a crucial role in sustaining the region’s economic growth.    As of recent years, manufacturing has […]
Taking the Bait with a Tourism Event September 27, 2024 Freeport, greater freeport partnership, Stephenson County Did you make it to the Northwest Illinois Air Show this past Saturday? If you did, you weren’t alone! The air show brought more than 1,800 people to the Freeport Albertus Airport to enjoy aerial acrobatics, stunt teams, and other high-flying acts. More importantly, 50 percent of those who attended the air show traveled from outside of Stephenson County. What […]
The Importance of Upper-Floor Redevelopment in Downtown Areas September 20, 2024 downtown, Freeport, greater freeport partnership, Stephenson County In many historic downtowns, the upper floors of commercial buildings often remain unused or underutilized. However, transforming these spaces into modern housing units is a vital step toward revitalizing urban centers and driving economic growth. For communities like Freeport, upper-floor redevelopment not only preserves historic architecture but also brings much-needed housing into the heart of the city.  Creating residential spaces […]