2016 Murphysboro High School Distinguished Alumni
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Ron BargerClass of 1973
Ron K. Barger spent his early career in private practice as a partner in Strasburger & Price, L.L.P, one of the oldest and largest law firms in Dallas, Texas. He joined Strasburger in 1981 and practiced in the areas of litigation, real estate, corporate and banking transactions. He also served during his tenure with the firm as a member of the Management Committee, Hiring Partner, Business Development Partner and Associate Training Partner. |
In 1997 Barger joined the Archon Group, L.P., an international, full-service real estate investment and management company. A wholly-owned subsidiary and later a division of Goldman Sachs, Archon and its family of companies operated in 10 countries globally, and at its peak, had approximately 13,000 people and managed approximately $70 billion of real estate and loan assets. Barger served a variety of roles with Archon, including Global General Counsel, Global Chief Compliance Officer, Global Risk Committee chair and Information Security Committee chair. While there, he also served as a member of the Archon Operating and Investment Committees, and was a Managing Director of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Barger currently serves as Senior Managing Director of Operations and General Counsel at ORIX USA, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation which ranked 265 on the 2016 Forbes Global 2000 world’s largest publicly-listed corporations. In this role, he oversees operational areas of ORIX USA, including Legal, Compliance, Human Resources, Technology, Marketing, Communications, the ORIX Foundation and Corporate Planning and Administration, in addition to supporting strategic transactions for ORIX’s multiple lines of business. He also serves on the Board of Directors for several ORIX subsidiaries and affiliates including Houlihan Lokey (NYSE: HLI), RED Capital Group, Boston Financial Investment Management and Mariner Investment Group.
Barger remains active in real estate, legal and professional associations, including The General Counsel Forum where he formerly served as chairman and a member of the board of directors. This group—comprised of more than 700 general counsel and senior managing counsel—represents more than 450 companies and organizations and aims to discover and share best legal practices. He is also a member and former chairman of the International Association of Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate (AECRE) and the Executive Connection, an organization designed to connect executives across many industries for the benefit of corporate and community value. He is a frequent speaker and contributor to legal and industry conferences. In 2008, Barger was awarded the Magna Stella Founders Award from The General Counsel Forum and was the recipient of the prestigious Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics and Law in 2010.
A strong advocate and champion for higher education, Barger is the chair of the Board of Visitors of the University of North Texas College of Law and a former member of the Executive Board of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law. He also sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Illinois’ College of Applied Health Sciences.
Active in many community organizations, Barger serves as a member of the President’s Council for the Texas Methodist Foundation, and is very involved with St Andrew United Methodist Church, where he is the chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Executive Council and Administrative Council. His volunteer activity also extends to a variety of community organizations, including serving on the boards of the ORIX Foundation, Four Corners Global Outreach, Inc., the Texas Sports Medicine Foundation and CASA of Collin County. Barger was a co-founder and member of the Leadership Counsel of 30 for Dallas CASA, an advocacy organization that represents the interest of the area’s most abused and neglected children. Additionally, he co-founded Lead SI, an initiative to develop leadership skills, community awareness and opportunities for young people in Southern Illinois.
Barger earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctorate from the SMU Dedman School of Law.
Barger currently serves as Senior Managing Director of Operations and General Counsel at ORIX USA, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation which ranked 265 on the 2016 Forbes Global 2000 world’s largest publicly-listed corporations. In this role, he oversees operational areas of ORIX USA, including Legal, Compliance, Human Resources, Technology, Marketing, Communications, the ORIX Foundation and Corporate Planning and Administration, in addition to supporting strategic transactions for ORIX’s multiple lines of business. He also serves on the Board of Directors for several ORIX subsidiaries and affiliates including Houlihan Lokey (NYSE: HLI), RED Capital Group, Boston Financial Investment Management and Mariner Investment Group.
Barger remains active in real estate, legal and professional associations, including The General Counsel Forum where he formerly served as chairman and a member of the board of directors. This group—comprised of more than 700 general counsel and senior managing counsel—represents more than 450 companies and organizations and aims to discover and share best legal practices. He is also a member and former chairman of the International Association of Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate (AECRE) and the Executive Connection, an organization designed to connect executives across many industries for the benefit of corporate and community value. He is a frequent speaker and contributor to legal and industry conferences. In 2008, Barger was awarded the Magna Stella Founders Award from The General Counsel Forum and was the recipient of the prestigious Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics and Law in 2010.
A strong advocate and champion for higher education, Barger is the chair of the Board of Visitors of the University of North Texas College of Law and a former member of the Executive Board of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law. He also sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Illinois’ College of Applied Health Sciences.
Active in many community organizations, Barger serves as a member of the President’s Council for the Texas Methodist Foundation, and is very involved with St Andrew United Methodist Church, where he is the chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Executive Council and Administrative Council. His volunteer activity also extends to a variety of community organizations, including serving on the boards of the ORIX Foundation, Four Corners Global Outreach, Inc., the Texas Sports Medicine Foundation and CASA of Collin County. Barger was a co-founder and member of the Leadership Counsel of 30 for Dallas CASA, an advocacy organization that represents the interest of the area’s most abused and neglected children. Additionally, he co-founded Lead SI, an initiative to develop leadership skills, community awareness and opportunities for young people in Southern Illinois.
Barger earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctorate from the SMU Dedman School of Law.
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Michael Bost Class of 1979
Rep. Mike Bost is proud to represent the 12 counties of Illinois’ 12th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sworn into office on January 6, 2015, Mike is continuing the fight for our Southern Illinois’ values in Washington – a fight he began in U.S. military, then as a first responder, a local job creator, and a state representative. In the 114th Congress, Rep. Bost serves on three key committees: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bost served for two decades in the Illinois House of Representatives, rising to the leadership position of House Republican Caucus Chair. |
Rep. Bost also served as a firefighter for the Murphysboro Fire Department. He graduated from the University of Illinois' Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993 and continued to serve the Murphysboro Fire Department during his six terms as state representative. Prior to that, Rep. Bost worked for 13 years at Bost Trucking Service, first as a driver and then for 10 years as a truck manager.
Rep. Bost is a lifelong resident of Murphysboro. He graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1979. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps serving his country from 1979 to 1982. He was trained as an electronic specialist and radar repairman and received an honorable discharge as a Corporal E-4.
In addition to his duties as a state representative, Rep. Bost is very active in his church and community. Rep. Bost and his wife, Tracy, own and operate a small business – the White House Salon – in Murphysboro.
Rep. Bost is a lifelong resident of Murphysboro. He graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1979. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps serving his country from 1979 to 1982. He was trained as an electronic specialist and radar repairman and received an honorable discharge as a Corporal E-4.
In addition to his duties as a state representative, Rep. Bost is very active in his church and community. Rep. Bost and his wife, Tracy, own and operate a small business – the White House Salon – in Murphysboro.
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Dennis DeRossettClass of 1973
The role of a free press and its importance in our democracy fueled a life-long passion and career in the newspaper industry for Dennis DeRossett. To date his career has spanned nearly 40-years, including 30 years as publisher of community newspapers throughout the Midwest and over six years in executive management of both state and national newspaper associations. |
Dennis is a proud MTHS graduate, class of 1973. He graduated from John A Logan College in 1975 and from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism major. He worked his way through college with part-time jobs at the Southern Illinoisan newspaper and Daily Egyptian. Twenty four years later, he would return to the Southern Illinoisan as publisher, a position he would hold until 2010 when he left for Springfield to manage the Illinois Press Association as its President & CEO.
His newspaper publishing career took him throughout the Midwest to newspapers in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma before returning back to Illinois in 1997. Under his leadership, the newspapers were strong advocates of the First Amendment, for transparency in government and the public’s right to know through legislation for open meeting, open records, Freedom of Information Act and public notices.
He also believed that the newspapers played a key role in the economic health and development of the community and regions they served. In all communities in which he served as publisher, he was involved in leadership of the economic development organizations, many times serving as president. He also served on the boards of several community foundations, focusing on local education, the arts and community improvement.
His leadership is evident from the numerous awards and honors he has received. In 2003, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of John A Logan College. In 2004, Dennis was named Business Leader of the Year by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, the Chamber named the Southern Illinoisan its Regional Business of the Year.
In 2005, the Southern Illinoisan was named Enterprise of the Year by its parent company, Lee Enterprises. The Southern was the runner-up in 2004. As the company’s top award, much coveted by its 53 newspapers, the award is for general excellence achievement in multiple areas including financial performance, overall product and content, creativity and innovation, and staff development.
After 30 years in the role of a publisher, Dennis took on new roles of leadership within the industry as President & CEO of the Illinois Press Association. Based in the capital city of Springfield, the IPA represents nearly 500 Illinois newspapers in legislative and legal services, education programs for both professional and student journalists and, also, with advertising sales and placement services. Under Dennis’ leadership the IPA has recently expanded its scope in providing contract management services for the National Newspaper Association, which represents over 2,200 community newspapers across all 50 states. Dennis also serves as Chief Operating Officer of the NNA.
Both associations represent the business and journalistic interests of newspapers; they also advocate for openness and transparency in government and for protection of rights guaranteed in the First Amendment, as well as development of future journalists.
His newspaper publishing career took him throughout the Midwest to newspapers in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma before returning back to Illinois in 1997. Under his leadership, the newspapers were strong advocates of the First Amendment, for transparency in government and the public’s right to know through legislation for open meeting, open records, Freedom of Information Act and public notices.
He also believed that the newspapers played a key role in the economic health and development of the community and regions they served. In all communities in which he served as publisher, he was involved in leadership of the economic development organizations, many times serving as president. He also served on the boards of several community foundations, focusing on local education, the arts and community improvement.
His leadership is evident from the numerous awards and honors he has received. In 2003, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of John A Logan College. In 2004, Dennis was named Business Leader of the Year by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, the Chamber named the Southern Illinoisan its Regional Business of the Year.
In 2005, the Southern Illinoisan was named Enterprise of the Year by its parent company, Lee Enterprises. The Southern was the runner-up in 2004. As the company’s top award, much coveted by its 53 newspapers, the award is for general excellence achievement in multiple areas including financial performance, overall product and content, creativity and innovation, and staff development.
After 30 years in the role of a publisher, Dennis took on new roles of leadership within the industry as President & CEO of the Illinois Press Association. Based in the capital city of Springfield, the IPA represents nearly 500 Illinois newspapers in legislative and legal services, education programs for both professional and student journalists and, also, with advertising sales and placement services. Under Dennis’ leadership the IPA has recently expanded its scope in providing contract management services for the National Newspaper Association, which represents over 2,200 community newspapers across all 50 states. Dennis also serves as Chief Operating Officer of the NNA.
Both associations represent the business and journalistic interests of newspapers; they also advocate for openness and transparency in government and for protection of rights guaranteed in the First Amendment, as well as development of future journalists.
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Michael EllisClass of 1964
Michael Ellis was named a government career trainee in the administration of Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie, shortly after his graduation from Southern Illinois University, with a degree in journalism. Ellis also served on the communications staffs of the speaker and minority leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, and as statewide communications director of the successful Illinois re-election campaign of President Gerald Ford, after which he was named deputy director of communications for the Republican National Committee in Washington. |
Ellis returned to Illinois to manage the campaign of the first woman nominated for statewide office in the state, by either of the two major political parties. He later served as manager of marketing presentations and packaging in the administration of Illinois Governor James R. Thompson. In that position, his writing appeared in Newsweek, Fortune, the Asian Wall Street Journal, and other periodicals, and video and film presentations he produced promoting Illinois, won numerous professional awards and were exhibited internationally.
Ellis subsequently served as director of development and communications for a major Springfield, Illinois, not-for-profit organization, after which he returned to Southern Illinois to become associate director of the SIU Foundation, and retired from that position in 2010. While at SIU, Ellis also served as an internal communications consultant to the vice president of academic affairs for the SIU System.
Ellis has served on the boards of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the Illinois Society of Association Executives; Carbondale Community Arts; and Specialized Training for Adult Rehabilitation (START). He also designed a comprehensive fundraising campaign for Murphysboro’s General John A Logan Museum.
Ellis subsequently served as director of development and communications for a major Springfield, Illinois, not-for-profit organization, after which he returned to Southern Illinois to become associate director of the SIU Foundation, and retired from that position in 2010. While at SIU, Ellis also served as an internal communications consultant to the vice president of academic affairs for the SIU System.
Ellis has served on the boards of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the Illinois Society of Association Executives; Carbondale Community Arts; and Specialized Training for Adult Rehabilitation (START). He also designed a comprehensive fundraising campaign for Murphysboro’s General John A Logan Museum.
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Sandra Borgsmiller KernsClass of 1967
Mrs. Borgsmiller Kerns is an actress with a considerable work history. Graduating with a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Illinois she decided to take on Hollywood. Currently She has over 35 credits to her name. Mrs. Kerns work has been expansive including nationally run commercials, starring in various television series both as individual characters and as regular cast members, as well as having roles in various plays and movies. |
Mrs. kerns National Commercials included ads for Hallmark, Plymoth automobiles, and Folgers to name a few. Her plays included parts in several Jerry Mayer’s plays such as “Almost Perfect” and “A Love Affair”. She won an LA Dramalogue Award for Ensemble Acting for the 1989 play “Aspirin & Elephants”. IMDb has a full listing of her tv and movie roles.
Mrs. Kerns is probably best known to viewers for her role as Ellen Powell on Charles in Charge, a Sitcom which lasted for 5 seasons. This show was featured on E! True Hollywood Story where Mrs. Kerns got to play herself. Most recently Mrs. Kerns has been pitching her own scripts.
Mrs. Kerns is probably best known to viewers for her role as Ellen Powell on Charles in Charge, a Sitcom which lasted for 5 seasons. This show was featured on E! True Hollywood Story where Mrs. Kerns got to play herself. Most recently Mrs. Kerns has been pitching her own scripts.
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Gary PinkertonClass of 1987
Captain Gary Pinkerton graduated from the US Naval Academy with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1991. He then attended the University of Illinois obtaining a Masters Degree in Nuclear Engineering. Upon graduation he completed a two year training pipeline to become a submariner officer. On the USS ARCHERFISH, a nuclear attack submarine modified to conduct SEAL special missions, he served as the Chemistry and Radiological Control Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, and Assistant Operations Officer. During his deployments on the ARCHERFISH he earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation and Navy Unit Commendation awards. |
CAPT Pinkerton attended the Submarine Officer Advanced Course in 1999 and received the L.Y. Spear award for graduating first in his class. On the USS MICHIGAN BLUE he served as Engineer Officer, and after completing his tour served as a Junior Board Member and Executive Officer on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board.
CAPT Pinkerton served as Executive Officer of USS HARTFORD and after completing his tour served as the assistant to the Deputy Director of Naval Reactors for officer personnel and policy matters. After which he commanded the USS TUCSON in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he deployed to the Western Pacific earning a second Navy Unit Commendation and receiving the 2010 Battle Efficiency “E” award signifying the most successful submarine in squadron SEVEN.
CAPT Pinkerton then served as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, US Naval Academy; a Joint Chiefs Division Director at the Pentagon; and most recently as Senior Nuclear Accessions and Second Battalion officer, US Naval Academy. Upon his retirement from the Navy he formed and will operate companies focusing on real estate and educating other in personal finance.
CAPT Pinkerton served as Executive Officer of USS HARTFORD and after completing his tour served as the assistant to the Deputy Director of Naval Reactors for officer personnel and policy matters. After which he commanded the USS TUCSON in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he deployed to the Western Pacific earning a second Navy Unit Commendation and receiving the 2010 Battle Efficiency “E” award signifying the most successful submarine in squadron SEVEN.
CAPT Pinkerton then served as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, US Naval Academy; a Joint Chiefs Division Director at the Pentagon; and most recently as Senior Nuclear Accessions and Second Battalion officer, US Naval Academy. Upon his retirement from the Navy he formed and will operate companies focusing on real estate and educating other in personal finance.
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Matthew Monahan & Brian Monahan
Matthew Monahan Class of 2002, Brian Monahan Class of 2005
Matthew Monahan, alongside his brother Brian, always dreamt of starting a company. Matthew developed his first business while enrolled in the entrepreneurship program at USC, focused on helping students with test preparation and scholarships.Three years later Brian went to Harvard, only to also leave college early, and joined his brother in Silicon Valley. Matthew and Brian teamed up to build a technology platform that would organize government records and service a wide range of needs for people and business information online. Developing ways to safeguard privacy while enabling responsible access was their big idea. Inflection was born. |
The name Inflection was inspired by the theme of accelerating technology and the writings of Andy Grove. The company created Archives.com, a website dedicated to family history research and genealogy, and subsequently sold it to Ancestry.com in 2012.
Since its founding in 2006, Inflection has built a full suite of trust and safety data solutions, including GoodHire, Identity.com, and peer-to-peer sharing economy APIs. The company works with governments, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in pursuit of its mission to build trust online and deepen connections between people around the world.
The brothers were winners of the prestigious E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2012. They have more recently taken their entrepreneurial spirit into the nonprofit realm, starting the Namaste Foundation, which supports exceptional nonprofits and change-makers.
Brian and Matthew credit their success to their Midwest upbringing, which instilled in them a values-driven approach, hunger for learning and personal growth, and the importance of community service. They are forever grateful for their experiences at Murphysboro High School.
Since its founding in 2006, Inflection has built a full suite of trust and safety data solutions, including GoodHire, Identity.com, and peer-to-peer sharing economy APIs. The company works with governments, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in pursuit of its mission to build trust online and deepen connections between people around the world.
The brothers were winners of the prestigious E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2012. They have more recently taken their entrepreneurial spirit into the nonprofit realm, starting the Namaste Foundation, which supports exceptional nonprofits and change-makers.
Brian and Matthew credit their success to their Midwest upbringing, which instilled in them a values-driven approach, hunger for learning and personal growth, and the importance of community service. They are forever grateful for their experiences at Murphysboro High School.
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Gary “Alan” NehringClass of 1988
Gary “Alan” Nehring attended Southern Illinois University after graduating from Murphysboro High School in 1988. He earned both, an associate's degree in architectural technology and a bachelor's degree in advanced technical studies, from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. Upon graduation from Southern Illinois University, Alan moved to St. Louis where he worked for several design firms before starting his own business in summer 2008. His firm is a full service architectural and interior design firm that emphasizes emphasizing on branding the client’s built environment. |
His team assists clients through the architectural design process which starts at a needs assessment phase and ends after construction is completed. His teamsteam’s typical workweek includes the creation of schematic plans, design development packages, and construction documentation, as well as material, finish and furniture selections and installations.
Since the conception of his business, Alan and his team have received several prestigious awards of recognition. These accolades include an AIA Merit Award, Award of Merit for Midwest Construction Magazine and the St. Louis Landmark Association Most Enhanced Building Award. Nehring Design has also been featured multiple times in the “Coolest Office Spaces Inin St. Louis” section featured in the St. Louis Business Journal and the Office Snapshots website featuring global office design. In 2012, Nehring Design received an unprecedented two of four possible awards at the IIDA Mid-America Chapter Unravel Fashion Show with a 2014 follow up Concept to Creation award where couture is showcased down a runway and is made strictly of construction and finish materials. In 2014, Nehring Design won yet another award, the Concept to Creation award.
Aside from his professional achievements with Nehring Design, Alan has been very committed to community organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish of Missouri Foundation and Webster Groves School District. In 2006, Alan and his wife Leslie’s first son, Caleb, died from a rare childhood cancer, Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma, after a 13 month battle. Upon the death of Caleb, Alan became event chair of the St. Louis City American Cancer Society Relay for Life which collected over $100,000 his first year as chair and collecting thousands of dollars in future years for the organization. Alan and Leslie were also awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaver Certificate of Recognition for their annual Red Cross blood drive held each year on the day of Caleb’s death. Over the past several years, Alan and his firm have raised over $25,000 for the Make-A-Wish of Missouri Foundation. Alan is also the proud father of Quinton(Quinton (14) and Peyton(Peyton (8).
Since the conception of his business, Alan and his team have received several prestigious awards of recognition. These accolades include an AIA Merit Award, Award of Merit for Midwest Construction Magazine and the St. Louis Landmark Association Most Enhanced Building Award. Nehring Design has also been featured multiple times in the “Coolest Office Spaces Inin St. Louis” section featured in the St. Louis Business Journal and the Office Snapshots website featuring global office design. In 2012, Nehring Design received an unprecedented two of four possible awards at the IIDA Mid-America Chapter Unravel Fashion Show with a 2014 follow up Concept to Creation award where couture is showcased down a runway and is made strictly of construction and finish materials. In 2014, Nehring Design won yet another award, the Concept to Creation award.
Aside from his professional achievements with Nehring Design, Alan has been very committed to community organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish of Missouri Foundation and Webster Groves School District. In 2006, Alan and his wife Leslie’s first son, Caleb, died from a rare childhood cancer, Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma, after a 13 month battle. Upon the death of Caleb, Alan became event chair of the St. Louis City American Cancer Society Relay for Life which collected over $100,000 his first year as chair and collecting thousands of dollars in future years for the organization. Alan and Leslie were also awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaver Certificate of Recognition for their annual Red Cross blood drive held each year on the day of Caleb’s death. Over the past several years, Alan and his firm have raised over $25,000 for the Make-A-Wish of Missouri Foundation. Alan is also the proud father of Quinton(Quinton (14) and Peyton(Peyton (8).
