Derek Barichello

News Editor, Shaw Local News Network

Keeping local residents informed

Derek Barichello loves the unique feel of the Illinois Valley and is dedicated to informing area residents about what’s going on in their corner of the world.

This 38-year-old Streator resident was born in Streator and graduated from high school there before heading to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2006.

“I have worked in journalism since graduation, beginning as a sports writer for The Times in Ottawa, then the Albany Herald newspaper in Albany, Ga. I began covering news for The Times, advancing my career to Sauk Valley Media in Dixon/Sterling, Ill., where I reported how the largest municipal crime in U.S. history occurred with the Rita Crundwell case. I returned to The Times in Ottawa in 2013, and became news editor, also becoming the news editor at the NewsTribune in La Salle in 2020,” he said.

Reporting the news fairly without any bias is important to Barichello.

“The decisions I make within my position could affect the public opinion of thousands of residents across both the La Salle-Peru and Ottawa markets, extending from Mendota to Streator and Princeton to Seneca. It comes with a great deal of responsibility to ensure accuracy, fairness, and integrity,” he said.

Making the decision to return to the Illinois Valley was easy for Barichello, who enjoys the area’s special blend of tourism, home-grown shops and eateries, and values.

“It has its own character, from its features, such as Starved Rock and the Illinois River, to the culture that has grown from the mixture of manufacturing and agriculture, and its proximity to Chicago. It makes for a really cool blend of culture that has its own character,” he said.

Jared Bell

Marketing Executive, Shaw Media

Uniting the Illinois Valley through sports

Hennepin resident Jared Bell, who is 37 years old, has helped bring together generations of past and present Illinois Valley residents through their love of sports. Of all his professional accomplishments, he’s most proud of co-founding the NewsTribune’s IV Sports Hall of Fame with his boss, Jeanette Smith.

“We’ve had three classes inducted so far, but I do everything inductee-related to this event in every way imaginable. Everything builds to our in-person event, and our 2022 event had nearly 300 people attend. It’s so great to get to know all the inductees and their families, while also seeing the event grow itself,” he said.

The event has been so popular because of its ability to ignite memories in the participants, regardless of which generation they were from, where they live now, or which sport they played.

“This area has such a rich tradition of athletic success, and I think honoring and reliving this success has brought people together, remembering their favorite teams, athletes, and coaches,” Bell said. “It’s been fun to see it serve as a reunion for teams, while seeing individual inductees and their families embrace it. The Illinois Valley is such a special place, and the memories created here have such great meaning that we’ve had inductees attend from Florida, Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. They want to make the trip because it means so much to them.”

Whether he’s at home with his wife and three children, volunteering, or speaking with business owners about their advertising needs, Bell cares about the people he’s interacting with.

“My wife says I have a cheesy personality, but I think my laid-back style and getting to know people beyond the business side helps a ton. I’m family first and often have clients ask about my kids,” he said. “I think this area is full of hard-working people, and I think you can do anything with the right attitude and hard work.”

Bob Tieman

Vice President, Tieman Builders Inc.

Bob of all trades

Do you need work done on your home? Has a DJ been booked for your wedding? Craving a certain meal but don’t want to cook it? Have this year’s taxes been completed? Want to discuss local government?

Bob Tieman is the Bob of all trades to perform these requests and more.

“I’m a firm believer that every day you mold yourself a little more into the person that you are,” said Tieman, 39, who by day is the vice president of Tieman Builders Inc. “All the experiences that I’ve put myself through the last 39 years, they’ve made me the guy that I am now. Working with my dad, I learned a real good work ethic.”

“I have empathy for those who work in the service industry because of how long I worked in restaurants as a cook and a server. I have a good opportunity as a wedding DJ to be a part of most people’s best day of their life,” he said. “I enjoy being out in the community and meeting new people every day.”

Tieman received a degree from Illinois Valley Community College before traveling for a degree in culinary arts and hospitality. A decade ago, he returned to the Illinois Valley and began working with his parents, Dean and Dawn Tieman, at Tieman Builders, which Dean started 30 years ago.

Bob Tieman expands his experiences by working in restaurants, completing taxes for Durdan and Associates in Ottawa, serving as an alderman for the Peru City Council, and DJing weddings for Guys on the Radio.

“Stability is nice, and I like being able to help my folks,” Tieman said. “I like being involved with the community, which I think working with my family gives me the opportunity to do. I never had a desire to stay away. Everyone leaves for college, and after I did that, I made my way back here.”

Megan Diss

Assistant Vice President – Loan Operations, Eureka Savings Bank

A hard-working mom of three

Megan Diss is a proud mom to her two daughters and a baby boy, and she and her husband, who was her high school sweetheart, reside in Ottawa. With such a busy home life, she loves her supportive work environment at Eureka Savings Bank, where she is employed as Assistant Vice President – Loan Operations.

“My favorite part of working for ESB is the culture here. From the Board of Directors to the Executive Management Team to my co-workers and staff to our customers – I truly feel valued, supported, and motivated on both a professional and personal level every day,” she said.

Diss, now 36 years old, grew up in Ottawa and attended Ottawa High School before heading to St. Ambrose University and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and corporate finance.

“I moved to Eureka Savings Bank six years ago to help start up their Commercial Loan Department and also assist in the overall lending operations of the bank. I was later promoted to Assistant Vice President of Loan Operations. Today, I supervise and lead a team of five loan operations personnel, oversee lending compliance and all operations for the Loan Department,” she said.

“I think my team and management would agree that I’m about as hard of a worker as they come. I was raised by two parents who were in management and come from a family of farmers. It is in my blood to do whatever it takes – always. I’ve spent many late hours at both banks I have worked at, brainstorming and working on procedures to make things run more smoothly, helping with and leading projects, and staying on top of the ever-changing regulations in lending,” she said. “When I’m not working,you can usually find me running my kids to their many activities or spending time with our extended family, usually at local sporting events.”