Casey McGrath

Self-employed violinist and writer Reinventing her career

Casey McGrath’s decision to reinvent herself was a bold choice that is paying off. The 39-year-old Marseilles resident spent over a decade as an adjunct music professor, concertmaster, studio teacher, and guest concerto soloist with various orchestras.

“In 2019, I resigned from academia and my orchestral positions to focus solely on the development of my solo violin show, Fiddlerock! Fiddlerock’s mission is to unite audiences of all backgrounds through the ‘life soundtrack’ of popular music,” she said. “What started as ten handwritten pieces of sheet music performed on a borrowed sound system has since expanded to a full light and sound production of over 250 arrangements spanning virtually every musical genre. We have over three thousand Facebook followers, four commercial releases, and a full calendar of performances at businesses, festivals, and venues all over the Illinois Valley. It’s truly one of the most rewarding projects of my career.”

McGrath has many other interests in addition to playing the violin.

“I have my doctorate in music, my master’s in violin performance, and I’m currently pursuing my editing certificate from the University of Chicago. During that time, I also earned my skydiving licenses at Skydive Chicago, which proved to be such a life-changing experience that it inspired both my dissertation research on stage fright therapies and, eventually, my first book,” she said.

McGrath has been impressed by the supportive, encouraging people who live in the Illinois Valley.

“My favorite thing about life in the Illinois Valley is the fine arts community and its uncompromising sense of camaraderie. I have never met a more supportive, active, passionate, present, talented, hardworking group of artists and musicians as I have in the Illinois Valley,” she said. “They make it a point to come out for each other’s shows when they can, collaborate as often as possible, help promote their friends’ new albums, refer students and opportunities to each other — it’s truly the reason Fiddlerock! was able to develop and grow into what it is now.”

Bill Zens

Executive Director, Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Embracing taking risks in life

Bill Zens hasn’t always taken a linear approach to his career, but with every calculated risk he has taken, he has learned valuable lessons.

“I have learned that it is okay to take a risk so long as you learn from mistakes that may happen along the way. Not everything you do or every project you take on is going to go exactly according to plan, but your ability to adjust and learn is where you can see success happen. Without at least a little risk, there is no growth,” he said.

Zens, who is 35 years old and lives in Utica with his wife, Michelle, and their two sons, was born and raised in the Illinois Valley. He attended grade school in Tonica, high school at LaSalle-Peru High School, and went to Illinois Valley Community College for two years before transferring to North Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a certificate in sales.

“After graduation, I worked in downtown Chicago for less than a year and realized the city/suburb living wasn’t for me, and I missed the Illinois Valley and home. Professionally, I have been fortunate to grow through each role I have had, from front line sales, to sales management, account executive, to business owner, and now my role as the executive director of IVAC,” he said. “Though some roles didn’t work out the way I had planned, I think they all led me to where I am today and where I am meant to be. I am passionate about the Illinois Valley and extremely honored to serve this area.”

Zens believes in giving back to the community and currently serves as the treasurer for the Illinois River Road Scenic Byway, a board member for the Illinois Valley United Way, a member of the Utica Planning Commission, a youth tee ball/baseball coach, a youth soccer assistant coach, and an IV LEADS member.

Lyle Eiten Owner, Eiten Ag Solutions LLC

Merging technology and farming

Born and raised in Peru, Lyle Eiten has always appreciated agriculture and saw his future in the industry.

Eiten, 29, who lives in Ladd with his wife, Casey, has continued to move forward in his quest to be in agriculture, graduating from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics and a minor in agronomy.

While still in school, he had an internship in the Illinois Valley with a local agricultural business. After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 2016, he became a fulltime seed sales representative with the business and went on to start his own feed business, Eiten Feed LLC, in the fall of 2018.

In June 2020, the Eiten couple began Eiten Ag Solutions.

“We sell and service Channel Seed products, a full line of small and large animal feed, as well as a few complimentary products. I treat seed on site and remotely to bring as much value to my customers as possible,” Lyle said. “We have built our business on honesty, performance, and service, and look forward to growing it locally for years to come.”

“I also row crop farm a few acres, along with help manage conservation acres with my family. I enjoy trying new practices to provide more wildlife habitat while increasing ROI (return on investment). I hope when I am gone, I have made a positive impact on local agriculture and economy,” he said.

Lyle sees the importance of a merger between agriculture and technology, which will present even more opportunities than there already are.

“There are lots of opportunities in agriculture right now, and technology is one of them,” Lyle said. “A lot of technology is available to improve farmers’ efficiency and environmental stewardship. I am excited for what is to come and believe the career options for young people in agriculture are plentiful.”

Adam Thorson Director of Parks, Recreation, and Special Events, City of Peru Your source of recreation

If you’ve attended a summer camp, went to the splash pad, been on a piece of equipment in one of Peru’s 12 parks, went to a movie in the park, ate or drank at the Taste of Illinois Valley, or enjoyed the downtown Christmas festivities, you’ve enjoyed the work of Adam Thorson.

Thorson, 27, a Peru resident, is the City of Peru Director of Parks, Recreation, and Special Events. In other words, he is the source of Peru recreation.

“The passion for what I do pushes me daily to be better and continue to serve Peru and the Illinois Valley community,” said Thorson, who took the job in 2020. “Everyone needs recreational activities in their daily lives. When I am not at work, I am enjoying recreational activities of my own, such as golfing, hunting, and spending time with my family and friends.”

“Everyone has a passion for what they do, but at the City of Peru Parks and Recreation Department, we are committed to excellence and serving our community to fulfill the recreational needs and passions of others,” he added.

“Seeing the enjoyment from everyone else makes the time and effort of coordinating an event worth the work. I am committed to serving our community and fulfilling the recreational needs of others, along with striving to earn continued confidence in the community,” he said. “I believe my vision of success includes updating our current parks, enhancing the quality of our current special events that we host, and enhancing the community relationship bonds with business owners and residents.”

When asked if there are challenges to his job, Thorson gives two quick answers: COVID-19, which began causing problems just as he began his position, and the weather. Other than those uncontrollable factors, Thorson enjoys installing equipment, planning events months in advance, and his daily operations.