Meet The TIF Team

Tom Jacob, Senior Attorney
		Tom Jacob, a Bloomington attorney, heads Thomas N. Jacob & Associates, an economic development law firm, and The Economic Development Group, Ltd. He has practiced economic development law for 30 years and has been involved in more than 80 Tax Increment Financing Districts and Special Service Areas. His efforts have led to billions of dollars of investment in Illinois communities. At the forefront of TIF legislation, Tom has authored several amendments to the Illinois TIF Act and served on Gov. Jim Edgar’s Task Force for economic legislative matters. His related experience includes being a past member of the Illinois Savings and Loan Board, a City of Bloomington Councilman, and an adjunct professor at Illinois State University in the College of Business, Department of Law and Finance. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, he earned his law degree from Northwestern School of Law, Chicago. e-mail:

Stephanie Sandre, Associate Attorney
		Stephanie Sandre, a Bloomington Attorney, joined Thomas Jacob & Associates in September of 2003. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in November of 1999 and spent four years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she gained experience in Criminal and Juvenile Law. Stephanie received a B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies from the University of Iowa, and earned a law degree from Drake University. At Drake University, she was an Articles Editor for the Drake Journal of Agricultural. She has authored, Conservation Easements: Minimizing Taxes and Maximizing Land, Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, Vol. 4, No. 1 in Spring of 1999. Stephanie is a member of the McLean County Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Association. e-mail:

Steve Kline, Vice President
		Steve Kline brings his background in strategic community planning to the clients of the Economic Development Group, Ltd. and Thomas N. Jacob & Associates. At the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, Steve managed the Mapping the Future of Your Community project. The program was recognized as a Project Innovation Award winner by the National Association of Development Organizations. On the state level, he facilitated the Building a Brighter Future for Rural Illinois project which coordinated input from hundreds of Illinois residents as well as federal, state, and local agency officials. Steve, a contributing author to economic development publications, is a frequent speaker at state and local conferences. He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Science and a MBA from Western Illinois University. e-mail:

Dan Walker, Vice President
		Dan Walker’s experience as a business owner, rural community planner, economist, and tourism consultant enables him to handle economic development from a well-rounded perspective. As a project manager at the Western Illinois Tourism Development Office, he spearheaded the National Scenic Byway program and Heritage Corridor program for the Great River Road in Illinois which stretches along the Mississippi River from East Dubuque to Cairo. Dan served as Director of the Rural Economic Technical Assistance Center at Western Illinois University where he provided economic and community development assistance to rural Illinois communities. Dan earned a B.A. in Economics at Quincy University and a M.A. in Economics from Western Illinois University. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years. e-mail:

Bob Howard, Program Coordinator
		Bob Howard has been instrumental in creating, amending, and re-certifying more than 35 TIF Districts in Illinois cities and villages. He continues his relationship with the TIFs by handling the administration and writing annual reports. Bob has carried his interest in community development into his volunteer positions on the McLean County Affordable Housing Coalition, McLean County Mental Health Center, Heartland Head Start, and Habitat for Humanity. He is a graduate of the University of Texas. He served in the United States Air Force for five years. e-mail:

Kelly Jacob, Comptroller
		Kelly Jacob manages financial administration for the Group. She has a degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska and has worked with accounting firms on pension administration. She brings her accounting expertise to the economic development projects administered by the Group. Every detail of each TIF District is reviewed carefully by the staff. Annual reports are filed with the Illinois Comptroller’s office and sent to other taxing bodies. TIF reimbursements to developers and taxing bodies are calculated and directed. The group is responsible for directing over $15 million in payments each year. e-mail:

Janice Orser, Administrative Assistant
		Janice Orser has 25 years of business experience, including legal secretarial experience, office management and project organization. She has a degree in Business Education from Southern Illinois University and has taught classes in that field. Janice’s extensive experience with computers and her overall business background makes her a real asset to the offices of Thomas N. Jacob & Associates and The Economic Development Group, Ltd. for their economic development projects. e-mail:

Caryl Krieg, Administrative Assistant
		Caryl Krieg uses her 20 years of business experience to manage the offices of Thomas N. Jacob & Associates and The Economic Development Group, Ltd. With her strong computer knowledge and organizational skills, she keeps TIF information at ready access. Caryl’s related work in the insurance industry and legal field contributes to her assistance with economic development projects. e-mail:

Gwen Anderson, Financial Analyst
		Gwen Anderson applies her extensive mathematical skills to perform long-range financial analyses, projections, and economic impact studies relating to projects located in tax increment financing districts. Gwen also coordinates the design and implementation of financial/accounting systems and reports relating to annual administrative services provided by Thomas N. Jacob and Associates and The Economic Development Group, Ltd. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Mathematics from Illinois State University. e-mail: