Speakers

With over 30 years in the public safety, defibrillation, and resuscitation industries, SaveHeart is honored to partner with those who share our mission to eliminate unnecessary sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deaths through greater AED access, awareness & lifesaving technology. We work with leading AED manufacturers, distributors, not-for-profit organizations, and technology providers to prepare & protect people and organizations everywhere from SCA emergencies. 

Made in America, we’re proud of our Midwestern roots. Whether it’s called “the Heartland, the Breadbasket, Middle America, or Fly-over Country,” most people agree that Midwestern folks are known for their honesty, integrity, and hard work. This is where we’re from. And while we’re proud to call middle America home, we’re also honored to share our values, knowledge, experience, and lifesaving products & services with our partners & customers- wherever they live, work, play, raise their families and build strong communities.

Dave has spent over 24 years in the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) industry, including 2 stints at Defibtech- as an initial investor, VP of Sales, Marketing & Business Development, and Executive Committee Member. Working with truly innovative products and an outstanding team, Dave helped take Defibtech from unknown AED start-up to a major industry player. In 2007, Defibtech was named as the fastest growing medical device company in the U.S. by Deloitte & Touche, and this record of explosive growth was a key factor in the firm’s acquisition in 2012 by Nihon Kohden Corporation. Earlier, Dave spent 7 years with distribution giant W.W. Grainger and 5 years with Big 4 consultant Capgemini Ernst & Young.

Today, Dave works with leading innovators to advance lifesaving solutions to improve Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) survival rates. Since 2019, he’s deployed hundreds of units in the burgeoning U.S. outdoor AED cabinet market that he helped create & develop. His experiences led him to found HeartNation LLC & the SaveHeart brand, with a mission to provide 24 x 7 AED access, awareness & technology- for everyone, anytime, anywhere. All SaveHeart structures are made in the U.S.A and include best-practice AED program services & cutting-edge technology to help protect people & organizations from SCA risk.

Overall, Dave has been honored to work with & serve several leading safety, medical device & healthcare technology companies, including MidAmerica Ventures, RescueStat, Avive, eTrainETC, Defibtech, SaveStation, Diagnostic Test Group, Drifire, Grainger, and OpenMarkets.

Host: John Hancir

The LFHS Interact Club representatives will make a presentation regarding the current status of the Club including the membership status and the service activities.  The succession plan for next year will also be explained.  Three students will attend, including Sydney Kirages, and two other students to be determined, along with the sponsor, Kristen Carlson who will attend. 

Host: Phil Ehrhardt

Jennifer Yonan, Executive Director & Beth Pierson, Director of Development & Communication will review the work of the Youth Conservation Corp.

Youth Conservation Corps, based in Waukegan, is committed to:

TRADES & VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Through our YouthBuild program, members gain hands-on construction experience and training. They work on real construction sites under the direct supervision and instruction of our experienced Construction Staff, earning industry recognized certifications. In addition to this, Youth Conservation Corps also offers an IT pathway through
CompTIA certifications.

EDUCATION
Youth Conservation Corps offers GED, College, and Career preparation services . Each member has access to classroom and individualized learning opportunities. The cost of testing is 100% covered by YCC. Members receive stipend bonuses when they accomplish their educational goals.

LIFE SKILLS & MENTORING
Through resiliency classes and weekly meetings with our social worker, we develop our members to be responsible, emotionally mature, and professional - ensuring that they’re ready to enter the workforce successfully.

JOB PLACEMENT
It is our number one priority to make sure that all of our members are placed into a career, higher education, or internships as members exit our program. We have staff who are dedicated to making sure that each of our members is ready to work and possess the skills, work ethic, and attitude necessary for employment.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Giving back to our communities Lake County is a large part of Youth Conservation Corps’ mission. As young people in our YouthBuild program earn the education, income and career skills they need to thrive, we re-invest in our neighborhoods through cleanup days and other volunteer opportunities.

CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
Energy-efficiency and sustainability are important to us. Our young people receive training in environmentally-friendly construction projects and educational support. As we build homes through our YouthBuild program, our young people are trained energy-efficient building strategies and choices.

Host: Drew Irwin

NCCP was founded in 2008 to help address the negative effects of inequitable school funding in North Chicago and raise awareness of the need for educational opportunities for all children. During the past 15 years, NCCP has evolved from an altruistic idea into an impactful organization that leverages the resources of the broader community. NCCP provides a menu of programs and services that complement classroom instruction, enhance student learning, and support whole child and family development. 

Alongside thousands of caring neighbors and 45+ partner organizations, NCCP's dedicated staff strengthens North Chicago each day with programs and events in the following areas: 

• Student Enrichment
• Family Engagement
• Resource distribution
• School transformation
• Teacher appreciation
• Volunteer coordination

MAJOR MILESTONES

• Free, all-day early childhood education for 300 students
• Free after school and Saturday programming for 600+ students
• Remodeled and transformed school facilities
• A brand new, modernized middle school
• A birth to age 3 home visiting program
• A school-based food pantry and health center for all D187 families
• A college scholarship program, created in collaboration with College of Lake County
• Reversal of consistent operating deficits in the District
• Measurable improvements in key indicators of student academic achievement, from kindergarten readiness to high school graduation rates

Host: Randy Daniel

Jill will recap her year as a Rotary Exchange student.

Host: Jayson Kaus