Becky Kress Named Fellow for Illinois Excellence in Public Service Leadership Program
A press release about the Lincoln Series selection of Becky Kress for its program:
McHenry Resident Chosen for Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series
Program trains women to become future leaders of the GOP
McHenry, Ill. (February 5, 2013) – Becky Kress of McHenry has been named a 2013 Fellow for the Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series, a leadership program that trains and mentors up-and-coming Republican women in Illinois. Kress is one of eight women selected statewide to participate in the Illinois Lincoln Series this year.
Becky Kress
“I’m honored to have been selected for this program,” said Kress.
“Learning the nuts and bolts of the political process, and having the opportunity to work with and learn from other Republican women in the sisterhood that is the Lincoln Series, is a great privilege.”
Kress continued, “The Illinois Lincoln Series is a rare opportunity to gain more exposure to the different tiers of government and learn more about various aspects of public service.”
Kress has lived in McHenry County for fourteen years, where she raised four children.
Her first exposure to campaigning was in 2010 when she answered a call to volunteer for the Bill Brady Gubernatorial campaign.
Because Kress exhibited great organizational skills she soon found employment with Cor Strategies, a company specializing in communications, operations, and technology for political campaigns, where she worked in field operations for the Karen McConnaughay state senatorial race in the newly formed 33rd District.
Kress also serves as a [Republican] precinct committeeman, and volunteers for a number of organizations close to her heart.
“Kress follows in the strong tradition of previous Excellence Program participants and we look forward to her contributions to the political and public service arena,” said Terri Bryant, president of the Illinois Lincoln Series.
Kress will be joining a network of almost 200 women who have participated in the Illinois Lincoln Series program. G
Graduates have gone on to achieve elected office, public service careers in the state and federal government and campaign management positions.
“The Lincoln Series has a winning track record,” commented Corinne Wood, former lieutenant governor of Illinois, class of 1996. “It has helped train a lieutenant governor, state representative, countywide officials, statewide candidates, campaign managers, among others.”
The Illinois Lincoln Series includes course work and hands-on experience at all levels of government and campaigns. Previous speakers and trainers for the program have included, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Congressman and former Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert, Former Illinois Congresswoman Judy Biggert, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Republican strategist Mary Matalin, and former Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood who is a graduate of the Class of 1996.
The Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series was organized in 1994 by Mary Jo Arndt, former Illinois Republican National Committeewoman, and founder of the Illinois Committeewoman’s Roundtable.
Illinois became the second state to found an Excellence Series program, following the lead of the Lugar Series in the neighboring state of Indiana. Currently, 16 states have established an Excellence in Public Service Series with more than 2,000 graduates nationwide.
The Illinois program serves as a springboard for graduates to achieve new levels of personal achievement and public service involvement. It is endorsed by the Republican National Committee and the Illinois Republican Party. More information regarding the Illinois Lincoln Series can be found at www.lincolnseries.com and on its Facebook page.
