Meet the Board
2026 Corporation Board
Kevin Hird '90
President
Kevin graduated from BU in 1990 with a degree in International Studies after serving the chapter as President and Rush Chairman and the BU campus as Chairman of SABRC
and Student Body Treasurer. Following graduation, Kevin worked for DU International as a Leadership Consultant before returning to Rock Island, IL and a role in his family’s business, The Sports Depot. He and his wife, Leslie, have 3 adult children and he serves as President of Sports Depot, a small team sporting goods dealer. Kevin
returned to the Corporation Board in 2022, serving as President and working with Jon
Custis to advise the undergraduate chapter.
Norm Sidler '91
Vice President
Norm graduated from BU in 1991 with a degree in Finance after serving the chapter as President and Treasurer. Following graduation, Norm worked for DU International as a Leadership Consultant before returning to Chicago, IL and went to work for Duff & Phelps Investment management. Norm obtained his MBA from DePaul University with a finance concentration while working at Duff & Phelps.
In 2000 - current day, Norm works for National Investment Services, a registered investment advisor that focuses soley on Fixed income management, on behalf of their clients. NIS is headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. and also has an office in Oakbrook, IL. Norm's role is as Principal/Managing partner. He is an owner in the firm, sits on the board of directors to the parent company and also on the compliance committee
He and his wife Jen, have 3 children, and as of 2026 reside mainly in Florida. Norm returned to the Corporation Board in 2022 for a second term , serving as Vice President and chairing a second DU fundraising campaign.
Jason Loughran '92
Treasurer
Bio Coming Soon!
Kevin Custis '95
Secretary
Bio Coming Soon!
Pat Davis '92
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon!
AJ Fidanzo '22
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon!
Kurt Gibson '88
Board Member
Kurt Gibson graduated from Bradley University in 1988 with a double major in Speech and Radio/Television. Kurt spent 35 years in education, culminating with a 24-year stint as the Associate Executive Director at the Illinois High School Association. Kurt and his wife Jennifer reside in Bloomington, Il, and are the parents of four sons, Nick, Ben, CJ, and Drew.
Tim Penrod '74
Board Member
Graduated with a degree in Economics from Bradley in 1974. Earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Loyola University of Chicago and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. I married Sherry Sisco, a 1975 Pi Beta Phi Bradley graduate. We have 3 adult daughters and 3 grandsons. We have lived in the suburbs of Chicago since leaving Bradley. I retired in 2020 but spent most of my career as a bond and options trader in Chicago. I ended my career as a financial market data software support specialist for Thomson Reuters, a Blackstone Group and later London Stock Exchange Group portfolio company, covering investment banks and sell-side equity research firms. I joined the DU Corporation Board in 2023.
Andrew Schmitt '23
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon!
Rob Schwartz '85
Board Member
Rob graduated from Bradley University in 1985 with a degree in Business Management
and Radio/Television. He pledged Delta Upsilon his freshman year (1981) and was
initiated in Jan 1986. Rob served as President, Pledge Chairman, and Summer Rush
Chairman during his undergraduate years. He also served on the Bradley DU Corporation Board shortly after graduation, stepping off the board in 1994. Following graduation, Rob worked for Wells Fargo Financial for 15 years, then with Regions Bank for 4 years, and now Busey Bank for the last 20+ years. Rob is the Commercial Market President for Busey, and manages a team in the Metro East (southern Illinois/St Louis).
He and his wife, Suzanne, have 2 adult children and currently resides in Godfrey, IL.
Rob returned to the Bradley DU Corporation Board in 2022.
Jeff Sell '91
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon!
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Tim Spihlman '93
Board Member
Tim Spihlman brings 20+ years of senior leadership experience across a variety of industries to our Board. Tim has worked for companies in the service, technology, manufacturing and chemical sectors ranging from startup mode to a global business with over $6B in revenue. He is currently the Managing Director of Lewis and Clark Capital and Lewis and Clark Ventures, managing over $300 million in assets. He also is an Independent Director on several other Company Boards.
He and his wife Jenny enjoy spending time with their four children and traveling.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science -Accounting degree from BU and is a CPA. During his undergraduate years at DU, he served as the President and Treasurer. This is his second tenure on the Corporation Board, having rejoined it in 2022.
Art Strauss '74
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon!
Eric 'ET' Thompson '94
Board Member
Hailing from the Hoosier state, E.T came to Bradley University to study marketing. His undergraduate years in the Chapter included roles as House Manager and Pledge
Educator. Following Bradley, E.T. served on the professional staff for Delta Upsilon International Fraternity, as a leadership consultant for the 1994-1995 year. Traveling for the Fraternity, most of his time was spent with chapters in the Northeast and Midwest.
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After his service with the International Fraternity professional staff, E.T has spent time working in sales and marketing for different companies in Indianapolis and Chicago. His involvement as an Alumni Member of the Bradley Chapter for over 30 years has included serving on different committees and advisory roles, was part of the 75 th Diamond Jubilee Planning, and is currently serving his second stint on the Alumni Corporation Board.
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Eric currently lives in Westfield, IN with his wife. He is a senior trade show services manager for a custom trade show exhibit house in Indianapolis.
Jon Custis
Chapter Alumni Advisor
Bio Coming Soon!