"The CEO program has continued to impress me from the introduction of it to our community. I am excited to join the Fayette County chapter. I am looking forward to seeing our students grow and prosper."

"I have no prior experience with CEO, but it is easy to see the value the program brings to any educational program. I am proud to be a part of the group making it possible for Fayette County Students.

Raised in Casey, Illinois.  Teacher and coach at Martinsville HS and Casey-Westfield HS.  Served 5 years as principal of Brownstown Jr/Sr HS.  Married, with a son (16) and a daughter (9)

Our experience with CEO so far, being we are in our first year, is just hearing how well it has worked in so many other locations. And, the excitement it has created in the schools and in the communities. We hope this is a tool to better educate students on all the parts of our county and hopefully encourage them to better consider locating here as adults.

Graduated from St. Elmo High School

BS in Plant and Soil Science  SIU-C

"I have witnessed very positive things from the students of surrounding CEO programs and believe that it is something we need for our schools in this county. It gives our students another avenue to succeed."

Patrick Click, Fayette County CEO Board

Patrick “Pat” Click, is originally from Florissant, Missouri.  He is a graduate of Greenville College with a B.S. in business management. He resides in rural Fayette County with his wife Angela and has six children and a one daughter-in-law.  Pat is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys boating with his family in the summer.  He enjoys all sports, both as a spectator and a coach.  Pat has held elected offices as a City Alderman of Vandalia and a school board member.  Pat is currently President of Workforce Innovation area #23, which serves the 14 counties of Southeastern Illinois, he is Vice President of the Greater Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of S.A.F.E which serves 11 counties in South Central Illinois.  Pat is a continual volunteer in Rotary Club, and Community activities. He is a partner in the insurance agency McKellar, Robertson, McCarty, and Click Insurance with offices in Vandalia and St. Elmo and co-owns the Dairy Dee in Ramsey, Illinois with his wife.

I have been in education for 18 years.  I was a teacher for 8 years and a high school counselor for the last 10 years.  CEO will yield opportunities to our students that extend beyond the classroom.  I am excited to watch the students grow from the experiences they will encounter with CEO.  CEO has the potential to give our students a new perspective on the possibilities in their very own community.  CEO will be an asset for both the students and the citizens of Fayette County.

"I have no experience with the CEO program, but I'm excited about the opportunities the program will provide to area students and am pleased to be a part of it."

I have spent my entire career in health care administration and have been the CEO at Fayette County Hospital & Long Term Care since June, 2006.  I am board certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives.  I have been involved in state-wide hospital leadership, especially for small and rural hospitals, having served on and been president of the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network.  I have been involved in local community leadership, including the Chamber of Commerce, serving on an Economic Development committee, and more.   Originally from Indiana, I moved here in 2006.  My wife, Robin, a retired middle school Language Arts teacher, and I have two sons who live in Indiana where Robin now spends as much time as possible with our 4 granddaughters.

CEO is a program that meets the need of our community and school partnership. The Students create a business and learn from those in our communities a little about what it takes to be successful. The students also receive credit for the class from their school.

Mike attended Vandalia schools and after graduation went to Millikin University in Decatur, IL.  graduating with an accounting degree, he soon earned his CPA while working in public accounting.  After 25 years as CFO at a financial institution, he came home to The First National Bank of Vandalia in 2015.  Mike is married to the former Robin Lowry and they have one daughter, one son-in-law, one son and a grandson.