Board of Directors & Staff

Board member since February 2019. President of the board March 2022 - June 2025. I grew up attending church at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located within the Coronado-Haskell neighborhood. I am passionate about helping others and connecting folks to needed resources!

I've served as a volunteer for JD for many years and recently had the opportunity to join the board.  I'm committed to the betterment of the downtown community and the mission and values of our organization.  I'm honored to serve as a board member and am excited to see the future growth and opportunities at JD.

A former resident of the Coronado Haskell Neighborhood, Dee has served on the board on and off since 2015. As a residential loan officer, she loves working with people in the homebuying process.  Dee was part of the initial committee that created the annual Love Rockford event. She's married to her husband Dan and is a "Glamma" of eight.

First and foremost, I am a parent in our community. My children are a blended mix of biology, adoption, and foster placement. I believe in the strength of community from the roots up as a basis for our growth locally. I am an educator in the Rockford Public school system with both a masters in teaching (MAT) and a masters in urban equity (ME). I have been a member of Court Street United Methodist Church for more than 30 years and also work there as the director of Christian education. I am passionate about local community and outreach. I look forward to this next chapter at Jeremiah development. 

Scott is a United States Army veteran and retired professional electrician. Now enjoying retirement, he devotes much of his time to his lifelong passion for bicycling, both as a recreational pursuit and as a means of staying active. In addition to cycling, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, camping, and exploring nature. A devoted husband, Scott values family, self-reliance, and the simple joys of the great outdoors.

I am a lifelong resident of Rockford, proudly rooted in the Coronado/Haskell neighborhood. I grew up on Haskell Avenue and attended Haskell Elementary School, creating a strong foundation of community pride and connection. For over 24 years, I have been a committed homeowner and to raise my family. I have served as a dedicated member of the Jeremiah Development Neighborhood Association for the past four years, including nearly two years as a board member. My passion for the upliftment is evident through my involvement in neighborhood cleanups, volunteer work at the Jubilee Center and Rockford Rescue Mission, and consistent advocacy for safety and beautification efforts. I work closely with city and public safety officials to help create a positive impact, focused on improving the quality of life for the 13th ward community.

I am a Special Education teacher in the Rockford Public Schools. I have taught for 18 years (16 in Rockford). I have been with Jeremiah Development since March of 2022. I have attended Court Street United Methodist Church for the past 12 years and help with the childrens programing and all things technical (sound/video/live streaming).

Calvin Culpepper’s first spiritual milestone was when he was twelve years of age.  A Baptist preacher made a formal invitation to "accept Jesus into your life as personal Savior."  Calvin says: “For the first time, after hearing many invitations, this one seemed personal-- “Calvin, will you let me (JESUS) in?”   He remembers trying to stay seated, but Jesus seemed so real to him that he stood up and walked to the altar, and said, “YES” to JESUS!  He celebrated his conversion with a water baptism later that week which his mother witnessed.

Calvin’s next spiritual milestone was his marriage to Gwendolyn (Gwen) on November 19, 1975. Together they recommitted to Jesus Christ and to the life of the local Church. The couple (Gwen and Cal) made a prenuptial agreement to begin their married life on the solid foundation of faith.

1993 at Mt. Pisgah UMC Calvin made a public profession of accepting the call to ministry as a License Pastor. Cal’s next pivotal milestones were the births of their three children, Caleb, Cambron, and Vine. Calvin’s first appointment as a Licensed Pastor was Mary Chaffin UMC Lebanon, TN.

In February 1997, shortly after arriving in Elgin, the Culpeppers began worshipping at Faith United Methodist Church downtown Elgin. Pastor Don Keck enlisted Cal’s services in worship and Disciple Bible Study and the rest is history.  September 1998 till June 1999 the Elgin District Superintendent requested Pastor Cal’s gifts and graces at a rural church in Riley, IL (Riley UMC) for a short stint. Faith UMC merged with Plato Center UMC and together with a few members from other congregations, and became a new congregation known as Cornerstone UMC.  Calvin served Cornerstone UMC as a Local Pastor and then in 2004 became a full-Time Student Pastor working toward Ordination. In June of 2008 Calvin graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary (GETS) with a Master of Divinity degree. June 2009 Calvin was commissioned as a United Methodist Pastor and June 2011 Calvin was ordained as an Elder in full connection with all rights and privileges. July 2011 Pastor Cal was appointed to Court Street UMC downtown Rockford, IL where he is presently serving as Senior Pastor.

Calvin sends his solemn wishes as follows: “I pray that every person God sends my way:

• will be informed of God’s love and purpose for their lives
• will be inspired to seek God’s will for their service to the Church and the world where they LIVE!

Nitro Starling is a dedicated Community Outreach Specialist with over five years of experience in fostering meaningful connections between organizations and local communities. Passionate about social impact, NItro has successfully led initiatives that increase volunteer participation by 40% and secured a dynamic positive attitude and full of energy for underserved populations. She thrives on building partnerships, organizing impactful events, and advocating for community-driven solutions.