Brink honored at Transitions’ Annual Dinner

QUINCY — Board members, staff, donors, and friends of Transitions of Western Illinois gathered Thursday at the Quincy Holiday Inn to celebrate the agency’s accomplishments at its annual meeting with more than 170 guests were in attendance. 

Mark Schmitz, Executive Director of Transitions, welcomed guests and spoke about the mission of the three Boards of Directors affiliated with Transitions.

Schmitz also announced the recipient of the 2024 Williams Award.  Annually, Transitions presents the Williams Award to a staff member who goes above and beyond in the performance of his or her job responsibilities, who quietly does his or her job, and whose efforts often go unnoticed.  This award is named for Dr. Keith Williams, a psychiatrist who served the agency for nearly 30 years.  The recipient is a staff person who has been nominated by his or her peers.

Schmitz presented the Williams Award to Rachael Brink, Supervisor of DD Residential Services. Brink has been employed by Transitions for almost 13 years.

“(Brink) is described by peers as a staff member ‘a great example of how every one of us should be taking care of others,” Williams said. “She has managed almost all of our residential programs for those who have a Developmental Disability.  She often covers shifts when staff call in sick and passes medications when needed.  Her peers state that she is a great example of giving your best every day.  She is reliable and dependable, never complaining about the extra hours she works.  She goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our consumers who have a Developmental Disability.  Her busy work life does not keep her from contributing to her community – she is a very active member of the Max Wombles Crüe, a group that raises funds for suicide prevention efforts, has been the President of the Quincy Noon Kiwanis Club, and has also assisted the Adams County Suicide Prevention Coalition. 

“One of the employees who nominated our Williams Award winner wrote in their nomination … “‘thank you, Rachael for giving your best every day … I am so grateful to have you as a colleague and friend. We are all grateful to have Rachael on our team.”

The Transitions Foundation was founded in 2002.  The Foundation provides support to the programs and services of Transitions.  Schmitz thanked the Foundation Board members for their service – Dave Rakers, Laurie Brinkman, Hal Oakley, Rich Marcolla, Mark Hayes, Larry Shepherd, Jeff Tweedell, Dr. Bob Reich, and Kris Rueter.

Schmitz introduced Bernie Venvertloh, Chair of the Transitions Association Board.  The Association Board holds the properties and assets that are used in the provision of Transitions’ programs and services.  Venvertloh thanked Laura Dighe and Matt Kasparie for their Board service, as they are retiring from the Board.  He also thanked the other Board members for their service  –  Bryden Cory, Trent Lepper, Eric Terwelp, Jebora Brock, Melanie Allen, Craig Kurk, Matt Koontz, and Will Meckes.  Schmitz thanked Venvertloh, who is retiring from the Board, for his 6 years of Board service and his service as the Chair of the Association Board.  Trent Lepper was introduced as Chair of the Association Board in 2025.  New members who will join the Board in 2025 include:  Grant Farmer (LPL Financial), Geoffrey Thompson (Klingner & Associates), and Brian Spencer (Architechnics).

Schmitz introduced Allen Shafer, Chair of the Transitions Board.  Shafer thanked the other members of the Transitions Board – Shirley Longlett, Steve Schmitt, Mike Tode, Annette Heinecke, Jane Rollison, Reagan Costigan, Curt Wavering, Chip Owens, Joe Rheinecker, Diane Hughes, and Dave Reis, Emeritus.  Schmitz thanked Shafer for his 6 years of service on the Board and his service as Chairman of the Board.   Shirley Longlett was introduced as the Chair of the Transitions Board in 2025.  Nathan Frese (First Bankers Trust) will join the Board in 2025.

Staff years of service awards were given to staff who reached milestone anniversaries with the agency. 

• Recognized for 5 years of service with Transitions: Rose Bover, Jarett Schnelle, Maggie Lawless, Tara Hamann, Chris Durst, Clinton David, Stacy Mixer, and Lauren Durk.
• Recognized for 10 years of service with Transitions were:  Michelle Cottrell, Carla McClelland-Schnelle, Ann Casley, Lacey Eaton, and Amanda Altgilbers
• Recognized for 15 years of service were:  Chris Malaney and Kelly Wren
• Recognized for 30 years of service were:  Tammy Grissom and Angie Dean
• Recognized for 35 years of service was:   Mindy Pryor

Transitions of Western Illinois is a not-for-profit mental health and rehabilitation services provider with offices at 4409 Maine Street and nine other locations in the Quincy area.  The agency is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center, providing comprehensive behavioral health services and Developmental Disabilities services to Adams County and surrounding counties.  The agency was founded in 1955 as the Adams County Mental Health Center.  Annually, the agency serves approximately 6,000 area residents.