Board of DIRECTORS

Executive Director

Hugo Saltijeral serves as Executive Director of VSW and has led the organization through one of the most transformative periods in its history. He brings bold leadership, operational discipline, and a clear belief that adults with disabilities are capable, contributing members of their community. Before joining VSW, Hugo spent more than a decade on the frontlines of homelessness response, leading emergency shelter operations, coordinating crisis systems, and strengthening services during the COVID‑19 pandemic. At VSW, he has modernized internal systems, strengthened governance, expanded community employment pathways, and built partnerships that elevate adults with disabilities as workers, leaders, and contributors. He also serves on the Governor’s Taskforce for Employment and Economic Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and was honored as the City of Aurora Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshal in 2025. Beyond his executive role, Hugo is active in ministry at St. Joseph Parish, where he supports faith formation and community outreach. His leadership is grounded in conviction, integrity, and a deep commitment to service.

President

Larry Jones brings decades of leadership experience in banking, ministry, and nonprofit service to his role as President of the VSW Board. He studied at Muscatine Community College, Parsons College, and the Rockford School of Theology, where he earned a degree in Pastoral Studies. He later graduated with distinction from the American Institute of Banking Commercial Lending Graduate School and returned as an instructor for five years.

Larry served as a bi vocational pastor throughout the Midwest and built a long career in finance, working with 26 banks as a senior lender, financial advisor, lecturer, and specialist in bank acquisitions. He also served as a commissioner for the Village of Sugar Grove for ten years.

Since retiring from banking in 2017, Larry has dedicated his time to charitable work across the country. He has served as an advisor, consultant, officer, director, or president for more than 80 nonprofit organizations. Public speaking has been a lifelong passion, beginning in 1969 and continuing today.

Larry and his wife, Beth, live in Sugar Grove and enjoy camping, music, traveling, writing, and time with their large family of five daughters, five sons in law, and nine grandchildren.

Vice President

Marcie Lucas brings a lifelong commitment to education, inclusion, and community service to her role as Vice President of the VSW Board. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s degree in Reading.

Marcie spent 28 years as an elementary educator in the Fox Valley area, where she focused on nurturing student growth, supporting diverse learners, and creating inclusive classroom environments. After retiring from teaching, she continued her dedication to serving individuals of all abilities by joining Fox Valley Special Recreation Association as the Development Coordinator.

In her current role, Marcie leads fundraising initiatives, grant writing, and the management of FVSRA’s scholarship program, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access meaningful recreational opportunities regardless of financial barriers. Her work reflects a deep belief in dignity, inclusion, and the power of community to transform lives.

Marcie brings that same passion to VSW, where she is committed to supporting programs that help participants learn, grow, and build confidence.

Treasurer

Sherry LaRosa brings both personal commitment and professional expertise to her role as Treasurer of the VSW Board. Her son, Parish, is a partner at VSW, and from an early age she worked to integrate him into inclusive educational environments that would help him build confidence, social skills, and independence.

Sherry is an Executive Administrative Assistant to the CEO of Moose International. She graduated from Mooseheart High School and later earned a degree in Business Administration and Accounting. Her career includes experience in manufacturing and the title industry, where she worked as a real estate abstractor. When the opportunity arose to give back to the Moose Fraternity, which supported her family during her youth, she embraced the chance to serve.

Community service has been a consistent part of Sherry’s life. She has volunteered for many years at the Rockford Rescue Mission and the Harlem Township Food Pantry, led United Way campaigns, and helped raise funds for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. She has also served on the Mooseheart Alumni Association Board as Treasurer, President, and Junior Past President.

Sherry is honored to support VSW’s mission and help expand opportunities that empower participants to build lives of purpose and fulfillment.

Secretary

Louis Kreppert brings more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and customer service to his role as Secretary of the VSW Board. A graduate of Yorkville High School, Waubonsee Community College, and Illinois State University, Louis has built a career rooted in leadership, operational excellence, and community engagement.

Louis has extensive experience in both brick-and-mortar retail and e commerce, including more than 15 years managing retail operations. In 2014, he founded LK Sales and Marketing, a company focused on selling products through Amazon and other online platforms. His background includes driving sales growth, improving operational efficiency, managing inventory, and delivering strong customer experiences.

Throughout his career, Louis has valued integrity, continuous improvement, and creating positive impact in the communities he serves. He brings that same commitment to his work with VSW and its mission to support adults with disabilities through meaningful opportunities.

Marge Brown brings a lifelong commitment to education, service, and community leadership to her role on the VSW Board. A graduate of St. Charles High School and Illinois State University, Marge spent her professional career as an educator, teaching multiple grade levels at Alice Gustafson School in Batavia. After retiring, she continued supporting young learners through her work at New Horizons Preschool.

Marge’s dedication to service is reflected in her extensive involvement across the Fox Valley. She and her husband, Dave, were honored as the 2023 Batavia Citizens of the Year for their longstanding contributions to the community. Marge has held leadership roles in P.E.O., Batavia Rotary, Batavia Women’s Club, the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Batavia Flag Day Committee. She has also volunteered for nearly a decade with Fox Valley Food for Health as a delivery angel.

Her board experience includes service on the University of Georgia’s equestrian board during her daughter’s time on the team. Today, Marge brings her deep local knowledge, compassion, and belief in community care to VSW, where she is both a volunteer and a proud board member.

Colonel Brian Harris (Ret.) brings a deep personal commitment to disability advocacy and community service to his role on the VSW Board. As the father of a daughter with a seizure disorder, Brian understands firsthand the challenges faced by families of individuals with disabilities. His connection to this work began early, when he volunteered in the special needs classroom at Batavia High School and formed a close bond with a classmate who had Muscular Dystrophy.

Brian graduated from Batavia High School and Western Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a four-year ROTC scholarship. He later completed a master’s degree in Counter Terrorism. His 41-year career includes service as an officer in the U.S. Army, work with the CIA as Chief Engineer and Chief Architect for global cyber defense, and executive leadership in cybersecurity at Raytheon Technologies.

Despite his extensive professional accomplishments, Brian’s greatest passion is using his time and expertise to support individuals with disabilities. At VSW, he is leading efforts to modernize the Lifelong Learning program through accessible technology, ensuring that every participant has the opportunity to learn, grow, and build confidence.

Elizabeth Dunphy brings more than two decades of operational leadership and people‑centered strategy to her role on the VSW Board. She serves as Chief Operating Officer at Vitality, where she oversees client and member operations across Strategic Initiatives, Training, People, and Coaching, and has held leadership roles in implementation, account management, billing, customer support, and partner relations. Her commitment to VSW’s mission is deeply personal as the sister, guardian, and caregiver of an adult sibling with disabilities, an experience that has shaped her belief in dignity, access, meaningful work, and community belonging. Elizabeth is a strong advocate for inclusion and for creating environments where adults are valued for their contributions, and she brings a practical and empathetic lens to her board service. She lives in Sugar Grove, where her family remains the center of her life and leadership.