Staff

Jean Hinton, is a native of the Chicago area who ventured downstate for her undergraduate education at Western Illinois University, where she studied History and English. She was first exposed to Decatur when visiting with college friends from the community. After college Jean returned to the Chicago area and worked with both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that produced and hosted continuing professional education, while earning a Masters Degree in Adult and Continuing Education from National College of Education (now National Lewis University) in Evanston. Recruited by a Champaign based not for profit to lead their international education efforts globally, she moved back downstate and earned a doctorate at the University of Illinois in Educational Organization and Leadership.

After 23+ years in the Champaign community, Hinton moved with her husband Leon, whose job brought him to Decatur, and began working with EDCO in February 2012. Hinton will begin service on the YMCA board this Spring. She and her husband live in Decatur and have three grown children.

Jennifer McMillin, is originally from Medora in southwestern Illinois, and has been in central Illinois for seven years. She holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois, a certificate in non-profit management, and a Bachelors of Political Studies.

Jennifer comes to us from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School (SHG), where she worked in the Advancement Office, primarily with volunteers and data management. While there, she assisted the school in raising $5.3 million for their current new construction and renovation campaign as well as providing support in marketing and special event coordination. Prior to SHG, Jennifer worked for the University of Illinois – Springfield (UIS) in various student education roles.

Jennifer’s husband, Tim McMillin, is a Decatur native, graduating from Eisenhower and then UIS, now works at Archer Daniels Midland in Internal Audit.

Erin Reed, is EdCo’s Communications Coordinator. Erin grew up in the Decatur/Forsyth area and graduated from Maroa-Forsyth High School in 2007. She then went on to DePaul University in Chicago where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Marketing. Erin is excited to be back in the Decatur area and looks forward to her involvement with the Decatur Area Education Coalition.