Rob Funderburg Jr.: Philanthropist committed to improving the community

By Jeff Kolkey
Register Star Media
Posted Jul. 20, 2014 @ 5:00 am

Alpine Bank Chairman Rob Funderburg Jr. was introduced to the family business at a young age.

The third-generation banker, land developer and philanthropist grew up in Rockford and fondly recalls frequent visits to what was then Belvidere Bank.

“I would drive around with my dad on Saturday mornings to check on projects he was working on,” the 52-year-old said. “I was 17 when I started working at Alpine Bank as a teller and in operations.”

He’s been married to Cathy since 1993 and is the father of two. The family is known for its banking interests, land ownership and donations to worthy causes.

Funderburg’s father and aunt contributed money for Funderburg Stadium, which was built in 1967 and named in memory of his grandfather, Hugh K. Funderburg. Last year, Alpine Bank “contributed more than $700,000 to 350 community organizations,” Funderburg said. And the Funderburg Foundation donates thousands of dollars to area cultural, community and recreational organizations in Winnebago and Boone counties every year.

“The family is so unique in how they care for the community and the people in the community,” said Bill Roop, president and CEO of Alpine Bank. “I never cease to be amazed at how generous they are and how honorable they are.”

Funderburg succeeded his father, as his father had succeeded his grandfather, as leader of the family businesses. He was elected chairman of Alpine Bank & Trust Co. in 1992 after his father became ill and died.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140720/Special/140719494#ixzz38A2Vtpwf

Faces of Summer: Garden Prairie grower a lifelong farmers marketer

BELVIDERE — Mary Brubach’s Saturday mornings in the summer have been the same since as long as she can remember.

Mary’s mother, Susie, ran Susie’s Garden Patch in Garden Prairie, and 31-year-old Mary said “for the past 27 or 28 years” they’ve been bringing fresh produce to the Belvidere Farmers Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Saturday from early June to late October.

“This is all I’ve known,” Brubach said. “I don’t want to do anything else though. I love to interact with my customers. They know me, and I know them. They’ll tell me stories about how my parents sat me down ‘over there’ while they ran the produce stand.”

Mary’s father died about 18 months ago, and Mary and her husband essentially have taken over the garden patch and now they, along with Susie’s help as well as a part-time college student, sell produce ranging from asparagus to rhubarb at farmers markets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“It’s tiring, but it’s fun,” said Brubach, who also likes to shop at other farmers markets, such as Woodstock and Beloit, Wisconsin. “I get to educate people about things they wouldn’t think about because they are used to buying food in stores.”

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140721/News/140729921#ixzz38A0hLRTD

Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunity

:

Executive Director-- Growth Dimensions has the following employment opportunities

Reporting directly to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County, Inc., the Executive Director is responsible for providing economic development leadership in the areas of business attraction, business retention and expansion, enterprise zone administration, strategic initiatives and other special projects assigned by the Executive Committee. 
Full Job Description: Executive Director

Please submit the following items to:   info@growthdimensions.org This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by July 31, 2014, 5:00 p.m.

- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Salary History & Requirements
- References (at least two)