Transform Rockford is pleased to announce the election of two new members to its Steering Committee. The newly elected members are Benjamin Bernsten and Daniel G. Saavedra.

“I am pleased to welcome our two newest members,” said Transform Rockford Steering Committee Chair Bobbie Holzwarth. “They each have a unique background, with diverse experiences that make them an asset in helping with the transformation process of our city.”

Benjamin Bernsten was named the President of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois in May 2018. Since joining Goodwill in 2012, Ben has been responsible for all aspects of Goodwill’s retail operation and legal affairs within its 18-county territory. He’s created numerous new programs and revenue generating operations including Goodwill’s e-commerce program. Ben graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, WI. He resides in Rockford and is actively involved in the community, serving on other numerous boards including Rock River Water Reclamation District, The Workforce Connection, Northwest Community Center, and GiGi’s Playhouse.

Daniel G. Saavedra is President and co-owner of Rockford-based Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects. He has more than thirty years of experience in the architectural profession and has received recognition for excellence in architectural design for more than thirty projects his firm has developed nationally and regionally. His experience includes more than 400 projects in the religious, health care, commercial, institutional, and residential, facilities. Some of these projects are the SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, various projects at Rock Valley College, Rosecrance, Anderson Japanese Garden Visitors Center, Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, Practice Velocity, and many more. Dan grew-up in Colombia and came to Illinois in 1984 after obtaining his degree in architecture from the Universidad La Gran Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. Dan resides in Roscoe and is actively involved with as a trustee for the Rockford Art Museum and Northern Illinois Conference for the United Methodist Church. Dan has also volunteered in many non-for-profits organizations in the region including Transform Rockford.

Other Transform Rockford Steering Committee members include:

  • Nate Boelkins, UTAS
  • Tom Gendron (Emeritus), Woodward
  • Bill Gorski, Retired from SwedishAmerican
  • Bobbie Holzwarth, Holmstrom Law
  • Christie Jarrett, Stenstrom
  • Doug Jensen, Rock Valley College
  • Jim Keeling, Hinshaw Law
  • LoRayne Logan, Workplace Staffing
  • Paul Logli, United Way of Rock River Valley
  • Peter Provenzano, Supply Core
  • Dave Schertz, Retired from OSF
  • David Sidney, Transform Rockford