November 2024

Dr. Shelly Nickols-Richardson
Associate Dean and Director of Extension

As you may know, Harry Clore, Associate Director for Budget, Finance, and Workforce Development, has announced his retirement from University of Illinois Extension effective March 31, 2025. Harry has provided service to Illinois Extension for over 11 ½ years, notably through his administrative efforts in stabilizing the organizational budget, building exceptionally strong relationships with county boards and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and applying a financial philosophy that has soundly positioned Illinois Extension for future growth and expansion.    

Harry has been an exceptional steward of Extension’s resources by capably overseeing our $65 million budget, including $25 million in grant funding, coordinating leases for 124 locations across 27 units and state offices, and guiding development and personnel policy for over 775 Extension employees. He developed financial forecasting tools, managed all vendor contracts, completed countless internal and external fiscal audits and reviews, and developed clear policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and campus regulations as related to Illinois Extension’s operations. Before joining Illinois Extension, Harry served as the Associate Director for the Fire Service Institute, where he led the finance, human resources, development, and corporate relations activities. In total, Harry has selflessly served the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for nearly two decades.  

Harry notes that, “Truly, I can look back and be proud of all that Extension does for the people of Illinois and take pride in that my work may have helped in some small way in those achievements.” I believe that we can all agree that Harry’s contributions to Illinois Extension have made long-lasting and extraordinarily substantial impacts to not only our Extension workforce but also to the individuals, families, communities, businesses, and organizations that we serve. Harry will forever be known for offering sound guidance, conveying common sense to fiscal management, and for showing up every day for Illinois Extension.  

Harry will retire in Indiana to be closer to his family and looks forward to volunteering in his local community and perfecting his golf game. We wish Harry all the best! 

In other news, we had an excellent 2024 University of Illinois Extension Annual Conference. The program was filled with a variety of outstanding sessions and events, and we hope you were able to join us in person or virtually to take advantage of this essential professional development opportunity. I express my profound gratitude to each of you and wish you many blessings as we approach the Thanksgiving break.

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