CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Ridlen, an Illinois 4-H alumnus and retired banking and financial regulatory executive, to its Board of Directors.
The Illinois 4-H Foundation Board is committed to advancing Illinois 4-H by building partnerships, securing private resources, and ensuring young people across the state have access to valuable opportunities that inspire them to learn, lead, and make a difference in their communities.
“Those who serve on the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors do so because they believe in what 4-H is teaching young people and want to build networks that generate financial resources for our statewide program,” said Angie Barnard, executive director of the Illinois 4-H Foundation. “Mark brings not only tremendous professional experience to the Board, but also a personal understanding of the lifelong impact of 4-H.”
The Foundation Board plays a pivotal role in supporting the growth and impact of Illinois 4-H, one of the state’s largest youth development organizations. Board members provide strategic guidance, advocate for 4-H, cultivate relationships with individuals and organizations, and help secure private resources that expand opportunities for young people throughout Illinois.
Ridlen was raised in Urbana, Illinois, and was a 10-year member of the Illiac and Illini 4-H clubs. A highlight of his 4-H career was serving on the 1976 Illinois Poultry Judging Team, which won the National Poultry Judging Contest. His parents were also committed 4-H leaders, inspiring his appreciation for the program and its impact on young people.
A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate with a degree in Agricultural Industries, Ridlen spent more than 40 years in banking, financial services, and financial regulation. His career included positions with Citicorp and Farm Credit Services and more than 30 years with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, where he held several leadership roles, including Assistant Deputy Comptroller. Now retired, Ridlen and his wife, Susan, reside in Carmel, Indiana, and have three adult children.
“I’m excited to join the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board, as it is the perfect opportunity to give back to an organization that was instrumental in my development as a youth, and those experiences carried over to my professional life,” said Ridlen. “Now more than ever, it is important to focus on developing today’s youth to learn skills that will carry over into meaningful leadership opportunities for the future.”
“We are grateful for those who give their time, advocacy, and support to strengthen Illinois 4-H,” Barnard said. “Mark understands firsthand the impact 4-H can have on a young person because he lived that experience himself. We are excited to welcome him back to Illinois 4-H in this new role and to have his leadership, perspective, and experience helping us create those same opportunities for the next generation.”
To see a full list of current Board members, please visit the Illinois 4-H Foundation page.
About the Illinois 4-H Foundation
The Illinois 4-H Foundation supports the Illinois 4-H program, a part of University of Illinois Extension. The Foundation provides financial resources to support 4-H programs, scholarships, and events that foster leadership, citizenship, and hands-on learning in youth throughout Illinois. The Illinois 4-H Foundation is committed to expanding the reach and impact of 4-H in every community across the state.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
For Further Information, Contact: Angie Barnard, abarnard@illinois.edu, 217-333-9295
Source: Angie Barnard, abarnard@illinois.edu, 217-333-9295
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.