Our Team Steps Up to the Plate.

Meet our Board of Directors & Join the Team

These are the faces of selfless adults making a difference in the lives of special kids. You can join their efforts!

  • Board Chair

    Nick works as a designer and partner in Sauer Homes, the family kitchen and remodeling business.

    He has led teams in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Nick served in the administrations of a past U.S. President and a former governor. He was an elected Illinois State Representative, Lake County Commissioner, and Member of the Barrington 220 Board of Education.

    Nick is a past recipient of the Child Advocate of the Year Award, given by the Illinois Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America.

    When not leading our Board, Nick serves as the Chairman of the Memorial 5K Foundation, which supports the needs of veterans and the families of fallen service members.

    In his spare time, he trains for marathons and triathlons and volunteers with Catholic Charities in Chicago. His favorite teams are the Cubs and Northwestern Wildcats.

  • Board Member

    Bruce is the President and Founder of Sauer Homes, the Sauer family’s design firm. He has been an artistic oriented business leader in the kitchen and bath industry for almost 50 years. Bruce began his career with the trade magazine, Qualified Remodeler. He later became its Associate Publisher and Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

    Bruce also managed the sales and logistics of an internationally recognized kitchen cabinet brand for over 20 years. His product was sold by major distribution retailers across the United States.

    Bruce was twice elected the Mayor of his hometown, was chosen as the Chairman of the Barrington Council of Governments (BACOG) and has served on the Board of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust.

    Bruce grew up in San Diego, California, as a White Sox fan (pre-Padres) and, like his father, roots for anyone playing the Dodgers.

  • Board Treasurer

    Jan started her career in banking. For over a decade she helped sell one of the first forms of direct deposit software to major Chicago corporations. After retiring from banking, she helped grow the family business, now called Sauer Homes.

    Jan serves as the hands-on Project Manager for each Sauer Homes renovation. Her expert fashion sense has helped countless customers select superior appliances, countertops, tile options, and other finishing touches.

    Jan has also led in local government, serving two terms as an elected Village Trustee. During her time on the town council, she helped lead the community’s finance committee and coordinated public works projects.

    Jan has served as President of her P.E.O. chapter, is a Member of Citizens for Conservation, and loves to watch the Cubs.

  • Board Member

    Adam has been involved in the kitchen and bath industry for almost 10 years, as a sales representative and kitchen designer. Prior to working in the home improvement industry, he held positions at the Chicago offices of LinkedIn and Groupon.

    Adam has volunteered with hundreds of foster children over the past decade. Every summer, he serves as a lead counselor for an organization that produces a week-long camp experience for foster kids. In so doing, Adam has helped mentor and encourage some of Illinois’ most vulnerable children.

    Adam and his wife Lauren live in Chicago with their adorable rescue dog, Luna. He is a passionate Cubs fan, enjoys concerts in the city, and traveling internationally.

  • Board Member

    Carl is a retired attorney with an extensive commercial and governmental real estate background, focused in large multi-purpose projects. He is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Loyola University Law School in Chicago. Carl was inspired to pursue a career in real estate after experiencing success in his early investments. He has served in local government as a member of the Village of Lake Barrington’s Planning Commission and later as a Village Trustee. He is an avid golfer and the proud grandfather of four grandsons. Carl has always been a committed Chicago White Sox fan.

  • Board Member

    Trish has worked in marketing the past 17 years, while living and working in Chicago.  A graduate of University of Illinois in Springfield with a master’s degree in public administration, she is currently the Director of Marketing for Oberweis Dairy. Her undergraduate degree is in Marketing from Western Illinois University where she served two years as the Student Trustee to the university Board of Trustees.

    Trish was a competitive swimmer for 12 years and a swim coach for 2 years. Always wanting to give back, she is very passionate about special kids and a strong advocate for childhood development through involvement in sports. 

    Outside of the office, she loves spending time with family, friends, and watching harness horse racing. She is happiest at the track watching her friends’ racehorses, but a Cubs game is a very close second.  Go Cubs Go!

  • Board Member

    Philip has been the general manager at a metal fabrication company for 12 years. His company produces a wide variety of items including parts for medical and aeronautical industries. Previously he was a supervisor for a custom home concrete company.

    Philip has served as a volunteer at several youth camps in various positions for over 20 years. He has assisted with construction builds, led camp programs, and counseled 10 years at a camp designed for children in the foster care system.

    Philip and his wife became guardians for four siblings that were introduced to them through the foster care camp. This event redefined their life for 6 years until the teens eventually moved on.

    Philip was a former automobile road course racer and an avid boater. He loves to travel and enjoy adventures with his wife and son. Phil roots for the Cubs.

  • Board Member

    Bill served his country proudly as a Vietnam era Navy Seal for over eight years.

    After returning home, Bill began a successful professional career in the financial services sector, serving as President and CEO of three different Chicago area banks. Bill was also the President of the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce for seven years.

    Bill has a long history of dedicating his time to sports and civic groups. He was an active team leader in his children’s sports activities and served as the announcer for the Barrington High School swim program for 15 years. As an avid swimmer himself, he also volunteered with the Illinois Special Olympics swimming program for almost three decades.

    Now retired, Bill spends his time advocating for veterans and the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform. He currently serves as the President of the Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores, a non-profit that supports the needs of veterans, their families, and our fallen heroes.

  • Board Member

    Bio Coming Soon.

Become an Advisor

Our Advisory Board is made up of family members, close friends, neighbors, and Sauer Homes customers. They all contribute their time and resources to guide our work and provide hope to the kids we serve.