Gary L. Graham
Gary Graham was born in Texarkana, Texas and raised in Burlington, Iowa. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1963, attended Burlington Community College for two years and then went on to the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. He continued his education with graduate work in City Management and also earned a CLU (Chartered Life underwriter) degree from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Over the past 30 years Gary has worked in the Life Insurance business, owned and managed a Country Club and worked in the River Barge business. While working in life insurance, he gained experience as a sales representative, agency supervisor, general manager, corporate staff officer. While in the Country Club business, he operated a 400-member complex that included a golf course, tennis club, pool and restaurant. Upon entering the river barge business, Gary gained experience in several capacities as Senior Vice President and President of companies with up to 650 barges, 300 employees, and $100 million in sales. Currently, Gary owns, and is President of LUCO, Inc., a river barge company.
Gary has been an active resident of O’Fallon for the more than 20 years he has lived here. He is currently Mayor of the City with a budget of 34 million and, prior to his election in 1997, served as an Alderman for Ward 2, School Board Member for O’Fallon District 203 and O’Fallon Planning Commission Member and Chairman. Governor George Ryan appointed him to the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority in 2001. Additionally, he was appointed to the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council in 1997 by Governor Edgar and served on the Southwestern Illinois Regional (MidAmerica) Airport Task Force. Gary is on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. He is also Chairman of the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation Board, the Southwestern Illinois YMCA Board, the Council of Mayors, SWIMPAC, the O’Fallon Economic Development Council, the Rotary Club, the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce, Shriners, B.P.O.E., and the First United Methodist Church. He served as a youth soccer
coach for many years, a mentor for Central School District 104 and Donation Chairman for the OTHS After Prom Party for six years. Additionally, he is past President of the St. Louis Coal & Transportation Exchange and an organizing Board Member of MidAmerica Bank of St. Clair County.
Gary is married to the former Lucia Scheu of Burlington, Iowa. The Grahams have two children: Matt: OTHS ’93, University of Missouri ’97; and Nicole: OTHS ’97, Kansas University ’03.
Past and Present Professional/Civic Affiliations:
President, Merchant Grain & Transportation
O’Fallon Rotary Club Sergeant at Arms
President, Green River Towing
National League of Cities, FAIR Steering Committee
Vice President, Walker Towing
Board of Directors, Illinois Municipal League
Senior V. P. – Igert, Inc.
Board of Directors YMCA of Southwest
O’Fallon Alderman, Ward 2
OTHS After Prom Party Donation Chairman
OTHS District 203 Board Member
Sting Youth Soccer Team Coach
East-West Gateway Coordinating Council
Board of Directors Mid America Bank
O’Fallon Planning Commission Member, Chairman 1995
Southwestern Illinois Regional (MidAmerica) Airport Task Force
Board of Directors Community Financial Corp.
Chairman of SWIC Foundation
O’Fallon Community Center Major Gift Co-Chair
St. Louis Coal & Transportation Exchange President
American Waterways Operators Board Member
National League of Cities, elected to Board, 2005
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