STAFF

The Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA) is the membership organization that provides a unified voice and support to the poverty fighting network of Community Action Agencies.

Arturo Puckerin

President & CEO

Anita Holmgren

Chief Financial Officer

Haley Wilson

Assistant Director of Professional Development

Margo Baxton

Special Program Administrator

Mackenzie Anderson

Program Specialist

Nicole Popejoy

Director of Utility & Energy Programs

Steven Helfers

Staff Accountant

Veronica Brown

Director of Membership & Communications

Krystle Poorman

Executive Assistant

David Morrison

Weatherization Specialist

Corey Abraham

Weatherization Specialist

Erika Orr

Program & Office Specialist

3435 Liberty Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-789-0125

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Arturo Puckerin

President & CEO

Arturo Puckerin comes to IACAA with nearly a decade in Community Action and affordable housing experience, and is excited to continue developing economic and social opportunities in Illinois that help the most economically disadvantaged citizens access resources they need to pursue those opportunities and become more self-sufficient.

Born in Brooklyn, New York to a military home, and having lived in various different communities throughout the country, Arturo carries a personal and professional passion for organizational development and community engagement in the design and delivery of human services that heighten self-sufficiency and social capacity through community action.

Mr. Puckerin attended Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, holds an MPA in Public Administration from Strayer University in Washington, DC., a BS in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College and a Graduate’s Degree from Liberty University.

“Community Action continues to be the tip of the spear in our War on Poverty after over half of a century, and I am honored to be a part of our amazing Illinois state association. We have a lot of great work to do!”

Anita Holmgren

Chief Financial Officer

Anita is the Chief Financial Officer for IACAA. Prior to joining the IACAA team in January 2010, Anita worked for 12 years at Aurora University in various accounting and management roles. After moving from Aurora to Springfield in 2009, Anita worked at Sikich, LLP as a staff accountant. She serves the IACAA team by overseeing all accounting functions, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, and auditing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Aurora University. Anita has two daughters and enjoys gardening, camping, boating, and traveling - and is a Parrothead!

Haley Wilson

Assistant Director of Professional Development

Haley joined the IACAA team in January 2016. Haley is responsible for assisting in the direction and coordination of all training activities of the Community Action Network.

Haley is a Springfield native who enjoys local outdoor activities with her family. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts from Benedictine University of Springfield and received her Master’s Degree in Strategic Brand Communications from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.

Prior to joining IACAA, she held the position of Subscription Coordinator at the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) where she was responsible for managing and marketing legal publication subscriptions. Haley has also served as a freelance writer for the Springfield Business Journal.

Margo Baxton

Special Program Administrator

Margo is the Special Program Administrator, prior to joining the IACAA team in October of 2021, Margo was employed with Sangamon County Community Resources as a Family and Community Development Specialist in the CSBG department. Prior to moving to Illinois in 2014, she resided in Vero Beach, Florida where she worked as a Targeted Case Manager with Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, aiding in numerous grants and programs for over 10 years. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Administration. Her favorite past times include cooking, traveling, art and spending quality time with her family.

Mackenzie Anderson

Program Specialist

Kenzie was raised and lives in Springfield with her Australian Shepherd, Maverick. She enjoys spending her free time volunteering and being active in the community. Kenzie is currently the President of the Junior League of Springfield and has been an active member since 2015. She also serves on the board for the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, volunteers at the Illinois State Museum, coaches Girls on the Run, and assists with transports for Speak St. Louis Rescue and Sanctuary for dogs. In her spare time, Kenzie enjoys visiting with friends, petting every animal possible, and going to concerts.

Nicole Popejoy

Director of Utility & Energy Programs

Nicole is the Director of Utility and Energy programs for IACAA. She started as a Program Specialist for the Employment Barrier Reduction Pilot Program with IACAA in October of 2021. Prior to that, she was a Youth Program Director at the YMCA here in Springfield, a Program Manager of a swim school for kids in Chicago. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling, both from Cincinnati Christian University. Nicole likes to stay active by working out, hiking, and camping with her family. She is passionate about making a difference and helping others.

Steven Helfers

Staff Accountant

Steven Helfers is the IACAA Staff Accountant and is originally from Elburn, IL. In September of 2022, he was promoted from his original role as a Program Specialist. Prior to joining IACAA Steven had a background in accounting, more specifically in temporary housing and insurance. In his spare time, Steven enjoys spending time with his dog, Rocky, and his family, laboring in the yard when the weather allows and boating. Steven also volunteers for the Illinois Railway Museum with their accounting department.

Veronica Brown

Director of Membership & Communications

Veronica Brown is the Director of Membership & Communications for IACAA. Veronica has an extensive background in non-profit communications. She has a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Communications and has worked for non-profits small and large. Veronica wants to ensure every member’s voice is heard and appreciated at IACAA. In her spare time, Veronica likes to spend time at book stores with her husband in hopes of growing their manga collection. She lives in Springfield, IL and enjoys finding new, local businesses to support.

Krystle Poorman

Executive Assistant

Krystle Poorman joined the IACAA team in May of 2021. Krystle is a Springfield native and mother of 4 beautiful children. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and has over 20 years of administrative experience. Krystle enjoys crafting and cookouts with her family. She and her family take vacations several times a year and make a point to stop and eat anywhere that is either local to the area or a chain that is not found locally to her. Her oldest son is currently stationed in Hawaii with the United States Army and will call the islands his home for the next several years.

David Morrison

Weatherization Specialist

David is a Weatherization Specialist for IACAA. Before joining IACAA in 2022, David worked with a variety of contractors to supply local construction sites with the tools and equipment necessary to get the job done. Located in St Louis, David assists the Community Action Agencies of Southern Illinois in their efforts to energy map and weatherize households in need. David has two unique dogs - a Jack Russell pug and a Beagle pug - that keep his hands full. When not chasing them around the yard, he can be found hiking, camping, or hunting in the many beautiful conservation areas this part of the Midwest provides.

Corey Abraham

Weatherization Specialist

Corey is a weatherization specialist. Before IACAA he was the supervisor for an independent weatherization contractor for 9 years. His job is to assess homes in the communities of central Illinois and to provide any and all health and safety measures for these households. Corey is married and has four daughters and one son. The family enjoys cooking traveling and watching each other play sports.

Erika Orr

Program & Office Assistant

Erika Orr is the Program and Office Assistant. Prior to joining the IACAA team October 2022, Erika was employed with Sangamon County Community Resources as the CSBG Coordinator. Erika is also a Family and Community Development Specialist and spent several years as LIHEAP Assistant Energy Coordinator as well. Her passion and dedication to the community is astounding. She also serves On the Landlord Risk Mitigation Advisory Board.

Prior to moving to Springfield, IL in April 2012, she resided in Chicago, IL as an Office Manager for a private Home Care Agency owned and operated by her family.

Favorite past times include going to the movies, spoiling her grand babies, monthly visits to Outback Steakhouse and spending quality time with her family.