The History of IACS
The idea of having a state bookstore association arose in 1969 when a few dedicated store managers saw the need for bringing together colleagues within the state of Illinois to discuss and find solutions to common problems and further educate themselves in the ever changing world of bookstore management.
The Illinois Association of College Stores was officially established on October 26, 1970 following a meeting of 21 college store managers in Springfield, Illinois. This non-profit organization exists for the benefit of the membership. Individual contribute to the operation of IACS by serving on committees, taking part in association activities and by letting the association officers know their desires. Participation of all members is encouraged.
Our Purpose
Service to its members is the most important function of the Illinois Association of College Stores. IACS serves its members by bringing together those people who are engaged in selling course materials, supplies, general merchandise, and other services to the students and faculties of educational institutions in Illinois and the Midwest.
One of the most important services is educational programming. A minimum of one meeting, usually two days in length, is scheduled each year in the fall and hosted by different schools. These conferences consist of well planned program topics and feature member and guest speakers. Tours of the local bookstore(s) is often available so members have the opportunity to see different merchandising ideas and the products other stores have available. An occasional table top exhibit of associate members' merchandise may also be a feature on the program agenda. An informal dinner and evening of entertainment are usually a part of each meeting's program.
In addition, IACS issues a newsletter where meeting dates, job openings, bookstore surveys, current trends, and course materials, supply, general merchandise, or service information is published and shared. Any member seeking information may start and/or respond to a blog online in the members area. A membership directory is also available on the member resources page.
2021 IACS Officers & Board of Directors
President
Helen Nakos
Manager Bookstore & Auxiliary Support Services
Joliet Junior College
1215 Houbolt Road, A-1012
Joliet, IL 60431
815.280.2289
Helen Nakos started in the retail book business in 1997 at Borders Books. She was there for almost 14 years and held a variety of positions from part-time Bookseller to general Manager, and to Seasonal Business Area Manager. Helen also worked in retail operations at the Brookfield Zoo as General Manager of the Wildlife Trading Post. Her career in higher education began at Cowley College, Kansas as Director of Admissions. Helen is currently the Manager of the Bookstore & Auxiliary Support Services at Joliet Junior College.
Helen holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts. She currently resides in Naperville, Illinois with her husband and son.
Vice President
OPEN-Send your nominations to Helen Nakos, hnakos@jjc.edu!
Title
College
Address
Telephone
Short Bio
Treasurer
Jill Christy
Hammes Bookstore Manager
Kankakee Community College
100 College Drive
Kankakee, IL 60901
815.802.8592
Jill Christy is the manager of the KCC Hammes Bookstore. She has worked at KCC since December 1990 starting as a controller in the financial aid office before moving to manager of the bookstore in January 2005. She had an associate degree in Horticulture from Danville Area Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Governors State University. She resides in rural Danforth with her husband Dave. They have 2 grown daughters and 4 wonderful grandchildren. Jill enjoys reading, antiquing and spending time with family and friends.
Secretary
OPEN-Send your nominations to Helen Nakos, hnakos@jjc.edu!
Title
College
Address
Telephone
Short Bio
Associate Representative
Cody Lopez
Regional Sales Manager, Central Region
Redshelf
815.690.1532
Cody Lopez, Regional Sales Manager, is dedicated to helping RedShelf’s campus partners’ transition to digital and grow their inclusive access programs. Cody went to Central Michigan University where he was a student athlete and received a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Cody began his career as a Cloud Solutions Specialist at Vonage before joining the RedShelf team in 2017. During his tenure at RedShelf, Cody rapidly grew from his initial role as an Account Manager on the Central team to Regional Sales Manager after a few short months.
Associate Representative
Kelli Golembeski
Account Executive
L2 brands
C: 920.379.8680
F: 866.404.6874
Kelli came to the collegiate industry after being a gift rep for several years. She started with OneCoast Collegiate in February 2011, and as of January 1, 2019 the Collegiate Team was purchased by L2Brands.
As an L2Brands Account Executive, she exclusively represents League and Legacy in Illinois, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Additionally, she also belongs to both the WACS (Current Board Member) and Tri-State Bookstores Association.
Kelli holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). She resides in Oshkosh, WI with her husband, Chris and their cat, Harold.
4 Year School Representative
Cathy Stoutner
Title
College
Address
Telephone
Short Bio
4 Year School Representative
OPEN-Send your nominations to Helen Nakos, hnakos@jjc.edu!
Title
College
Address
Telephone
Short Bio
2 Year School Representative
Alyssa Boaz
Bookstore Text Buyer
Illinois Valley Community College
815 N. Orlando Smith Road
815.224.0222
Alyssa has an extensive background in purchasing in both the retail and manufacturing sectors. She has been at Illinois Valley Community College for 18 months and this is her first experience in academia. Alyssa is a student at Arizona State University (online), where she is studying Graphic Information Technology with a focus in Web Design and Photography. She is a mother of one 9 year old girl and 3 fur babies. Alyssa married her High School sweetheart and they have been together for 16 years. As a family they enjoy camping, hiking, reading and playing Nintendo Switch.
2 Year School Representative
Christine Klippert
Manager, Bookstore
College of Lake County
19351 W. Washington
Grayslake, IL 60030
847.543.2278
Christine began her Bookstore Experience in 2009 as a temporary employee during rush(beginning of the semester). She became full-time in 2012 working as an Operations Clerk overseeing cashiers, the website and collaborating with the store manager on projects. She was then promoted to Manager in 2014 and since then has overseen remodels of two spaces as well as an operation change: Moving from Open Stacks to Full Counter Service. Her next endeavor is to bring Inclusive Access to the College as another way to save students money.
Member at Large
Cary Caldwell
Digital Development Executive
Verba | Vital Source
227 Fayetteville Street, Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27601
704.446.2054
Cary began her career in Higher Ed as the Merchandise Manager for Gardner-Webb University Campus Shop and was promoted to Assistant Manager within her first year of employment. In 2012 she was named GWU Campus Shop Manager and was given the responsibility of the Campus Post Office and Concessions as well. She has a true passion for helping bookstores find ways to increase student success. Cary obtained her BA in Communications in 2005, and her MBA in 2008 from Gardner-Webb. She has served on the National Association of College Stores Foundation Board, as well as, served as President for the College Stores Association of North Carolina. She likes to spend her spare time with family and friends; fishing, hiking, playing games, sitting around a fire pit roasting marshmallows, listening to music, and watching her son and his friends play.
Member at Large
Sara Didio
Assistant Director-Course Materials
University of Illinois at Chicago, Bookstore
750 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60607
312.413.5515
Sara Didio is the Assistant Director-Course Materials at UIC and has been very active since joining the staff in 2010. In 2011 she has selected to be in the inaugural class of the Leadership Institute for NACS and was also awarded the Outstanding Civil Service Employee in 2011. Prior to that, Sara worked for Barnes and Noble College Bookstore at DePaul University and had prior experience with Barnes and Noble as a student employee and later a full time employee at Benedictine University where she majored in international Business and economics.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Mike Goodwin
Account Representative
Texas Books
Kelli Golembeski
Account Executive
L2 brands
Cary Caldwell
Digital Development Executive
Verba | Vital Source
CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE
Jill Christy
Hammes Bookstore Manager
Kankakee Community College
Alyssa Boaz
Bookstore Text Buyer
Illinois Valley Community College
MEETING/ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Sara Didio
Assistant Director-Course Materials
University of Illinois at Chicago, Bookstore
Cody Lopez
Regional Sales Manager, Central Region
Redshelf
Scott Baseler
Retail Assistant Manager
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Helen Nakos
Manager Bookstore & Auxiliary Support Services
Joliet Junior College
Cody Lopez
Regional Sales Manager, Central Region
Redshelf
Christine Klippert
Manager, Bookstore
College of Lake County
VOLUNTEERS
Gabby Sorenson
Title
Illinois Valley Community College