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.
2019 IACS Officers & Board of Directors
President
Jessica Anderson
Assistant Director of Marketing/Bookstore Manager
21193 Malta Road
Malta, IL 60150
P: 815-825-9786
F: 815.825.2726
Jessica Anderson has been a member of the IACS board for 2 years. She has worked in the College Bookstore Industry for 5 years. Jessica comes to the College Bookstore industry after 15 years working for large retailers and in higher education in other roles. She has transitioned to the role of Assistant Director of Marketing from where she still oversees bookstore operations in addition to the café, the copy center, and marketing. Jessica and the Kish team have made a number of changes in the last 5 years. They’ve implemented digital adoptions, price comparison tools, inclusive access, OER, new course pack options, and more. Jessica is committed to understanding the needs of the Kishwaukee College community and finding new solutions to meet the ever changing needs of the students, staff, and faculty. Jessica resides in DeKalb, IL with her husband and three children. On the side she works as a voice actor and enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Vice President
Kristy Inman
Retail Assistant Manager-Special Events/Law Bookstore
Illini Union Bookstore, University of Illinois
809 S Wright St
Champaign, IL 61820
217.300.4392
Kristy Inman has been with The Illini Union Bookstore at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since 2015. She started as the Retail Services Supervisor and is now Assistant Retail Manger-Special Events/Law Bookstore. Before college bookstore life, she had over 15 years of retail supervisory experience. During her time at Illini Union Bookstore she has helped launch the new Law Bookstore, partnered with Amazon to make a rewarding buying experience for UIUC students, and developed campus outreach with special events and programs promoting the Illini Union Bookstore as a destination experience. She is currently focusing on strengthening campus relationships and promoting IUB services.
Kristy is a graduate of Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL. She is currently attending Eastern Illinois University to complete her Bachelor’s degree with an expected graduation date of May 2020. She resides in Urbana, IL with her husband and 2 children. In her free time she loves to travel, meet new people, and binge watch Netflix.
Treasurer
Christine Klippert
Secretary
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.
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
Alla Rayzman
General Manager for Course Materials and the UIC Medical Bookstore
University of Illinois at Chicago
Student Center West
828 S. Wolcott
Chicago, IL 60612
312.413.5577
Alla Rayzman came to the USA in 1992 from former Soviet Union. Alla began her bookstore career at the Follett Student Book Exchange serving Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois from 1993 to 1999. She then moved to the Concordia University Bookstore in River Forest and from 1999 to 2007. She is currently at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Medical Bookstore. Alla’s hobbies include reading books, traveling around the globe, and fine art.
2 Year School Representative
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.
2 Year School Representative
Ellen Rogers
Bookstore IT Coordinator
Waubonsee Community College
Rt. 47 at Waubonsee Drive
Sugargrove, IL 60554
630.466.7900 ext. 6813
2 Year School Representative
Elizabeth Goodman
Textbook Coordinator
Waubonsee Community College
Rt. 47 at Waubonsee Drive
Sugargrove, IL 60554
630.466.7900 ext. 2261
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.