Top Officers

Mr. Whalen is the founder of Heart of America Group (the “Company”) and has served as President & CEO since 1978. Through Mr. Whalen’s entrepreneurial leadership and vision, the Company has grown from a single restaurant operation to a profitable and growing real estate development and hospitality enterprise with twenty-seven existing restaurant/hotel properties, several retail/office development/leasing activities, and exciting plans for future property developments. Mr. Whalen received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois in 1975 and his Law degree from Harvard Law School in 1978. Mr. Whalen is heavily involved in several trade, professional, real estate, political, and civic organizations.

Ms. Whalen began her career with Heart of America in 1979 when she joined the company as the first accountant and has since been an integral part of the strategic direction of the company. Her ability to manage accounting processes for several restaurants and hotels, new development projects, as well as maintain strong banker and vendor relationships led her to become Heart of America’s first CFO. After the arrival of her children, Ms. Whalen stepped away for awhile to focus on family. Since 1999, she has served as the Executive Vice President. Her unique knack for thinking strategically and creatively parlayed her into a leadership role on the design team where she focuses her energy on developing attractive, unique designs for the company’s development and renovation projects. Ms. Whalen often reflects on the various opportunities she’s had to “play” through the years. Her involvement in conceptualizing and designing hotels, restaurants and retail space projects along with her focus on business strategy continue to help shape the company’s direction for the future.

Mr. Trebilcock joined Heart of America in 2008 as Vice President – Real Estate Development and is responsible for the planning and development of all real estate projects, including site acquisition, site plans, project development, municipal coordination, tenant coordination, real estate sales activities, and other matters. He also has certain operational oversight responsibilities. Prior to joining the Company, he was a Principal/Project Manager with S-D Retail Consulting in Chicago from 2004 to 2008, was a Senior Retail Consultant for BearingPoint from 2002 to 2004, and was a Consultant with Andersen, LLP from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Trebilcock received his Bachelor’s degree in Management from Michigan State University in 2001.

Mr. Ullrich joined the Company in 1999 as Vice President & CFO and is responsible for the finance, accounting, insurance/risk management, human resources, information technology, budgeting, capital expenditures, forecasting, and administrative functions of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ullrich was employed by Mid-Continent Bottlers, Inc. as Vice President & CFO from 1994 to 1999 and as Corporate Controller from 1987 to 1993. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Ullrich was employed by the public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Ullrich received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa in 1982. He received his C.P.A. designation in 1982.

Since 1994, Mr. Whalen has served as VP & General Counsel and is responsible for all legal matters of the Company, including contracts, development agreements, legal issues, employment matters, municipal activities, and all other legal affairs of the Company. He is also intricately involved in all real estate activities. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Whalen was a partner in the lawfirm of Langford, Hill, Trybus & Whalen from 1985 to 1994. Mr. Whalen received his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas in 1981 and his Law degree from the University of Florida in 1985. Mr. Whalen is a member of the American Bar Association.

Mr. Whalen joined the Company in 1999 as VP – Construction and is responsible for all project construction activities and property renovations, including the on-site management/oversight of our development projects, and all contractor coordination. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Whalen was an independent construction contractor from 1980 to 1998, having built and remodeled several of the Company’s restaurant and hotel properties and the current corporate office, was the Owner/Operator of two Happy Joe’s Pizza franchises from 1975 to 1980, and was the General Manager of a hotel from 1973 to 1975. Mr. Whalen received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1973.

Since 1993, Mr. Cox has served as VP – Restaurant Operations and is responsible for the direction and oversight of all restaurant sales and operations for our Machine Shed, Thunder Bay Grille, and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse concepts. Prior to joining the Company, he was a partner and VP – Operations for Sun Aid of Florida from 1991 to 1993, was Plant Manager for Sugar Foods from 1986 to 1991, was Plant Manager for McCormick Spices from 1984-1986, and was a Manager for Ralston Purina from 1969 to 1984. Mr. Cox received his Associate degree from Palmer College in 1969.

Since 1991, Mr. Williams has served as VP – Hotel Operations and is responsible for the direction and oversight of all hotel sales and operations for our Marriott (Fairfield), Intercontinental (Holiday Inn), Hilton (Garden Inn/DoubleTree), Carlson (Radisson), Choice (Comfort Suites/Sleep Inn) franchised hotels and for our independent Wildwood Lodge concept. He joined the Company in 1987 as the General Manager of the Company’s first hotel. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Williams was employed as a captain and pilot with Wisconsin Barge Lines from 1976 to 1987. Mr. Williams received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Oberlin College in 1976.

Ms. Cooper joined the Company in 2000 as VP – Training & Development and is responsible for the development and implementation of the Company’s executive and staff training programs. Since 2011, Ms. Cooper accepted additional responsibility for the development and direction of the Company’s marketing programs, in-house advertising agency, graphic design, public relations and corporate communication. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Cooper was the Vice President of District Operations for Junior Achievement from 1997 to 2000 and held other positions from 1992 to 1997. From 1990 to 1992, she was employed by LinguiSystems, Inc., a direct mail marketing firm. Ms. Cooper received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 1990 and holds a Masters of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Ambrose University – Davenport, Iowa.

Since 1999, Mr. Oliver has served as Corporate Architect for the Company and is responsible for the design process, including plans and specifications, for new project developments and property renovations. Mr. Oliver is a LEED certified architect. Prior to joining the Heart of America, Mr. Oliver was the Director of Design for Design Build Associates, a Ryan Company, from 1993 to 1999, and was an Architect with Mekus Johnson in Chicago from 1988 to 1993. Mr. Oliver received his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois in 1988.

Ms. Russell joined the Company in 2008 as Corporate Controller and is responsible for the Company’s financial statements, accounting policies and procedures, internal controls, treasury management, property operations review, working capital and other duties of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Russell was the VP/Controller for WQAD-TV from 1997 to 2008, was Controller for Northwest Mechanical from 1993 to 1996, and was Financial Accountant for Northern Illinois Gas Company from 1990 to 1993. Ms. Russell received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Illinois State University in 1990, and her Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Iowa in 2004. She received her C.P.A designation in 1991.

In 1998, Mr. Dolleslager came to Heart of America from Von Maur, Inc. where he was a senior buyer for the apparel retailer and handled all of the in store visual merchandising. His position at Heart of America is Director of Design, which includes all interior and exterior design elements and decisions. This also includes budget coordination, delivery schedules, vendor selection, order placement and landscape design. Mr. Dolleslager’s experience past also includes being a lead landscape designer at a Quad City Landscape company.

Ms. Allen joined the Company in 2011 as Director of Special Projects and is responsible for managing the LEED certification process for new construction projects, evaluating energy efficiency retrofits in existing properties and pursuing incentive opportunities for sustainable design and energy efficient elements. She is also involved in planning and development projects. Ms. Allen graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia with a degree in Geography. In 2002, she earned a Masters in Landscape Architecture and Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. Ms. Allen is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners.