Brian Plattner steps into role as Board Chair of Galesburg Community Foundation
Growing up in a small farming community an hour east of Galesburg, Dr. Brian Plattner remembers trips to Galesburg feeling like something special.
“We’d come here to swim at the Holiday Inn and go play putt-putt,” he said. “To me, Galesburg was a vacation spot…”
That perspective has stayed with him over the years.
“People don’t always realize how good we have it here,” he said.
After completing his optometric training at The Ohio State University, Dr. Plattner and his family made the decision to return to the region to build both a career and their life. Twenty-five years later, Galesburg is where they have raised their family and put down deep roots.
Dr. Plattner is an optometrist and business partner at Kehoe Eye Care in Galesburg and has long been active in the community through service organizations and his church. That commitment to service eventually led him to Galesburg Community Foundation, where he joined the Board of Directors in 2020.
Now, as he steps into the role of Board Chair, Plattner points to the strength of the team around him as a key reason for confidence moving forward. “The Community Foundation has an amazing staff and board… a lot of great people all rowing in the same direction,” he said.
Other members of the Community Foundation Board of Directors include Dustin Courson, David Erickson, Lisa Gavin, Chad Long, Dr. John McClean, Carol Shaw, Amy Thompson, Jamie Yemm, Dr. Adam Welty, and Sarah Walters.
When asked what he was most looking forward to in his role as Chair this upcoming year, Plattner shared his excitement for an upcoming leadership program we will be holding.
“I am excited for a new program we will be bringing to the community that offers us an opportunity to gather leaders in the community to identify needs together and figure out how we can work together collaboratively in order to make our resources go further.”
For anyone considering getting involved with the Community Foundation, Plattner’s advice is simple: start somewhere, whether that is by giving, volunteering, serving, or simply learning more about the needs and opportunities within our region.
“Being a part of supporting all the good work the nonprofits in the region are doing is extremely fulfilling,” he said.
As the Community Foundation continues to grow, it is that mindset of generosity, service, and community leadership that will shape what comes next for our region.
