Staff

Dave Bender
Executive Director
e-mail: dave@illinoisgreen.net

Dave was named Executive Director in September 1999. Previously, Dave worked for former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, serving as Director of Advance, and Deputy Campaign manager for Edgar's record-setting 1994 re-election. Bender also served as the Illinois Campaign Chief for Senator Bob Dole's Presidential Campaign in 1996, and worked for the Bush-Quayle 92 re-election. In 1995, Governor Edgar appointed Dave to the #2 position at the Illinois Department of Agriculture -- a position that required Senate confirmation. In January 1999, Bender served a brief stint as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Corinne Wood before coming to the IGIA. Currently, Dave is a volunteer press advance staff member for The White House and President George W. Bush.

Dave is married to wife Carla, the Logan County Clerk of the Court, and resides in Lincoln. They have two children, Alex and Jeris.

Comments and questions may be directed to Dave for the following Programs:

Administration
Association Coordination
Executive
Growing Trends -- The Monthly Magazine
Landscape Committee
Irrigation Committee
Pro Hort Symposium and Workshops
Public Policy - Legislative and Government Affairs

Joe Khayyat
Communications Director
e-mail: joe@illinoisgreen.net

Joe joined IGIA in August 2005. He leads efforts for Growing Trends magazine and IGIA's public site, gardenillinois.com. He helps with promotional materials and campaigns for IGIA, develops the marketing strategy, and is active with conferences and activities. He works to develop partnerships and sponsorships with IGIA as well as consulting members with their business strategic planning.

He previously served as Governor Jim Edgar's Director of Scheduling and was the Press and Promotions Director for the Illinois State Fair. Recently he was on the special events staff for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and worked at promoting Conservation World at the State Fair. He and his wife Katy have one son, Alex.