General Interest Interviews

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General Interest Interviews

Jim Johnson - General Interest

James A. (Jim) Johnson was born on January 16, 1952 in Sherman, Illinois. While still in high school, Jim began working at the Rail Golf Course, which at the time was still under construction. In 1977 he became superintendent of the golf course, the same year he graduated from Penn State University’s Turf Management program. In 1999, Jim became the General Manager of the Rail, overseeing all aspects of the golf course.

Ed Teefey - General Interest

Ed Teefey grew up in Sterling, Illinois with a passion for standardbred horses and harness racing. He chose law, however, as a profession, and after passing the Illinois Bar in 1978 began working at the Farmers State Bank and Trust Company in Mt. Sterling. In the first interview session, Ed talks about the challenges of banking to a farm community that has seen many ups and downs over the years. The bulk of the interview focuses on Ed's love of harness racing, and includes a trip to a standardbred farm, to the Illinois State Fair horse stables, and finally, to the Brown County Fair.

Sandy Wheeler - General Interest

Sandy Wheeler began her career as the executive director of the Rail Golf Classic (LPGA) in 1980. In 1993 the State Farm Insurance Company stepped forward as the title sponsor. She finally stepped down in 2005, after 27 years at the helm of the longest, continuous-running LPGA tournament in the country.