Education:

Born in Wichita, Kansas, September 27, 1944; Admitted to Bar, 1969, Illinois. Education - University of Michigan (B.A., 1966); University of Illinois (J.D. 1969).

Biography:

Member - Peoria County and Illinois State Associations. Practice Areas: Business Law; Credit Union Law; Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law; Creditor Bankruptcy Law; Wills; Trust and Estates. Representation of Credit Unions in all aspects of operations for over 25 years including business operations, bankruptcy matters, employment matters, regulatory matters, real estate loans, and collection and foreclosure matters.

Areas of Practice:

• Business Law
• Real Estate
• Estate Planning
• Credit Union Law
• Bankruptcy

Community Involvement

Rick Gentry has been a United Way volunteer for over 40 years, including service as Vice President of Allocations, as well as being on the Board of Directors. He is a recipient of the prestigious Hoot Gibson Award. Mr. Gentry is currently serving on a committee which evaluates and oversees Health and Rehabilitation programs of United Way Agencies. Mr. Gentry has served on the Board of Directors of Family Core (formerly Counseling and Family Services) for over 8 years and will become President of the agency next year. Mr. Gentry is the Race Director for the Frosty 5k race held every January on the Peoria riverfront and has been a race volunteer and helper in numerous charity races in the community. He is currently volunteering to help PARC (Peoria Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc) with a race to be held October 22, 2011.He has also served on numerous Peoria County Bar and Illinois State Bar Association committees and has been chairman of several of these committees.

Mr. Gentry was recognized in the Volunteer Spotlight of the August, 2011, Heart of Illinois United Way newsletter:

"More than 90 volunteers from diverse segments of the community evaluate United Way funded programs to ensure that the donor's contribution is making the greatest impact possible.

Rick Gentry, who has been one of the United Way's volunteer grant reviewers for more than 40 years, knows first-hand how important United Way is to the community.

"The United Way's grant process allows us, as volunteers, to get out and see the programs in action. We get a feel for the program and are able to ensure that available funds are being invested in the best possible way." Gentry said.

Each year, our grant reviewers spend hundreds of hours monitoring financial information, reviewing program services, meeting with the agencies to discuss outcomes and visiting the agencies.

"United Way has always seemed to me to be the best bargain when it comes to making a charitable gift. As a grant reviewer, we're continually, and subjectively, improving how we measure program results." Gentry added.

Like many grant volunteers, Gentry has been involved with the United Way for several decades and has experienced how the organization's process has evolved and grown to become one of the most efficient fundraisers and funders to the local health and human care agencies.

"I did not expect to still be doing this 40 years later, but the United Way has been an important and wonderful part of my life." Gentry said.