James J. Lynch is vice president of development at the Greater Peoria Business Alliance (GPBA), where he is responsible for fund development and oversees project management for the CEO Council. Lynch stepped into an active leadership role during The Heartland Partnership’s reorganization into the GPBA, a new entity comprised of the CEO Council and Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, mentoring his colleagues through the transition.
A key player in the creation of the CEO Council, Lynch works closely with public- and private-sector business leaders to spearhead initiatives pertaining to the revitalization of the Warehouse District, development of the regional workforce, and the Greater Peoria Economic Scorecard. He assisted in GBPA’s branding and the launch of its website, and provided support for the Focus Forward CI campaign.
Having moved to central Illinois just five years ago, Lynch has invested himself in his new community, and according to colleagues, “made an indelible impression of leadership, philanthropy and mentoring.” An active volunteer, Lynch coaches sports teams at the Christian Center, assists the Charter Oak Primary School drama club and sports teams, and serves as a fundraising consultant for the ELITE Pulses of Hope. He is also a past member of the Men of St. Jude at St. Jude Catholic Church, Knox College Alumni Council and Knox College Fund Steering Committee.
Lynch is dedicated to advancing the missions of numerous charitable organizations and causes, including Children’s Hospital of Illinois, Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association, Heart of Illinois United Way, The Center for Prevention of Abuse, Danny Did Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Peoria’s All-America City campaign.
Among his achievements, Lynch is a 2012 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, a 2003-2004 Development Leadership Consortium Fellow and featured speaker at the 2004 Annual Giving Roundtable. A devoted father and husband, he resides in Peoria with his wife, Teresa, and their four children. iBi
