ABOUT THE JAYCEES
A Jaycee is a member of the Junior Chamber, a worldwide organization of young professionals that is not affiliated with any particular religion or political party. Jaycee members are men and women between the ages of 21-40, who meet regularly in local chapters to build connections and community. Famous Jaycees include Bill Clinton, Tom Monaghan (founder of Domino’s Pizza), JFK, Elvis Presley, Al Gore, Charles Lindbergh, Ted Turner and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Our local Jaycee chapter is more than 80 years old, making us one of the oldest chapters in the state of Iowa, and the only remaining chapter in the Quad-Cities. We pride ourselves on blending social opportunities with service – like planning our Bridal Expo and having an after-party, hosting our Jaycee Santa program, and fundraising by connecting with the community through special brews! If you want to learn more, check out our Projects and Events pages.
JAYCEES BOARD
Julia McNeil
President
Julia is a native of Massachusetts and moved to the Quad Cities in early 2019. In 2021 she was introduced to the Jaycees and became a general member. In 2022 Julia joined the board as Vice President, Community Development, spent 2023 as Vice President, Individual Development, and is now proud to be the 2024 President.
Outside of the Jaycees, Julia is the Assistant General Manager, Baseball Operations for the Quad Cities River Bandits. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, cheering on her New England sports teams, and discovering new places in the Quad Cities area.
Amanda Birch
State Director
Amanda joined the Jaycees in 2005. Throughout her Jaycees career Amanda has held numerous state and local chapter positions, including Chapter President in 2009, and has won various awards for her hard work and dedication to the Jaycees! Amanda has won 2010 M. Keith Upson Memorial Award from JCI USA. From JCI Iowa, Amanda has won Top Local Member, Top Management VP, Top Chapter President, 2010 David Tetmeyer Memorial Award for District Director of the Year, and 2011 Scott Brettmann Memorial Award for Regional Director of the Year. Amanda is an JCI Iowa Governor #484 and JCI Senator #79777.
Outside of the Jaycees, Amanda works for New Choices Inc. In her free time, Amanda loves to do arts and crafts including vinyl crafts, resin art, and coloring. She also loves to curl up with a good book or movie. Her favorite thing to do is hang out with friends and family.
Drew Grace
VP of Community Development
A Bettendorf native, Drew discovered the Jaycees at one of our fundraising events in fall 2022. He wanted to become part of a young professionals organization but also liked how the Jaycees valued volunteerism in the community.
Outside of the Jaycees, Drew is an Assistant Branch Manager with IHMVCU. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, biking, networking, volunteering, and hanging out local breweries and coffee shops.
Wylie Halferty
VP of Management
Wylie, originally from nearby Stockton, Iowa, joined the Jaycees in February 2023 because he wanted a way to connect with like-minded people in the community. He continues to be involved because he enjoys giving back to the community and the friendships he has made within the organization.
Wylie is a Licensed Funeral Director at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory. Outside of work, you can most likely find Wylie spending time outdoors playing golf, biking, hiking, and spending time with his family, friends, and goldendoodle, Henry.
Charmaine Sibley
Treasurer
Charmaine Sibley joined the Jaycees in 2021. A native to Chicago south suburbs but relocated after marriage in 2016. After many years of her friend talking to her about the Jaycees she went to her first event and enjoyed it. Her first meeting was a new member meeting where they went over the history of the Jaycees and that is what solidified her decision to join.
Charmaine works full time in the financial field where she has grown up the ranks pretty fast. As a person that is always willing to learn something new in that industry, she threw her hat in the race to be the Jaycees 2023 treasure. The treasurer will get her more involved in the Jaycees but also help her learn things that she always wanted to learn.
Outside of work, Charmaine loves to grill and challenges most people to a grill off. She loves to travel with her favorite travel partner, her husband Kyle. She never says no to a game night, a pool day, or a hot tub day because those are the best things to do.
Kelsey Watson
Chair of the Board
Kelsey has been a Jaycee since 2017, and takes pride in her community involvement. On top of co-chairing the Wedding Expo, Kelsey is involved in multiple organizations. She was born in California, but somehow made her way to the Quad Cities.
Kelsey is the Marketing & Sales Specialist at Solutions Management Group in Davenport. She adores her dog, Quentin, and cats, Frankie and Gretel, and considers herself a true crime expert. She loves to travel, plays volleyball as often as possible, loves designing things for her Etsy shop, and tries to work out often (to balance out her ice cream addiction). She also owns a mobile photo booth, The Snap Wagon, with a fellow Jaycees member.
Melanie Handlon
Secretary
Melanie joined the Jaycees in August 2021 after moving to the area from Schererville, Indiana. She wanted to meet new people, develop relationships, and find ways to give back to the community she found herself a part of. Aside from Secretary, she is also a member of the Wedding Expo committee and involved in the Jaycees Book Club.
Outside of the Jaycees, she is a Student Actuary at Royal Neighbors of America, where she is also their chapter Co-President. She enjoys watching sports, checking out local shows or expos, and hanging out with her son.
Ashley Gore
VP of PR & Marketing
Ashley joined the Jaycees in February 2023 after wanting to meet new people and get more involved in the QCA community. She continues to be involved because she has a passion for volunteerism and also enjoys having an in-person community as she works remotely. She is originally from the Galesburg area and was a "40 Under 40" honoree in 2019.
Outside of the Jaycees, Ashley is a Learning Community Manager for SPI Media as well as the owner of her own business for upper elementary teachers, Learning with Miss LaGrow LLC. She has been an avid volunteer for HOBY for fifteen years--the official youth partner of the Jaycees. She is also a big with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
She enjoys reading, researching genealogy, discovering new local restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with her husband and dog, Dutch.
Shannon Lane
VP of Individual Development
A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Shannon moved to the Quad Cities in July 2022 to work as a Radiation Health Physicist at the Rock Island Arsenal. She wanted a way to get involved in the community and meet new people, so she joined the Jaycees. She continues to be involved due to the friendships she has made and the continued community involvement.
In her free time, Shannon enjoys reading, walking with her QC Girls Who Walk group, and hanging out with her cat, Janine.
Brianna Powell
VP of Membership
Brianna, or Bri as most know her, made her way to the Jaycees of the Quad Cities after joining the Cedar Valley Jaycees in February 2022 before relocating to the Quad Cities. Being originally from nearby Illinois City, Bri wanted a way to make friendships with other young, driven professionals. She continues to be involved with the group because of the volunteer-mindset, the friendships she has made, and the person she has become because of the Jaycees.
Outside of the Jaycees, Brianna is a Marketing Communications Coordinator for Ag Spectrum. She is also a big with Big Brothers Big Sisters. You can probably find her cooking, spending time outdoors golfing or boating with family, reading (shoutout to the Jaycees Book Club,) and checking out local restaurants.