25 Most Interesting People
Click here to read the amazing stories of these interesting people.
NWQ Digital
Harlan Jefferson
All Heart and Soul Harlan Jefferson has played saxophone from New Orleans to Los Angeles, but he’s most comfortable when he’s home in Rockford. “My family and friends are here,” he says. “I feel the same way Rick Nielsen (of Cheap Trick) does. I like to get out of the area and play, but there’s…
Paul Arco
Tia Lasswell
Prepared for Anything When Tia Lasswell was voted Rockford’s No. 1 Wedding Planner by The Knot, her own fiance wasn’t surprised.“He was like, ‘Everyone can see the passion you have for what you’re doing,’” Lasswell says. “He pushes me to do more. I’ll stay until the bitter end of your wedding and pack you up in…
Lindsey Gapen Lukas
Henry McDavid
The Universe is Calling Call it destiny, or call it the product of positive thinking – either way, it’s been a driving force for this serial entrepreneur. Growing up in DeKalb, Henry McDavid never dreamed of owning his own business, even though he was earning fistfuls of cash selling goods to friends and colleagues. Dozens…
Chris Linden
Bill Lambert
Seizing the Day If you look up the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest male scuba diver, you’ll see a photo of a 96-year-old gentleman. But at age 99, Rockford resident Bill Lambert has paperwork pending to claim that title as his own. “I’m living now at a senior living home, and we were…
Krystal Scroggins
Flipping the Narrative Krystal Scroggins has become accustomed to that funny look when she tells people she works at Rockford’s Roosevelt Community Education Center. “Isn’t that where the bad kids go?” they ask. For the past several years, Scroggins and her nearly 600 students have been turning that idea upside down. Graduation rate has grown…
Glasa Gottschalk
Embrace the Journey Glasa Gottschalk considers herself a natural-born leader. Whether it’s working with a music shop, a bank or a startup furniture company, it seems every job or organization she’s worked with, she’s climbed the ladder into leadership. “Business has always been something I’ve been drawn into,” says Gottschalk. “It’s been really fun to…
Sara Myers
Deanna Lacny
A Walk by Faith She told God she wasn’t working with kids. He had other plans for Deanna Lacny. The former homeschooling mom was looking for easy work when she landed a part-time job at Rock House Kids. An easy job soon turned into a full-time gig, and, eventually, a leadership role – one that…
Jerry Paulson
With Love for Our Wildlife Jerry Paulson retired as executive director of the Natural Land Institute in 2013, but he’s still a busy guy. “I’ve stayed involved with Natural Land Institute to help them get accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance, a national land trust group – going through old files and putting things together…
Paula Hendrickson
Joe Marek
Seeing a Bigger Picture Family and support are severely needed when a loved one dies. But sometimes, people need something more. That’s where Joe Marek comes in. The bereavement coordinator at Mercyhealth Hospice can provide people with comfort and care for 13 months, sometimes longer, after their loved one dies from a terminal illness. “It…
Jermaine Pigee