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The Heubners visited classrooms while on campus as part of the WIU College of Business and Technology Executive in Residence program.
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Alumni Jay Heubner, president and general manager of Ace International Holdings, and his wife, Chris, human resource manager at Wheaton Academy.
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WIU CBT Host Jay and Chris Heubner as Executives in Residence

March 8, 2019

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MACOMB, IL - - Jay Heubner, president and general manager of Ace International Holdings, and his wife, Chris, human resource manager at Wheaton Academy (WA), were named the Spring 2019 Executives in Residence for the Western Illinois University College of Business and Technology.

Both WIU alumni visited the Macomb campus Monday, March 4. While on campus, they met with students and held two open session presentations. As a former WIU football player, Jay made sure to tour the athletic facilities, as well.

The Executive in Residence program was started in 2005 by two former WIU professors, Jim and Carolyn Tripp. Executives visit Western's campus to speak about their careers and share insight with students. The purpose is to equip students with the tools to navigate their careers beyond their time at Western.

Jay, a 36-year veteran of the Ace Hardware Corporation, is the leader of Ace's global operations and is responsible for establishing strategic direction and operational focus for Ace International Holdings, as well as expanding and promoting the Ace brand globally while maximizing shareholder value in the company.

Prior to leading Ace International Holdings, Jay served as the director of retail learning and development for the Ace Hardware Corporation. He also held the positions of director of retail training, customer insights and B2B (business to business) and director of retail business development.

Jay serves as an advocate volunteer and supports Compassion International, an organization whose mission is to release children worldwide from physical, economic, social and spiritual poverty.

Jay received his bachelor's degree in computer science from Western in 1982.

The couple resides in the western suburbs of Chicago and have three married adult children and three granddaughters, with two more due to arrive soon. They have also served as host parents to two Chinese children.

Chris is a human resource manager at Wheaton Academy, which is one of the oldest and most respected private Christian high schools in the United States. Over the last 12 years, she has been involved in recruiting and HR compliance for WA, as well as a variety of administrative support roles in operations and international programs.

Previously, she has served at an HR representative and plant trainer in the leading check printing company in the U.S. Her experience in business includes developing systems to further organization and fiscal efficiencies, improving and expanding training and development for production and services, payroll management, benefit analysis, retirement administration and creating a performance-based compensation system for private high schools.

Chris majored in business while attending WIU for three years. She transferred to the University of Illinois to finish her degree (bachelor's in business management) when Jay started his career with Ace.

For more information about Western's College of Business and Technology, visit wiu.edu/cbt.

Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing