Kathie Opel is the co-Founder and former President of Edwardsville Neighbors. She grew up in Bethalto and married into the Edwardsville community in 2004. She is an attorney with the Opel Law Bash Group, specializing in estate planning and business law. She received a B.S. in Mass Communications from SIUE and a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law. Kathie and her husband, Chad, feel lucky to be raising their daughters in the Edwardsville community.
Chad Opel is the Founder of Edwardsville Neighbors. He is a life-long Edwardsville resident. He graduated from EHS in 1998, where he was a part of the undefeated State Championship baseball team. He then joined the Cougar baseball team and graduated from SIUE in 2002. Chad owns and operates Front Office Wealth Strategies, and is passionate about helping families plan their financial futures. Additionally, he serves on the SIUE Foundation board. Chad and his wife, Kathie, feel very lucky to be raising their daughters, Sami (2014) and Ellie (2016), in the Edwardsville community.
Veronica Ambuehl serves as Board Vice-President and Marketing Co-Chair of Edwardsville Neighbors. She made Edwardsville her home in 1995, and loves all this thriving community has to offer, especially the restaurants, and unique small businesses. She has one son, Cale, an architecture student at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Employed at St. Louis advertising agency, Rodgers Townsend since 1999 she is also owner of home-based Vine Floral Design, established in 2012. She loves working with clients across the Metro-East and St. Louis, designing florals for special events and gifts. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri.
Board member since 2010.
Brooke Frye serves as Secretary and Memberships Co-Chair for Edwardsville Neighbors. Originally from Bethalto, she attended SIUE before entering Logan College of Chiropractic. Upon graduating from Logan, she and her husband, Dr. Clint Frye, established their private practice in Edwardsville in 2007. In 2016, they relocated their practice to a new facility in Glen Carbon and are proud to continue to serve the residents of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and the surrounding communities.
Board member since 2010.
Clint Frye serves as Nominations Co-Chair for Edwardsville Neighbors. He has been in the Edwardsville community since 2007. He and his wife, Dr. Brooke Frye, are the practicing physicians at FRYE Functional Health Center in Glen Carbon, which is a functional and holistic medicine practice emphasizing nutrition, acupuncture, and chiropractic. He earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic in 2007 and also attended the University of Illinois, where he obtained his B.S. in Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, and Athletic Training.
Board member since 2010.
Ryan Govreau serves as Marketing Co-chair for Edwardsville Neighbors. Ryan was born and raised in Glen Carbon and enjoys giving back to the local communities. Spending most of his career in the learning and development arena, he currently works for MaryvilleWORKS, a corporate training vertical of Maryville University St. Louis, as a Lead Learning Developer. Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, Kara, and their two children at the many area attractions.
Board member since 2015.
Katie Wigton serves as Board President and Director of Community Outreach. Katie organizes and oversees Edwardsville Neighbors’ Christmas program that serves around 150 local children. Katie has a background in Elementary Education and currently owns an in-home embroidery business. Katie is married to her high school sweetheart Eric and they have two teenagers that keep them very busy.
Board member since 2015.
Robert Scanlon serves as a board member for Edwardsville Neighbors. Robert, his wife Courtney, and their three children moved to Edwardsville in 2015 to be closer to family. He attended Drury University, followed by Kansas City University of Medicine, where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. He specialized in Emergency Medicine and currently works at Anderson Hospital. Robert loves living in Edwardsville and feels giving back to the community is important.
Board member since 2018.
Aleah Likas serves as a board member and Community Outreach Co-Chair for Edwardsville Neighbors. Aleah and her husband, Aaron, relocated their family with two sons from St. Louis to Glen Carbon in 2017. Having both grown up in smaller towns, they are grateful for the strong community feeling of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area. Aleah earned her BS in marketing and international relations from Saint Louis University in 2006 and MBA from Webster University. She has spent most of her career in the hospitality industry and works as the Director, Special Events for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Board member since 2021.
Abby Niebur serves as a board member and Community Outreach Co-Chair for Edwardsville Neighbors. Abby was born and raised in Edwardsville and is passionate about giving back to the community that gave so much to her and her family. Abby graduated from Edwardsville High School in 2009 and then received her BS in hospitality from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Abby has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, with a specific focus on sports hospitality. She is currently an event planner for KPMG.
Board member since 2023
Kurt Bertals serves as a board member for Edwardsville Neighbors.
Board member since 2023
Michael Garrett serves as a board member for Edwardsville Neighbors. Michael, his wife Amy, and their two children moved to Edwardsville in 2016. He attended Arizona State University, earning his bachelor's degree in Construction Management. He currently works at Plocher Construction out of Highland, IL. Michael enjoys his time in Edwardsville, being able to give back to the local community.
Board member since 2023.
