Officers & Directors

Board of Directors

Dr. Michael J. Rooney, O.D. – Chairman of the Board

Michael J. Rooney, O.D. is a Doctor of Optometry. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Peru Federal since 2008. Mr. Rooney joined Peru Federal in 1996 and serves on the Audit and Compensation Committees. He graduated from Creighton University in 1977 and the Illinois College of Optometry in 1981 when he entered private practice. He has been in active management of Eye Care Professionals, a multi-doctor group practice, since 1999. His community involvement has placed him on many boards of directors of not-for-profit organizations including church council, hospital, school boards and foundations. He is currently the Chair of the Lighted Way Foundation and is active in the Peru Rotary Club. His experience in health care and serving on many boards of directors over the past 41 years brings knowledge of the financial and humanitarian needs of the community to Peru Federal to facilitate Peru Federal’s ability to serve its community.

Jonathan F. Brandt, Atty. – Vice Chairman of the Board

Jonathan F. Brandt has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Peru Federal since 2009. He is an attorney-at-law and primary shareholder of the law firm Duncan & Brandt, P.C. He graduated from Illinois State University before earning his law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. He has been practicing law for 35 years with a strong
emphasis on real estate law. His legal expertise provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with invaluable legal insight with respect to Peru Federal’s real estate lending operations.

Cindy L. Kurkowski, CPA – Director

Cynthia L. Kurkowski, CPA, now retired and inactive as a CPA, became a CPA after earning a BS in Accounting from Northern Illinois University in 1981. She began her career in the public accounting sector. In 1984, she moved to the manufacturing sector as a staff accountant. She held a variety of accounting and leadership positions in the manufacturing and retail industry before retiring in 2019. Ms. Kurkowski provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with over 35 years of financial, audit and managerial experience, with more than 20 years at the executive level. She is currently sharing her passion for accounting as a professional tutor at Illinois Valley Community College.

James J. Brady IV – Director

James J. Brady, IV is part owner and President of JB Contracting Corporation in LaSalle, IL. JB Contracting is an electrical, plumbing, and mechanical and industrial contractor that has been in business for 47 years. It was started by Mr. Brady’s father, Jim Brady, Sr., in May 1976 and now has been operated by Mr. Brady and his two brothers since 2019. JB Contracting does large, medium and small commercial and industrial projects in a 100-mile radius of LaSalle/Peru, IL. Mr. Brady started working at the age of 14 in the JB Contracting shop after school. He graduated from St. Bede Academy and attended Illinois Valley Community College and Joliet Junior College where he took electrical courses. He began his electrical apprenticeship program in 1988 with the IBEW Local 176. He worked as an electrician in the field for over 15 years before taking the role of estimator, superintendent and project manager for the electrical projects. Mr. Brady is a member of Will/Grundy Contractors Association and the Illinois Valley Contractors Association and serves on the City of Peru planning commission committee.
With his 35 years of experience in the construction industry, he provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with invaluable construction insight into building and construction lending operations.

Eric J. Heagy, CPA – President – Chief Executive Officer

Eric J. Heagy, CPA has served as President, Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Peru Federal since 2007. Mr. Heagy graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He joined Peru Federal in 2002 following four years in public accounting, auditing various entities including financial institutions. He began his career at Peru Federal as Controller, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2004, and then to President and Chief Executive Officer in 2007. During his time
at Peru Federal, in addition to his primary responsibilities, Mr. Heagy has guided Peru Federal in other operational areas as compliance officer, IT officer, lending officer and human resources officer. He has served the community in leadership roles of many local organizations and currently is the Board Treasurer of the Illinois Valley YMCA and Treasurer of the Peru Elementary School District 124. His 21 years of community banking experience and knowledge of Peru Federal’s business and market area provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with valuable insight to the business of Peru Federal.

Dale R. Tieman – Executive Vice President – Chief Operations Officer

Dale R. Tieman is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Peru Federal. Mr. Tieman has been with Peru Federal since 2001. He began his career with Peru Federal as a
Financial Advisor and has advanced to different positions with Peru Federal. In 2009, he was promoted to Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Tieman serves on the board for several local non-for-profit organizations. Mr. Tieman holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses, RFC, Registered Financial Consultant Designation and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking, Madison. With his over 25 years of community banking experience and knowledge of Peru Federal’s business and market area, Mr. Tieman provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with valuable insight into the business of Peru Federal.

Officers

Eric J. Heagy, CPA – President – Chief Executive Officer

Eric J. Heagy, CPA has served as President, Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Peru Federal since 2007. Mr. Heagy graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He joined Peru Federal in 2002 following four years in public accounting, auditing various entities including financial institutions. He began his career at Peru Federal as Controller, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2004, and then to President and Chief Executive Officer in 2007. During his time
at Peru Federal, in addition to his primary responsibilities, Mr. Heagy has guided Peru Federal in other operational areas as compliance officer, IT officer, lending officer and human resources officer. He has served the community in leadership roles of many local organizations and currently is the Board Treasurer of the Illinois Valley YMCA and Treasurer of the Peru Elementary School District 124. His 21 years of community banking experience and knowledge of Peru Federal’s business and market area provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with valuable insight to the business of Peru Federal.

Dale R. Tieman – Executive Vice President -Chief Operations Officer

Dale R. Tieman is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Peru Federal. Mr. Tieman has been with Peru Federal since 2001. He began his career with Peru Federal as a
Financial Advisor and has advanced to different positions with Peru Federal. In 2009, he was promoted to Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Tieman is an active member serving our community, serving on the Horizon House Foundation, LP High School Education Foundation, church board, Assistant Fire Chief/Training Officer for the City of LaSalle Fire Department and several other local non-for-profit organizations. Mr. Tieman holds Illinois Insurance Producer License, Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses, RFC, Registered Financial Consultant Designation and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking, Madison. With his over 25 years of community banking experience and knowledge of Peru Federal’s business and market area, Mr. Tieman provides Peru Federal’s board of directors with valuable insight into the business of Peru Federal.

Christopher J. Vaske – Senior Vice President -Chief Lending Officer

Chris has been serving the lending needs of individuals and small business customers for 25 years. While working and raising a family Chris earned his M.B.A. degree from the University of Iowa with the focus and intent of being better prepared to assist small business customers to continue to build on their success. Chris strives to understand the needs of each customer and to create terms that best suit the cash flow of their small business. Chris is an active member of our community, serving on the LP Band Parents Board, Treasurer for DePue Schools, Treasurer of the Lighted Way Board, and founding member of the Illinois Valley Autism Foundation. Chris has also held various positions for Scouts BSA, La Salle Rotary, and La Salle Rotary Park Foundation.

Jessica L. Skolek – Asst. Vice President – Controller

Jessica Skolek has served as Assistant Vice President/Controller of Peru Federal Savings Bank since 2023. Jessica earned her B.S in accounting and finance from Elmhurst College and went to work for an accounting firm in the AOS Department. She then joined Peru Federal Savings Bank in 2019 working in the accounting department. Jessica is involved in community service and is a member of the Illinois Valley Sunrise Rotary.

Robert J. Ankiewicz, Jr. – Asst. Vice President of Lending

Rob has been serving the lending needs of Peru Federal Savings Bank customers for over 25 years. Rob specializes in home and auto loans. His experience can assist you in finding the perfect home or auto loan to fit your family needs within your budget. Rob is actively involved in the community, serving as a lieutenant /firefighter with the Peru Fire Department, youth baseball coach and member of the Peru Rotary and Peru C.S.O. clubs.

Kathy L. Burris – Asst. Vice President of Lending

Kathy has been serving customers of Peru Federal Savings Bank for over a decade. As an experienced loan officer, Kathy is committed to building relationships with her clients by providing exemplary customer service and customizing solutions for your lending needs and budget. Kathy will focus specifically in helping you with your personal, auto, and mortgage loans. Kathy has actively served on various community boards over the years, most recently for the La Salle-Peru Crunching Cavs Youth Wrestling.

NMLS ID Numbers

  • Peru Federal Savings Bank – NMLS #402245
  • Christopher J. Vaske – Senior Vice President – NMLS #973161
  • Robert J. Ankiewicz, Jr.- Asst. Vice President – NMLS #419768
  • Kathy L. Burris – Loan Officer – NMLS #1819304
  • Eric J. Heagy – President/CEO – NMLS #419767
  • Dale R. Tieman – Executive Vice President – NMLS #399247