Commissioners
Mecki Kosin - Chair
Mecki Kosin has worked on the Sister City relationship since the very beginning. She is originally from Germany (Frankfurt), and very interested in educating her fellow citizens what life in Germany is REALLY about. She has been privileged to lead all the Sister City trips, as she is a professional travel consultant and tour guide. She has lived in Quincy since 1972 and is always excited when someone wants to learn about Germany.
Casey Deters - Vice Chair
Casey Deters works for First Bankers Trust in Quincy. Previously, she worked for GREDF where she had the opportunity to help and become friends with an exchange intern from our Sister City for three weeks in 2019. She also had the opportunity to go abroad in 2019 with the QU Music Department and perform in several German cities including Herford. Casey joined the Commission in 2021 and looks forward to the opportunity to be able to serve and educate her community about our German heritage and continue to foster and build relationships between these two great cities.
Mary-Ann Ervin - Treasurer
Mary-Ann Ervin is the Purchasing Agent for the City of Quincy and has been a Quincy Sister City Commissioner and Treasurer for over 4 years. Mary-Ann decided to become a member of the Quincy Sister City Commission to help to continue the Sister City relationship between Quincy and Herford area. Mary-Ann has a strong connection to Germany, as her parents immigrated to Quincy from Dusseldorf Germany in 1962. Mary-Ann is married to Eric Ervin, and they have 2 children, Brendan (Kayla) and Maddison Ervin.
Conny Bakker -Gerhardt - Secretary
Conny Bakker-Gerhardt has spent more than 30 years teaching local high school and community college students the language and culture of the German speaking countries. A native of the Netherlands she has personally experienced the importance of international cultural exchanges.
Trenton Murfin
Trenton Murfin is an Edward Jones Financial Advisor who serves the community he was raised in by providing them with education and financial solutions. He has served as the Sister City Chairman since 2019 and was apart of the first Student Exchange between QND & WGE in 2012. He believes the German Heritage in Quincy should be celebrated and fostered for generations to come!
Chris Alger
I can trace my family back to Herford, Germany on the Hagerbaumer side. My Great grandfather Hagerbaumer ran a small dairy and had his sons deliver the milk. He was also known for making cigars back in the early 1900’s. My father immigrated to America from Germany in 1923 and his family lives in the Chicago area. My interest in the Sister City Commission stems from these relatives and others on my mother’s side. I have an Ed.S degree from Western Illinois University and worked in the field of Education my entire career of 35 years. I have travelled to Germany three times and have made many friends in the Kreis Herford area which reminds me a lot of the rural Quincy, Illinois terrain.
Cat Daily
Catherine Daily is the German teacher at Quincy Senior High School and is passionate about sharing German culture with her community. She has lived in and visited Germany multiple times. As a newcomer to Quincy, she is excited to get involved and serve on the Sister City Commission in a variety of ways.
Signe Oakley
Signe Oakley is a retired long-time teacher who has German ancestry and has visited Herford many times. She and her late husband hosted guests from Herford and a number of exchange students, two from Germany. Her son, Hal, studied at the University of Freiburg, Germany and spent time in Herford. Signe seeks to foster Quincy’s German connection and is a past chairperson of the commission
Andy Flachs
Andy Flachs is a retired teacher of 29 years. He is married to Jane Flachs and they have two children, John and Heather. They have 5 grandchildren. Andy joined the Sister City Commission 8 years ago. He feels we need to make connections with the region of Germany where most of the areas families immigrated. He is most proud that the Sister City Commission brought back German Fest.
Jerry Holzgrafe
My initial interest in the sister city program was a very personal one: researching our family ancestry, moving to Quincy from Herford in the 1850s. I soon discovered however that this program was community-wide. I talked with local high school and college students who have benefited from the sister city program through cultural, educational experiences, resulting in lifelong friendships. Also, both communities exchange educational, business, municipal, and professional projects and ideas.
Mark McDowell
Mark McDowell currently serves as Principal at Quincy Notre Dame High School. He has been a commissioner throughout his time at QND. Through QND’s German program, students have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program with our sister city in Herford, Germany. McDowell and his wife, Jamie, were born and raised in Quincy and have 3 children.
Nickie Williams
Nickie Williams is the mother of 3 children and has been a Commissioner for several years. Nicki Williams oldest, Chandler Williams was a participant of the German Exchange offered by the Sister City in which he went to Germany for 2 weeks to learn about their culture. Nicki has been of great help putting together the Germanfest event year after year.
John Mast
John Mast is an entrepreneur and partner at two local Real Estate Firms. Serving the communities housing needs through both All Phase Property Solutions and Davis & Associates, Realtors ®. John also serves as one of two Aldermen in the City of Quincy’s 5th Ward. The Mast family was originally from one of Germany’s northern communities. John was able to visit Germany on a personal trip in 2009 with his wife and looks forward to serving on the Sister City Commission and developing the relationship with our Sister Cities.