Published on January 13, 2020

Silver Cross Foundation Appoints New Board Members

The Silver Cross Foundation announces the recent appointment of Ben Benson and Tim Borchert to the Foundation Board of Directors.

“We are delighted that Ben and Tim have chosen to join the Silver Cross Foundation Board,” said Tracy Simons, Executive Director of the Silver Cross Foundation. “With their support and guidance, we will continue to provide needed financial resources to assist the hospital in bringing new services – including open heart and structural heart surgery to our patients and the community.”

Ben Benson

Ben BensonBen Benson was appointed Lockport’s City Administrator in 2013 by the City Council. Prior to his appointment, he served the City of Joliet for almost 10 years in a variety of roles including Assistant City Administrator, Director of Marketing & Communications, and Executive Director/Founder of the Joliet Visitors Bureau. As part of his duties as City Administrator, Benson supervises a staff of over 100 employees and an operating budget of over $30M for the City of Lockport. Benson received his Bachelor of Science degree in recreation, parks and tourism from Western Illinois University in Macomb and a certificate in public administration from Northern Illinois University in 2017. He is a community-minded leader, having been involved with numerous organizations including International City/County Management, Will County Managers Association, Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau as Board President, Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Member, Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Member and Chairman of Business/Community Development Committee, Will County CED/CCP Marketing Committee, Baseball Advisory Committee and Joliet Sports Hall of Fame over the years.  Benson resides in Morris with his wife, Kristen, and their two daughters. 

Tim Borchert

Tim BorchertTim Borchert retired in 2008 after 26 years as Principal and Owner of Hewitt Associates, one of the world’s leading human resource and consulting firms.  Hewitt’s clients included nearly two-thirds of the Fortune 500. Borchert was a member of Hewitt’s Midwest Health Management Practice Leadership Team and the National Practice Leader for all brokerage activities. Prior to Hewitt, Borchert had 11 years of experience as the manager in the actuarial and underwriting departments with two major commercial insurance companies and Blue Cross Blue Shield, dealing with employer groups, welfare funds, and various governmental and State benefit plans.  After retirement, he attended Joliet Junior College Culinary School and is currently the assistant to the culinary arts pastry instructor. Borchert and his wife, Connie, are active Silver Cross Community Trustees. He also serves as a board member and Marketing Committee chair for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.  In addition, Borchert is Past President of Flossmoor Community Church Foundation and Current Finance Committee Chair of the United Methodist Church in New Lenox.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University.  The Borcherts reside in Frankfort and have two sons and 6 grandchildren.

Benson and Borchert join the other members of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors. They are Ruth Colby, Sonia Coleman, Laura Czerkies, Carolyn Dystrup, Susan Frangella, Lydia Garvey, Judy Hageman, (Treasurer), Stacy Holland, Lynn Lichtenaurer, Craig Lyons (Vice Chairman), Kathy Miller,  Jim Pitcairn, Val Rand, Tracy Simons, Mark Stevens (Chairman), and Michele Vana.

The Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors exists to develop all forms of philanthropic support for the healthcare programs and services provided by Silver Cross Hospital. To assist Silver Cross Hospital in its initiative to continue to bring quality healthcare services close to home, you can make a donation online at www.silvercross.org or call the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105.

If you’re a member of the media and need information about Silver Cross Hospital, please contact Debra Robbins, Director of Marketing & Communications, at 815-300-7562 or drobbins@silvercross.org

Parking Lot P, located on Silver Cross Boulevard, is our designated space for media and TV crews.

Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.