OGLE COUNTY – The Foundation for Focus House Board announces the election of two new board members, Betsy Lovelady-Smith and Jesse Hoiness.
Lovelady-Smith is the regional administrative assistant for the Rockford/DeKalb Regional Office for the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church and is a life-long resident of Ogle County. She and her husband, Jim, have three sons, Brady (Katie), Eric, Alex and a grandson, Toby. She enjoys traveling, baking, sewing and helping others.

“I was interested in joining the Foundation for Focus House Board and be a part of serving youth in need,” she said. “My husband and I, for several years, have talked about how we could help the youth of the Focus House. We discussed mentoring the youth, but it was never the right time for our lives. Then one day I was asked if I was interested in serving on the board. I accepted with a joyful heart knowing this is a wonderful opportunity to be part of the Focus House mission. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone on the Board and those in service with the youth.”
The board welcomes her and also looks forward to working with someone so passionate about our youth.
Hoiness is a shipping supervisor at Hormel Foods in Rochelle and has lived in Ogle County for 27 years. He and his wife, Sheila, are empty nesters with two daughters away at college. Hoiness has served on the Rochelle Little League Board for 15 years as well as serving on the United Way of Ogle County Allocations Committee for 6 years. He became interested in the opportunity to learn more about the Focus House by speaking with current Foundation Board member, Todd Haggestad. Hoiness said he is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve area youth in this capacity and we are thrilled to have him.
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