News Detail

GARY CECIL JOINS LAND OF LINCOLN CREDIT UNION AS MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

Decatur, Illinois, June 20^th, 2025– Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) welcomes Gary Cecil as a Mortgage Loan Officer, serving membership in our Decatur, Bloomington, and Springfield regions. In this role, he will assist individuals in finding the right loan products and guide them through the mortgage loan application process. Gary comes to LLCU with a background in social work and education, holding previous positions as a Child Welfare Specialist for DCFS, a Teaching Assistant for Meridian Elementary School and, most recently, Interim Director of Student Success at Millikin University.

“I am really looking forward to being a Mortgage Loan Officer at LLCU,” he shared. “My own home buying process was a breeze because of my mortgage lender, and I would like to do the same for our members. I’m also excited about the community involvement LLCU is known for, and I hope to help increase homebuying literacy in Macon County.”

A Decatur native and graduate of MacArthur High School, Gary earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. He currently resides in Lincoln, IL with his fiancé, Bri, their son Dax, dog Auggie, and two cats—Mocha and Dunkin—named in honor of their love for coffee. Gary is also a huge sports fan and enjoys watching football, hockey, and UFC in his downtime. His office is located at 2890 N. Oakland Ave Decatur, IL, 62526.

LAND OF LINCOLN CREDIT UNION WELCOMES ANNETTE COLLINS AS JUNIOR COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICER

Decatur, Illinois, June 20^th, 2025– Annette Collins joins Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) as Junior Commercial Loan Officer. Most recently she worked as a Senior Regional Manager at Woda Cooper Companies overseeing five states with Illinois being one of them with a base office in Maroa, IL. As LLCU’s Junior Commercial Loan Officer, Collins will be responsible for originating, managing, and monitoring a portfolio of commercial loans.

“Annette’s background is exactly what we need for an organization like ours. She comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and professional experience that provides us with a new perspective and outlook,” states Howard Martin, Vice President Senior Commercial Loan Officer. “She has hit the ground running and has been eager to learn new things. I am 100% sure that Annette will be extremely successful in her new role as Junior Commercial Loan Officer. We are lucky to have her.”

Annette is excited to assist local businesses by providing financial solutions that help them grow and thrive in the communities served by LLCU. A Decatur native and lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, she enjoys spending time with her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in Bethany, Illinois. She also frequently travels to Florida to visit her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Her office is located at 2890 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL 62526.

LAND OF LINCOLN CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES DESIREE BEHL AS THE NEW BRANCH MANAGER OF EFFINGHAM SOUTH BRANCH

Decatur, Illinois, June 20^th, 2025– Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) announced that Desiree Behl has been hired as the new Branch Manager of the Effingham South branch. Behl will oversee the sales and operations of the Effingham South branch, as well as serving as a Loan Officer. Over the last 25 years, Desiree has gained experience in the financial industry as an Administrative Assistant in wealth management, Loan Deposit Specialist, and a Mortgage Underwriter. Most recently, Desiree was employed as Branch Manager for United Fidelity Bank in Shelbyville, IL.

"I’m honored to step into the role of Branch Manager at this Effingham branch,” states Desiree. “With a background in both financial services and customer care, I’m excited to serve our members and help them reach their financial goals."

Behl is proud to call Effingham home and values the close-knit connections that come with small-town living. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her two children—her son, 22, and daughter, 17. An avid traveler and live music enthusiast, she loves exploring new places, attending festivals, and catching concerts whenever she can. Her office is located at 2302 S. Banker St. Effingham, IL, 62401.