ABC Illinois Announces Promotions of Three Staff Members to Key Leadership Roles
Elk Grove Village, IL - ABC Illinois is pleased to announce the promotions of Marissa Hettel to Marketing & Events Director, Arie Rodden to Operations Coordinator, and Rachel Soto to Education Coordinator, effective immediately. These promotions reflect the organization’s continued commitment to strengthening member engagement, operational excellence, and workforce development across Illinois’ construction industry.
Marissa Hettel has been promoted to Marketing & Events Director after demonstrating exceptional leadership in advancing ABC Illinois’ communications, branding, and event strategy. Through her creativity, attention to detail, and strong understanding of member engagement, Hettel has played a key role in elevating the organization’s visibility and strengthening connections with members across the state.
“Marissa has consistently gone above and beyond in creating meaningful member experiences and elevating the ABC Illinois brand,” said Alicia Martin, Chapter President and CEO. “Her ability to combine strategic thinking with creativity has had a tremendous impact on our organization, and we are excited to see her continue to grow in this leadership role.”
As Marketing & Events Director, Hettel will oversee the organization’s marketing initiatives, communications strategy, social media presence, promotional materials, and member events. She will continue leading the development of integrated campaigns that support ABC Illinois programs, strengthen member engagement, and promote the association’s mission throughout the industry.
Arie Rodden has been promoted to Operations Coordinator in recognition of her dedication to supporting the day-to-day functions of the association and ensuring organizational efficiency. Since joining the ABC Illinois team, Rodden has become a valuable resource for members, staff, and chapter operations through her reliability, organization, and commitment to service.
“Arie brings a strong work ethic and a solutions-focused mindset to everything she does,” said Martin. “Her ability to keep operations running smoothly while supporting both our members and internal team has made her an essential part of ABC Illinois.”
In her role as Operations Coordinator, Rodden will manage administrative operations, member support, office coordination, and internal processes that help ensure the organization continues to operate efficiently and effectively. She will also assist with chapter logistics, event coordination, and member communications.
Rachel Soto has been promoted to Education Coordinator, reflecting her growing role in supporting ABC Illinois’ training and workforce development initiatives. Soto has
demonstrated a strong passion for education, student support, and program coordination while helping strengthen the organization’s apprenticeship and educational offerings.
“Rachel has shown an incredible commitment to helping support the next generation of construction professionals,” said Martin. “Her enthusiasm, organization, and dedication to our education programs make her a tremendous asset to our team and to the industry.”
As Education Coordinator, Soto will support the administration and coordination of ABC Illinois’ educational programs, apprenticeship initiatives, instructor support, student engagement efforts, and workforce development activities including the implementation of the ABC Illinois Community Builders Program. She will continue working closely with members, instructors, and students to help deliver high-quality training opportunities across the state.
These promotions highlight ABC Illinois’ investment in its team and its continued focus on providing outstanding service, innovative programming, and strong industry leadership for its members and the construction community.