Staff Directory

Phone: 217-244-8145
Email: jrmarqua@illinois.edu 

Email: ullestad@illinois.edu

Amy began working at the University of Illinois in 2007 and joined the DIA/State Farm Center staff in 2010.  In her role, she supports the administrative functions of the State Farm Center and interfaces with the DIA business office.

Amy has a husband Brett and a son Christian, along with two rescue dogs and a cat.  She enjoys volunteering with Cavalier Rescue USA in her spare time.

Phone: 217-265-0372
Email: amjohnsn@illinois.edu

David Williams was named Assistant Director for Event Management at State Farm Center in September of 2018. Williams joined the State Farm Center event staff team in 2014 before becoming the graduate assistant for Illinois Premium Seating in 2016 where he assisted with the premium seating operation for both Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center.

Williams is primarily responsible for event management and guest relations of State Farm Center concerts and sporting events, in addition to other shows and events. He also assists with management of the building and event security operations, developing and coordinating safety and risk management initiatives, monitoring security and emergency procedures in the industry, as well as the management and integration of the Illinois Premium Seating event management operation at State Farm Center.

A native of Mahomet, Illinois, Williams earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism from the University of Illinois in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Williams and his wife, Lexy, live in Mahomet with their daughter, Remington, and son, Benjamin.

Phone: 217-300-4619
Email: dlwilli3@illinois.edu

Parker Arnholt assumed the position of Event Coordinator at State Farm Center in September of 2022. In his role he works closely with the Assistant Director for Event Administration in managing and coordinating the SFC event management departments. In addition he assists with managing day-to-day and event operations for all events, serves as the primary coordinator for building and event security operation and staff of State Farm Center, and serves as the manager on duty and primary event coordinator to select State Farm Center Events.

Parker graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Champaign, IL. 

Phone: 217-244-7453

Email: parnholt@illinois.edu

Brad Swanson was named Assistant Director, Marketing & Sales at the State Farm Center in March of 2016. In his role, he oversees the marketing and promotions of all non-athletics events held at State Farm Center.

Prior to his current role, he served as the Director of Marketing for Fighting Illini Athletics for two years. He oversaw marketing for men’s basketball and was the DIA liaison to the Illini Pride student spirit group.

After graduating from Valparaiso University in 2008 with a degree in sports management and marketing, Brad began his career as a marketing assistant in the athletics department at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. Following his stint there, he earned his MBA at UMass – Amherst before heading back to Valpo as assistant director of marketing in 2010.

In December 2011 Brad moved to Akron, Ohio to serve as Director of Marketing and Promotions at The University of Akron. While with the Zips, Brad served as the marketing contact for Football and Men’s Basketball. He also managed a marketing unit that set sales and attendance records while earning three recognitions from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators in the categories of Interactive/Social Media Program, Single-Day Attendance Promotion, and Static Display Advertisement.

Brad is a native of Lansing, Ill., a south suburb of Chicago, and resides in Champaign with his dog Tucker.

Phone: 217-300-1406​
Email: bswanso@illinois.edu

Megan Laz assumed the position of Marketing Coordinator at the State Farm Center in October of 2016. In her role, she assists in the development of marketing and promotional campaigns for all non-athletic events at the venue, as well as coordinates accounts payables. 

She previously worked as the Media Communications Specialist for the Illini Union Marketing department, overseeing all internal and external communication materials, managed the building's website content and organization, and served as the public face of the Union at campus events.

Megan graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in 2005 with a degree in journalism (integrated marketing communications) and a minor in creative writing. After graduating, she started her career in media in radio sales.

Shortly after, she worked in outdoor, where she constructed campaign proposals for clients on a local, regional, and national level. She was in charge of the aesthetic of the Champaign market, and oversaw billing, contracts, and the public service program. She received corporate commendation for leading the companywide learning curve in a new measurement system. 

Megan is a Champaign native, has extensive ties to the community, and resides in town.

Phone: 217-300-7889
Email: meganlaz@illinois.edu

Phone: 1-866-ILLINI-1 or (217) 333-8655
Email: goodall2@illinois.edu

Libby Ebelhar joined the Illinois Athletics Business Office in May 2014. In her role as the Business and Financial Analyst, Ebelhar works primarily with financial reporting, financial analysis, and year-end processing for DIA and the State Farm Center. She provides budget reports for sport operations, the State Farm Center, facilities, development, ticket office, academic services, administration, game day, and sports medicine. She monitors daily ticket sales, incoming/outgoing wire payments, non-monetary trade agreements, and department wide revenue clearing accounts. She is also involved with the Business Managers Group on campus.  She also oversees the novelty sales operation for entertainment events held at State Farm Center.

Prior to Illinois, Ebelhar worked in Administrative Services at the NCAA where she served as the logistics coordinator for the 2014 NCAA Convention and the 2014 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar. Additionally, she worked with championship budget reports, association-wide bill allocations, monthly bank reconciliations, and employee/committee travel reimbursements. While in Indianapolis, Ebelhar also worked part-time for IUPUI and Butler University in game day operations at home athletic events.

Ebelhar earned both her MBA and Masters in Sports Administration from Ohio University.  While enrolled at Ohio, Ebelhar worked in athletics development in the Ohio Bobcat Club. She organized donor hospitality events which included pregame receptions, in-game hospitality areas, and Bobcat caravans across the state. She assisted in planned giving, annual giving and capital project solicitations. In addition to her role in the Bobcat Club, she also assisted athletics by generating monthly budget reports for coaches and administrators.

Ebelhar earned her Bachelors of Science in Accounting from the University of Kentucky, graduating Suma Cum Laude. While at Kentucky, she served as the manager for the softball team, the intern in the athletics business office, and as a videographer at home athletic events.

Originally from Owensboro, KY, Ebelhar enjoys the CU community, serving as a mentor and the Regional Board Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois. She is also on the American Cancer Society Coaches V Cancer Committee, a participant in the United Way Emerging Community Leaders Program, a Leadership Coach for The Leadership Center on campus, and a math tutor for local high school and college students.

Phone: 217-244-9308
Email: ebelhar@illinois.edu

Tom Divan was named the Director of Facilities Management and Operations for the University of Illinois State Farm Center in December of 2008. Divan began his career in athletics as a student assistant at the University of Illinois in Event Management and Compliance. In 2003, Divan was named Assistant Director of Facilities, Operations & Events at the University of Maryland. In 2006, Divan was promoted to the position of Associate Director of Facilities, Operations & Events for the Terrapins. In 2007, Divan took the position of Director of Operations at Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation and aided in opening the $55 million Monon Center in Carmel, Ind.

Divan participated in basketball and track & field at Danville Area Community College, before transferring to Blackburn College where he continued his basketball career. Divan earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Blackburn in 1998. He was an assistant basketball coach at Lindenwood University during the 1999-2000 season. Divan earned his master’s degree in Sports Administration from the University of Illinois in 2002. 

Phone: 217-333-2923
Email: divan@illinois.edu

Phone: 217-244-6861
Email: nbromley@illinois.edu