IMET Staff

Laura F. Allen - Executive Director

Laura serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund (IMET). As Executive Director, Laura provides management oversight and development of this triple-A rated, 1-3 year local government investment pool that currently has 176 members and $423,166,084 of municipal assets under management with $235,678,587 in the IMET Convenience Fund and with $187,487,497 in the IMET 1-3 Year Fund.

Laura previously served as Vice President in the government banking group of Charter One Bank (COB) which recently acquired First National Bank (FNB) where Laura has served for the last 10 years. At FNB, Laura was Executive Vice President in charge of retail sales and service and also has extensive experience serving as relationship manager for the bank's public funds customers.

Laura brings a strong background of technical banking skills, marketing, public presentations and experience with managing public funds customers. Laura has also served in numerous professional organizations including the IGFOA, Rotary Club, Professional Women's Network, National Association for Female Executives and as a Board member for both the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and Chicago Southland Alliance. Laura is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin banking program and possesses an MBA from Fairfield University.

Debra A. Zimmerman - Associate Director

As Public Funds Associate, Deb serves as a marketing and business development representative for IMET with a regional focus on communities in Central and Southern Illinois.

Deb came to IMET with over 15 years in government finance and other managerial experience. Deb previously served as City Treasurer/ Finance Director and City Hall Manager for the City of Flora, Illinois. Prior to her government service, she was a part-time business instructor for Lakeland College, and owned and operated a local retail business. She has a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Eastern Illinois University.

Deb is a member of the Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association, where she has served as an officer, a board member and editor of the IMTA Prime Times Newsletter from 1997 to 2001. She is also a member of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association.