Jim Heater (Founder/Lead Investigator/Researcher/Historian): jim.heater@chipsgroup.com
Jim Heater, founder of CHampaign Illinois Paranormal Society, also known as C.H.I.P.S., grew up in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Centennial High School, and majored in Criminal Justice at Parkland College.
Jim has over fifteen years investigative experience which he feels helps him be very objective in his Paranormal Investigations. He has turned this interest of the paranormal into an obsession.
Jim is a father of four children, and is currently employed at The Home Depot in Champaign.
He listens to Classic Rock, and enjoys researching Crypto-Zoology and UFO’s.
Jim is a History, National Geographic and Discovery Channel Junkie. Jim is also a member of the Smithsonian Institute Society.
Laura Hall (Treasurer and Lead Investigator): l.hall@chipsgroup.com
Laura was born January 9, 1981, in Joliet, IL. She has lived in Central IL for the past eight years, with the exception of spending one year in Denver, CO; her "home away from home."
Laura has one older sister and a younger brother. Her family is most important to her; her mom is her very best friend. The family has one cat; Sammy, and three dogs; Rock, Mary Jane, and Ella Mae
Laura is a full-time student majoring in Psychology/Human services through Kaplan University Online. She enjoys reading, writing poems and children's stories, and photography.
Having had several personal experiences with the paranormal, Laura has continued to become increasingly interested in studying the topic and doing investigations throughout her adult life.
Zoe Stinson (Case Coordinator, Lead Investigator) z.stinson@chipsgroup.com
Zoe Stinson was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois. Her Parents, both artist, encouraged Zoe to have an open mind and to pursue her most passionate interests. Throughout her years in middle school and high school, Zoe's interests were peeked by the paranormal. She pursued her interests seeking out literature and films on the subject, even taking her friends out to do their own paranormal investigations. Zoe attended Parkland College where she developed an interest in photography. Between work, school and married life, Zoe continued to nurture her expertise in photography and her interest in the possibility of an afterlife. To that end she has signed on to investigate paranormal activity and is glad to be working with a team who shares her passion. Her interest in photography has become an integral aspect of what she hopes to bring to the team.
Jim Hidlebaugh (Investigator) jim.hidlebaugh@chipsgroup.com
Jim Hidlebaugh is an IT manager at Amdocs in Champaign IL. He attended the University of Phoenix and Parkland College. Jim's interest in the paranormal stems from his own experiences and from his religious studies. He is active in his church where he is music director, and his various interests include computers and electronic gadgets, gardening, genealogy, music, traveling, writing, and Illini Basketball. He lives in Douglas County with his wife, two daughters, two cats, and a fierce little dog named Dakota. He is very pleased to be member of CHIPS.
Members not pictured: Susan Lighty (Secretary, Investigator), Jenny Forshey- Carpenter (Investigator in Training), Matt Coburn (Tech-Manager, Investigator in Training), Lauren Silva (Investigator in Training), Teresa Johnson (Investigator in Training), Sarah Sera (Investigator in Training), Lori Orr (Investigator in Training), and Ron Bentley (Investigator in Training)
(Pictures and profiles coming soon)