Meet the Department Staff at

Steve Berry, Vice President, began his financial aid career as a financial aid officer in 1988 in the corporate office of a multi-campus chain of schools in the Chicagoland area.  Steve’s dependability, knowledge, and work ethic eventually resulted in his promoted to the position of financial aid director for all campuses in the organization.  He later took that experience and joined GEMCOR in 1992 as a senior financial aid administrator.  Over the course of his decades of service to GEMCOR and its client institutions, Steve has held several titles including Office Manager, Director, and since the early 2000’s as Vice President of Operations. 

As Vice President, Steve’s duties include general office management, technical support and training for clients and staff, and daily management of GEMCOR’s grant processing and accounting departments.  Steve juggles those responsibilities along with management of client SAIG accounts, and audit and program review consulting, not to mention general daily FSA Q&A support.  Steve’s five decades of FSA administration is unparalleled in most parts of the industry.  

Information Technology and Computer Operations are the life blood of most companies, and Laurie Westberg is our doctor!  Laurie began writing code for GEMCOR in 1996, and today she functions as the company’s Chief Information Officer with a Master's degree in computer science from Governors State University.  She was largely responsible for transitioning the company to full automation during her tenure at GEMCOR.  She provides daily oversight of all computer operations and systems involved with our TEAM and Trax Software Applications.   

In addition to her programming skills and website development and maintenance responsibilities, Laurie also manages all hardware systems, phone systems, remote accessibility, and data backup and security operations.  Highly experienced in VB, .NET, and C++, Laurie’s been an “A+” asset to GEMCOR from day one.    Laurie is committed to making sure everyone is functionally "Having a Great Day at GEMCOR" every day!

As is the case with many of us, Megan began working in the industry with a limited knowledge of the administrative requirements involved in the federal student financial aid environment.?Megan joined GEMCOR in 2005 as an administrative assistant and quickly developed the skills and knowledge to elevate her job responsibilities into that of a staff loan processor.?Throughout the ensuing several years, Megan expanded her understanding of the statutes, regulations, and requirements regarding the federal student loan programs.

In 2010, lenders and guarantee agencies were eliminated from the federal student loan industry through federal legislation. Subsequent to that was the massive expansion of the Federal Direct Student Loan program (FDSL). Immediately, Megan welcomed the opportunity to manage this expanding department within GEMCOR. Currently, Megan and her FDSL department staff process and manage student loan volume of approximately $100 million annually, as well as providing client training and support. Her now longtime experience in the world of federal aid administration along with her teamwork mentality in any other area of client services, make her a trusted and respected associate in the eyes of all of our clients.

Steve Berry, Vice President, began his financial aid career as a financial aid officer in 1988 in the corporate office of a multi-campus chain of schools in the Chicagoland area.  Steve’s dependability, knowledge, and work ethic eventually resulted in his promoted to the position of financial aid director for all campuses in the organization.  He later took that experience and joined GEMCOR in 1992 as a senior financial aid administrator.  Over the course of his decades of service to GEMCOR and its client institutions, Steve has held several titles including Office Manager, Director, and since the early 2000’s as Vice President of Operations. 

As Vice President, Steve’s duties include general office management, technical support and training for clients and staff, and daily management of GEMCOR’s grant processing and accounting departments.  Steve juggles those responsibilities along with management of client SAIG accounts, and audit and program review consulting, not to mention general daily FSA Q&A support.  Steve’s five decades of FSA administration is unparalleled in most parts of the industry.  

Niki Mazur, Administrative Assistant, brings a well-rounded background of school administrative experience to GEMCOR. Prior to becoming a GEMCOR associate, she spent ten years as a financial aid director of a FSA eligible school in northern Illinois. But as is the case at many small schools, her duties did not stop there as she also balanced her time with being an administrator and instructor. Having been on the receiving end of accreditation reviews and site visits, she brings that unique experience to the table as well.

Her primary responsibilities at GEMCOR include federal grant award processing, Sharefile document management, confirmation of eligibility file reviews, and she also often assists with fund reconciliation in the Accounting Department.  

As is the case with many of us, Megan began working in the industry with a limited knowledge of the administrative requirements involved in the federal student financial aid environment. Megan joined GEMCOR in 2005 as an administrative assistant and quickly developed the skills and knowledge to elevate her job responsibilities into that of a staff loan processor. Throughout the ensuing several years, Megan expanded her understanding of the statutes, regulations, and requirements regarding the federal student loan programs.

In 2010, lenders and guarantee agencies were eliminated from the federal student loan industry through federal legislation. Subsequent to that was the massive expansion of the Federal Direct Student Loan program (FDSL). Immediately, Megan welcomed the opportunity to manage this expanding department within GEMCOR. Currently, Megan and her FDSL department staff process and manage student loan volume of approximately $100 million annually, as well as providing client training and support.Her now longtime experience in the world of federal aid administration along with her teamwork mentality in any other area of client services, make her a trusted and respected associate in the eyes of all of our clients.

Michele joined GEMCOR as an Administrative Assistant in March 2009 when her primary duties involved daily data processing and general office support.?In 2010, after Congress eliminated the FFEL program in favor of Direct Loans, she shared time as an administrator in general operations as well as in the newly formed FDSL Department at GEMCOR.?Volume quickly grew and before long she spent all of her time and effort assisting clients in the transition to the expanding Federal Direct Student Loan program.

Today, Michele is a Senior Loan Operator overseeing the daily processing of FDSL loan awards from GEMCOR client institutions. Her now vast knowledge of the FDSL program affords her the ability to assist clients in virtually any area involving student eligibility for Federal Direct Student Loans.?Michele and Megan combine to offer the best possible management of your FDSL program activity.

Jacki has been involved with federal aid administration at GEMCOR since 2010, and has become the most trusted and reliable source there is for verification and C code compliance matters.  Her service to our clients through the Compliance Department includes daily examination of verification and C code related student eligibility issues.  Her experience is also a value regarding cases of professional judgment, dependency overrides, and proof of high school graduation.  Jacki is your #1 go-to for pre-packaging guidance and professional support in the areas of FAFSAs, ISIR corrections, and many issues surrounding file compliance.

Sue Berry began her career in FSA administration in 2011. In the unique industry that is FSA administration, your job duties evolve with your skills and experience. Sue's skills at program management, organization, and professionalism are equally matched by her patience and compassion helping clients through a number of painstaking obligations.As a Compliance Officer at GEMCOR, her primary responsibilities include periodic file reviews to confirm student eligibility for FSA funds based on documents provided to GEMCOR by the schools.

Together, with the school's input, Sue can help provide a higher level of assurance that on-campus functions are being performed in a compliant manner. In other student file related matters, Sue provides support with verification and C code reviews and approvals, and technical support regarding Sharefile secure document portal functionality.

Sue is also the lead go to person regarding NSLDS reporting. She routinely assist clients in the timely and accurate updating of the bi-monthly reports for the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) formerly the student status confirmation report (SSCR). This national database must be accurate to stay in compliance with Title IV Program participation. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants during their complete life cycle, from aid approval through disbursement, repayment, deferment, delinquency, and closure, and Sue is an expert NSLDS navigator.

Niki Mazur, Administrative Assistant, brings a well-rounded background of school administrative experience to GEMCOR.?Prior to becoming a GEMCOR associate, she spent ten years as a financial aid director of a FSA eligible school in northern Illinois.?But as is the case at many small schools, her duties did not stop there as she also balanced her time with being an administrator and instructor.?Having been on the receiving end of accreditation reviews and site visits, she brings that unique experience to the table as well.?

Her primary responsibilities at GEMCOR include federal grant award processing, Sharefile document management, confirmation of eligibility file reviews, and she also often assists with fund reconciliation in the Accounting Department.  

Information Technology and Computer Operations are the life blood of most companies, and Laurie Westberg is our doctor!  Laurie began writing code for GEMCOR in 1996, and today she functions as the company’s Chief Information Officer with a Master's degree in computer science from Governors State University.  She was largely responsible for transitioning the company to full automation during her tenure at GEMCOR.  She provides daily oversight of all computer operations and systems involved with our TEAM and Trax Software Applications.   

In addition to her programming skills and website development and maintenance responsibilities, Laurie also manages all hardware systems, phone systems, remote accessibility, and data backup and security operations.  Highly experienced in VB, .NET, and C++, Laurie’s been an “A+” asset to GEMCOR from day one.  Laurie is committed to making sure everyone is functionally "Having a Great Day at GEMCOR" every day!

Terrah joined GEMCOR in 2010 while completing her bachelor's degree requirements at St. Xavier University in Illinois.?As an associate in the Computer Operations and IT Department, Terrah?s responsibilities include maintenance of in-house computer applications, client support regarding Trax and TEAM software systems, TEAM user maintenance, email distribution list management, and ShareFile support and user maintenance. Terrah is also responsible for the annual preparation and e-filing of 1098-T data.

On a daily basis, Terrah manages all ISIR and XML/COD data exchanges with the Department of Education.?She also works in conjunction with IT Department Director, Laurie Westberg on GEMCOR?s website, data backup and security, and domain management.