New members to support Intersect Illinois’ efforts to attract new business and investment
CHICAGO, IL – Intersect Illinois today announced new appointments to its board of directors: Lisa C. Freeman, Northern Illinois University president; John M. Holmes, AAR Corp. chairman, president, and CEO; Michael Jacobson, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association president and CEO; and Rashod R. Johnson, Ardmore Roderick president and CEO. These appointments reflect Intersect Illinois’ ambitious strategy to grow and transform its board of directors, which has welcomed 15 members since early October and more than 40 since the beginning of 2024.
“From defense to tourism, an array of industries find a natural home in Illinois due to its world-class educational institutions, strong infrastructure, and central location with unmatched connectivity,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I look forward to collaborating with these new members as we work to ensure Illinois remains a global hub for business and innovation.”
Lisa C. Freeman is president of Northern Illinois University (NIU), working to support the university’s mission, emphasizing NIU’s continued commitments to promoting the social mobility of Huskie students, producing high impact scholarships, and engaging with the region. Freeman has been a member of NIU’s senior leadership team and a professor of biology since 2010, previously serving as NIU’s vice president for research and graduate studies and executive vice president and provost. Prior to joining NIU, Freeman spent 16 years as a faculty member and administrator at Kansas State University. In addition to being an accomplished scientist with numerous publications and presentations, Freeman has been recognized widely. Honors include being named as the Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year by the Association for Women Veterinarians in 2002, recognized by Women We Admire as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education in 2023 and 2024, and invited to join the influential leaders of The Chicago Network. She is on the boards of Altus Academy, Brookfield Zoo, Campus Compact, DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, and Universities Research Association.
“I am excited to bring NIU’s capabilities and networks to the impressive resources of the Intersect Illinois board and to collaborate with fellow board members and partners to drive economic growth in Illinois,” said Freeman.
John M. Holmes is chairman, president, and CEO of AAR CORP, a leading aviation services provider to commercial and government customers. The $2.5 billion company’s nearly 6,000 employees serve customers across more than 60 sites. Since joining AAR in 2001, Holmes has grown the company through multiple acquisitions, including Airinmar, Premier Aviation, Trax, and Triumph Group’s Product Support business. Under his leadership, AAR launched a digital services organization, earned recognition as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, and received FAA acceptance of its corporate safety management system program. Holmes was named president of AAR in 2017, CEO in 2018, and chairman of the company’s board of directors in 2023.
“I am enthusiastic about joining the Intersect Illinois board and furthering economic opportunities that support businesses and communities across the state,” said Holmes. “AAR is proud to provide leading aviation services to commercial and government customers worldwide from our Chicago area headquarters and global network. We partner across aerospace and defense to shape the future of the industry and create meaningful career opportunities.”
Michael Jacobson is president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA), representing 1,500 hotels and other hospitality stakeholders throughout the state. Since joining the organization, Jacobson has bolstered the industry’s advocacy capacity in Springfield and municipalities throughout Illinois while enhancing IHLA’s educational programs to serve as a resource for its members. Prior to joining IHLA, Jacobson spent eight years at the U.S. Travel Association, where he led the organization’s grassroots advocacy and political engagement initiatives. Jacobson has more than 15 years of experience in grassroots advocacy and nonprofit fundraising. He was an inductee to the 2020 class of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 Under 40, and in 2023, was named by Axios as one of the “15 most powerful leaders” in Chicago. In his free time, Jacobson volunteers with the American Cancer Society, helping lead their Global Relay For Life movement throughout the world.
“I’m honored to join Intersect Illinois’ board of directors and continue to work together in our shared goal of growing our state’s economy and promoting Illinois as a leading global business destination,” said Jacobson.
Rashod R. Johnson is president and CEO of Ardmore Roderick, helping transform it into one of the largest Black-owned infrastructure firms in the U.S. For four consecutive years, the firm ranked in the top 20 on Crain’s Chicago Business list of the 50 fastest-growing companies in Chicagoland. Johnson founded The Roderick Group, Inc. in 2005 and acquired Ardmore Associates, LLC in 2017, forming Ardmore Roderick, a full-service infrastructure firm with 300+ employees. Under Johnson’s leadership, Ardmore Roderick has evolved from a local leader to a multi-state, multimillion-dollar powerhouse. Demonstrating Johnson’s commitment to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, nearly 60% of Ardmore Roderick’s workforce and leadership is diverse — 35+ points above the industry average. Ardmore Roderick is actively involved in large-scale public and private contracts, with Johnson serving as project executive for VIP clients, including the Chicago Department of Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Chicago Transit Authority, and the Obama Foundation, currently overseeing over $30 billion in construction. Johnson is a member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees for St. Ignatius College Prep, the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Transportation Builders Association and Government Affairs Committee.
“As a leader of an infrastructure firm proudly headquartered in Illinois, I am excited to join the Intersect Illinois Board to help attract investment and build the foundation for continued economic success,” said Johnson. “Investment in Illinois goes beyond the actual companies relocating to our state. It also includes the ancillary infrastructure, manufacturing and construction needed to facilitate these moves. This gives all businesses opportunities to thrive. I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders to showcase our state as a premier choice for growth, infrastructure development, and economic vitality.”
“Northern Illinois University, AAR CORP, the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, and Ardmore Roderick reflect Illinois’ rich diversity of industry and world-class higher education,” said Intersect Illinois President & CEO Christy George. “True champions of inclusive economic growth and experienced in private-public partnerships, Lisa, John, Michael, and Rashod will help us catalyze more opportunity in Illinois.”
Intersect Illinois’ Board of Directors helps guide the organization in its efforts to attract economic opportunity to the state and they are appointed to represent a diversity of industries, geographies, and backgrounds. Approved by a board vote, the non-partisan group of academic, civic, and private-sector leaders leverages their collective expertise to help tell the “Why Illinois” story to encourage companies to establish a presence or expand in Illinois.
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INTERSECT ILLINOIS is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new jobs and investment to the state. As the state’s business attraction organization, Intersect Illinois collaborates with partners in the public and private sectors to attract new jobs and investment. The organization showcases the state’s advantages including its central location with access to the country and world, its unmatched infrastructure, and its robust workforce fueled by its dynamic higher education system. Intersect Illinois makes it easier for companies to expand in Illinois by providing a range of services to help navigate the site selection process.
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