New board members to represent Clayco, Skyway Concession Company and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association in efforts to bring economic growth and jobs to Illinois
From left to right: Michael Fassnacht, Kristi Lafleur and Mark Denzler
Intersect Illinois today announced three new board members that will help advance its mission to attract investment and jobs to Illinois: Michael Fassnacht, Chief Growth Officer and President of Clayco’s Chicagoland Region; Kristi Lafleur, CEO of Skyway Concession Company; and Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA). These appointees bring a wealth of experience in economic development, public-private partnerships, and Intersect Illinois’ target industries, including manufacturing and transportation, distribution and logistics (TDL).
“It’s an exciting time to be in Illinois, and we’re calling on our greatest assets – our people – to help progress our mission to bring economic growth and jobs throughout the state,” said Intersect Illinois Board Chairman John Atkinson. “I’m pleased to welcome these industry leaders in manufacturing, transportation and real estate development to help us capitalize on the momentum we are seeing. They each bring a depth of expertise and commitment to the state’s economy that will help us continue to grow.”
MICHAEL FASSNACHT – Fassnacht recently joined Clayco, one of the country’s premier real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firms, as its first-ever Chief Growth Officer and President of Chicagoland. Prior to Clayco, Fassnacht served as CEO of World Business Chicago (WBC) and the City of Chicago’s first Chief Marketing Officer. At WBC, Fassnacht focused on growing industry sectors and supporting company expansions and relocations, while focusing on equitable economic prosperity across the city’s 77 neighborhoods and throughout the region.
“I am honored and excited to join the Intersect Board. The future of our state continues to be bright, especially when we continue to deepen the relationships between the state’s key government entities and the private sector,” said Fassnacht. “Clayco has and always will be a highly engaged partner in building a prosperous and inclusive economy in Illinois.”
KRISTI LAFLEUR – Lafleur is CEO of Skyway Concession Company LLC (SCC), the company that works in partnership with the City of Chicago to operate the historic Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge, a 7.8-mile-long toll road on Chicago’s South Side. As a transportation industry veteran, Lafleur has first-hand experience creating efficient and reliable infrastructure that supports job creation and growth.
“World class infrastructure and skilled people are the one-two punch for Illinois’ competitive advantage,” said Lafleur. “I look forward to working with other government and business leaders to continue to create jobs for people in every community.”
MARK DENZLER – Denzler is President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), the statewide organization dedicated to advocating, promoting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Illinois. The IMA represents nearly 4,000 companies and plants operating in Illinois, ranging from Fortune 50 companies to small, family-owned facilities. Denzler is a leading voice for the state’s manufacturing industry, which accounts for nine percent of Illinois’ workforce.
“I’m honored to join the board of Intersect Illinois to help advance our shared goal of growing the state’s economy and strengthening our workforce,” said Denzler. “Illinois was built on manufacturing, and the industry continues to lead the way forward with the development of innovative and ground-breaking technology that is transforming our economy and our world. The opportunities ahead are limitless.”
“We welcome the expertise of Michael, Kristi and Mark, all of whom have been great champions of Illinois and its business environment,” said Intersect Illinois CEO Dan Seals. “In Illinois we are fortunate to have engaged leaders who want to go the extra mile to advance our mission and these new board members provide an invaluable resource for attracting new companies in a variety of sectors.”
As the state’s business attraction organization, Intersect Illinois generates new jobs and investment by showcasing the state’s assets, collaborating with partners, and helping companies find a site to call home. Intersect Illinois works with industry, academic, civic and government partners to make it easier for companies to expand in Illinois and provides a range of services to help navigate the site selection process. Its board of directors helps the organization generate public good with private sector efficiency.
Fassnacht, Lafleur and Denzler join board members from companies including Ameren Illinois, ADM, Busey Bank, Carle Health, Comcast, ComEd, Constellation, 8 Hospitality Group, Illinois American Water, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Illinois REALTORS, Loop Capital, Marsh Chicago, Nicor Gas, OSF Healthcare, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, Related Midwest, and the University of Illinois System.
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