Appointees from University of Chicago, United Airlines and Southern Illinois University to support Intersect Illinois’ business attraction efforts
CHICAGO, IL – Intersect Illinois today announced that University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos, United Airlines President Brett Hart, and Southern Illinois University System President Dan Mahony have been appointed to its board of directors. These new board members represent Illinois’ dynamic mix of support for economic development, from its renowned corporate partners to its distinguished higher educational institutions.
“Illinois is home to some of the world’s top corporations, which are fueled by talent from our world-class education institutions,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I’m thrilled to welcome leaders from United, University of Chicago, and SIU to our board and look forward to working with Paul, Brett, Dan and their teams as we continue to attract economic growth and jobs to Illinois.”
PROFESSOR PAUL ALIVISATOS is President of the University of Chicago and John D. MacArthur Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Chemistry. A preeminent scientist and entrepreneur, his pioneering research in nanomaterials have demonstrated key applications of nanocrystals in biological imaging and renewable energy. Alivisatos was previously Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of the University of California, Berkeley, where he held numerous positions including Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and founding Director of the Kavli Energy Nanoscience Institute. Alivisatos received a BA in chemistry from the University of Chicago and his PhD in chemistry from Berkeley. Recently, he was awarded the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience.
“I am pleased to support the work of Intersect Illinois through service on its board,” said Alivisatos. “This opportunity presents to me an exciting venue to partner with business and industry leaders to better leverage the strength of Illinois’s higher education system to drive innovation, attract investment, and create opportunities for communities across our state. I look forward to working together to advance our shared vision of fostering economic growth and ensuring Illinois remains vibrant.”
BRETT J. HART is President of United Airlines. During his decade at the airline, Hart has taken on some of the company’s biggest leadership challenges – including serving as acting CEO in late 2015 and 2016. As president, Hart is responsible for United’s global operations – flight, network operations, and safety – as well as all finance and corporate strategy functions. He leads United’s external-facing teams including government affairs, corporate communications, legal, global community engagement and environmental sustainability. A long-time resident of Chicago’s South Side, Hart serves on the boards of World Business Chicago, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, The Economic Club of Chicago, the University of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, The Chicago Community Trust, the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs and the President’s Export Council.
“It is a distinct honor to join the Intersect Illinois board to foster additional economic growth and community impact for the state,” said Hart. “United is proud to be Chicago’s hometown airline with over 500 daily departures to nearly 200 destinations from Chicago O’Hare across the globe. I look forward to advancing the goals and priorities of the organization for the greater good of Illinois.”
DR. DAN MAHONY became the 10th president of Southern Illinois University (SIU) in 2020 and has served in higher education for more than 30 years in roles from professor to president. As SIU president, Mahony has worked diligently to strengthen ties between the system’s campuses in Carbondale, Edwardsville, and Springfield. Before academia, Mahony worked in both public accounting and intercollegiate athletics. He is an active researcher in the areas of sport consumer behavior and intercollegiate athletics. Mahony has received many awards for his work including the 2020 Charles Whitcomb Service Award given by the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association for fostering diversity and inclusion within the intercollegiate athletics community.
“Since SIU started in 1869, nearly half a million graduates have received degrees through our main campuses in Carbondale, Edwardsville and Springfield,” said Mahony. “We are proud to be a major employer and educator in downstate Illinois. Our economic impact is around $4 billion annually, supporting more than 45,000 jobs. Joining the Intersect Illinois board is a natural fit for SIU as we continue our commitment to partner with our state’s workforce innovation leaders. I am honored to be on the board and to have the opportunity to work with the other members to support economic growth in Illinois.”
Intersect Illinois has added more than 25 new members to its board since the end of last year. A non-partisan group of civic and private-sector leaders, Intersect Illinois’ board is dedicated to bringing economic growth and jobs to Illinois, advising the organization on ways to make the state even more attractive for business attraction. Leaders are recommended for the board to represent a diversity of regions, industries, and backgrounds. All members are approved by a board vote.
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.
Intersect Illinois’ board of directors helps the organization generate public good with private sector efficiency. Board companies include: Ameren Illinois, ADM, AT&T, Busey Bank, Cabrera Capital, Carle Health, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, Chicago State University, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Comcast, ComEd, Constellation, Clayco, DLA Piper, 8 Hospitality Group, GCM Grosvenor, Illinois American Water, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Illinois REALTORS, Loop Capital, Marsh Chicago, Nicor Gas, NielsenIQ, OSF Healthcare, P33, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, PsiQuantum, Related Midwest, Skyway Concession Company, SPAAN Tech, Inc., TCCI Manufacturing, the University of Illinois System, Wanxiang America Corporation, and Zurich North America.
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INTERSECT ILLINOIS is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new jobs and investment to the state. Intersect Illinois collaborates with industry, academic, and government partners throughout the state.
