New members represent companies deeply committed to Intersect Illinois’ mission to bring economic growth and jobs to the state
Intersect Illinois today announced that Nicor Gas President and CEO Wendell Dallas, University of Illinois System President Timothy Killeen, and ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones have joined its board of directors. All three companies have been deeply involved in working to advance Intersect Illinois’ mission to bring jobs and investment to the state and the leaders of these three organizations will bring even more engagement as official members of the board of directors.
“I’m pleased to welcome the heads of Nicor Gas, the University of Illinois System, and ComEd to our board of directors. These organizations have been integral to Intersect Illinois’ economic development efforts,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I look forward to working even closer with Wendell, Timothy and Gil, who all bring a fierce commitment to Illinois’ business community. I also look forward to continuing to work with their tremendous economic development leaders, many of whom have been working with Intersect since its inception.”
WENDELL DALLAS serves as President and CEO of Nicor Gas, one of America’s leading natural gas distributors and the largest distribution company of Southern Company Gas with 2.3 million customers in over 650 Illinois communities. Dallas has deep institutional knowledge gained from more than 30 years of leadership, operations and engineering experience in the natural gas industry.
“I am honored to join the Intersect Illinois board and am excited to work alongside my fellow board members to attract new investments and create opportunities for the people of Illinois,” said Dallas. “Nicor Gas is committed to partnerships such as these that will maximize our investments in the vital economic and workforce development initiatives that enrich the communities where we work and serve.”
TIMOTHY L. KILLEEN is the president of the University of Illinois System, which includes universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. Since taking office in 2015, Killeen has helped lead a surge of growth across the state’s flagship university system. The University of Illinois System contributes $19 billion annually to the state’s economy through research, hospital and entrepreneurial activities, along with the universities’ students, visitors and alumni.
“The University of Illinois System helps to uplift the entire state of Illinois on a variety of levels. Not only do we fulfill a traditional higher education role of providing a world-class education, we also work through partnerships to advance our remarkable state’s immense potential,” Killeen said. “In that light, it is an honor and a privilege to serve on the Intersect Illinois board to help achieve an even brighter future for Illinois.”
GIL QUINIONES is the President and CEO of ComEd, an Exelon company, which is responsible for the delivery of safe and reliable electricity to over 9 million people across northern Illinois. In his role, Quiniones is responsible for overseeing the management of the electric grid, and ensuring it is ready to enable new technologies as customer demands change and as communities adopt more renewable energy, a key priority in the state’s recently enacted Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, CEJA. This includes customer programs to help residential, business and public sector customers move toward solar and EVs, as well as one of the largest energy efficiency programs in the nation. With over 6,300 employees, ComEd is one of the largest employers in the region, and invests in the diverse communities it serves through numerous workforce and education partnerships and through significant annual spending with diverse and local suppliers to maintain strong grid resiliency and infrastructure. ComEd is a founding member of Intersect Illinois.
“I’m proud to join the Intersect Illinois board of directors to further our shared goal of making this state a premier destination for the businesses and jobs of the future. With best-in-nation power reliability and access to an abundance of clean energy, coupled with a diverse and skilled workforce and central location, Illinois offers vast opportunity for businesses looking to expand,” said Quiniones. “I look forward to working alongside fellow members of the business community and leaders from across government to enhance our state’s ability to attract the investments that bring new jobs and tangible benefits to residents to Illinois.”
Intersect Illinois has added nearly 20 new members to its board since the end of last year. It recently restructured the board to expand member engagement and networking opportunities and form new board committees, such as the Executive Advisory Council, where members will be able generate ideas and action that lead to economic growth.
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.
Recent appointees include Comcast Vice President of the Greater Chicago Region Chris Smith, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Interim President Bill Mastoris, Cabrera Capital CEO and Founder Martin Cabrera Jr., Constellation President and CEO Joseph Dominguez, GCM Grosvenor CEO and Chairman of Michael Sacks, SPAAN Tech, Inc. President and CEO Smita Shah, Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, Wanxiang America Corporation CEO Pin Ni, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Lavin, P33 CEO Brad Henderson, DLA Piper Partner John Lyons, Chicago State University President Z Scott, Clayco Chicagoland Chief Growth Officer Michael Fassnacht, Skyway Concessions Company CEO Kristi Lafleur, and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association President and CEO Mark Denzler.
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, Busey Bank, Cabrera Capital, Carle Health, The Chicago Bears, 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, OSF Healthcare, P33, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, Related Midwest, Skyway Concession Company, SPAAN Tech, Inc., the University of Illinois System, and Wanxiang America Corporation.
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