Experience

Calumet Area Industrial Commission

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Economic Development

  • Apr 2012 - Present

  Oversee the agency's Local Industrial Retention Initiative contract with the City of Chicago, including identifying opportunities for company expansions and retention. Outreach and link local manufacturers to economic and workforce development resources, including enterprise zone incentives and TIF Works job training grants. Oversee the agency's Local Industrial Retention Initiative contract with the City of Chicago, including identifying opportunities for company expansions and retention. Outreach and link local manufacturers to economic and workforce development resources, including enterprise zone incentives and TIF Works job training grants.



Randolph Fulton Market Association

• United States

• Consultant

  • Feb 2011 - Apr 2012

  Preparing organization’s 501(c) application, including working with leadership staff in composing narratives and assembling necessary documentation. Preparing organization’s 501(c) application, including working with leadership staff in composing narratives and assembling necessary documentation.



Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consultant

  • Oct 2010 - Feb 2012

  Researched and prepared PowerPoint presentation for the Lt. Governor’s Illinois River Coordinating Committee on regional economic development initiatives along the Illinois River. Designed an Environmental Review webpage on the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation website. Prepared grant proposals and work plans for regional economic and community development initiatives, including a grant proposal to seek funding for a feasibility study to design a wind and solar power plant in the Village of Ford Heights. Show less



Church World Service-Illinois Region Office

• 2011 Chicago CROP Walk-Recruitment and Business Sponsorship Coordinator

  • May 2011 - Oct 2011

  Identified and recruited 16 businesses, including Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Jewel-Osco and Jelly-Belly, to donate monetary or in-kind donations to support the 2011 Chicago CROP Hunger Walk in October 2011. Identified and recruited 16 businesses, including Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Jewel-Osco and Jelly-Belly, to donate monetary or in-kind donations to support the 2011 Chicago CROP Hunger Walk in October 2011.



Lake County Partners

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Economic Development Manager

  • Jun 2007 - Mar 2010

  Oversaw Lake County Partners’ county-wide efforts to promote business retention and growth within region’s healthcare services and advanced life science industries Led and executed healthcare taskforce’s strategic planning efforts, including completing a regional workforce needs assessment, organizing an industry forum and roundtable discussions, with the participation of 8 healthcare providers and 6 academic institutions. Resulted in a proposed framework for a collaborative partnership among stakeholders to address a shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the region’s growing healthcare industry. Strategically built relationships with over 30 companies and 11 municipalities by linking them to marketing demographics, site information, job training programs and venture capital resources. Prepared economic impact reports and calculations of proposed property tax abatements. Researched and developed a qualitative analysis on the State of Illinois’ competitiveness in providing business development resources to advanced life science and high technology industries. Show less



Old Saint Patrick's Church

• Event Organizer

  • Jun 2007 - Sep 2007

  Initiated and executed plans for church to host its first Environmental Fair with 12 participating environmental sustaining organizations, including Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicagoland Bike Federation, Environmental Law & Policy and Wetland Initiatives. An estimated 300 people attended Initiated and executed plans for church to host its first Environmental Fair with 12 participating environmental sustaining organizations, including Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicagoland Bike Federation, Environmental Law & Policy and Wetland Initiatives. An estimated 300 people attended



enterpriz Cook County

• District Superintendent

  • Feb 2005 - Feb 2007

  Increased membership revenues by 56% in West Cook County through increased visibility of organization’s programming, including organizing two Cook County-wide forums: “Manufacturing in Midwest” with Triton Community College and “Reducing Business Energy Expenses” with West Suburban Chamber of Commerce. Initiated and built partnerships with 25 West Cook municipalities and agencies by collaborating with staff and elected officials to facilitate economic development resources in their business communities. Collaborated with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce in community outreach efforts to 35 industrial companies operating in Western Cook municipalities such as Maywood, McCook, Hodgkins, Broadview and Bellwood. Show less



Local Economic & Employment Development (LEED) Council, Inc.

• Coordinator of Business and Membership Services

  • Aug 2001 - Aug 2004

  Managed $100,000 Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) contract with the City of Chicago by coordinating outreach to business, municipal and community stakeholders, facilitating meetings and issues’ discussions, and preparing and distributing all communications regarding progress and status of projects. Submitted quarterly reports detailing LEED Council’s efforts to deliver city services and programs and identify area development issues on the behalf of 200 manufacturing, commercial and office users in North River Industrial Corridor. Secured support from the City of Chicago, 32nd Ward Alderman and 7th District Congressman District to expand the Division Street Bridges by recruiting company and community leaders, such as Waste Management, Republic Windows & Doors and Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. Encouraged stakeholders to write letters of support, present testimony at public hearings and attend meetings with elected officials. Recruited and led Membership Committee to rebuild and expand LEED Council company membership, resulting in 20% increase. Hosted business seminars, published and distributed weekly electronic newsletter and first edition of LEED Council membership resource guide to 75-100 companies and agencies. Show less



New City YMCA Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Council

• Business Retention Assistant/LIRI Representative

  • 1998 - 2001

  Contributed to Andres Graphics & Imaging’s $10 million relocation and expansion by linking them to the City of Chicago Industrial Revenue Bond program. Worked with company leadership, City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development and the Office of Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. of the 27th Ward for the approval of the company’s application. Collaborated with Director of Industrial Development and a consultant with planning studies on the Goose Island, Elston, and Halsted River Triangle Corridors. The studies identified necessary infrastructure improvements to maintain the corridors' economic feasibility. Organized business community support to secure engineering and construction funding for 3 industrial street improvement projects. Facilitated meetings between business leaders and City of Chicago Department of Transportation to review engineering plans and coordinate construction schedule. Show less



Independent Voters of Illinois

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations

• Legislative Action Chair

  • 1995 - 1997

  Oversaw Legislative Action Committee by implementing organization’s state legislative agenda, including the passage of absentee ballot reform legislation in Illinois General Assembly. Oversaw Legislative Action Committee by implementing organization’s state legislative agenda, including the passage of absentee ballot reform legislation in Illinois General Assembly.