CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce announced today that Theresa E. Mintle, a well-known and respected executive who has spent much of her business career serving in key positions with the City of Chicago, has been named president and CEO of the nonprofit membership organization, the area’s “Voice of Business” since 1904.
Ms. Mintle, 48, begins as Chamber leader on Aug. 5 and succeeds Jerry Roper, who is retiring from the position he held for more than 20 years. Roper will remain actively involved with the Chamber and its Foundation.
The Chicagoland Chamber, one of the largest in the nation, covers the six-county Northeastern Illinois region and parts of Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio, and its members range from entrepreneurs and small-business owners to Fortune 500 companies. With an annual budget of $5 million, the Chamber employs 35 people and is governed by a volunteer board of about 100 members. It leads an aggressive public policy and business-growth agenda, seeking to make the region the most business-friendly in the nation.
Ms. Mintle has worked in government or in government affairs-related positions for more than 27 years – from early in her career as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., to mayoral aide and liaison to the Chicago City Council, as assistant director of Government Relations at the University of Illinois Chicago, to her experience as chief of staff at the Chicago Transit Authority Board, and as chief of staff to Mayor Rahm Emanuel until leaving that post in March.
She also has served in executive positions with the Aspen Institute in Chicago and as program director of the Commercial Club of Chicago’s Chicago Metropolis 2020, now called Metropolis Strategies and formally affiliated with the Chicago Community Trust.
“Theresa is truly an exceptional choice to head the Chamber and continue the strong advocacy for business development fostered under Jerry’s leadership,” said Scott Swanson, the Chamber’s board chairman, a member of the selection committee, and regional president of PNC Bank, Illinois. “She has worked closely with local and state officials and lawmakers in Illinois on legislative matters, policy and consensus building. She also has worked with our state’s delegation in Washington, D.C.”
Ms. Mintle has more than 20 years of experience working on an array of economic development and public policy issues with Chicago City Council members. Most recently, she collaborated with Illinois Senate President James Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan on pension reform and casino legislation. In other nonprofit roles, Ms. Mintle co-chaired the Little Company of Mary Hospital Gala as well as the Project Exploration dinner.
“Her proven leadership skills and legislative accomplishments will serve our Chamber well as she builds relationships and collaborations across the business, public and private sectors,” said Bob Wislow, a past Chamber board chairman, head of the search committee and chairman and CEO of U.S. Equities Realty, LLC. He noted that Ms. Mintle had reviewed and tracked hundreds of pieces of legislation through the City Council and also her Commercial Club work with World Business Chicago.
“Theresa will be an articulate and effective advocate spearheading the Chamber’s value propositions and strategic goals in support of a friendlier business environment in the Chicago region,” said Roper, who plans to stay actively involved with the Chamber and its Foundation. “I look forward to working with Theresa to ensure a successful transition."
Chamber CEO has Worked Extensively with Chicago Business Leaders
Ms. Mintle has expansive experience working with Chicagoland business leaders – from small businesses to major enterprises. As Mayor Emanuel’s first Chief of Staff, she oversaw the many pro-business programs central to Chicago’s economic recovery. These included retaining and recruiting corporate headquarters of United Airlines, Vienna Beef, and GE Transportation; the redesign of Chicago City Colleges’ curriculum to focus on matching job demand with area companies; and the reduction in the number of city-required business licenses to 63 from 147.
“As chief of staff and in her previous work in city government, Theresa helped to develop programs to create jobs and boost investment in such critical new fields as digital technology, life sciences and clean technology, and I have no doubt she will continue those endeavors at the Chamber,” said J.B. Pritzker, managing partner of The Pritzker Group, a member of the Chamber’s search committee, and chair of ChicagoNEXT, the mayor's council on innovation and technology.
Of her new role, “to say that I’m excited and energized about joining the Chicagoland Chamber is an understatement,” said Ms. Mintle. “I’m absolutely passionate about this city and region and we are eager to continue developing and employing the kind of landmark and breakthrough initiatives that Jerry Roper delivered these past 20 years. I look forward to applying many of the skills learned working for two Chicago mayors in my new role.”
Ms. Mintle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ms. Mintle is a member of the President’s Circle of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Economic Club of Chicago.
About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The primary role of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is to make Chicagoland the most business-friendly region in America by enhancing members’ success through aggressive programs in advocacy, member benefits and services, and actionable information. Serving as “The Voice of Business” since 1904, the Chamber leads aggressive public policy and business growth initiatives and creates meaningful events and programs to inform, engage, and connect members to each other and the community. Visit www.ChicagolandChamber.org.
