February 2, 2012

ROCKFORD MAYOR ACCEPTS GOVERNOR QUINN'S APPOINTMENT TO EXPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL

ROCKFORD, IL. — Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey will be joining Governor Pat Quinn's Export Advisory Council. Governor Quinn announced today during his State of the State Address that he is forming an Export Advisory Council headed by Navistar CEO Dan Ustian to help him reach his goal of doubling Illinois' exports by 2014.

The Advisory Council will provide recommendations on state policies and programs with the goal of maximizing Illinois’ competitive strengths in the global marketplace.  The council will also advise the Governor on trade advocacy positions at the federal level, and council members will serve as international ambassadors for Illinois.

“I am honored to serve on the Export Advisory Council with an outstanding group of business and civic leaders," stated Mayor Morrissey. "This is about increasing Illinois jobs by expanding sales to the global marketplace."

Members of the Council include:

Dan Ustian, CEO, Navistar

Holly Agra, President, Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

Percvial Baretto-Ko, Senior Vice President, Astellas

Chuck Bernardini, Partner, Ungaretti & Harris, Managing Director of American Chamber of Commerce. Milan, Italy

Gregory Brown, Chairman and CEO, Motorola

Jack Fortnum, President of North American Division, Corn Products International, Inc.

Richard Guebert, Vice President, Illinois Farm Bureau

Mark Kern, Chairman, St. Clair County Board

Dr. Hurley Meyers, CEO, DxR Development Group

Larry Morrissey, Mayor, City of Rockford

Mike Mullen, Vice-Chairman, CenterPoint

Pin Ni, President, Wanxiang America Corporation

Al Powers, President, NOW Foods

Daniel Schueller, President, Brad Foote Gear Works

Lee Voight, Vice President, Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Donna Sims Wilson, CastleOak Securities

Phyllis Wise, Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“Rockford is a leader in exporting products throughout the world with both large and small companies building great ties to the international marketplace. I have had a great opportunity to work on supporting Rockford's global business ties as Mayor and I look forward to joining Council members on this important work and sharing our Rockford perspective," added Mayor Morrissey.