CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has hired the state's Chief Information Officer, and made appointments to the Illinois Community College Board, the Capital Development Board, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the Illinois Health Facilities and Review Board, and the Illinois Workforce Investment Board.
Name: Hardik Bhatt
Position: Chief Information Officer
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Hardik Bhatt to become Illinois' Chief Information Officer (CIO). His experience in the private and public sectors in information technology will help transform Illinois' IT infrastructure so it's more efficient and accessible.
As the state CIO, Bhatt will work with all state agencies to align, utilize and streamline technology usage to fit their business priorities in order to transform services provided by state agencies to their constituents. Bhatt also leads the Bureau of Computer and Communication Services and is responsible for IT infrastructure, service delivery and governance across the state.
Prior to joining the State of Illinois, Bhatt was a Senior Director with Cisco and led the market development function for Internet of Everything for Global Public Sector. As part of that, Bhatt worked with mayors, governors and CIOs to help them extract value by connecting the unconnected public assets like parking spots, trash cans, streetlights, etc. Prior to that, Bhatt led Cisco's Business Development for the Americas for Cisco's Smart and Connected Communities Business.
Bhatt joined Cisco in 2010, after being the Chief Information Officer for the City of Chicago and Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology for five years. Bhatt also built and led the Smart Chicago program, which is considered a national model for improving access to affordable broadband in the community, while increasing technology awareness, talent and usage.
Bhatt has an MBA from Northwestern and a bachelor's degree in computer science from MS University in Baroda, India. He lives in Chicago.
Name: Cheryl Hyman
Position: Board Member - Illinois Community College Board
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Chancellor Cheryl Hyman to the Illinois Community College Board. In addition to her work as a community college administrator, she is a graduate of Olive Harvey College, a unit of CCC, bringing a dual perspective to the board.
As chancellor, Hyman has led a reinvention initiative to ensure all CCC students are prepared for further education and careers. Under her tenure, the graduation rate has doubled and enrollment has increased. She has made student success her number-one priority, guiding more than 115,000 students annually.
Prior to her work with CCC, Hyman was the Vice President of Operations Strategy and Business Intelligence at ComEd. She was responsible for the operational strategies of the utility. She started working with ComEd in 1996 and worked her way through the company in a number of different areas including information technology, community and economic development, and government and legislative affairs.
The odds were stacked against Hyman; she grew up in poverty and dropped out of high school at 17. She realized she wanted more out of life, earning her diploma and eventually an associate's degree from Olive Harvey College. She's able to identify with many of the students who come to CCC trying to make a better life for themselves.
Hyman went on to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She holds a master's degree from North Park University and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern University. Hyman is also a board member of Complete College America, which is an organization that works to improve college graduation rates. She lives in Chicago.
Name: James Reilly
Position: Chairman - Capital Development Board
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed former State Representative James Reilly as the Chairman of the Capital Development Board. Reilly brings decades of experience in public sector development.
Reilly is the former CEO of the Metropolitan Planning and Exposition Authority (MPEA), where he oversaw operations and policy. He held the position twice, from 1989-1999 and from 2012-2015. He has overseen the redevelopment of Navy Pier, expansion of McCormick Place and development of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. He also served as a trustee of the MPEA from 2010 to 2012 before his second tenure as CEO.
In between stints at the MPEA, Reilly was a consultant to the hospitality industry at the Reilly Consultant Group. He was also the chairman of the Regional Transit Authority from 2005-2010 and was the CEO of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau from 1999-2004.
Reilly has extensive experience in state government, serving as chief of staff to Governor Jim Edgar from 1994-1995 and for Governor Jim Thompson from 1983 to 1989. He also served in the General Assembly for six years as a state representative.
Reilly earned his bachelor's degree from Illinois College and a law degree from the University of Chicago. He lives in Chicago.
Name: Steven Orlando
Position: Board Member - Capital Development Board
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Steven Orlando to the Capital Development Board. Orlando brings a marketing and insurance background to the board.
Currently, Orlando is the Vice President of Sales for the Candos Agency, which is an insurance and financial services agency. He has worked for the agency since 2005 and markets health insurance and other benefits to small employers and individuals.
Prior to the Candos Agency, Orlando worked for Heartland Blood Centers as a marketing representative. He assisted churches, businesses and high schools with blood drives by recruiting donor and supplying prizes and gifts. Orlando also worked at Farmers Insurance for nearly three years as a personal lines underwriter.
Orlando earned his bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University. He lives in Plainfield.
Name: Hermene Hartman
Position: Commissioner - Human Rights Commission
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Hermene Hartman to the Human Rights Commission. Hartman is an accomplished communications consultant and founded N'DIGO, which is a weekly newspaper targeted at Chicago's black middle class.
Hartman founded N'DIGO in 1989 to showcase the lifestyles, trends, issues and interests of Chicago's African-American community. It currently has a readership of 500,000 and is distributed across the city. In addition, she also publishes N'DIGO Profiles, which is an annual magazine that presents an ongoing anthology of Black Chicago. It's distributed in the Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business in March.
Hartman holds a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees from Roosevelt University. She also earned a certificate in business administration from the University of Illinois. Hartman lives in Chicago.
Name: Joel Johnson
Position: Board Member - Health Facilities and Services Review Board
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Joel Johnson to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board. He has more than 20 years of experience in the health and human services field.
Currently, Johnson is the President and CEO of the Human Resources Development Institute, Inc., a human service organization focusing on behavioral health and substance abuse treatment.
Previously, Johnson was the COO for SOS Children's Villages of Chicago, which is a multi-site, fully accredited, foster care agency that worked to keep sibling groups together while in substitute care. He also was the director of the Midwest region for the Child Welfare League of America and the assistant director of child welfare services for Chicago Commons, which provided leadership to child welfare professionals.
Johnson earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Florida A&M University. He also holds a certificate in non-profit management from the University of Illinois - Chicago. He lives in Chicago.
Name: Marlon McClinton
Position: Board Member - Illinois Workforce Investment Board
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Marlon McClinton to the Illinois Workforce Investment Board. He brings more than 20 years of experience in business transformation and management to the board.
McClinton is currently the President and CEO of Utilivate Technologies, which provides energy management services, management consulting and professional management services to companies. Prior to that he was the Vice President at Gas Research Institute, where he was responsible for gas operations, and product development for residential, commercial and industrial areas. He led teams that delivered more than 15 hardware and software products to the marketplace on an annual basis.
McClinton is a graduate of Northwestern University, earning a bachelor's degree and master's degree in engineering, as well as an MBA. He lives in Chicago.
Name: Sylvia Wetzel
Position: Board Member - Illinois Workforce Investment Board
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Sylvia Wetzel to the Illinois Workforce Development Board. She brings 35 years of experience in marketing and business development to the position.
Wetzel is currently the Vice President of Human Capital and Corporate Wellness at Bison Gear and Engineering. She works to develop the company's workforce through education and policy at her company and by advocating for manufacturing careers with the general public. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of Eastgate Manor Assisted/Supportive Living, and transformed the organization in 90 days by turning losses into profits. She has also worked for AT&T Network Systems.
Wetzel is a graduate of Judson College, earning her bachelor's degree in business management and leadership. She lives in Elgin.
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