CHICAGO, November 30, 2007 – Rita Athas, Mayor Richard M. Daley's longtime aide, has been appointed as the next executive director for World Business Chicago. Athas will assume her new role on December 1. Although Paul O'Connor's leadership will be greatly missed, we are confident that WBC is in good hands and the company will thrive under Athas' direction.
Athas joins WBC after working for Mayor Daley for nearly 10 years. Her most recent position was Deputy Chief of Staff for External Affairs, where she helped spearhead initiatives including the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the Great Lakes Cities Initiative and support for the Modernization of O'Hare Airport.
Athas brings extensive experience in local government and with the business community to WBC. She served as the Mayor's liaison to regional mayors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the business community and foundations.
In her new position, Athas plans to grow WBC's marketing of Chicagoland to businesses looking to relocate to or expand their operations in the area, highlighting the City's diverse, business-friendly economy and competitive talent pool, among other things.
She also plans to expand on international connections and help local companies increase international imports and exports.
Prior to working for the Mayor's Office, Athas, who has been named by Crain's as one of the 100 most influential women in Illinois, served as the Executive Director of the Northwest Municipal Conference, a consortium of 40 municipalities representing a population of over 1 million in Northwest Illinois. The Conference is widely recognized as one of the most innovative regional councils in the country.
Athas has been appointed by the Governor to serve as a Great Lakes Commissioner. She also serves as the Mayor's representative on the Regional Planning Board and is an Executive Council Member of the Chicago Metropolis 2020 project.
World Business Chicago (WBC) is a not-for-profit economic development organization promoting metropolitan Chicago. WBC markets Chicago's competitive advantages, coordinates business retention and attraction efforts, and seeks to enhance Chicago's business-friendly environment. WBC's Board of C-level corporate executives is chaired by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Media Contact: Karley Sweet
ksweet@worldbusinesschicago.com | 312.553.4658
