Dennis Vicchiarelli has over 17 years of experience in economic development. As the Managing Director for World Business Chicago, he assists with the overall operation of the organization. In addition, he provides incentive, site location and other business development assistance with an emphasis on the manufacturing, transportation, warehouse, energy and environmental sectors.
Before rejoining World Business Chicago in 2007, Vicchiarelli served as the Deputy Director for Business Development with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. There, he was responsible for managing the negotiation and delivery of state incentives and financing, as well as the creation of related public policy.
Prior to that, he was Director of Business Development with World Business Chicago. He coordinated public, private and non-profit entities in the overall effort to strengthen metropolitan Chicago’s nanotechnology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and food industries.
Vicchiarelli also served as Director for Industrial Development with the City of Chicago, where he designed and implemented plans and programs to encourage the growth of Chicago’s manufacturing sector.
Vicchiarelli holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. He frequently speaks at universities and conferences on economic development practices and policy and has taught as an adjunct lecturer in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
