Council will help Illinois Reach Ambitious Goal of Doubling Exports by 2014
SPRINGFIELD Dan Schueller, recently elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC), was appointed by Governor Pat Quinn to a panel that will work with the Governor and other state leaders to increase exports from Illinois. Schueller is President of Brad Foote Gear Works, a Cicero-based manufacturer large gearing systems for renewable energy, steel mills, transportation, and pulp/paper markets.
“Illinois is home to world-class goods and services, and we should utilize all of our assets in order to market them around the world,” Governor Quinn said. “Expanding trade opportunities in growth markets like China, Australia, Brazil and India puts Illinois products in the international marketplace and creates jobs here at home.”
The Export Advisory Council, which is headed by Navistar chairman and CEO Daniel C. Ustian, will work to increase exports by providing recommendations on state policies and programs with the goal of fully leveraging Illinois’ competitive strengths in the international 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. Members will work to promote Illinois firms and the inherent advantages Illinois can offer countries seeking trade opportunities.
The Governor’s aggressive focus on harnessing and promoting the strength of Illinois companies abroad will have a significant impact on job creation at home. Devising and successfully implementing strategies to meet the 2014 target will result in the addition or retention of nearly 230,000 jobs in Illinois.
In addition to Schueller and Ustian, the Council will be made up of CEOs and other prominent leaders from the private and public sectors whose work in the international marketplace has uniquely positioned them to provide insight into Illinois' ability to significantly expand exports.
The council will meet several times a year and will work with the Illinois Departments of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Agriculture. After identifying challenges to expand exports, the council will recommend policies and programs that will help Illinois better compete at a global level. It will also work with their peers in the private sector and Illinois companies to promote Illinois as a great state to do business.
Click here for a full list of the Export Advisory Council membership.
