Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce Annual Convention, August 24, 2016

Illinois Utilities take part in a Panel Discussion at the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce 11^th Annual Statewide Convention

The Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC) presented the Energy/Utility Panel at the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce (ILBCC) 11th Annual Statewide Convention, which was held August 23 and 24 in Peoria, Illinois. Leaders from IUBDC member utilities participated in the interactive panel discussion, moderated by Vincent Gilbert, northern regional vice president of the ILBCC, to provide an overview of challenges, opportunities, and the utilities’ shared commitment to increasing spending with diverse businesses. The panelists included the following:

• Shirley Stennis, director of Customer Service, Ameren Illinois
• Kevin Brookins, senior vice president of Strategy & Administration, ComEd
• Roger Goodson, senior manager of Production and Field Services, Illinois American Water
• Lewis Binswanger, vice president of External & Regulatory Affairs, Nicor Gas
• Andrew (Andy) Hesselbach, vice president of Construction, Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas

Panelists shared that corporate initiatives to encourage diversity and inclusiveness have increased diverse spend with several women, veteran and minority-women owned businesses, the panelists said. Panelists also discussed the role of the IUBDC in supporting individual utility efforts to advance the utilization of diverse businesses, and connected attendees with key business diversity contacts at each utility.