Chicago, IL – Stephen Ferrara, Partner and Chief Operating Officer of BDO USA, LLP, one of the nation’s leading accounting and consulting firms, has been elected Chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Announced on June 7th during the Chamber’s 112th Annual Meeting, Ferrara will serve a two-year term beginning July 1. Ferrara takes over for Paul La Schiazza, President, AT&T Illinois, who served as Chairman 2014-2016.
“Steve has emerged as one of Chicago’s top business and civic leaders and shares the Chamber’s passion for strengthening our business climate and driving growth and innovation in the region,” said Theresa E. Mintle, President and CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “As the Chief Operating Officer of BDO USA, he has played an integral role in the firm’s industry-leading 70 percent cumulative revenue growth over the past three years, while nurturing a culture that is increasingly recognized for its flexibility and inclusion, and as a favorable workplace for millennials. Given his strong history of civic involvement and giving back to the community, we are confident that Steve’s deep expertise and enthusiasm will be instrumental in helping the Chamber achieve its mission to make Chicagoland the best place to live, work and visit in the nation.”
Prior to being elected Chairman, Ferrara served on the Chicagoland Chamber’s Executive Committee for six years, most recently as Treasurer and the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as the Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Strategic Planning Committee in 2015. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Steve has been involved with various community organizations throughout his career. A member of both the Commercial and Economic Clubs of Chicago, he currently serves on the Board of the Illinois CPA Society and the World Presidents Organization. Steve is also the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Notebaert Nature Museum.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the new Chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, an organization with a legacy of leadership that spans more than 110 years,” Ferrara said. “Representing a diverse membership base including small and emerging businesses, mid-market companies, large corporations, and global multi-nationals, the Chamber has a special opportunity to build on that legacy and make a lasting impact as it begins its next chapter of growth and innovation. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee, the Board and the Chamber’s staff to increase membership and grow revenues in order to add more programs and resources that will add value for our members and strengthen the Chicagoland business community”
Stephen Ferrara has more than 30 years of experience working in public accounting and in industry as a CFO. As the Chief Operating Officer of BDO USA, he is responsible for oversight and leadership of the firm’s assurance and tax business lines and the development and performance of each practice office. Steve oversees BDO’s business development, corporate planning, finance, information technology, marketing and communications functions and is integrally involved in the firm’s expansion strategy which has added offices in 21 cities and expanded critical mass in 13 existing markets over the past three years. Prior to his role as COO, Steve served as the regional managing partner for BDO USA’s Central Region.
About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,000 member companies, their 400,000 employees, and over $24 billion in revenue. We combine the power of our membership with our legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy. We focus on delivering value for our members, making Chicagoland a world-class place to live and work. Visit ChicagolandChamber.org.