New Committee on Infrastructure and Digitalization Aims to Make Chicago a Leading Modern Infrastructure Hub

CHICAGO – The Chicagoland Chamber, in partnership with leading industry groups, announced a new Committee on Infrastructure and Digitalization in a bid to help make Chicago a global 21st Century infrastructure hub.

The Committee brings together a diverse group of business, academic, labor, and community leaders to use their knowledge to help counsel state and city governments in advancing modern infrastructure priorities, including regional mass transit growth, clean energy initiatives, and smart city innovations.

“The Chicagoland region is home to some of the country’s largest and most important transportation hubs, boasts world-class digital infrastructure, and offers reliable and low-cost energy, so it’s our goal to ensure our region remains a national infrastructure leader,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “It is imperative that our infrastructure planning and public policy frameworks be informed by the perspective, ingenuity, and innovation of the private sector, and we’re looking forward to the work that this new committee will help us achieve.”

The Committee will be chaired by Judy Martinez-Faye, Head of State & Local Affairs, Siemens USA, and will be comprised of companies representing every sector involved in the region’s infrastructure ecosystem. “As significant federal infrastructure and clean energy funds are deployed, Chicagoland is incredibly wellpositioned to be a true global leader in modern infrastructure,” said Martinez. “With the push toward sustainable economic development, and the increasing utilization and importance of technology in every aspect of business, we have an opportunity to serve as a national model for the efficient movement of people and goods that prioritizes community inclusivity.”

The Committee will work with elected officials and partners at the federal, state, and local levels to develop a public policy framework that will continue to drive the region towards a world-class infrastructure system. Members of the committee are able to offer a unique perspective and real-world expertise to help identify areas for improvement and find solutions to advance Chicago’s position as a modern and sustainable infrastructure hub. The committee will examine a wide range of topics related to infrastructure including airport improvement and accessibility, broadband expansion, clean energy and power, electric transportation, railroad-associated economic growth, public transportation, and sustainability.

Based on these discussions, the Committee will develop and advocate for an annual infrastructure and digitalization plan that will help advance modern infrastructure priorities through long-term, sustainable investments that will benefit the region’s economy.

Members of the Committee include the following:

  • Siemens USA, Chair- Judy Martinez-Faye, Head of External Affairs – Midwest, Texas, & California
  • Amazon – Julian Federle, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs
  • BNSF Railway – Peter Skosey, Executive Director, Public & Government Affairs ComEd – Keisha
    Parker, Vice President, External Affairs
  • Digital Reality – Rafal Rak, Vice President, Portfolio Management
  • GMA Construction Group – Raven King, Director of Internal and External Affairs
  • Mayer Brown – Joe Seliga, Partner
  • Meta – Thor Underdahl, Data Center Advocacy Manager, Energy and Environment
  • Microsoft – Tyler Clark State and Local Government Affairs Industry Manager
  • Salesforce – Katie Meares, Manager, US, State, and Local Government Affairs – Midwest
  • Sims Metal Management – Susan Donovan, Community and Government Relations Manager
  • Sterling Bay – Fred Krol, Managing Director
  • T-Mobile – Lauren Neill, Senior State Legislative Affairs Manager
  • United Airlines – Kristopher Anderson, Director, State and Local Government Affairs
  • Union Pacific – Lindsey Douglas, Senior Director, Public Affairs – Illinois & Wisconsin
  • UPS – Jonathan Chowansky, Director, State Public Affairs
  • Verizon – Trish McGill, Counsel, State Government Affairs
  • West Monroe – Calvin Tong, Senior Manager, Energy and Utilities

Visit the offical webpage for more on the Chicagoland Chamber’s efforts to advance the region’s infrastructure leadership.

About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 1,000 member companies, which collectively employ 400,000 employees and generate $24 billion in revenue. The Chamber combines the power of membership with its legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy.