Mastoris and Smith to represent Peoples Gas and Northshore Gas and Comcast in efforts to bring jobs and investment to Illinois
July 30, 2024 – Intersect Illinois today announced that Bill Mastoris, Interim President at Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas and Chris Smith, Senior Vice President of the Greater Chicago Region at Comcast, have joined its board of directors. Mastoris and Smith will bring their depth of experience in economic development at major utility companies to advance Intersect Illinois’ mission to bring investment and jobs to communities across Illinois.
“The momentum within Illinois’ business community is real; we’ve seen some massive company and investment announcements in recent weeks and appreciate the tremendous business and civic leaders that are stepping up to join our cause,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I’m pleased to welcome Bill and Chris to our board, as their companies are important to our business landscape and their vast experience will help us to attract even more investment to Illinois.”
CHRIS SMITH – Chris Smith is the Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region. As the leader of the region, Smith oversees a range of functions, from human resources to operations, customer experience, business strategy and development, marketing, sales, finance, government relations, community investment and communications. Smith, who has more than 20 years of telecommunications industry experience and has held a range of roles, joined Comcast in 2014.
“Comcast is proud of its role in connecting Illinois communities and advancing local economic development with more than 65,000 network miles throughout the state,” said Smith. “I am honored to join the board of Intersect Illinois and eager to work across sectors in support of the organization’s mission to strengthen our state’s economic future.”
BILL MASTORIS – William “Bill” Mastoris was named interim president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas in June 2024. Mastoris manages the daily operations, strategy and administrative activities of the two Illinois utilities, which together provide safe, reliable natural gas service to nearly 1 million customers in Chicago and 54 communities in its northern suburbs. In addition, he continues to oversee Fleet Services and Real Estate Services for WEC Energy Group. Mastoris previously served as executive vice president of customer service and operations for WEC Energy Group since December 2021.
“When I joined Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, it was already clear to me that Illinois is a state that is ripe with diverse talent across a wide variety of industries. Plus, we also have the infrastructure here to allow companies to move products and services quickly and efficiently. So, I’m enthused to be joining the Intersect Illinois board and hopeful that my energy industry and economic development experience will be an asset in promoting this unique global business destination,” said Mastoris.
Intersect Illinois has added 17 new members to its board since the end of last year. It recently restructured the board to expand member engagement and networking opportunities and form new board committees, such as the Executive Advisory Council, where members will be able generate ideas and action that lead to economic growth.
A non-partisan group of civic and private-sector leaders, Intersect Illinois’ board is dedicated to bringing economic growth and jobs to Illinois, advising the organization on ways to make the state even more attractive for business attraction. Leaders are recommended for the board to represent a diversity of regions, industries, and backgrounds. All members are approved by a board vote.
Recent appointees include Cabrera Capital CEO and Founder Martin Cabrera Jr., Constellation President and CEO Joseph Dominguez, GCM Grosvenor CEO and Chairman of Michael Sacks, SPAAN Tech, Inc. President and CEO Smita Shah, Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, Wanxiang America Corporation CEO Pin Ni, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Lavin, P33 CEO Brad Henderson, DLA Piper Partner John Lyons, Chicago State University President Z Scott, Clayco Chicagoland Chief Growth Officer Michael Fassnacht, Skyway Concessions Company CEO Kristi Lafleur, and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association President and CEO Mark Denzler.
As the state’s business attraction organization, Intersect Illinois collaborates with partners in the public and private sectors to attract new jobs and investment. The organization showcases the state’s advantages including its central location with access to the country and world, its unmatched infrastructure, and its robust workforce fueled by its dynamic higher education system. Intersect Illinois makes it easier for companies to expand in Illinois by providing a range of services to help navigate the site selection process.
Intersect Illinois’ board of directors helps the organization generate public good with private sector efficiency. Board companies include: Ameren Illinois, ADM, Busey Bank, Cabrera Capital, Carle Health, The Chicago Bears, Chicago State University, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Comcast, ComEd, Constellation, Clayco, DLA Piper, 8 Hospitality Group, GCM Grosvenor, Illinois American Water, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Illinois REALTORS, Loop Capital, Marsh Chicago, Nicor Gas, OSF Healthcare, P33, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, Related Midwest, Skyway Concession Company, SPAAN Tech, Inc., the University of Illinois System, and Wanxiang America Corporation.
INTERSECT ILLINOIS is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new jobs and investment to the state. Intersect Illinois collaborates with industry, academic, and government partners throughout the state. To date, Intersect Illinois has helped bring over 16,900 jobs and $6.2 billion in investment to Illinois.
