CHICAGO (STMW) — Cheryle Jackson, the former Chicago Urban League president and CEO who recently mounted an unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate from Illinois will be joining Wood Dale-based AAR Corp., as Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development, the company announced Tuesday.
Her appointment is effective March 29, 2010, a release from the company said.
Jackson served as president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League since October 2006. Before that, she was communications director for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, national director of state and local government affairs for Amtrak and vice president of communications for National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington, DC.
“Cheryle has an extraordinary background and brings a unique perspective to AAR,” David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR Corp., said. “Cheryle’s diverse experience in economic development, government, transportation and media will be invaluable as we grow the business and expand our international presence. I am thrilled that she is bringing the visionary, passionate and results-driven leadership that transformed the Chicago Urban League to AAR.”
As Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development, Jackson will help coordinate the Company’s strategies and plans to drive growth and will oversee the development and execution of its branding, government relations, communications, and strategic partnerships and alliances, the release said.
“AAR is a wonderful, global company with a tremendous history, based right here in Illinois,” Jackson said in the release. “I am excited to join AAR and contribute to the continued success of the business, particularly now. Over three years ago, I joined the Chicago Urban League to answer the question, ‘How do you help connect people to jobs where few exist?’ Now the nation is asking that same question. I believe that helping companies with strong entrepreneurial spirits, like AAR, can make an impact. This is also an incredible opportunity to connect more women and minorities to the aerospace industry.”
AAR is a provider of value-added products and services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry, according to information on the company’s Web site. AAR has 6,000 employees, in 13 countries and revenues of more than $1.4 billion, according to a company fact sheet.
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.
