 Steve DeBretto Executive Director 312.421.3941 steve@industrialcouncil.com |
Steve oversees the strategy and operations of ICNC and is responsible for seeing that the organization is consistently focused on its mission. Before assuming the executive director role, Steve led ICNC’s membership department and was later the first director of ICNC’s export assistance program. Steve grew up in Joliet, Illinois and moved to Chicago to attend university. He lived in Spain and Poland before returning to Chicago and joining ICNC. He has an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with majors in international business, finance, and marketing. Steve and his family live in Rogers Park. |
 Andrew Fogaty Small Business Development Director 312.421.3941 andrew@industrialcouncil.com |
As Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at ICNC, Andrew Fogaty assists companies in all aspects of their creation and growth.In 2012, the SBDC was successful in helping launch 11 different companies, create more than 120 new jobs and obtain more than $1.7 million in funding.In addition, Andrew was instrumental in a groundbreaking new partnership with After School Matters which gave more than 50 Chicago Public School students the opportunity to gain real world work experience with ICNC companies. More recently, Andrew accepted an invitation to speak via Skype to Columbian entrepreneurs at the 2012 Bogota Entrepreneurship Fair. Read more… |
 Yolanda Silva Financial Manager 312.421.3941 yolanda@industrialcouncil.com |
Yolanda, who is starting her eighth year at ICNC, manages ICNC’s finances. Yolanda has a keen sense of detail, which is an essential skill given the unique reporting requirements of each of our grants – which like our number of tenants, is increasing each year.Yolanda graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology in business and continues to take college courses on an ongoing basis. This past year she has been particularly interested in utility rates – and is serving our building and members well with her quest for the best deal from both gas and electricity vendors. Read on… |
 Priscilla Torrence Director of Business Employment Services (BES) 312.421.3941 priscilla@industrialcouncil.com |
Priscilla continues to enjoy overseeing the placement program and working with companies throughout the corridor to meet their staffing needs. When she is not researching human resources concerns for employers, she is actively screening job applicants or attending various HR related workshops and seminars to keep herself informed of the most recent laws and trends in the human resources world. Born in Texas and raised in Chicago, Priscilla enjoys learning new things. She has earned a dual master’s degree in Human Resources and Educational Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management. Read On… |
 Dionne Moore Program Associate 312.421.3941 dionne@industrialcouncil.com |
Dionne, also known as Dee, assists the different programs at ICNC. She also enjoys maintaining the company database, updating the website, as well as assisting with the newsletter. Prior to coming to ICNC, Dionne was a stay-at-home mom. She also studied Sociology at Malcolm X City College. She currently resides in the Austin neighborhood with her family. She enjoys writing short stories, songs, and cooking with her daughters. |
 Ben SpiesOutreach Coordinator/LIRI Rep 312.421.3941 ben@industrialcouncil.com |
A former disaster relief worker, Ben spent time rebuilding homes and sleeping in community center basements in California, Misssissppi, Florida, and Texas before joining ICNC as a Public Ally in 2011. Now, as ICNC’s Local Industrial Retention Initiative Representative, Ben links area companies with available resources and business incentives, and serves as a liaison to the City for service delivery and infrastructure improvements. Read on… |