Bedalov returning to his DuPage County roots after serving as the leader of two state agencies

LISLE, IL — The Choose DuPage Economic Development Alliance is pleased to announce Greg Bedalov as its new president and CEO.  In this role, Bedalov will be responsible for a host of duties including developing, planning, and implementing strategies to promote DuPage County as an ideal business and industry location. He will also be in charge of member management, partner networking, and effectively working with the 39 distinct communities within DuPage County.

Bedalov previously served in this same role from 2010-2015, before his appointment by then Governor Bruce Rauner to lead the Illinois Tollway as its Executive Director.  After three years with the Tollway, Bedalov left to become chief of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. He will return to his role as President and CEO of Choose DuPage effective September 3.

“My family and I have been in DuPage County for more than 25 years now and I’m looking forward to returning to my role with Choose DuPage and building a strong engine of economic development for our community,” Bedalov said. “DuPage County is home to nearly 90,000 business. Together, these companies represent more than 653,000 jobs across a variety of industries. My primary duty is to lead Choose DuPage in our efforts to support business retention, expansion and attraction efforts in DuPage County. I’m in a unique position to hit the ground running on day one—my experience gives me the opportunity interface with a lot of people across a multitude of disciplines and I’m excited to be at the helm of the always changing economic development landscape of our region.”

Choose DuPage’s Board of Directors conducted an extensive search to fill the open position in April following the resignation of its president who left to pursue other opportunities. The selection committee received well over a hundred resumes, narrowed the pool, and ultimately invited the top six candidates to be interviewed. Three of those candidates moved forward to a second round of interviews, with the final decision approved by the full board during its recent board meeting on July 31.

“We’re excited Greg is returning to help lead our organization into the future,” said Choose DuPage Private Sector Chair Ahmed Elganzouri. “His vast experience working in the transportation sector with the Illinois Tollway, and his business acumen exhibited in his current role with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority—Greg’s vast experience is sure to lead to positive results as we work to expand economic development for DuPage County.”

Choose DuPage serves to strengthen DuPage County’s business environment by stimulating business investment and opportunity within both the public and private sectors. Bedalov will be leading efforts to support local municipal economic development initiatives; grow, retain and attract businesses; address policy issues critical to the needs of business; leverage assets and partnerships; connect with state, regional and local public resources; and, promote a coordinated marketing message and county identity.

“Greg’s experience gives him the tools he needs to drive the mission of Choose DuPage,” said DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin. “As I said when Greg first stepped into the role in 2010, this is a competitive environment as every county seeks to attract economic development and create new jobs. I have no doubt Greg will fully embrace this challenge and apply the experience he has gained over the past several years to find new ways to enhance economic development in DuPage County.”

ABOUT CHOOSE DUPAGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

Choose DuPage is the regional economic development organization for DuPage County, Illinois. A public/private partnership, Choose DuPage is dedicated to establishing DuPage County as a premier global business location by working to expand and diversify the DuPage County economy through actions that stimulate business investment in its communities and generate desirable job opportunities for its residents. Choose DuPage was created to leverage this growth and continue its momentum for the benefit of County businesses and residents. For more information, visit www.choosedupage.com.