Chamber Staff

217-965-6079

cbrenden@ilchamber.org

As Vice President of Operations, Callie is in charge of the Chamber's HR needs, payroll processing, membership management, and is the liaison to the Chamber's Board of Directors. She takes pride in ensuring the Chamber's staff is performing exceptionally and is well cared for. Callie has been with the Chamber since January of 2016 where she started as the Chamber's receptionist before moving into her role as executive assistant to the President & CEO where she undertook many projects, including the planning and operation of Chamber Day. Prior to joining the Chamber, Callie worked in the offices of the Illinois State Comptroller and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Callie resides in Pleasant Plains with her husband Ryan and two children.

Andrew Cunningham

Executive Director, Infrastructure Council and Director of Legislative Relations

acunningham@ilchamber.org

217-903-3591

Andrew Cunningham serves as Executive Director of the Infrastructure Council and as Director of Legislative Relations. Andrew lobbies lawmakers and works with stakeholders on the infrastructure and transportation issues that are most pressing for Illinois businesses and our economy. Most recently, Andrew worked as the Chamber’s Manager of Legislative Relations where he kept members informed, tracked legislation, and compiled research relevant to the Chamber’s advocacy efforts. In addition to lobbying, Andrew continues many of these duties in his role as Director of Legislative Relations. Previously, Andrew worked as an intern in the communications department for the Senate Republican Caucus where he assisted with constituent and member relations. He has also held positions on state and federal political campaigns. Andrew also worked for the Central Illinois Nonprofit Resource Center where he helped nonprofit organizations access funding and operational resources. At one time, He served as the Illinois Chamber Government Affairs Intern. Andrew received his Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a graduate certificate in community planning from the University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS) in 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and communication from UIS in 2020. He and his wife Samantha live in Springfield.

Aaron Harris

Executive Director, Employment Law Council

312-596-5899

aharris@ilchamber.org

Aaron leverages his background and connections in Illinois state government to help clients further their business objectives. Before joining Michael Best Strategies, he held influential positions in Illinois’ Office of the Governor, Department of Juvenile Justice, and State Police. Most recently, Aaron served as the Interim Legislative Director in the Office of Governor JB Pritzker where he managed the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs staff and statewide legislative liaison workforce. In this role, he advised the Governor on proposed bills, regulatory and administrative procedure, and legislative strategy. Aaron assisted with the successful enactment of the Governor’s landmark legislative agenda by securing support from members of the Illinois General Assembly. Prior to assuming this role, Aaron served as the First Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs where he oversaw 16 state agencies legislative priorities, including energy, environment, infrastructure, public safety, and elections. Earlier in his career, Aaron was Chief of Intergovernmental Relations for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice’s Office of Governmental Relations. In that role he drafted, passed, and implemented criminal justice reform and other legislation to advance the department’s legislative agenda, while securing a $120 million annual budget appropriation.

Pam Holleman

HR Specialist/ Event and Publications Sales

217-991-8611

pholleman@ilchamber.org

Pam joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce in 2011 as a Human Resources Specialist / Event and Publication Sales Representative. Pam handles publication sales and registrations for seminars, webinars, and conferences. She enjoys helping customers find the information and training needs that are best for their organization. Pam previously worked for the Illinois Chamber for 3 years as the Human Resources Information Manager. Before working for the Illinois Chamber, Pam had a strong background in Human Resources including 10 years working as a Human Resources Manager for various manufacturing companies. With this background in Human Resources, Pam understands the products and events of the Illinois Chamber and can better assist members and clients to make informed decisions about what they need to run their business successfully. Pam holds a Bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Human Resources from Trinity Christian College, in Palos Heights, IL.

Darbi Keltner

Director of Communication and Advocacy

217-991-8583

dkeltner@ilchamber.org

As Illinois Chamber’s Director of Communication and Advocacy, Darbi Durham promotes Chamber members and its initiatives through the outreach of social media, particularly in video production and media releases. She works closely with the Chamber President and CEO, Chamber staff and partners to craft and distribute the Chamber's message of building stronger business and a stronger Illinois. She brings to this role her extensive experience in areas of various forms of communication, including video and social media platforms by providing an enthusiastic, forward thinking mindset. Darbi came to the Chamber in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. Prior to the Chamber, Darbi held multiple managerial positions at a retail corporation for five years and was the Pending Coordinator for a local real estate firm in Springfield, Illinois.

Alec Messina

Executive Director, Energy Council

217-522-5512

amessina@ilchamber.org

Alec is the Executive Director of the Energy Council. Alec engages local, state, and federal officials on key energy issues, advocating for smart energy policy that produces affordable, reliable energy in an environmentally sound manner. Further, Alec engages the legislature on other key business issues. Messina has 20 years of experience in environmental law, policy development and implementation, and legislative advocacy. He has worked closely with corporate senior executives, law firms, consultants, lobbyists, government affairs staff, and business development organizations to secure the necessary environmental permits and other authorizations for companies expanding in or relocating to Illinois. He also has vast experience testifying before the Illinois General Assembly on the impacts of environmental legislation and policy matters. Prior to joining HeplerBroom, Messina served as the Director of the Illinois EPA. He also served as Policy Adviser for Environment and Energy in the Office of the Governor, where he oversaw policy development and implementation for six state agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois Pollution Control Board, and Illinois Power Agency. Before joining the Governor’s Office, Messina worked as Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group, a company-based association with the primary mission of influencing the development of policy, regulatory, and legislative environmental matters in Illinois. In this role, he worked closely with plant managers, environmental professionals, and government affairs staff for company-members of the association, as well as companies affiliated with numerous business and trade groups. He has also served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois EPA and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and has held various other positions inside and outside of state government.

Kevin O'Keeffe

Member Development Manager

Elmhurst, IL

217-991-8625

kokeeffe@ilchamber.org

Kevin O'Keeffe of Elmhurst, Illinois will work alongside the Chamber's Vice President of Member Services, Danielle Blake. Kevin joins us with extensive local chamber experience. Prior to joining the Illinois State Chamber, he was the Executive Director of the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce for nine years and prior to that, the Director of Membership for the Elmhurst Chamber. While working as Executive Director of the Bolingbrook Chamber, Kevin increased the membership by over 10% per year and developed many new programs including Workforce Academy where leading members of the community would go to Bolingbrook High School and instruct students on the many positions available for those not attending college. In addition, Kevin was on the Board of Directors of IACCE.

Laura Ortega-Lamela

Executive Director, International Business Council

Laura is a senior international business strategy advisor and EU counsel with expertise in Economic Diplomacy, International Law, and Public Policy. She combines 20-year experience across government, corporate, and not-for-profit and an extensive network of national and international relationships to maximize global engagement for lead generation, resource mobilization, and effectively managing political risk and market penetration. With specialization in Trade and Technology Law, Laura focuses on cross-border expansions and strategic partnerships, country risk, supply-chain diversification, and digital trade and innovation initiatives. From 2013 to 2020, she served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber’s International Business Council (IBC) becoming a vital facilitator for pro-trade policy discussion, global partnerships, and business leads in the region. Under her leadership, the IBC received the Governor’s Exports Award in 2016 for best trade promotion organization in the State. Laura is a member of the Bar Association of Madrid (ICAM) and founding member of the Alumni Association of Spain’s Diplomatic School. She serves on the board of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation and Chicago Entrepreneurs Academy and is a mentor for minority women-own start-ups at the Women’s Co-op at Chicago Innovation.

Jordan Ryan

Director of Legislative Affairs

jryan@ilchamber.org

Jordan Ryan is the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. With 13 years of experience in the Illinois Legislature and Illinois politics, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his current position. Jordan has extensive relationships in the House Minority Staff. He started his career under House Minority Leader Tom Cross and later spent nearly a decade on House Minority Leader Jim Durkin’s staff. During his time in the HGOP caucus, Jordan served as the Floor Manager, where he was responsible for assisting the minority Floor Leader during floor debate and with parliamentary procedures. Jordan also has a background as a legislative analyst, primarily focusing on labor, energy, and environmental issues. Jordan is a lifelong resident of Illinois, having been born and raised in the state. He received his degree in political science from Northern Michigan University but has always maintained Illinois as his home. Jordan and his wife Nicole currently reside in Chicago.

Laurie Silvey, IOM, CAE

Vice President Business Services, President Center for Business Management

217-991-8598

lsilvey@ilchamber.org

Laurie is responsible for planning, budgeting, marketing and presentation of all seminars, conferences and webinars. She is also responsible for compliance publications and all non-dues revenue programs and is the editor/publisher of the Illinois Business Leader magazine, the Illinois Chamber's print publication Laurie was a previous business owner, publishing a motorsports magazine for 20 years, with experience in publishing and page layout, extensive event planning, promotions and marketing of an annual consumer trade show and several annual motorsports events. She most recently served as Executive Director of Menard County Tourism Council, where she designed and maintained their website, planned monthly and annual meetings, promotions and marketing of county tourism fundraisers. She was also Regional Administrative Coordinator of the Great Lakes Region of Horace Mann Insurance Corporation, planning numerous conferences, rallies, and district meetings. Laurie is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and has received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.

Keith Staats

Executive Director, Tax Institute

217-991-8587

kstaats@ilchamber.org

Keith is an attorney who has been involved in state and local tax since 1990. Keith is the Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Tax Institute. He previously was a director in Grant Thornton's State and Local Tax (SALT) practice in Chicago, where he was involved in tax planning, consulting, and dispute resolution in all areas of state and local taxation. Prior to rejoining Grant Thornton in 2010, Keith was Counsel at McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago where he specialized in multistate tax planning, consulting and litigation. Keith served as general counsel of the Illinois Department of Revenue, and was on the legal staff of the Illinois Department of Revenue for over 10 years. Keith is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and is a professional affiliate member of the Illinois CPA Society. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association State and Local Tax Section council. He is a member and past chairman of the Illinois CPA Society State and Local Tax Committee. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Milllikin University, and graduated with honors from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Jill Vancil

Business Services Coordinator

217-991-8590

jvancil@ilchamber.org

In her role as the Business Services Coordinator, Jill will collaborate with Vice President of Business Services, Laurie Silvey to support the creation, promotion, planning, and execution of designated programs for the Business Service Division's operations. Some of these programs include assisting with the coordination of HR memberships, publications, Chamber events, and affinity programs. Jill came to the Chamber with a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Illinois Springfield. Prior to the Chamber, Jill was employed at the Jacksonville Middle School from 2018 to 2024 as the administrative assistant. She provides a passionate, forward-thinking approach to her work, drawing from her vast experience in marketing and customer service.

Keith Wheeler

Executive Director, Government Affairs and Technology Council

Oswego, IL

630-624-9745

kwheeler@ilchamber.org