Khama Sharp

​Khama Sharp serves as the Acting Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. As Acting Assistant Director, he oversees several offices within the Department and is responsible for assisting with implementing the Governor’s economic development strategy for the State, particularly for downstate Illinois. Mr. Sharp brings over a decade of experience in the public and private sectors, supporting business and economic development, including within the State of Illinois. Prior to this appointment, he acted as the Deputy General Counsel for the Springfield office of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Mr. Sharp also has several years of experience in the legislative branch, including more recently as the Senior Legal Counsel for the Office of the Senate President of the Illinois State Senate, and in various capacities with the U.S. House of Representatives. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota – Morris and a Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law.