DCEO Leadership

In his capacity as the Chief of Business Attraction and Development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Cas Peters leads all business development, attraction and retention efforts for the Department. During his tenure, Cas and his team have worked hand-in-hand with job creators to provide state incentives and other benefits while securing billions in capital investments from companies locating or expanding in communities across Illinois.

Cas has more than a decade of experience working in the public sector at the federal, state and municipal level. Prior to joining DCEO, Cas served in the Chief Executive Office at Chicago Public Schools where he supported with strategic initiatives and special projects. Cas also served as Senior Policy Advisor to New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Operations as well as the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

As the Deputy Director for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Regional Economic Development Team, Aly Grady works with local governments, community partners, businesses, and other entities to serve the needs and promote economic development across the state of Illinois.  She has been working in state government for over 25 years and brings her knowledge and experience into this role to further the mission of DCEO.

As the Federal Policy Manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Chad Phillips leads the Department's federal affairs and works to help organizations access federal resources that foster economic growth across Illinois. In this role, he manages the Department's federal cost-share support program, offers strategic guidance to external partners, and collaborates closely with Illinois' congressional delegation to drive impactful outcomes. Before joining the State of Illinois, Chad served as a strategic initiatives coordinator for U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and as a member of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s legislative team in Washington, D.C.

Dan McManus currently serves as the Deputy Director of External Relations at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) where he leads stakeholder engagement and supports event execution for key DCEO initiatives. In this role, Dan develops and implements engagement strategies, coordinates across internal offices, and provides project management for external facing projects. Before joining DCEO Dan spent nearly a decade on staff for U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth where he led outreach on economic development, grants, transportation, and appropriations.

David Wortman serves as the Deputy Director for the Office of Community Assistance where he manages the administration of Illinois’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Community Services Block Grant Program, and the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program. He previously served for four years as the Deputy Director for the Office of Community Development where he oversaw the administration of the Community Development Block Grant program.

Devon Braunstein serves as the Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Broadband. In this role, she leads the state’s efforts to achieve universal connectivity and digital equity. This includes leading the implementation of Connect Illinois, Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, and Digital Equity Act. Before joining the Office of Broadband, Devon served as the City of Chicago’s Digital Equity Director, where she led a citywide community engagement effort of 3,000+ residents most impacted by digital disparities, culminating in the publication and implementation of the city’s first co-created Digital Equity Plan and neighborhood broadband strategy.

Garrett was named DCEO’s General Counsel in 2022. With over 20 years of experience in both private and public sectors, Garrett brings his in-depth knowledge of law, policy, and compliance to a variety of matters. He drafts and negotiates tax credit and agreement, advises on legislative issues, and addresses administrative and personnel matters. Garrett also serves as the Department’s Ethics Officer where he is committed to upholding integrity and transparency in all Department dealings. Prior to joining the Department, Garrett worked in the private sector focusing on commercial litigation and employment law.

Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde is the Deputy Director of Energy and Utility at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy initiatives. With a distinguished career spanning the construction, healthcare, and energy sectors, she has successfully led teams in designing, developing, and financing innovative projects that drive environmental, economic, and social impact. A passionate advocate for environmental justice, she is dedicated to fostering economic opportunities in historically underserved communities across Illinois and Missouri.

Before joining DCEO, Isabel C Vélez Diez served as the Director of Economic Recovery at the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer protection, managing a $52 million portfolio of economic recovery programs. Prior to her tenure at BACP, Isabel held the role of Director of Operations and Strategy at Allies for Community Business, where she oversaw government grant and loan programs totaling over $600 million, managing daily operations, and leading the 5-year strategic plan. Her career began at the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development, focusing on economic development policy and programs.

John Caporale serves as the Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) for the IL Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity. In this position, he is responsible for directing and implementing a comprehensive agency-wide internal audit program. These audits and reviews investigate DCEO’s programs, policies, and procedures to evaluate their effectiveness. Caporale is a leader of a team of internal auditors who strive to serve the DCEO and the DCEO’s public with honesty, objectivity, and integrity with quality internal audit work that is performed.

Jordan Troy currently serves as the Deputy Director of Communications at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) where she leads the external communications strategy for the department, which includes supporting all DCEO programs and channels, policy-making efforts, media relations and spokesperson functions. Jordan has over a decade of experience in communications serving in roles in both the public and private sectors.

Julio Rodriguez is the Deputy Director, Office of Employment and Training (OET) at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Here, he oversees federal workforce programs under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the state workforce programs under the Climate and Equity Jobs Act (CEJA), the state’s WIOA Apprenticeship Program, along with several other federal and state workforce programs. Rodriguez is responsible for the administration of more than $360 million in grant funding, and he has been working at the senior management level in human services for more than 30 years. Prior to working for DCEO, Rodriguez was the Program Director for the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Human Capital Development.

Kristi Dula is a Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, leading the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology (EIT) to drive business growth through entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. Previously, she led Network Relations at Pritzker Group Venture Capital, fostering connections between portfolio companies and key industry partners. Before that, she was a founding team member at 1871, the world’s top-ranked private business incubator, where she built strategic partnerships to support tech entrepreneurs. Dula was also a Founding Board Member of the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute at DePaul University and Chicago:Blend, both focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the startup ecosystem.

Lisa Clemmons Stott currently serves as the eMobility and Innovation Director at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity where she focuses on state programs and policies for businesses in the electric vehicle, renewables and quantum sectors. She has had vast experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, with roles as varied as director of a business association and project manager for the state's first online license plate and driver’s license renewal system. Over the last 15 years, her work has focused on the critical intersection of community and economic development.

Lisa Horsley currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management Operations. In this capacity, Horsley keeps the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) running as a well-oiled machine. Some of the functions she oversees in this role include IT equipment, software application access, and the logistical efforts of travel, telecom and motor pool. Horsley also manages the building leases and facilities, and she serves as both Security Officer and Property Officer.

Margo Markopoulos currently serves as the Deputy Director for Trade and Investment at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Bringing nearly 30 years of international experience to her position, Margo leads the Department’s strategies to increase Illinois’ exports and attract foreign direct investment to the state.  In her capacity, Margo manages the state’s international offices located in six countries and facilitates bilateral government engagement, as well as numerous programs which provide export assistance to hundreds of Illinois small businesses annually and soft landings to international investors.

Megan Buskirk is the Interim Chief Accountability Officer.  Buskirk joined the Office of Accountability in 2014 after working in the Office of Financial Management at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for over 8 years.  As the Interim Chief Accountability Officer, Megan Buskirk ensures the accountability and transparency of the grant programs offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.  She also heads the Grant Help Desk, which provides grant related resources and answers grant related questions for both the public and the Department’s staff.

In her current role, as the Deputy Director of the Office of Grants Management, Melissa Hansen Schmadeke directs the implementation of processes for the entire life cycle of grants administered by the office. These include establishing grant agreements, ongoing monitoring, and performance review of grants. She contributes to and implements process improvements for the office, including data management solutions. Melissa has 17 years of government experience that includes budget analysis, program management and legislative services which has given her a strong background in government, focusing on healthcare public policy and programs.

Monica J. Bristow currently serves as the Deputy Director of Local Governments at the State of Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, where she works with local mayors and elected officials to build their communities. Bristow is a seasoned professional with experience in government relations, economic development, public relations, human resources, and facilities management. Known for her dedication to community service and her ability to build strong cross-sector relationships, Monica has held numerous impactful roles throughout her career, and her extensive professional experience and commitment to fostering economic development make her a respected leader in the State of Illinois and in her community.

Norman Ruano, Deputy Director of the Office of Illinois Works at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), oversees a new portfolio of programs focused on bringing equity and inclusion to the state’s construction industry and the trades. With close to 25 years of experience in the creation and implementation of construction workforce development programs for underserved community members and training programs for minority, women, and veteran-owned construction businesses, Norman is passionate about ensuring that the Illinois Works programs truly open doors of opportunity for thousands of Illinois residents interested in pursuing careers in construction.

Peter Hawley has been the Deputy Director of the Illinois Film Office since May 1, 2019.  A graduate from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, Peter has been a working filmmaker for nearly 40 years, producing and directing feature films, documentaries, TV commercials and music videos.  Since 1996 he has been a college professor in film, and the dean of two colleges.

Since April of 2019 Philip Keshen has served as the Department’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), overseeing all fiscal matters of the department, including the administration of thousands of grants and contracts annually. Before taking on the role of CFO he served as the department’s budget officer for three years and an operations budget analyst the three years prior. Philip holds a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University’s College of Business and while working as a Graduate Public Service Intern for DCEO he obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield.

Rebecca currently serves as the Deputy Director for the Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3) at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). In this role, she spearheads initiatives to build an inclusive business ecosystem, particularly for communities historically impacted by systemic barriers. Through strategic partnerships, targeted outreach, technical assistance, and tailored programs, OE3 works to ensure that minority-, women-, people with disabilities-, and veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across the state have equitable access to opportunities and resources.

As the Deputy Director of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement, and the Agency Procurement Officer, at the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Rick Rogers ensures the timing, transparency, accountability of Agency contracts to prevent the loss of vital agency services. He is responsible for the coordination, creation, review, approval, and execution of Agency Intergovernmental agreements, and he works in coordination with all DCEO bureaus to utilize the applicable procurement methodologies within the Illinois Procurement Code.

Ryan Rubin manages projects out of the Director’s Office at the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). In this role, he works across divisions to manage relationships and track the progress of on-going projects. He helps to improve the efficiency of DCEO processes and assists in the implementation of new programs. Filling in where he is needed, Rubin leads communication between the different offices of the department and serves as a liaison to the Governor’s Office.

Sabrina Canela serves as the Deputy Director for Business Development at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, where she leads programs designed to support companies choosing to expand or relocate to Illinois. Before joining DCEO, Sabrina worked for the State of Arizona in various technology and policy development capacities, covering business development and public healthcare needs.

With fourteen years of regulatory compliance experience, I bring a commitment to ensure compliance with Human Rights statutes, including facilitating Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) for the Department.  As Deputy Director, I serve as the state Equal Opportunity Officer with respect to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), including the Departments Reasonable Accommodation and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.

Tito Quinones currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) within the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Wendy Bell serves as the Deputy Director for DCEO’s Office of Community Development.  The Office administers the federal Community Development Block Grant program assuring communities have adequate public infrastructure, low-to-moderate income residents live in safe and healthy homes, and local businesses have opportunities to succeed. Wendy brings more than twenty years of community development experience to the position, including seven years as State Coordinator for the Illinois Main Street program. She has completed Advanced CDBG Training from the national Council of State Community Development Agencies and serves on COSCDA’s Community Development Committee.