2007 Annual Meeting: 2007 Annual Meeting & Dinner

From the mailroom to the Board Room, ComEd Chairman and CEO Frank Clark, leader of one of the nation's largest utility companies with more than $15 billion in annual revenues and a customer base of 5.2 million, will be the Chamber's keynote speaker at this year's annual meeting, sponsored by LaSalle Wealth Management. In his distinguished 40 year career, interrupted only once in 1967 by a tour of duty in Vietnam, Clark has served in several key leadership positions at ComEd, responsible for a number of business-critical functions across the company, including: customer service operations, marketing and sales, regulatory, governmental and community affairs, information technology, communications, human resources, labor relations, and distribution support services. Since joining ComEd in 1966, Clark has steadily risen through the ranks, holding various positions in both corporate policy, support and line functions. With the recent lift of a nine year freeze on utility rates, Illinois is expected to usher in a new era for its electric industry that will have an impact on all customers. The Illinois Commerce Commission voted recently to approve a competitive bid process as the mechanism for utilities to purchase power, which is expected to have an impact on small businesses and residential customer utility rates. Clark is expected to discuss the new process, the need for the lift of the utility freeze and what businesses and other customers can do to prepare for any increase in energy costs. Clark is active in community development and the arts, including the establishment of the African-American Legacy Fund, a $3 million endowment in partnership with the Chicago Community Trust to broaden education, arts and community development. He serves on the Executive committee of The Chicago Community Trust, and is chairman of the board of trustees of the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. He also serves on the board of trustees of DePaul University, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the University of Chicago Hospitals and Health System and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Clark supports several organizations' development efforts as a member of the board of directors of the Governors State University Foundation, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, Illinois Manufacturers Association, and the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. He also serves on the board of directors for Waste Management Inc., Aetna and Harris Financial Corporation. In 2002 Clark was the recipient of the prestigious HistoryMakers Award which celebrates the accomplishments of African Americans, and Fortune magazine honored him as one of the 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America. He holds degrees in law and business administration from DePaul University in Chicago. In addition to Clark's remarks, the evening will also feature the installation of the 2006 Chamber board of directors. To register your attendance, call the Chamber office at (857)498-5555 ext 203, or send an e-mail to info@northbrookchamber.org. Sponsorships, which include preferential seating and recognition in Chamber promotional materials, website and advertising in the Pioneer Press, are also available.