IHDA Board Appoints Governor's Former Deputy Chief of Staff as Executive Director

CHICAGO - Members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) board today appointed Gloria L. Materre, former deputy chief of staff under Governor Pat Quinn, as executive director. IHDA is the state agency dedicated to financing affordable housing across the state. Materre succeeds DeShana L. Forney, who resigned to pursue other career opportunities.

An attorney with real estate and business development background, Materre immediately assumes her new position as Illinois' chief affordable housing official. Materre has served as deputy chief of staff under Governor Quinn since April. As a member of the Quinn Administration, Materre played an instrumental role as a close adviser of the Governor on legislative matters, housing, economic and business development and community stabilization. (Please see attached document for additional biographical information.)

In addition, Materre's participation on legislative matters was key in lobbying the Governor's initiatives to various caucuses. Further, she participated in leaders meetings, state budget matters, pension reform task force and the formation of other task forces. She has tackled other important issues central to Illinois' state government and directed minority business development initiatives. Materre's work has carved an opportunity for the Quinn Administration to form the anticipated Minority Business Task Force, which she will chair.

"With her professionalism and extensive experience, Gloria is uniquely qualified to deal with the housing challenges facing our state," said Governor Quinn. "Her leadership will improve the lives of residents throughout Illinois."

"I thank Governor Quinn and the IHDA Board for allowing me the opportunity to lead the State's efforts in planning and coordinating Illinois' affordable housing resources. I look forward to joining the talented team at IHDA in helping to create housing options for residents statewide under the principle that homes provide the foundation for family, secure neighborhoods and job growth," said Materre.

Materre holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a law degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

About the Illinois Housing Development Authority
IHDA (www.ihda.org) is a self-supporting state agency that finances the creation and the preservation of affordable housing across Illinois.  Since its creation in 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $9.67 billion and financed more than 204,000 affordable units across the state.  IHDA accomplishes its mission through a number of federal and state funding sources including the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits Fund, the allocation of federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and HOME Investment Partnership funds. IHDA is also a bonding authority, and independently sells bonds, based on its own good credit, to finance affordable housing in Illinois.

Gloria L. Materre
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Executive Director

Experience:
• Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Pat Quinn (April-September 2009);
Chair of Task Force on Minority Business Development (October 2009)
• Senior Counsel, Handler Thayer LLP (2008-2009)
• Principal, Materre & Associates, PC (1995-2009)
• Legal Writing Instructor, John Marshall Law School (1996)
• Associate, Berger, Newmark & Fenchel, P.C. (1994-1995)
• Associate, Landau, Omahana & Kopka (1993-1994)
• Law Clerk, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Lake County, Ind. (1992)
• Law Clerk, Prillaman & Prillaman, Ltd. (1991)
• Instructor/Teaching Assistant, English Department, University of Illinois (1992-1993)
• Research/Graduate Assistant, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois (1991-1992)
• Account Executive, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide (1989-1990)
• Assistant Account Executive, Golin Harris Communications, Inc. (1988-1989)

Membership:
• Board Member, AAD (Athletes Against Drugs)
• The Chicago Inn of Court
• The Links, Incorporated
• Past member, National Association of Black Journalists, Radio-Television News Directors Association
• Past Board Member, Community Media Workshop
• Recognized in Who's Who among Business Owners

Education:
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, J.D. (1993)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A. in journalism (1988)

Personal:
• Lives in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood with husband, Victor Bridgeman Sr.