His Legacy Lives On
The Edgar Fellows initiative was developed by former Governor Jim Edgar to provide emerging leaders in Illinois public policy with lessons, inspiration and training in statesmanship and current issues while fostering and nurturing relationships that cross regional, political and personal experience boundaries. Started in 2012, the program teaches leadership skills and stresses the importance of problem solving instead of political expedience when addressing the state’s issues and opportunities.
Hon. Ray LaHood Named
Distinguished Director of Edgar Fellows®
Will Succeed the Late Governor Jim Edgar
​
Springfield, IL — The Edgar Fellows nonprofit board has appointed former U.S. Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood as Distinguished Director of Edgar Fellows®. A long-time contributor to the program’s annual leadership seminar, LaHood will now take on an expanded role in annual programming, outreach to Illinois’ bi-partisan senior civic leadership, and supporting long-term financial sustainability of Edgar Fellows initiatives.
​
Former Illinois First Lady Brenda Edgar said, “Edgar Fellows is Jim’s living legacy to the State of Illinois. The entire Edgar family is pleased that long-time friend and respected Illinoisan Ray LaHood will be joining the organization in this important role. We know that he will continue to reinforce the importance of principled, bipartisan leadership.”
​
Founded in 2012 by Gov. Jim Edgar, the bipartisan, Edgar Fellows program brings together 40 early to mid-career professionals annually to explore leadership and public policy. The program reflects Illinois’ geographic, ethnic, and political diversity and continues to have an affiliation with the University of Illinois.
​
LaHood served as the 16th United States Secretary of Transportation from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama. He previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives (1982–1983) and United States House of Representatives (1995–2009) as a Republican. LaHood is also active in several civic and charitable initiatives preserving the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the bi-partisan minded Senator Everett Dirksen.
​
“I am honored and humbled to be named Distinguished Director of Edgar Fellows. My special thanks to Brenda Edgar and the Edgar Board of Directors for their trust and confidence to lead this outstanding leadership program. We plan to continue with the vision of our beloved Governor Edgar to recognize and develop bipartisan leadership for Illinois,” said Ray LaHood.
The full Edgar Fellows Nonprofit Board of Directors includes:
-
Tom Livingston, Edgar Fellows Board Chair, and Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, CSX Transportation
-
John Kamis, Edgar Fellows Board Vice Chair/Secretary, and Partner and Co-Founder at Turing Strategies
-
Theresa Eagleson, Edgar Fellows Board Treasurer, and Executive Director, Healthcare Strategy, Institute for Healthcare Delivery Design, University of Illinois Chicago
-
Brenda Edgar, former First Lady of the State of Illinois
-
Hon. Jason Barickman, former Illinois State Senator, and Principal, Chief Investment Officer and General Counsel, Fairlawn
-
Matt Baughman, Associate Director, Edgar Fellows, and former Chief of Staff to the Chancellor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
-
Allen Grosboll, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Jim Edgar and former Legislative Director, Environmental Law and Policy Center. Grosboll is also Chair of the group’s Advisory Board.
-
Tony Martinez, Vice President of University Advancement, Dominican University
-
Janet Mathis, Executive Director, Edgar Fellows, and Founder and CEO of The Development Consortium
-
Rikeesha Phelon, Associate Provost of Strategy, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine
-
Hon. Ryan Spain, Illinois State Representative, 73rd District, and Deputy Minority Leader
-
Robin Steans, President, Advance Illinois, and Trustee, Steans Family Foundation
-
​
The Edgar Fellows nonprofit, founded in 2020 at the direction of former Gov. Jim Edgar, preserves and advances his leadership legacy. The organization oversees the selection of Fellows and designs the annual week-long leadership seminar. It also develops ongoing initiatives—such as College Capitol Connections and Fellows Insight Tours—to foster mentorship, education, and engagement among the more than 500 Edgar Fellows and other future leaders. As a federally recognized 501(c)(3), the nonprofit raises program funds independently. Learn more at www.edgarfellows.org.
Contact: Janet Mathis, Executive Director
309.945.5621
###
WHO ARE THE FELLOWS?
Forty up and comers in Illinois public policy are selected annually to become the newest Edgar Fellows. Each class reflects the state’s political, ethnic and cultural diversity and include representatives from the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Once chosen, the Fellows are brought together on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus for a week-long executive training workshop. They learn from an array of individuals with extensive public policy experience ranging from Illinois Supreme Court Justices to State of Illinois Agency Directors and former U.S. Cabinet members to high level elected officials from Cook County.
Once training is complete, these new Fellows join the ranks of Edgar Fellows alumni and are invited to participate in dinners and other activities.
​
​
HELP SUPPORT THE PROGRAM
​
You and your financial support are integral to sustaining this program.
Please join with us to sustain Edgar Fellows into the future.
Click The Button Below To Make Your Tax Deductible Donation Today!