July 11, 2024

Countdown to the DNC – Christy George (Executive Director, DNC Host Committee), Alex Hornbrook (Executive Director, DNC Committee) and John Roberson (City of Chicago, Chief Operating Officer)

City Club event description:

Join leaders Christy George, Executive Director of the DNC Host Committee, Alex Hornbrook, Executive Director of the Democratic National Convention Committee, and John Roberson, City of Chicago Chief Operating Officer, as they share the latest updates on plans to welcome the Convention and showcase the city.  Learn how you can play a role in one of the most important civic events of the decade.

Speakers

Christy George
Christy George currently serves as Executive Director to the Chicago DNC Host Committee. She is a dedicated public servant and problem solver. She joined Governor JB Pritzker’s Office in 2021 as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Budget & Economy leading the Governor’s business attraction and engagement efforts, workforce development priorities, crafting the Reimagining Energy & Vehicles (REV) Act, and overseeing the operations of multiple state agencies, boards and commissions. Before joining the Governor’s Office, George served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Commerce Commission where she managed 200+ employees, the agency’s budget and operations, and the implementation of COVID-19 relief for utility ratepayers. Before that, George served in several roles at the City of Chicago including Deputy Budget Director for Public Safety, Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, and Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Department of Law. George obtained her J.D. at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. She currently lives in the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago with her husband and daughters.

City Club video

Alex Hornbrook
Alex Hornbrook led the DNC’s 2024 convention site selection process and currently serves as Executive Director of the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC). Before the Convention, he was DNC’s Director of Debate Planning in addition to the Director of Scheduling and Advance for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and Director of Scheduling to then-Vice President Biden. Alex grew up in Boston, MA before relocating to DC for college at George Washington University. Though he considers himself a proud Washingtonian, he has also lived in New York City and now Chicago.

John Roberson
John Roberson currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Chicago. In this role, Roberson oversees the day-to-day operations of 37 departments with an annual budget of $16.2B. Prior to this role, Roberson served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle where he managed Government and Legislative Affairs and strategic operational departments and initiatives.

Roberson has had a long career in both the public and private sector. He has served as Chief of Staff to 17th Ward Alderman David Moore, Managing Principal with Electronic Knowledge Interchange (EKI), a Chicago based technology company as well as VP for Strategic Partnerships with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Roberson’s career also includes serving in several senior executive roles under former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Under Mayor Daley, Roberson served as Commissioner of the Department of Aviation, Commissioner of Buildings, Commissioner of Sewers, Chief of Development for CHA and the first Executive Director of the Department of Construction and Permits.

Roberson is an Air Force Veteran who received commendations for his service during the Persian Gulf War. Roberson has received several awards and recognitions including Crain’ Chicago 40 Under 40, Xi Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Statesman of the Year and the national Young Public Administrator of the Year of NFBPA.

His community service includes serving as the Chairman of the Local School Council of Lindblom Math and Science Academy, a nationally ranked selective enrollment junior/senior high school located on Chicago’s South Side.

He is a graduate of Roosevelt University and a proud and enthusiastic member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Roberson is the father of three children: John(28), Jasmine(25) and Joelle(18).