Gov. Pritzker Announces Seven Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Executive Ethics Commission

Allison Powers will continue to serve as a Member of the Executive Ethics Commission.* Powers has fifteen years of experience as an employment litigator, trial attorney, and strategic partner. She is currently a partner at Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, where she co-leads the Compensation and Employment Practice Group and serves as the firm’s sole employment partner. Previously, she was an Associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where she represented clients nationwide in systemic, class action, and single-plaintiff discrimination matters. Powers is actively involved in several organizations, including the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, where she serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President and chairs the Board Development Committee. In 2023, she was nominated and recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable Leader in Employment and Labor Law. Powers earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

Energy Workforce Advisory Council

Jennifer Martin will serve as a Member of the Energy Workforce Advisory Council.* Martin currently serves as the Director of Standards Development at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). In this role, she works with a variety of stakeholders to achieve consensus on best practices and guidelines for the solar and energy industries. Prior to joining SEIA, Martin excelled in several roles within the energy workforce field. She has experience developing renewable energy programs, ranging from solar workforce development to identifying sustainable solutions for managing end-of-life solar equipment. Martin also serves as the president of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Solar Education Association and participates in multiple clean energy working groups. Marin earned an Associate of Applied Science in Sustainable Energy Technology from Ivy Tech Community College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ball State University, and a Master of Science in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin.

Illinois State Medical Board

Henry Adekola will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Medical Board.* Dr. Adekola has dedicated his career to providing vital healthcare services. He currently serves as the Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and as an Attending Physician in Maternal-Fetal Medicine with HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Adekola is responsible for helping OB providers throughout South-Central Illinois with high-risk pregnant patients who may need ambulance or helicopter transport to HSHS St. John’s Hospital. He facilitates safe transport and provides comprehensive care, including deliveries, upon their arrival. Dr. Adekola graduated from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and completed his residency training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He also completed a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Adekola recently earned a Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Illinois Workforce Innovation Board

Jayne Vellinga will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* Vellinga has over twenty-five years of job workforce training experience. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Chicago Women in Trades, where she is responsible for all aspects of the organization including fundraising, fiscal management, partnership building, advocacy, and program development. Prior to this role, Vellinga was the Director of Programs, overseeing outreach, recruitment, case management support, and retention services for women in construction and other nontraditional occupations. Vellinga earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Calvin College.

Andrew Warrington will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* Dr. Warrington currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of UCC Environmental. UCC is a global leader in engineered environmental protection solutions for solids, air, and water treatment. As CEO, he oversees a team of 350 people who help some of the world’s largest companies reduce their environmental footprint and comply with regulations. Dr. Warrington serves on the Board of Directors of United Way in Lake County and of the Lake County Workforce Development Board, and co-chairs the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. A native of Rochdale, England, he has worked in several manufacturing and engineering businesses in the UK and US for over 35 years. A Chartered Mechanical Engineer in the United Kingdom, he holds bachelor’s and PhD degrees in Engineering from Leeds Polytechnic and a Master’s in Business from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Marlon McClinton will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* McClinton serves as the President and CEO of Utilivate Technologies, providing energy management and evaluation, measurement and verification services to utilities, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies across the country. McClinton has been recognized for his skilled leadership, inviting engagement and participation from under-served and under-represented communities in utility energy efficiency programs. He also serves on the Energy Workforce Advisory Council and Illinois Community College Board. McClinton earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and his Master of Science and Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University.

Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission

Johanes Maliza will continue to serve as a Member of the Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission.* Maliza has over a decade of legal experience. He is currently a partner at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan, & Aronoff LLP. In this role, he represents publicly traded companies in complex commercial litigations and large public universities in high-profile tort litigation. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law, where he teaches compliance with International Bribery Conventions. Previously, Maliza was an Assistant Federal Public Defender at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of Illinois. He authored two chapters in the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Federal Criminal Practice: Essential Guide to Federal Criminal Practice In Illinois. Maliza earned a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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