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Meet Chris Davis, Your New Illinois State Director.

Meet Chris Davis, Your New Illinois State Director.

January 6, 2022

Meet Chris Davis, Your New Illinois State Director.

Hello, NFIB! I’m Chris. Chris Davis. I’m your new Illinois State Director. I’m thrilled to be here, and excited to get to know many of you in the coming weeks, months, and years.

I come to NFIB with two decades of experience in Illinois government and politics. I began my career as a legislative analyst in the House of Representatives, including three years staffing the House Labor Committee, where I was responsible for working with Representatives, and groups like NFIB, on employment issues.

I began my lobbying career with Home Builders Association of Illinois (HBAI). Housing was rockin’. But, as we all know, hard times hit in 2008. I ultimately left HBAI in 2012. In that time, we successfully passed what is now the national model “Home Remodeling and Repair Act,” minimizing burdens on contractors, while protecting homeowners.

I then used my labor and employment experience with Central Illinois Builders (CIB), a chapter of Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). While at AGC, we successfully negotiated 17 collective bargaining agreements and managed relationships with trade unions. I also served as a trustee on seven different pension and health insurance trust funds, as well as the Legislative Board of the Illinois Construction Industry Committee (ICIC).

It was at CIB that I cemented my passion for associations and pursued my Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, which I ultimately accomplished in January 2017.

I enjoyed labor relations, and my time with AGC, but I missed lobbying and government affairs. I guess I’m a little sick and demented that way. So, I joined Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA) as Vice President of Government Relations. After a brief two years with IIA, I was asked to be the Legislative Director at the Illinois Department of Labor, where I could again use my labor and employment experience in a legislative capacity.

Feeling a personal need for a change in my life, I left Springfield to move to St. Louis, where I served as Government Affairs Director of SITE Improvement Association, a small, local construction trade association focused on labor relations. SITE represented land development contractors primarily involved in concrete, asphalt pavement, heavy highway, sewer/utility, and landscape contracting.  SITE played a significant leadership role in passing the first motor fuel user fee in Missouri in over 25 years, providing an essential $500 million investment in Missouri’s aging infrastructure that would benefit our members.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to represent NFIB and echo the Voice of Small Business, and I was called home. I was born and raised in Springfield. My family is here. Outside of work, I’m an avid athlete. I grew up playing competitive soccer and have transitioned to running. I also play a little bit of golf (despite my high handicap).

I and am honored and humbled to succeed Mark Grant as Illinois State Director. Mark has served you honorably, and he has earned a relaxing and fulfilling retirement. I look forward to growing NFIB’s exemplary reputation and echoing YOUR voice, loud and long, in the halls of the Capitol, and throughout Illinois. I look forward to getting to know all of you, your businesses, and what you want and need from YOUR Association.

In the meantime, be well and do good!

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