Governor Announces Appointments to Illinois Enterprise Zone

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[April 01, 2015]  CHICAGO – Governor Bruce Rauner has made the following appointments to the Illinois Enterprise Zone.

Name: Jovita Carranza
Position: Board Member
Illinois Enterprise Zone Board


Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Jovita Carranza to become the Illinois Enterprise Zone. Carranza has extensive experience developing businesses in both public and private sectors.

Carranza was a Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration from 2006 to 2009. She was responsible for the agency’s turnaround, built an executive development program now used by 200 small businesses in 10 states and oversaw 80 national field offices. President George W. Bush appointed her to the position, and she was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Currently, Carranza is the President and Founder of The JCR Group, which provides business development services to companies and non-governmental organizations. Previously, she was the Vice President of Airline Operations and was the highest ranking Latina in the company.

Carranza earned her M.B.A. from the University of Miami. She lives in Skokie.

Name: Lawrence W. Falbe
Position: Board Member
Illinois Enterprise Zone Board


Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Larry Falbe to the Illinois Enterprise Zone. His 20 years of experience in site selection and environmental law make him uniquely qualified for the position. Falbe's extensive planning experience and public service include eight years on the Lake County Regional Plan Commission, and he currently serves as a member of the METRA Citizens Advisory Board, among numerous other boards and community leadership positions.

Currently, Falbe is a Chicago-based environmental and energy attorney at the national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP. His practice focuses on environmental transactional support, Brownfields issues, environmental regulations and litigation, energy development and facility siting. Falbe has worked extensively with Illinois state agencies like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

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Falbe is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Augustana College, Illinois, and earned his law degree from DePaul University College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Wisconsin, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous Federal District Courts. Falbe is also a former adjunct professor of environmental law at Northwestern University. He currently lives in Mettawa, in Lake County Illinois, where he previously served as a Village Trustee.

Name: Larry Ivory
Position: Board Member
Illinois Enterprise Zone Board


Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Larry Ivory to the Illinois Enterprise Zone. Ivory’s experience as a member of the Business Enterprise Program Council and his business background make him qualified for the position.

Currently, Ivory is the President and CEO of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, which promotes job creation and growth of African-American businesses. Ivory oversees the daily operations of the organization while promoting its mission across the state. He was the Chamber’s Chairman from 1997-2002. Ivory is also a board member of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Vice President for Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Ivory previously worked for Salomon Smith Barney Holdings Inc. as the Vice President of Investment Services from 1998 to 2004. He also was a Senior Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch from 1991 to 1998.

Ivory is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. He graduated from Saddleback College and currently lives in Peoria.

[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner]

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