President Rufus Williams (2005-present)
Like his predecessor Michael Scott, Williams has deep ties to the Lawndale community, where he resides and remains active at his alma matter, Orr High. A certified public accountant and sports agent, Williams has managed finances for the Oprah Winfrey Show and contract negotiations for Gary Sheffield.
Vice president Clare Muñana (1999-present)
Conversant in five languages, Munana regularly works as an international business consultant. Closer to home, she’s helped refine management and financial systems throughout City Hall and served on the CPS Accountability Council and the board of the Chicago Public Education Fund.
Tariq Butt (1995-present)
Butt, a professor of medicine and director of Mt. Sinai Madison Family Health Center, has pushed CPS’ immunization programs. Born and raised in Pakistan, he’s also a founding member of Chicago’s Asian-American Institute and currently serves on several school board associations.
Norman Bobins (1995-present)
Longtime president and CEO of LaSalle Bank, Bobins is affiliated with a number of business groups, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago. He has been a major supporter of arts and Jewish organizations.
Alberto Carrero (2002-present)
Senior vice president of public banking for Banco Popular North America, Carrero moved to Chicago in 1997 to build up business in Illinois. He served as a City Colleges trustee before joining the School Board.
Roxanne Ward (2005-present)
Vice president of an investment firm, Ward also serves as president of the Black Corporate Directors Conference. She was general counsel and legislative liaison for the Chicago Park District and a trustee for the Illinois Facilities Fund, which helps charters and non-profits find homes.
Peggy Davis (2006-present)
Davis served as Arne Duncan’s chief of staff and has provided legal counsel to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and the city’s law department. She is now Vice president of diversity and compliance for Exelon Business Services Corp.
Past Presidents
President Gery Chico (1995-2001)
Known for infighting with CEO Paul Vallas, Chico oversaw nearly $2.7 billion in school construction, an end to social promotion and a crackdown on underperforming schools. He was Daley’s chief of staff and a lobbyist for City Hall contracts. Consequently, he abstained from more than 400 School Board votes to avoid conflicts of interest.
President Michael Scott (2001-2006)
Known as a peacemaker, Scott joined Arne Duncan in a low-key replacement of the “Paul and Gery” show. He oversaw controversial school closings and new school development under Renaissance 2010. A real estate developer and government lobbyist for cable companies, Scott cut his teeth as trustee and president of the Park District.
Past Trustees
Gene Saffold (1995-2005)
A banker with stints at JP Morgan Securities, Bank One Corp. and other outfits, Saffold played a key role in CPS’ bonding efforts. He also helped form Urban Bankers Forum of Chicago, an African-American commercial bankers group.
Sharon Gist Gilliam (1995-1997)
Known as a budget guru, Gilliam has been aide to five mayors and was Daley’s 1997 pick to chair the Chicago Housing Authority. She was deputy budget director under Richard J. Daley and budget director for Harold Washington. She taught history at Harlan High until 1969.
Avis LaVelle (1997-2005)
Former reporter and public relations officer, LaVelle was Daley’s press secretary in the early 1990s. She ran his election campaign in 1999, and worked on presidential campaigns with Bill Clinton and John Kerry.
Michael Mayo (1999-2002)
As a City Colleges trustee, Mayo lead a high-profile audit of the system’s dubious spending. He served on the School Finance Authority and directed higher education services for consulting firm Deloitte & Touche.