2023 GSU Reimagining the Electric Vehicle Industry event
Governors State University (GSU) welcomed U.S. Representative Robin Kelly along with other vital public and private stakeholders for the Reimagining the Electric Vehicle Industry (REV) event on May 26. The event, hosted by the College of Business (COB) and Supply Chain Innovation Center and Business Incubator (SCICBI), brought together about 175 attendees, including policy makers and industry leaders, to explore innovation in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry in three panel discussions, Building Illinois as the Silicon Valley of EV; Manufacturing in the EV Industry; and Workforce Development for the EV Industry.
In her remarks, Congresswoman Kelly read a letter she received from three University Park 5th graders, Alex, Ryan, and Ethan, who were working on a project about the evolution of the automobile. In their letter, they asked the congresswoman to support clean energy for the future. Commenting that even elementary school students understand the value of electric vehicles for our future, Kelly said, “We have an obligation to leave this world healthy for the next generation to thrive. Our state cannot afford to be left behind by this technological revolution. We need to make investments now to prepare for future generations.”
Kelly also commended GSU for playing a leading role in this effort, and for always being on the forefront of research for Illinois’ clean energy future, fostering innovation, research, and collaboration with industry leaders, and for equipping GSU students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this rapidly evolving field.
President Cheryl Green called the event, “an opportunity to work together to effect positive change, share progress, discuss opportunities and challenges faced, as we galvanize towards this bold vision for the state of Illinois.” She also recognized both Dr. Jun Zhao, Dean of the COB, and Reggie Greenwood, Director of SCICBI, as major driving forces behind the event.
Also present for day’s event were Donna Miller, Cook County Board Commissioner, 6th District; Monica Gordon, Cook County Board Commissioner, 5th District; Joseph Roudez III, Mayor, Village of University Park; Vernard L. Alsberry Jr., Mayor, Village of Hazel Crest; Peter March, President, Village of Peotone; Michael O'Brien, 2nd Ward Alderman, City of Kankakee; and Theresa Settles, Trustee Village of Park Forest.
Special thanks to Sutton Ford of Matteson, IL for providing the electric vehicles for the event.