Governor fills two cabinet positions

CHICAGO - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced his choices to head theDepartments of Financial Institutions and Professional Regulation: Roxanne Nava and Fernando E. Grillo, respectively. 

"I promised the people of Illinois that my administration would look for the best people who could bring new ideas and valuable experience to state government," said Blagojevich.  "By interviewing candidates from different backgrounds and different communities, we're building a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our state.  That's critical to making sure government truly represents the people it serves."

Today's announcement brings the total number of Latino appointments to top positions in this administration to five - the highest number in Illinois' history.

Roxanne Nava, 34, brings more than 14 years of banking and financial service experience to the Department of Financial Institutions.  Since 2000, she has worked for the Northern Trust Company, where she serves as a Vice President and Commercial Banking Relationship Manager of the Logan Square Center.  Prior to joining Northern Trust, Nava worked for Citibank, Bank One, and The Resurrection Project, a non-profit housing and community development organization.  Throughout her career, Nava has focused on providing financial services for individual consumers and small businesses.

Nava grew up in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from DePaul University.  She is active in civic and professional organizations, including the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, the Eighteenth Street Development Corporation, the Hispanic Bankers Association, and Cordi Marian Women's Auxiliary Board.

The Department of Financial Institutions is charged with protecting consumers by regulating, licensing and investigating currency exchanges, credit unions, consumer finance companies, title

insurance companies and money transmitters.  Nava will start as the agency's new director on August 25.  She will be paid $98,200.

Fernando Grillo, 39, is an attorney who's been in private practice.  Throughout the 1990's, he worked in public finance, serving as Vice President of Public Finance for Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc. from 1995 to 2000, and Assistant Vice President of Public Finance for Estrada Hinojosa & Company, Inc. from 1993 to 1995.  He worked in several capacities for the City of Chicago between 1986 and 1992, in the Department of Consumer Services, the Park District and the Department of Housing.

Grillo grew up in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood.  He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Andrews University in Berien Springs, Michigan, and a law degree from John Marshall Law School.  He is a member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of the Chicago Children's Advisory Center.

The Department of Professional Regulation protects and promotes the public welfare by ensuring that licensure qualifications and standards for professional practice are carefully evaluated and enforced.  Grillo will start as the agency's new director on July 28.  He will be paid $105,400.