Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday nominated an executive in AI strategy to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees.
The governor tabbed Doug Peterson, the director of AI strategy and implementation for Chicago-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie, to serve on ISU’s governing board.
The appointment is pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.
In a statement from the governor, he calls Peterson a “strategic leader with profound expertise in AI strategy and integration, driving enterprise-wide initiatives that align with corporate objectives and enhance operational efficiency.”
Peterson earned a Master of Business Administration degree from ISU in 2007, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also has a master's degree in information technology from American InterContinental University and received a bachelor's from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
"Doug brings a wealth of innovation, insight, and Redbird pride, and I’m delighted to welcome him to the Board of Trustees,” said ISU President Aondover Tarhule in a statement. “His expertise will be invaluable as we shape the future of our institution and prepare the next generation of leaders."
The governor’s appointment of Julie Hoeniges to the ISU board in May is still pending with the state Senate, though Hoeniges was able to begin serving immediately. Her term expires in January 2031.
Peterson’s appointment would give the board a full roster for the first time since May 2021. This follows the appointments of Hoeniges and trustees Scott Jenkins, Lia Merminga and Darren Tillis in 2023.
