The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council has named Tyler Cravens as its new president and CEO, effective September 14.
Cravens has served as the BNEDC’s interim CEO since March, following four years as chief operating officer of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. He will leave the Chamber before beginning his new full-time role with the economic development council.
BNEDC Board Chair Kristen Barnlund said Cravens impressed the board with his leadership as interim CEO, citing his strategic thinking, credibility and ability to bring key stakeholders together around the region’s economic future.
Cravens previously spent 10 years in public service as a senior congressional staffer representing Central and Southwestern Illinois. He also serves on the Connect Transit Board of Trustees, the Illinois State University BN Innovation Hub Advisory Board and the McLean County Unit 5 Citizens Advisory Council.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University.
Cravens said he is grateful for the board’s confidence and looks forward to working to expand economic opportunities in the Bloomington-Normal area.
The BNEDC is a public-private partnership focused on attracting investment, growing the local economy, creating jobs and broadening the tax base in McLean County.
