News Local/State

Rauner Names Donald Edwards, Former Business Associate, As U Of I Trustee

 
Flexpoint ford CEO Donald Edwards.

Flexpoint Ford CEO Donald Edwards, who has been named to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees by Gov. Bruce Rauner. Courtesy Flexpoint Ford

Governor Bruce Rauner’s office confirms a report that one of the three vacancies on the University of Illinois Board of Trustees has been filled.

As first reported in the News-Gazette, the governor has named U of I alumnus and former business associate Donald Edwards to fill a six-year term.

Edwards is a Democrat who lives in Chicago. He was on the golf team as a university student in the 1980’s. Currently, he’s the CEO of the private equity investment firm Flexpoint Ford. Before starting that company, Edwards spent several years as a principal at Rauner’s old private equity firm, GTCR.

The News-Gazette says a statement from the governor praises Edwards for his passion for the U of I and his background in financial management.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has been three members short since January, when terms expired for Democrats Patricia Brown-Holmes and Ricardo Estrada, and Republican Karen Hasara.