Jay Rowell is the Executive Director of the HIRE360, a unique partnership of the largest Chicagoland construction unions, general contractors designed to connect the community to opportunities in hospitality and construction. Prior to that, Rowell was the Deputy Treasurer for Illinois, where he oversaw the state’s $31 billion portfolio - dramatically increasing minority- and women-owned firms' participation in state investments and re-envisioned the Illinois 529 College Savings programs, earning Morningstar’s highest ratings. Before joining the Treasurer’s office, Rowell was the Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security where he created a no-cost HR recruiting program and launched a new job board (like Monster.com). Rowell earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a bachelor’s in Public Communication at American University in Washington D.C.