University News
Three to Interview for WIU Director of Governmental Relations Position
June 8, 2023
MACOMB, IL – Three candidates will interview on the Western Illinois University campus next week for the open position of director of Governmental Relations.
Candidates include Executive Director of Miami Hospitality Employees Advancement and Training (HEAT) Jared Thornley (Monday, June 12); Director of Government Relations for the Illinois Association of School Boards Zach Messersmith (Tuesday, June 13); and Floor Director of the Illinois State Senate Republican Staff Nicole Besse (Thursday, June 15).
Before becoming the executive director of Miami Hospitality Employees Advancement and Training, Thornley was a consultant for 4-J Consulting in Springfield, IL; an advisor for the Illinois Office of the Comptroller in Springfield; director of Traffic Safety for the Illinois Department of Transportation in Chicago, IL; chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Agriculture; a policy advisor for the Office of the Governor in Springfield; and a policy advisor for the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin in Washington, DC.
Thornley received his bachelor's degree in Agri-Business from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and his master's degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois, Springfield.
An open session with Thornley for faculty and staff will be held from 11:15 a.m.-noon Monday, June 12 in Stipes Hall, room 501, or over Zoom at bit.ly/THORNLEYWIU.
Before becoming the director of Government Relations for the Illinois Association of School Boards in 2017, Messersmith was assistant director of Government Relations for the Illinois Association of School Board since 2012; a member of the communications staff for the Illinois Senate from 2008-2012; and the communications director for Citizens for Bivins in 2008.
Messersmith received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Illinois State University.
An open session with Messersmith for faculty and staff will be held from 11:15 a.m.-noon Tuesday, June 13 in Stipes Hall, room 501, or over Zoom at bit.ly/MESSERSMITHWIU.
Before becoming the floor director of the Illinois State Senate Republican Staff in 2019, Besse was a policy analyst for Senate Education for the Executive and Higher Education Committees from 2012-2019; was a budget analyst for the Illinois Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Prisoner Review Board, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Arts Council and Capital Development Board, including Illinois Jobs Now! From 1999-2012; was a political coordinator and fundraiser for two Illinois Senate campaigns in 2000, 2002 and 2004; and was a marketing assistant for the Illinois Department of Transportation Bureau of Railroads from 1997-1999.
She received her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Illinois State University in Normal, IL, and her master's degree in Political Studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
An open session with Besse for faculty and staff will be held from 11:15 a.m. -noon Thursday, June 15 in Stipes Hall, room 501, or over Zoom at bit.ly/BESSEWIU.
For more information about each candidate, and the itineraries, visit wiu.edu/employment.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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