HR0556 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0556 LRB104 16390 ECR 29779 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Brian Keith Leonard Sr. on the occasion of his retirement from Ameren Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his 45-year career in the utility industry, Brian Leonard attended East St. Louis Lincoln High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physical Education with a minor in Health Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1979; he later graduated from the Ameren Illinois Fellows Program in 2007 and the McKinsey Black Leadership Academy in 2020; and

WHEREAS, Brian Leonard began working as a meter reader-groundman for Central Illinois Public Service, known today as Ameren Illinois, in Charleston in 1980; since then, he has served the company in many roles, including as a gas meter repairman, a customer service representative in Mattoon, a superintendent in Shelbyville, and as a public affairs representative and lobbyist; and

WHEREAS, Brian Leonard was promoted to assistant regional manager of the Metro-East Region in Illinois, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations of electric and gas utility business; he later began serving as assistant manager of the Gateway Division in 2001, overseeing electric operations and energy delivery for St. Louis; he became director of Community Relations for Ameren Illinois in 2007, managing programs to strengthen relationships with business customers and communities; he proceeded to be selected to lead Ameren's Corporate Contributions and Community Initiative Department in 2009, focusing on customer satisfaction, nonprofit partnerships, and municipal engagement; and

WHEREAS, Brian Leonard was promoted to senior director of Government and Community Relations for Ameren Illinois in 2018, where he was responsible for managing relations with the Illinois General Assembly, constitutional officers, executive branch agencies, and staff, overseeing government relations, community relations, and philanthropic initiatives statewide, and directing efforts to translate company positions into supportive government policies, regulations, and statutes; and

WHEREAS, Brian Leonard currently serves on the board of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, and he has served on the boards of Quincy College and Heat Up St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Brian Leonard is the husband of Monique Leonard and the father of Brian Jr., Natasha, and Jimmie "Jay" III; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Brian Keith Leonard Sr. on his retirement from Ameren Illinois, and we wish him continued success in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Brian Leonard as a symbol of our esteem and respect.