Ron Hearns is a senior level manager with more than 30 years of business experience. He currently works as a senior project manager for Ernest R. Sawyer Enterprises and is also a consultant for the Connect Chicago Alliance Project Management Office at O'Hare International Airport, where he oversees and directs new program initiatives and outreach efforts as part of their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Over the past 20 years, Ron has been involved with projects that include strategic development for workforce programs and services at multiple American Job Centers and affiliate centers across the north, south, southeast, and west sides of Chicago. During the past two decades, Ron has developed programs that benefit youth, adults, and dislocated workers. He also develops key relationships and collaborates with local politicians, state representatives, senators, clergy, community-based organizations and other workforce center administrators.
Ron has managed a broad array of schools and teams in several industries including technical schools, community colleges, and workforce development. Ron holds an M.S. in Marketing Communications and a B.S. in Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Statement:

"Based on recent studies in the construction industry, we are at a critical point as far as diversity, equity, and inclusion in this country's history goes. The need for representation of minority groups is necessary because in order to recruit and retain professionals from all backgrounds, we need to make sure that this industry is a welcoming place for everyone."