Former Illinois Tollway Authority Executive Director Takes Helm of Nation’s First Public-Private Infrastructure Partnership
(Chicago) January 12, 2021 — Kristi Lafleur has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Skyway Concession Company LLC (SCC), the company that operates and maintains the historic Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge in partnership with the City of Chicago. Ms. Lafleur will also continue serving on the SCC Board of Directors — a role she has held since November 2016. Fernando Redondo, the previous Chief Executive Officer, retired effective January 1, 2021, after sixteen years of leading the Skyway.
Lafleur most recently was a Senior Vice President of HNTB Corporation’s Chicago office. Prior to that, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascend Infrastructure, a Chicago-based transportation consulting firm. Lafleur also served for more than five years as Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway, overseeing the $14 billion “Move Illinois” program, the largest capital program in the agency’s history.
“I am truly honored to lead this extraordinary company,” said Lafleur. “I anticipate working closely with our exceptional senior leadership team, and our entire board of directors. Together, we will continue to innovate and modernize the Skyway, focusing on our mission — providing the safest, fastest and most reliable road for our customers.”
“Kristi Lafleur is the right person to guide the Chicago Skyway into the future, given her strong command of our business and proven ability to drive results within the region,” said Kirk Dillard, Board Chairman. “Speaking on behalf of the Board, I am so pleased and proud that Kristi will lead our company, and excited to work with her and our senior leadership team to ensure a seamless transition. We are fully confident Kristi will continue Skyway’s strong focus on leading with innovation and commitment to our people and core values.”
Lafleur’s experience includes membership on transportation transition teams for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. She also oversaw transportation initiatives as Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development and Recovery.
Additionally, Lafleur is active with local industry and community groups, including the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Kids Above All and Chicago Innovation, and has served on the boards of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Alliance for Toll Interoperability and the E-Z Pass Group.
About the Chicago Skyway: Built by the City of Chicago in 1958, the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge is a 7.8-mile-long toll road that connects the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago’s South Side. The main feature of the Skyway is a half-mile-long steel truss bridge, known as the “High Bridge.” The bridge itself spans the Calumet River and Calumet Harbor, a major harbor for industrial ships — its main span extends 650 feet long and provides for 125 feet of vertical clearance.
The City of Chicago maintained and operated the Chicago Skyway until January 2005 when Skyway Concession Company assumed those responsibilities pursuant to a 99-year lease. The lease agreement between Skyway and the City of Chicago was the first privatization of an existing toll road in the United States. Visit us at www.chicagoskyway.org.
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Media Contact: Avis LaVelle