Former Chicago Board of Education President Accepts Post

Gery J. Chico, a local leader in civic and educational issues, was recently appointed to DePaul University’s Board of Trustees.

Chico served as president for the Chicago Board of Education from 1995 until earlier this year. He currently is chairman of the law firm of Altheimer & Gray. “DePaul is extremely pleased to have Gery Chico aboard as a new trustee,” said the Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M., DePaul president. “His expertise in education and his civic leadership will be valued assets on our board.”

Chico, a practicing attorney, earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago in 1985. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois in 1978. Prior to joining Altheimer & Gray and heading up the Chicago Board of Education, Chico served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s chief of staff from 1992 to 1995. He also worked as an attorney for the firm of Sidney & Austin, and was a senior staff member of the Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee.

Active in numerous professional and civic organizations, Chico served as president of the board of trustees for Chicago Board of Education and has been a director for the Chicago Urban League, the Economic Club of Chicago and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Chico is a trustee for the Field Museum of Natural History, former president of the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce and a former trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art. Chico, his wife, Sunny, and their family reside in Chicago.

DePaul is the largest private university in Chicago and the largest Catholic university in the United States. The university enrolls a richly diverse population of 21,363 students who take classes on two city and six suburban campuses. DePaul was founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian fathers) religious community, which follows the teachings of 17th century French priest, St.Vincent de Paul. The university’s mission emphasizes academic excellence, service to the community, access to education and respect for the individual.