Terry Peterson

Terry Peterson, vice president of Corporate and External Affairs at Rush University Medical Center, leads, develops and implements federal, state and local government relations initiatives. As the liaison with elected officials, government agencies and advocacy organizations, Mr. Peterson advises Rush leadership on policy issues affecting the Medical Center, and is the primary contact for hospital and university staff regarding governmental issues affecting healthcare. Mr. Peterson champions the issues of health disparities for theMedicalCenter, marshaling the providers, government and community leaders to address inequities in health care delivery throughoutChicagoandCookCounty. Mr. Peterson was appointed Chairman of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) by Mayor Richard M. Daley and retained by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The CTA operates the nation’s second largest public transportation system with average weekday ridership of 1.7 million an annual budget of 1.2 billion dollars. In 2007, he served as campaign manager for Mayor Richard Daley’s successful re-election campaign, during which he planned and implemented campaign activities and built coalitions. As CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority from 2000-2006, Mr. Peterson led the organization’s $1.5 billion program to transform Chicago’s public housing from unsafe, high-density developments to safe, low-rise mixed-income communities. His accomplishments include completing the first public housing bond issuance in the country. During his tenure, Mr. Peterson closed finance deals on 34 mixed income development sites, which leveraged over $1 billion in public and private investment. As Alderman of Chicago’s 17th ward from 1996-2000, Mr. Peterson generated more than $200 million in development for the Auburn-Gresham andEnglewoodcommunities. In addition, he served as executive assistant to Mayor Daley and as assistant commissioner of the City’s Department of Planning and Development. Mr. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chicago State University and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. He is also an alumnus of Harvard University Graduate School of Design’s Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate. He currently serves on the board of Chicago Transit Authority, Roosevelt University, Navy Pier, Leadership Greater Chicago, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and is a member of the Executives’ Club and the Economic Club of Chicago.