FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GMA Construction Group Announces Appointment of John T. Hooker as Board Chairman
November 1, 2019
CHICAGO - GMA Construction Group (GMA) today announced the appointment of John T. Hooker as its Board Chairman.
Mr. Hooker is the former Board Chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), a position he was appointed to by former City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2015. His accomplishments included the delivery of more than 2,000 units of affordable housing across the city, investment in community assets like parks and recreation centers and grocery stores, and the construction of innovative co-located housing and Chicago Public Library, along with an expansion of the workforce and scholarship programs and Section 3 contracting program.
Prior to joining CHA, Hooker served as Executive Vice President of Legislative and External Affairs for ComEd, a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation with approximately $17 billion in annual revenues. Hooker was responsible for developing and maintaining strategic relationships with key state stakeholders and large customers. His 44-year career with ComEd began in 1967, and his experience included key management positions in a number of business units within the company, including industrial relations, marketing, regulatory affairs, and governmental affairs.
“I am pleased that John agreed to serve as GMA’s Board Chairman,” said Cornelius Griggs, President. “This appointment is part of our continuing commitment to strengthen the governance structure of GMA by providing industry expertise to ensure the company continues to flourish. John will be responsible for establishing GMA’s Board of Directors who will continue to implement GMA’s corporate mission of developing people that transform communities.”
Mr. Hooker also served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago State University Foundation, assisting in organizing and implementing the annual fundraiser campaign and providing advice to the university’s leaders where appropriate; Peoples Consumer Cooperative, which provides low-cost housing for the elderly; the Safer Foundation, a non-profit organization helping former offenders build productive lives; Junior Achievement, a non-profit organization whose purpose is “to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business, and economics to improve the quality of their lives;” and The African American Legacy Initiative, a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life of the residents of our communities.
Mr. Hooker received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Chicago State University.
About GMA
Founded in 2009, GMA is licensed, bonded, and insured in the State of Illinois, and is a Minority and Veteran-Owned Small Business. GMA is fully integrated to provide General Contracting, Construction Management, Design-Build and Cost Engineering services. GMA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with an office in Dallas, Texas. GMA is committed to developing people that will transform communities. GMA lives its mission through mentorship of its employees as well as providing job and training opportunities for members of the communities in which the firm works. GMA seeks work that improves quality of life for underserved communities, increases operational efficiency for the federal government, and provides sustainability for future generations.
