CHICAGO, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Executives' Club of Chicago announced today that it has named Melissa L. Bean as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Bean will join the organization effective March 21, 2011.

Bean, 49, represented Illinois' 8th district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 through this year.  In Washington, she served on the House Financial Services and Small Business Committees and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. She regularly facilitated forums with Chicago area business leaders and led the task force that wrote key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act to protect investors without stifling market growth. Bean also wrote the SAFER NET Internet Child Safety Act and co-authored key business tax relief in the GROW Act, both passed by President Bush as well as key amendments in the Recovery Act and Small Business Lending Act signed into law by President Obama.

Prior to serving in Congress, Bean worked for more than 20 years in consulting, sales and management in the high tech industry. Her consulting firm, SRI, developed IP and facilitated training and business development methodology to Fortune 1000 partner clients such as Anixter, Intel, Microsoft and Novell.  She previously held management positions at local technology companies including Arrow Electronics, Motorola, SynOptics (now Nortel) and Dataflex. Bean earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Roosevelt University.

Mary MacLaren, who served as Executive Director and Acting President and Chief Executive Officer during the Club's search for a new CEO will continue to lead the Club's operations as Executive Director.

"As part of our Centennial year, The Executives' Club of Chicago has renewed its commitment to be the premier business executives organization in the world, enjoying the support of over 200 leading Chicago area companies," said Craig S. Donohue, CEO of CME Group and 2010 Chairman of the Board of the Executives' Club.  "We are delighted to have Melissa join us, applying her entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated commitment to Chicago area businesses to continue the success of The Executives' Club going forward."

"Melissa's new role will benefit our valued members and our Chicago area business community," said David W. Nelms, Chairman and CEO of Discover Financial Services and 2010 Vice Chairman of the Executives' Club.  "Melissa's leadership in the global business community, together with Mary MacLaren and the talented team at the Executive's Club, will advance the Club's reputation as the Chicago area's leading civic and business organization." 

"The Chicagoland area has long benefited from the impact of economic growth, influence and leadership of Executives' Club members," said Bean.  "The opportunity to lead this venerable forum forward is a privilege I'm extremely honored to have and enthusiastic to advance with the members of the Executives' Club." 

Russell Reynolds Associates conducted the worldwide search to fill this role for the Executives' Club. 

SOURCE The Executives' Club of Chicago