Editors Note: The following article features Mark Denzler (Beta Rho/Illinois Wesleyan 1993). It was originally published on Illinois Wesleyan News and written by Chris Francis. It was reprinted with permission from Val Hawkins.
Mark Denzler (1993) wanted to get out of Decatur, Illinois, to become a doctor. Now he’s driving the length and breadth of the state representing Illinois’ manufacturing sector.
Mark first came to IWU as a pre-med student studying alongside Tim Pritts ‘91, the student who would go on to save NFL player Damar Hamlin’s life in a Cincinnati surgery ward. In fact, the two graduated from the same high school, and Tim recruited Mark into the Theta Chi fraternity. But Mark soon found that law was calling to him as a profession. He briefly considered becoming a lawyer before deciding he would rather have a part in the creation of policy at its roots.
He was particularly influenced by Assistant Professor George Kieh, who came to IWU in the 90s after a career as a Liberian dissident politician, and during his international peace advocacy with former President Jimmy Carter. After traveling to Nigeria with George, as Mark calls him, and a group of international studies students, Mark became determined to enter the world of politics.
“I just followed my passions and interests,” Mark said, which he had no reservations about pursuing at IWU. “I even took an acting class,” which Mark credits with honing the public speaking skills that would be useful for his career.
His political career began at IWU, where he was senior class president. For his commencement speech, he credited Illinois Wesleyan for allowing him to pursue his passions and for living up to what he was seeking in a small, liberal arts university with a tight-knit community. He recalls using the Cheers theme song to make his point.
After graduation, Mark worked as a staffer for Illinois Republicans, focusing on the behind-the-scenes work of researching and drafting policy. He served as the House Republican liaison to Governor Jim Edgar's Eikenberry Commission on school funding.
Mark has never been far from Springfield. He even played cards with former President Barack Obama while Obama was still a U.S. senator. The Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) hosted a regular Wednesday night poker game with senate Democrats where Mark would place bets with the future president.
His rising prominence as a policy expert brought him to the IMA, the nation’s first state manufacturing association and one of the largest, as its assistant director of government affairs in 1999 before taking on a similar role at State Farm Insurance in 2003. He returned to fill executive roles at the IMA in 2006.
The IMA was named by the American Society of Association Executives as one of “100 Associations Saving the World” and received the inaugural Cosma Leadership Award as Best State Manufacturing Trade Association in the U.S. in 2022.
Since 2018, Mark has led the IMA as its president and CEO. He has received numerous accolades including being named by Crain's Chicago Business as One of the Most Powerful Business Leaders in Chicago in December 2023. He has been appointed by three different Illinois governors to boards that require state senate confirmation, and he was an initial appointee by former Secretary of State Jesse White to his ethics board.
He has also been able to use his IWU degree in international studies as Illinois governors invited him to join overseas trade summits to the UK, Germany, Poland, Japan and Mexico.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark was an integral part of the state's economic planning. Governor J. B. Pritzker selected him to lead the Essential Task Force and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot asked him to lead efforts to rehabilitate manufacturing, utilities and construction in the state.
When considering his career, Mark is certain he has achieved the kinds of things he set out for when he initially wanted to be a doctor or lawyer. “My job changes every day”, Mark said, “and it’s always gratifying because I get to see the fruits of our success as companies and jobs are built in Illinois.”
He credits IWU with giving him at least two lifelong habits that have led to his success: “Lifelong friendships and lifelong learning. Wesleyan taught me how to build unique relationships and how to use strategic thinking,” Mark said, with both skills together forming the backbone of effective governance.
Also essential to good governance, Mark believes, is encouraging dialogue. “I really believe universities need to be champions of free speech and spaces of discussion and thought,” he said.
Mark has given back to IWU enormously. His generosity began with his volunteer work as his class’s agent, organizing class reunions. Since then he endowed a scholarship for girls entering STEM fields and most recently has been named to the IWU Board of Trustees in 2023. He also serves and has served on many boards including as chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, former board member at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and former Springfield Public Library board chair and foundation chair.
Most important for Mark, though, is the relationships he has maintained since college. He remains connected with many classmates, including Scott Bilyeu ‘93, Brian Gegel ‘94, Karin Churchey ‘93, Dean Jukovich ‘93, Chris Bisaillon ‘93, and his Theta Chi brothers.
Read the original article here.