Intersect Illinois announced that it is adding new team members as it continues to grow as the state’s private economic development partner.
Andria Winters will join Intersect Illinois as president while Jimmy Odom will serve as senior vice president for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the organization. Both will arrive at Intersect with extensive private sector experience as well as time at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which will enable them to effectively navigate the layers of government inherently involved in economic development.
Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Winters as assistant director of the Illinois Department of Commerce in February 2015. She oversaw operations and strategy for the agency and the State Offices of Business Development; Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology; Film; Regional Economic Development; Tourism; and Trade & Investment.
Odom was named senior advisor for Minority Business Development in September 2015. In this role, Jimmy worked with communities across the state to help create, develop, and mature minority-owned businesses in the State of Illinois.
Before joining the Department of Commerce, Jimmy founded WeDeliver, the largest hyper-local logistics service in Chicago. As CEO of WeDeliver, Jimmy was responsible for creating, communicating and implementing the vision, mission, and corporate direction. Jimmy also maintained awareness of both the external and internal competitive landscape, opportunities for expansion, customers, markets, developments, and standards throughout the industry.
