Champaign, IL. – Gov. Pritzker has appointed John Lyons to chair the SURS Board of Trustees. He replaces John Atkinson who stepped down as chair last month to head Intersect Illinois.
Lyons has served as an appointed SURS trustee since 2019 and was elected board treasurer by his fellow trustees. He chairs the board’s Governance Committee as well as serving on the board’s Executive, Investment, Diversity, and Legal & Legislative Committees.
“John has been an integral and important part of our board over the past four years,” said Executive Director Suzanne Mayer. “He has brought valuable knowledge and experience and has contributed positively to our board’s collaborative nature. He is focused on SURS’ mission and working with trustees and staff for the benefit of our members. I have no doubt he will be an effective chairperson and I look forward to working with him in that capacity.”
Lyons is a partner at the law firm DLA Piper LLP (US). He has practiced law in Illinois for the past 33 years focusing on corporate restructuring and governance.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in international finance and commerce from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University.
The SURS board is comprised of four elected contributing members, two elected annuitants and five trustees appointed by the governor.