To help you get to know who’s who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month, we introduce John Maxson, president and CEO of Chicago’s Greater North Michigan Avenue Association.

The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA) is the business development and advocacy organization for Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. John Maxson has served as its president and CEO since January 2005.

When GNMAA was founded more than 90 years ago, Michigan Avenue (then Pine Street) was a typical Chicago thoroughfare. GNMAA’s efforts have nurtured the development of North Michigan Avenue, transforming it into a top leisure, business and tourist destination that today boasts more than 50 hotels, 250 restaurants and 450 retailers. When coupled with nearby attractions such as Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, museums and theaters, the Magnificent Mile competes with venues around the world for the best in fashion, fine dining, entertainment, culture and luxurious relaxation.

GNMAA has three major functions:

• Marketing the Magnificent Mile by creating special attractions and communicating the region’s attributes to travelers. The annual Tulip Days event, Gardens of the Magnificent Mile and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival are only a few of GNMAA’s many marketing programs.

• Providing a network for its more than 600 members to ensure that key business owners and managers stay connected.

• Protecting the North Michigan Avenue streetscape by commenting on all new construction and signage proposed for the region. GNMAA assists architects, designers, contractors and property owners in complying with the region’s rigorous building code, designed to maintain the area’s beauty and historical significance.

GNMAA is a volunteer-driven organization. More than 350 committed professionals contribute their time to serve on 35 committees that administer all of its marketing, membership and urban planning functions.

Prior to his current position with GNMAA, John Maxson served for two years as president of the Illinois Coalition, the public-private partnership that advocates on behalf of the state’s research universities, national labs, technology-driven corporations and small tech entrepreneurships. Before joining the coalition, he served for 32 years in various management positions at Commonwealth Edison.

Maxson’s enthusiasm for Chicago, knowledge of Chicago’s corporate community, interest in politics, experience managing a small not-for-profit organization and strong respect for GNMAA’s reputation as one of Chicago’s premier small business development organizations led him to his present position.

“I view myself and my colleagues at GNMAA as stewards of one of Chicago’s greatest assets. The Magnificent Mile is a treasure, both as a huge economic engine for the city of Chicago and as a resource that adds significantly to the quality of life for those who live and work here.”

After growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Maxson moved to Illinois to attend MacMurray College in Jacksonville. Following his time at MacMurray, he earned an MBA from Northwestern University.

Maxson has a keen interest in Chicago history, as well as strong ties to the city.

“While growing up outside Washington, my parents told me that someday I would visit Chicago, where my great-great grandfather, Alson Sherman, had been the city’s sixth mayor. In fact, I slept in his bed, one of our family heirlooms. One of the first things I did when I arrived in Chicago nearly 40 years ago was to research his life. During his administration in 1844, the City purchased its first piece of firefighting equipment and Mayor Sherman continued as a forceful advocate for strengthening the City’s fire department. Even with that early emphasis, Chicago was ill-prepared when the city caught fire 27 years later.”

Maxson’s interests include a passion for old cars and bluegrass music. He serves on the board of the Packards of Chicagoland car club, and relishes every chance he gets to pilot his 1941 Packard out of the garage. He is also active in the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association and has played guitar in various groups for more than 40 years.

Maxson lives with his wife, Jennifer, in north suburban Riverwoods, and takes a great deal of pride in their two adult children: Pres, a professional musician in Los Angeles; and Liz, who works for an insurance company in Atlanta.

For more information on John Maxson and the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.