Illinois Tollway names Cassaundra Rouse as Executive Director
The Illinois Tollway today announced the promotion of Cassaundra Rouse to Executive Director. Rouse is a longtime veteran of the agency, most recently serving as the agency’s Chief Operating Officer.
“I’m pleased to announce that Cassaundra Rouse will be serving as the Tollway’s Executive Director,” said Illinois Tollway Board Chair Dorothy Abreu.
“Cassaundra’s prior experience in audit and compliance, as well as her longstanding experience in other leadership roles at the Illinois Tollway, will allow her to hit the ground running as Executive Director. “I also want to thank Lanyea Griffin for her long-standing Tollway service, especially during this time of transition.”
Rouse has over a decade of experience at the Illinois Tollway, focusing on the execution and monitoring of agency objectives, policies, guidelines and programs while ensuring that the goals and objectives of the agency are addressed.
She previously served as the Illinois Tollway’s Chief Strategy and Implementation Officer, where she led efforts to develop new ways to drive innovation to successfully prepare the agency for the future.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to help drive the continued success of the agency as Executive Director and continuing to work with the dedicated and professional team of transportation personnel who everyday push the agency to excel,” said Rouse.
“The Tollway is in a unique position, delivering some of the largest infrastructure investments in our region, and I’m committed to continuing to help the agency achieve its goals.”
Rouse has also served as the Tollway’s Chief of Administration, responsible for the development and implementation of administrative policies and procedures and employee compliance, and as Chief of Internal Audit, overseeing the design and execution of organizational audit strategies, engaging in direct communications with senior management on risk mitigation activities and internal controls.
Prior to joining the Illinois Tollway, Rouse was a Senior Auditor for Ernst & Young, as well as an Audit and Compliance Manager for Arthur Andersen.
In 2017, Cassaundra was named one of the Chicago Defender’s “Women of Excellence” for her demonstrated excellence on the job and in her community. She also served as a Board Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), serving as the Treasurer and Vice President of education.
Rouse was one of the co-founding members of the Government Advisory Committee to the IIA Board and in 2016 was the recipient of the IIA’s William C. Anderson Award recognizing an individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the chapter that year.
She is a member of the South Suburban Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., a national organization of mothers dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the oldest Greek-letter organization established in American by African American college women.
Rouse attended Howard University in Washington D.C. and holds a Bachelor of Science in management with a concentration in accounting.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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