Chicago CTB Picks Airline Exec. as CEO

After a four-month search, the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau has hired Christopher Bowers to replace Jim Reilly as its CEO. Bowers, who worked his way up from air freight supervisor to senior vice president of sales and reservations for United Airlines, has been instrumental in building United's Chicago hub as well as expanding the international Star Alliance system. Additionally, Bowers has acted as chairman of the Travel Industry Assn. of America and been a member of the board of directors of the discount online travel site, Orbitz.

Richard A. Simon, CCTB board chairman and president and CEO of United Service Cos., said Bowers was chosen because of his record of developing and achieving sales goals. New goals will be established by the executive sales committee at the CCTB. Board members involved with the selection process said they wanted someone goal-oriented. Whether there is anything new expected of Bowers, Simon said, "We're not launching missiles over here or anything."

Last October, Reilly announced his decision to resign upon the expiration of his contract March 31, so that he could pursue independent consulting. In the future, he will act as a consultant to the bureau.