CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Robert Flider, a former state representative and director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, was selected as the director of community and government relations in the office of Chancellor Robert Jones. The hiring takes effect April 23 and is subject to approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.
In addition to being a senior advisor to Jones and a member of the chancellor’s staff, Flider will work to build relationships with the state of Illinois government and the Champaign-Urbana community, along with other external entities. He also will work closely with and coordinate his efforts with those of the University of Illinois System’s state and federal relations staff.
“Robert brings to the job a proven record of building relationships with leaders from a wide array of perspectives,” Jones said. “In our discussions, he also demonstrated an eagerness to become deeply involved in our extended campus community. As we move forward in our outreach and partnership with people throughout the state and beyond, Robert will be a strong advocate for the campus vision and the mission of our land-grant university.”
A journalism graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Flider served in the state house of representatives from 2003-11. He was appointed by former Gov. Patrick Quinn to agriculture director in 2012, serving in that position until January 2015. He previously worked in the utility industry and also was the mayor of the village of Mount Zion from 1995-2003.