January 27, 2015
Costello, Trover named to Simon Institute board
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Former U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, a Democrat, and Lance Trover, a Republican and director of communications for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, have been appointed to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Board of Counselors at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The principal responsibilities of the Board of Counselors include making recommendations to the president of the university regarding the hiring, and if necessary, the termination of the institute's director. The board meets at least once per year to review the institute's programmatic and fiscal performance and its fidelity to Simon's mandate of a bipartisan approach to the institute’s undertakings.
“On behalf of the board, we are happy to have Jerry and Lance,” Martin Simon, chair of the board, said. “Keeping both sides of the political aisle represented in this group is critical to the Institute and my father’s commitment to finding bipartisan solutions.” Martin Simon is the son of Paul and Jeanne Hurley Simon.
Costello was born in East St. Louis, and worked in law enforcement and judicial administration. He was first elected to Congress in August 1988 in a special election and served 25 years until Jan. 3, 2013. He served on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis and lives with his wife, Georgia, in Belleville.
“I had the privilege of serving with Paul in the U.S. Congress. Paul was a model public servant and a friend,” Costello said. “I consider it an honor to be able to help further Paul's work as a member of the board of the institute.”
Lance Trover is a native of Vienna, Ill. A former communications director for U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Trover recently served as a communications adviser for Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign. In 2012, Trover was the deputy communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He also was director of communications for the Illinois State Republican Party. Trover holds both a bachelor’s degree and law degree from SIU Carbondale. As a student, Trover was involved with the institute and was mentored by Mike Lawrence, the founding associate director and Paul Simon’s successor as director. Trover currently resides in Chicago.
“I am delighted to the join the institute’s board,” said Trover. “As a Saluki who took advantage of the Institute as a student and a longtime follower of its work, I am pleased to support Sen. Simon and Mike Lawrence’s vision in this way.”
He was appointed by Illinois State Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider. Two seats are reserved on the board for appointment by chairs of the major political parties in the state.
“I have no doubt that Lance will serve SIU in this new role just as ably as he served our party over the course of his career,” Schneider wrote in the appointment letter. He continued, “I look forward to Lance’s contribution to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, and to the continued fine work of the Institute itself.”
The board consists of 16 voting members who are unpaid volunteers. Nine at-large members nominated by the board itself, two members of the Simon family chosen by the family, one member appointed by the chair of the Illinois State Republican Party, one member appointed by the Illinois State Democratic Party, and the previous past director. The board also contains two voting ex-officio members: the chancellor of the university and the vice chancellor for development and alumni relations of the university. More information about the board and a list of members can be found at paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu.