Cheryle Robinson Jackson
Cheryle Robinson Jackson (born Cheryle Robinson; January 26, 1965) is an American who is President, AAR Africa for AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aircraft maintenance and supply chain solutions worldwide, with 4,500 employees in over 20 countries. Ms. Jackson served as AAR's Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development after joining the company in 2010 and more recently added business development to her responsibilities and succeeded in growing AAR's business in Africa. As President, AAR Africa, Jackson conducts in-depth market analysis, identifies new business opportunities and strategic industry and business partners , and cultivates strong relationships to bridge the cultural gap and align industry goals with local economic revitalization objectives. Ms. Jackson serves as director on the boards of Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a national organization dedicated to facilitating person-to-person relationships between business government leaders worldwide. She also serves on the Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industry Association (AIA), the industry's leading advocacy Group. Ms. Jackson also sits on the Board for Chicago Foundation for Women, an organization that focuses on issues that affect women's lives. Before joining AAR, Ms. Jackson was appointed the first  female president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. In that capacity, she led one of the most transformational periods of growth at the venerable civil rights organization, shifting its focus from social services to economic development. Ms. Jackson also served as communications director for the Governor of Illinois and was the first woman and African American in the state's history to hold that position. Before her position as communications director, Jackson spent two years in senior-level government affairs positions with Amtrak as regional vice president for public affairs and as national director for state and local government  affairs. She was responsible for Amtrak's state and local government affairs and served as spokesperson in 41 states, often during times of crises, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition, she served in various capacities at National Public Radio (NPR), including as vice president of communications and brand management, director of corporate communications and director of corporate identity and information. Ms. Jackson was also a 2010 Democratic Primary candidate for President Obama's once-vacant U.S. Senate seat.