CISCO Announces New Executive Director to Replace Dan Allen

June 18, 2026

BURR RIDGE – The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) is pleased to announce Stephanie Kifowit as its next executive director. Kifowit takes the lead after the retirement of Dan Allen, who has served as CISCO’s executive director for the past 13 years. CISCO will be hosting a combination retirement for Allen and a meet and greet for Kifowit open house on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 10 at Laborers’ District Council of Chicago & Vicinity Building, Conference Room 1st Floor, 999 McClintock Dr., Burr Ridge.

“As I conclude my career, what I had hoped for has happened: CISCO’s future clearly is in good hands,” according to retiring Executive Director Dan Allen. “With Stephanie at the helm, CISCO has gained a highly capable new advocate. She understands and will nurture the relationship between the job-creating employers and the Union partners who supply the skilled Labor to complete the circle. CISCO’s focus is on what can be accomplished better together. We’ve stood side-by-side and consistently shown that Union construction is second to none, through competent management that relies on a well-trained and safe workforce. It’s been an honor to serve CISCO, and it will be a pleasure to watch it grow, thrive and move forward under Stephanie’s direction and this outstanding Board behind her all the way.”

“I am pleased to continue on the great work that Dan Allen has done for CISCO over his tenure,” stated Kifowit. “CISCO has a long history, and I appreciate the faith and trust the board has placed in me to continue their legacy. Throughout my career I have been able to collaborate with numerous entities and organizations, I am looking forward to bringing this skillset to CISCO to continue the great work of strengthening the collaboration between contractors and Unions to maintain Illinois strong workforce and continue to have projects built to the highest standard, within budget and on time.”

Stephanie Kifowit, a current State Representative who is leaving the Illinois House at the end of her term, has served the residents of Illinois for the past 14 years. She has more than 20 years of experience in government, finance and non-profit management. After her service in the United States Marine Corps, Kifowit completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Northern Illinois University. Prior to being a State Representative, she was an Alderman with the City of Aurora and a Registered Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Over her tenure in the General Assembly, she has been on numerous state budget committees and budget working groups, currently she is the chair of Pensions and Personnel Appropriations Committee.

“Collaboration has made Union construction work at its very best in Northern Illinois, and CISCO remains ready, able and re-invigorated with our new staff leader in place to fulfill our key role in preserving, protecting and growing our market share,” current CISCO President (and IBEW Local 461 Business Manager) Joel Pyle II asserts. “Our Board enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed the decision to hire Stephanie based on her track record and abilities in strategic planning; the preparedness she demonstrated at the onset; and the drive she’s already shown for CISCO to meet and surpass the goals and expectations of this extraordinary Labor-Management organization. To our members, board and staff, we confidently say: Let us continue!”

“Due to his amazing energy and dedication, the task of finding a suitable successor to Dan was of course challenging,” remarked CISCO VP Bruce Diederich, signatory contractor and Vice President of Waukegan Roofing. “Yet Stephanie proved to us that her blend of civic and legislative experience, proud military service, earned educational degrees, accomplishments in business and finance, and practical backgrounds in marketing and event planning – and more – exceeded all the criteria we were seeking in our next Executive Director. Dan’s departure to enjoy a well-deserved retirement after his stellar tenure of leadership certainly means he will be missed. But now, CISCO looks excitedly ahead as Stephanie prepares to take us in bold and beneficial new directions.”

CISCO officially started its journey April 18, 1988, emerging as a result of collaborative efforts on local, regional and fronts. Signatory construction contractors and Union leaders recognized the importance and mutual benefit of addressing common issues and challenges together. They founded CISCO as a responsive and action-oriented Labor-Management cooperative to establish and perpetuate the maximum standards in quality and value for the collectively bargained industry in greater Chicagoland. At the same time, upon its arrival on the scene, CISCO immediately began serving as a forum for communication, joint events and the promotion of Union construction Apprenticeship opportunities. Among those at the forefront of CISCO’s launch were Kenny Construction; Professional Plumbing; MARBA (which provided an initial grant); and a variety of local Unions and employer trade associations.

CISCO’s core mission is to fortify the Unionized Construction sector within the expansive Chicago Metropolitan area. As a collaborative Labor-Management entity, CISCO will prioritize cooperative endeavors aimed at mitigating issues and tensions while enhancing the competitive edge of Union construction. Through its initiatives, CISCO aims to cultivate trust between stakeholders and nurture a unified commitment from local Contractors and Union Labor to deliver projects of exceptional quality, on schedule, and within budget constraints.