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Mayor looks to appoint George Lofton to vacant trustee seat, pending Monday board approval

George Lofton could soon fill the recently vacated seat of former Flossmoor Trustee Gyata Kimmons, pending affirmation Monday by the Flossmoor Village Board.

Mayor Paul Braun announced via press release Thursday, Oct. 29, his intention to appoint Lofton to the seat vacated the week before by Kimmons. A Chicago ethics committee forced Kimmons, a registered lobbyist, to choose between his business and serving as an elected official because the ordinance restricted elected officials from lobbying the city of Chicago. Kimmons’ clients include Walmart and McDonald’s.

If affirmed, Lofton would serve as trustee at least until April when the municipal election will be held. In May, new board members, including one filling Kimmons’ spot, will be seated following the April election. There is two years remaining on Kimmons’ term. The former trustee served two years of a four-year term.

In the press release, Braun noted Lofton, a 15-year Flossmoor resident, would bring “a wealth of skills, education and experience” to the board, including a background in corporate administrative and organizational leadership, government and public relations and economic development. He worked for 37 years for Commonwealth Edison, retiring as the vice president of economic development. He also managed marketing and sales for the company for more than a decade.
 

In the press release, Lofton noted he would like to use his background to help further the business community in Flossmoor. He noted he is especially interested in growing the small business community.

Following Lofton’s retirement, he started Lofton & Associates, a business development consulting firm. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering from Chicago Technical College. He and his wife have three daughters.

While Lofton has served on Roosevelt University’s Board of Trustees for a decade, in addition to five years on the board for First National Bank in Chicago Heights, this would mark his first time holding public office for a municipality, according to the press release.

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