The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased to announce the appointment of Marc Miller as its new Deputy Director. Miller, a former Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) from 2009 - 2015, brings a wealth of public policy experience and leadership to his new role.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Marc's caliber join our leadership team," said Praveen Kumar, PRI Executive Director. "His unique blend of strategic insight and practical experience will be invaluable as we continue to expand our research impact and outreach initiatives."

Miller's recent tenure as the Director of Economic Development at the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce saw him leading a successful county-wide economic development program in northern Michigan. There, he managed development initiatives for downtown revitalization and collaborated with various stakeholders to boost economic growth, job creation, and investment.

"I am honored to join the Prairie Research Institute and look forward to working with this talented team to build on its impressive legacy that advances our understanding of environmental challenges and work towards sustainable solutions for the betterment of Illinois and beyond," said Miller. 

Miller's appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Institute, as it continues to gain strategic momentum in fostering research collaborations and public engagement that drive scientific innovation and societal benefit. Miller succeeds Rick Winkel, who will retire later this year after serving for nearly seven years as Deputy Executive Director at PRI.

Miller, a Mattoon native, graduated from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a master's degree in environmental administration in 1996, and from Eastern Illinois University in 1991. He formerly worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a deputy director from 2015 to 2019. He served as a senior policy advisor to the Office of Lt. Governor from 2004 to 2009. His work at the Lt. Governor's office focused on river conservation, clean water, Great Lakes, natural resources, and environmental policy. He started his career in 1999 working at Prairie Rivers Network, an environmental advocacy group, in Champaign.

#####

Media contact: Tiffany Jolley, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications, tjolley2@illinois.edu