Groupon co-founder Brad Keywell says he’s not political, but he’s happy to lead new council, offer input
Melissa Harris
Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn announced that Groupon co-founder Brad Keywell will lead his new Innovation Council.
Coupled with Keywell’s plans to launch the first Chicago Ideas Week in October, the entrepreneur is shaping up to be a key figure in the next generation of business leaders filling important civic roles, possibly succeeding people like Aon Corp. founder Patrick Ryan and former Sara Lee CEO John Bryan.
But Keywell made one thing clear: “I’m not at all political, and I am not interested in being a political person,” he said. (Illinois and federal campaign records show that he has written just one personal check to a politician — $5,000 to Rahm Emanuel in January.)
As for the governor, Keywell said he has met him twice and conversed with him once, at a press conference in which the governor announced tax incentives for Groupon, the fast-growing, deal-of-the-day Internet company.
via Paul Green on Rahm Emanuel and Tuesday’s election – chicagotribune.com.