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 State Universities Civil Service System 

Merit Board
Member Profile


Robert Navarro



Illinois State University
Appointed: 8/13/2025

Navarro is currently the President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this role since 2006, Navarro administers a viable destination marketing program for the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor region that is designed to achieve economic development through tourism, marketing, promotion and development. He previously served as Director of Housing Services as U.S Equities Reality, where he worked to open the 18-story University Center in the Chicago loop that houses students from Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University, and Roosevelt University.

Navarro also served as a facility manager for the DuPage Children's Museum and began his career at Illinois State University as an assistant director. He is a founding member of Illinois State University's Latino Alumni Network and a former chairman of the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Navarro earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Illinois State University.