Bio

George has lived in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago since 1976. He served as president of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference (a 501(c)(3) nonproft neighborhood association) from 2001 through 2009; he began another term as HPKCC president in October 2014, and completed his term in October, 2017. In February, 2013, he served as president of the Coalition for Equitable Community Development, an affordable housing advocacy group, and became a member of the 53rd Street SSA Advisory Committee. He has just completed two terms (4 years) as as the chair and continues as a commissioner on SSA #61 "Downtown Hyde Park." He formed and chaired the Hyde Park Disability Task Force, co-chairs the Perennials Department of the Hyde Park Garden Fair, and is the setup coordinator for the annual Hyde Park Used Book Sale.

As president of Computer Resource Center, Inc., George provides computer training and consulting throughout the Chicago area. He brings a background in print communication to the computer field: in past years, he worked as an editor at the University of Chicago, and as a desktop publishing/ communications consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations, International Planned Parenthood, and other NGOs.

Since starting the CRC in 1991, George has provided on-going, short-term classes geared toward making PC users highly proficient as quickly as possible, through hands-on instruction. His long-term clients include Northwestern University School of Law, the University of Chicago Library Systems, the University of Chicago Law School, and Loyola University-Chicago, as well as many local nonprofit groups (see www.computer-resource.com). He is a graduate of Mercer University (Macon, Georgia) and has a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago.

In 2019, George joined the staff of Options for Youth, a 501(c)(3) based in Hyde Park, which works with at-risk youths on the South and West Sides of Chicago. In his part-time capacity as Vice President of Programs, he manages data collection and analysis, helps with social media outreach, and researches and writes grants to the government and to foundations.

Accomplishments

Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference
A long-lasting but moribund neighborhood group found new life with George as president, from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2014-2017. His first act as president was to change the bylaws to eliminate geographical boundaries, so the Conference could focus on wider South Side issues.

Coalition for Equitable Community Development
George was a founding member (and former president) of CECD, a nonprofit created to promote affordable housing in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area and surrounding communities.

Kenwood Park (Farmer's Field) Usage Committee Chair
At the request of Alderman Preckwinkle, George chaired this committee to resolve neighborhood friction among users of the park, including Hyde Park Legends (baseball), Chicago South Side Fire (soccer), Kenwood girls' soccer, and Shoesmith School.

Disabled Adults Residential Enterprise (DARE) Board, (2011-present, Vice President, 2018-present)

Southside Preservation Action Fund Board (2007-2009)

Hyde Park Disabilities Taskforce Chair (2004-2019)

53rd Street TIF Advisory Council committees on
development and 53rd Street streetscaping

53rd Street SSA Advisory Council