Press Release

July 19, 2023

SomerCor CEO Manny Flores Becomes Chair of ELPC’s Board of Directors

“Manny brings decades of experience and leadership on clean energy and green economy policies, combined with business acumen and financial knowledge to ELPC"

Manny Flores, the President and CEO of SomerCor, a leading financial services business based in Chicago, is the new Chair of the ELPC’s Board of Directors. Flores served as Vice-Chair for two years before stepping up to the Chair role, succeeding Harry Drucker following his several years of exemplary service as ELPC’s Board Chair. Drucker will continue as a member of the Board and will Chair the Board’s Development Committee.

Manny Flores has long worked at the intersection of small business lending, community development, and public policy. He has leadership experience in the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors. Flores currently leads SomerCor, a Small Business Administration non-profit lender that has made more than $1.7 billion in SBA 504 loans. He previously served as Chief Strategy Officer for Glass Mountain Capital, LLC, and was a partner at the law firm of Arnstein & Lehr, now Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr.

Manny Flores’ governmental work includes: 1) Public service as the Acting Secretary and Director of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2) Acting Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, and 3) 1^st Ward Chicago Alderman where he led on neighborhood redevelopment and green economy development and policy issues.

“I am honored to serve in this new board role. ELPC does critical work to ensure our communities in the Midwest have strong representation in the courtroom and halls of government to advance laws and policies to protect our environment,” said Flores.

“We’re pleased that Manny Flores will be elevating his strategic leadership role as the Chair of ELPC’s Board of Directors,” said Howard Learner, ELPC Executive Director. “Manny brings decades of experience and leadership on clean energy and green economy policies, combined with business acumen and financial knowledge to ELPC. I look forward to working together with Manny to advance environmental progress and sustainable economic growth together as ELPC moves forward from celebrating our 30^th Anniversary as the Midwest’s premier environmental legal advocacy and eco-business organization and among the nation’s leaders.”

“A robust thank you to Harry Drucker for his sound advice, effective leadership, and exuberant energy as ELPC’s Board Chair and greatly respected conservation leader. I’m pleased that Harry will continue to be actively engaged on the ELPC Board with a Committee leadership role,” Learner said.