Chicago mayor appoints Desiree Rogers to tourism post

Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his appointment of Rogers to the Choose Chicago post on Monday.

The mayor described Rogers as “a world-class business executive and a truly proud Chicagoan” in a statement announcing the appointment. She replaces Bruce Rauner, who resigned from the position earlier this month to pursue personal interests.

Rogers is the CEO of Chicago’s Johnson Publishing Company, which publishes Ebony and Jet magazines, and owns Fashion Fair cosmetics company.

She served as President Barack Obama’s first social secretary when Emanuel was White House chief of staff, resigning after an uninvited couple crashed a state dinner for the Indian prime minister.