Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley has appointed Bruce Rauner chairman of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. Rauner [pictured] had been named in March as a member of the interim board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

Chicago has been going through some dramatic changes, brought on by state legislation, that are overhauling the management structure and services of the region's convention facilities.

"Now that the new board is in place, I want Bruce to continue to play a major role in keeping Chicago at the top of a very competitive business," said Daley in a statement announcing Rauner's appointment. "Together, the McPier Board and the Convention and Tourism Bureau are responsible for keeping our momentum going in the convention and tourism industry."

Rauner is currently principal and chairman of GTCR, a Chicago-based private equity firm that manages more than $8 billion in equity and mezzanine capital.