• Global C-Suite executive. Industry experience with highly regulated, publicly traded aviation and manufacturing companies, distribution and logistics, technology, and global supply chain operations.
• Deep experience with international operations and M&A. Significant international experience at two public companies with an international footprint in over 20 countries. Responsible for over 20 M&A transactions and 10 international joint ventures.
• Recognized expert in corporate governance, executive compensation, SEC/NYSE, capital markets, corporate finance, global trade compliance, sustainability, enterprise risk, compliance, and internal audit.
• Deep compliance and crisis management skills. Led the compliance and whistleblower programs and was the lead crisis management executive at several companies.

Executive Roles

Jessica A. Garascia is Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer at AAR CORP., a highly regulated, publicly traded company with $2.5 billion in sales, which serves the aviation aftermarket.  Ms. Garascia manages over 50 AAR teammates in the legal, compliance, trade compliance and government contracts functions.  Previously, Ms. Garascia was Deputy General Counsel at USG Corporation, a then-publicly traded building manufacturer with $7 billion in sales, and prior thereto, a corporate attorney at Jenner & Block, LLP.

Jessica has risen to the top of every organization that she has joined, quickly becoming a trusted counselor who has been tasked with managing an organization’s most sensitive and complex projects.  At AAR, she was responsible for the successful resolution of a shareholder derivative suit, a False Claims Act whistleblower matter and a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation, as well as the divestiture of two businesses and the acquisition of five companies, including the largest acquisition in AAR’s history.  She was also responsible for overseeing four international joint ventures.

At USG, she was key in guiding the company and Board through the hostile takeover of USG for $7B by the Knauf family, as well as overseeing 10 acquisitions and two divestitures. At both AAR and USG, Ms. Garascia was a close advisor to the board, where she regularly advised on sensitive legal and regulatory matters.

Jessica is seen as a business partner to turn to in times of transition or stress, having been chosen to oversee the AAR human resources team, comprised of 80 teammates, during the six-month period when the organization was undergoing a leadership transition and needed a steady hand.  In addition, Jessica was tasked with starting and overseeing AAR’s ESG program, launching its first Sustainability report in 2021, with the program subsequently receiving numerous awards and accolades.

Jessica is an active member of the Chicago community, serving as a member of the Museum of Science and Industry’s President’s Counsil and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.

Garascia graduated from Oberlin College with a bachelor’s degree in politics and earned a Juris Doctor from Indiana University, Maurer School of Law (magna cum laude, top 5%).