People Profiles Multi-Tab

John Edwardson, CDW Corp.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:12:08 -0800

A longtime airline executive, John Edwardson became CEO of computer reseller CDW Corp. in 2001. Since then, the company’s revenue has more than doubled — to $8.1 billion last year.

Arthur Velasquez, Azteca Foods

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:11:59 -0800

Arthur R. Velasquez founded Azteca Foods in 1969. In 1984, he sold it—and in 1989, he bought it back. Along the way, Mr. Velasquez learned a lot about pursuing his dreams, managing growth and giving back to his community.

David Coolidge, William Blair & Co.

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:54:04 -0800

As the titans of Wall Street founder, Chicago’s William Blair & Co. rolls steadily along. Blair’s Vice-chairman E. David Coolidge III knows the firm’s secrets—he’s been working there for 39 years.

Ted Phillips, Chicago Bears

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:07:34 -0800

Ted Phillips is the first Chicago Bears CEO from outside the Halas family. In nine years, he has overseen a host of changes to the storied franchise—and led the team back to the Super Bowl.

Christopher Gardner, Gardner Rich

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:07:43 -0800

Christopher Gardner’s story is known from the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” but the film left off before Mr. Gardner came to Chicago, where he built his own business—and wrote the memoir that would become a Hollywood hit.

Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:07:56 -0800

Since opening R. J. Grunt’s in Lincoln Park 27 years ago, Richard Melman has built Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc. into a 75-restaurant, six-state dining empire.

Ken Williams, Chicago White Sox

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:53:43 -0800

After five years in the big leagues, Ken Williams knew it was time for a change. He went to work in the Chicago Bulls’ front office, learning what he could about managing a sports franchise. In 2000, he got his own team to run: the Chicago White Sox.

Rocky Wirtz, Chicago Blackhawks

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:51:02 -0800

In the eight months since he succeeded his father as chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks and president of Wirtz Corp., Rocky Wirtz has taken giant strides toward reviving the city’s once-proud hockey tradition.

Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Corp.

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:51:56 -0800

Running an insurance company is about more than reading actuarial tables. Thomas J. Wilson knows it’s a people business. As he begins his second year at the helm of Northbrook-based Allstate, he shares his thoughts on leadership.

Gordon Segal, Crate & Barrel

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:12:28 -0800

Gordon Segal and his wife, Carole, opened the first Crate & Barrel store in Old Town in 1962. Since then, Mr. Segal has built the housewares business into one of the world's most prominent retail chains.

Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter's Restaurant

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:12:19 -0800

"The only problem with instant gratification is that it takes too long," is a mantra of Chicago chef Charlie Trotter. Mr. Trotter is CEO and chef of the eponymous Lincoln Park restaurant he founded and which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Renetta McCann, Starcom MediaVest Group

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:12:46 -0800

In nearly 30 years in Chicago advertising, Renetta McCann has risen to the top of the local business scene as CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group. She's also become a major player on the civic scene, leading the city YWCA's $6.5-million "Aspire. Believe.

William Mason, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:49 -0800

When the Lyric Opera opened its doors in 1954, William Mason was there, singing in the children's chorus. As an adult he's spent more than 30 years on the opera house's management team, including a decade as general manager.

Joe Mansueto, Morningstar, Inc.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:12:37 -0800

Joe Mansueto belongs in the elite pantheon of Chicago entrepreneurs. He founded Morningstar Inc. in his Lincoln Park apartment 23 years ago. Today, Mr. Mansueto presides over a publicly traded, global company with $315 million in annual sales.

William J. Brodsky, CBOE

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:51:30 -0800

William Brodsky is chairman and CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the world's largest market for buying and selling options. A veteran of the American Stock Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Mr. Brodsky came to the CBOE in 1997.

Grant DePorter, Harry Caray's Restaurant Group

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:08:27 -0800

Ten years after the death of broadcaster Harry Caray, and 100 years after the Cubs last World Series crown, Grant DePorter's restaurant chain, built around those iconic Chicago names, is growing strong.

Arne Duncan, Chicago Public Schools

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:08:47 -0800

Mayor Richard Daley appointed Mr. Duncan CEO of the nation'sthird-largest school system in 2001. The Hyde Park native and Harvard College graduate oversees 600 schools that serve over 400,000 students, and a budget of more than $5 billion.

Ellen Alberding, Joyce Foundation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:08:56 -0800

Ms. Alberding was name president of the Joyce Foundation in 2002. She oversees a $1 billion portfolio and $50 million in annual grants, focusing on the environment, education and other policy goals mainly in the midwest.

Greg Case, Aon Corp

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:09:08 -0800

Mr. Case was named president and ceo of Aon in 2005, after 17 years as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. He manages 43,000 employees in the insurance brokerage's operations spanning 120 countries.

Dipak Jain, Northwestern's Kellog School

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:12:55 -0800

Mr. Jain was named Dean in 2001 after 15 years at Kellogg. The school has 1,300 MBA candidates, 157 faculty and 50,000 alumni around the world.

Desiree Rogers, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:13:04 -0800

As president of the gas utility serving Chicago and the North Shore suburbs, Ms. Rogers oversees 1,700 employees. She joined the company as a communications executive in 1997 and was named president in 2004.

Edward Snyder, University of Chicago

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:13:13 -0800

Mr. Snyder has been dean of the Gadruate School of Business since 2001. The school has 1,100 full-time MBA candidates and 3,100 total students.

Jason Fried, 37signals

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:13:26 -0800

Jason Fried founded 37signals in 1999. Jeff Bezos of Amazon is its only outside investor. The company designs web-based software for individuals and businesses. 37signals estimates that more than 1 million people use its products.

Jonathan Fanton, MacArthur Foundation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0800

Jonathan Fanton has been President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation since 1999. The foundation, with $6 billion in assets, operates in 65 countries and gave out $250 million in grants this year.

Michael Alter, Alter Group

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:10 -0800

Michael Alter was named President of the Alter Group in 1993. Under his leadership, the firm has grown to manage 17 million square feet of real estate worth $2 billion dollars.

Deborah DeHaas, Deloitte & Touche

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:13:44 -0800

Ms. DeHaas joined Deloitte from Anderson in 2002. She oversaw the integration of Anderson's Chicago office into Deloitte and became regional managing partner in 2004. She also serves as fundraising co-chair of the Chicago 2016 Olympics bid committee.

Ellen Costello, Harris Bank

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:13:52 -0800

Ellen Costello was named CEO of Harris in August of 2006 after more than twenty years with other units of the Chicago bank's parent company, Bank of Montreal.

Christopher B. Begley, Hospira

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:09:49 -0800

Mr. Begley has been CEO of Hospira, a maker of pharmaceuticals and medication-delivery products, since it was spun off from Abbott Labs in 2004. Hear him discuss launching a spinoff, the importance of speed, inspiring excitement and much more.

Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:09:37 -0800

Navistar International's president and CEO Daniel Ustian discusses defining your role, building a management team, working with unions and much more.

Christie Hefner, Playboy

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:09:58 -0800

Ms. Hefner joined Playboy in 1975 and became CEO in 1988. She was named one of Forbes magazine's "100 Most Powerful Women" in 2005 and 2006.

John W. McCarter Jr., Field Museum

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:08 -0800

Mr. McCarter has been president of Chicago's Field Museum since 1996. Hear him talk about defining your mission, making timely decisions and working with a board.

William Osborn, Northern Trust

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:53:17 -0800

After 25 years with the company, Bill Osborn was named CEO of Northern Trust in 1995. Hear him discuss leading versus managing, the importance of serving on corporate boards and balancing work and family.

David W. Zucker, Midway Games

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:16 -0800

Mr. Zucker was named president and CEO of the video game publisher Midway in 2003. Prior to that, he was president of Playboy Enterprises Inc. and an executive at ESPN.

Howard Tullman, Entrepreneur

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:44 -0800

In three decades as an entrepreneur, Howard Tullman, Chairman, Experiencia Inc., has owned 11 businesses. He currently runs five, with a total of over 6,000 employees. Hear his advice on keeping your perspective, rules for startups and much more.

John Rogers Jr., Ariel Capital Management

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:18 -0800

John Rogers Jr. founded Ariel Capital Management LLC in 1983 at the age of 24. As chairman and CEO, his firm now has $16 billion in assets under management and 105 employees.

Michael Mulqueen, Greater Chicago Food Despository

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:27 -0800

Named one of America's "Best Bossess" in 2005, retired Brig. Gen. Mulqueen spent 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Greater Chicago Food Despository in 1991 as executive director. He retired from the food bank in 2006.

Craig Donohue, CME Group

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:50 -0800

Hear and see an online interview with Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings' CEO Craig Donohue.

Sheli Z. Rosenberg, Equity Group Investments

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:13:33 -0800

Ms. Rosenberg, former president and CEO of Sam Zell's real estate investment firm, is considered one of the nation's most accomplished women executives.

Jim Tyree, Mesirow Financial

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:37 -0800

Mr. Tyree joined Mesirow Financial as a research associate in 1980 and was named chairman and CEO in 1994 -- at the tender age of 32.

Larry Levy, Levy Restaurants

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:32 -0800

Mr. Levy, chairman of Levy Restaurants, founded his restaurant company with his brothers in 1978, creating one of Chicago's most successful business startups.

Dealing with the downturn: Part 1

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:17:52 -0800

This year's Women to Watch talk about managing the economic downturn in their work and private lives. Hear their thoughts on facing the challenges, getting back to basics and seizing opportunities for personal as well as professional growth.

Dealing with the downturn: Part 2

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:17:40 -0800

A conversation with Desiree Rogers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:17:29 -0800

Former Lottery chief and Allstate executive Desiree Rogers has left Chicago behind for a new role in Washington, D.C. Hear her describe her new role at the White House – serving as social secretary for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:17:14 -0800

Valerie Jarrett has accompanied her longtime friends Barack and Michelle Obama to the White House, where she is now a senior adviser to the president. Here, in her own words, she describes her new role and the challenges ahead.

Enterprising Women: Judge Ilana Rovner

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:30:00 -0700

Judge Ilana Rovner, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, survived the Holocaust and cancer.

Enterprising Women: Nicole Loftus

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:00:00 -0700

Nicole Loftus took her one-woman startup and turned it into the city’s fastest-growing company in just six years.

Enterprising Women: Valarie King-Bailey

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:15:00 -0700

Valarie King-Bailey went where few women wanted to go: engineering school. She was the first black woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin’s program.

Women to Watch '08: The Collider Queen

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:10:05 -0700

Young-Kee Kim is deputy director of Fermilab, the No. 1 particle physics lab in the world, where scientists are chasing the origins of the universe.

Women to Watch '08: Botanic Garden

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:06:23 -0700

Sophia Siskel, CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden, is overseeing a $100-million expansion to turn the garden into a world center for plant conservation research.

Women to Watch '08: Chicago's best

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This year’s Women to Watch features a cross-section of professionals, from a real estate guru who writes the “bible” on the downtown Chicago condo market and to an accountant who chases fraud in Ecuador to a Middle East policy expert who faced a toug

Women to Watch '07: Biggest Challenge

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:14:58 -0800

What's the biggest challenge of being a woman in business?

Women to Watch '07: Growing Up

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:20:40 -0800

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Women to Watch '07: Guilty Pleasure

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:19:56 -0800

What's your guilty pleasure?

Women to Watch '07: Role Model

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15:47 -0800

Who is your role model?

Women to Watch '07: Favorite TV Show

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:21:05 -0800

What's your favorite TV show?

40Under40: Outtakes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:56:02 -0800

Watch some of the footage that was left on the cutting room floor.

Fernando Beteta

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:58:32 -0800

33 | Sommelier and wine director | NoMI | Chicago

Kristin Bird

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:58:42 -0800

38 | Vice-president of food-service marketing | Sara Lee Corp. | Downers Grove

Traci Buckingham

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:58:52 -0800

37 | First vice-president | CB Richard Ellis Inc. | Oak Brook

Juan Carlos Caicedo

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:02 -0800

38 | Transplant surgeon | Director of Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Hispanic Transplant Program | Chicago

Michael Cole

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:15 -0800

37 | Managing director | Madison Dearborn Partners LLC | Chicago

Christopher Clinton Conway

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:25 -0800

39 | Executive director | Joffrey Ballet | Chicago

Caroline Devlin

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:35 -0800

37 | Senior vice-president, head of corporate strategy | Northern Trust Co. | Chicago

Dan Dufresne

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:46 -0800

35 | Treasurer | Citadel Investment Group | Chicago

Matt Eisler

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:59:56 -0800

34 | President | Empire Holding Co. | Chicago

Jessica Fairchild

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:11 -0800

34 | General counsel | Chicago 2016

Tom Gimbel

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:38 -0800

37 | President, CEO | LaSalle Network | Chicago

Antonio Gracias

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:52 -0800

38 | CEO | Valor Equity Partners L.P. | Chicago

Darrel Hackett

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:53:16 -0800

37 | Senior vice-president, head of small-business banking | Harris N.A. | Chicago

Andrew Huff

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:04 -0800

34 | Editor and publisher | GapersBlock.com

Ahmad Islam

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:52:18 -0800

39 | Co-founders | Commonground | Chicago

Jimmy Jellinek

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:22 -0800

35 | Editorial director | Playboy magazine and Playboy.com | Playboy Enterprises Inc. | Chicago

Gregg Kaplan

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:33 -0800

39 | President, chief operating officer | Coinstar Inc. | Oakbrook Terrace

Jamie King

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:44 -0800

38 | Co-president, Chicago office | Euro RSCG | Chicago

Gregory Kirsch

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:01:55 -0800

39 | Principal | Newmark Knight Frank | Chicago

Steven Kisielica

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:02:06 -0800

39 | Co-founder, principal | Lodging Capital Partners LLC | Chicago

Gabrielle Martinez

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:03:37 -0800

38 | Chief creative officer | Event Architects | Chicago

Andrew Mason

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:03:53 -0800

29 | Founder, CEO | Groupon Inc. | Chicago

Michael Masters

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:04:05 -0800

30 | Chief of staff | Chicago Police Department | Chicago

Chris Merrill

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:04:29 -0800

38 | Co-founder, president and CEO | Harrison Street Real Estate Capital

Brian Newman

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:04:52 -0800

39 | Managing principal | Ceres Real Estate Partners LLC

Eric Olson

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:57:20 -0800

26 | Co-founder and CEO, TransFS LLC | Co-founder and managing director, Tech Cocktail | Chicago

Julie Parsons

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:05:02 -0800

37 | Vice-president, consumer household | Allstate Corp. | Northbrook

Michelle Pearlman

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:05:14 -0800

Senior vice-president and president of jewelry, Sears Holdings Corp.

Amanda Puck

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:57:32 -0800

39 | Executive vice-president, public relations | XA, The Experiential Agency Inc. | Chicago

Geoffrey Richards

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:05:24 -0800

38 | Principal | Head, Special Situations & Restructuring Group | William Blair & Co. | Chicago

Edmund Scanlan

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:05:35 -0800

32 | Founder, CEO | Total Attorneys | Chicago

Jason Schmitt

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:54:40 -0800

33 | Manager, clean-technology venture fund | ArcelorMittal | Chicago

Aaron Schock

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:06:15 -0800

28 | Member of Congress | Peoria

Sam Sebastian

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:06:27 -0800

38 | Director of classifieds, local and business-to-business advertising | Google Inc. | Chicago

Rishi Shah

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:07:02 -0800

23 | CEO | ContextMedia Inc. | Chicago

Caroline “Coco” Soodek

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:07:16 -0800

39 | Partner | Bryan Cave LLP | Chicago

Camilla Taylor

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:07:30 -0800

38 | Senior staff attorney | Lambda Legal | Chicago

Thomas Wiffler

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:07:41 -0800

39 | CEO | UnitedHealthcare of Illinois Inc. | Chicago

Sherman Wright

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:52:32 -0800

39 | Co-founders | Commonground | Chicago

Deanne Benos, Illinois Dept. of Corrections

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:41:29 -0800

She’s helping to reform state prisons—arguing rehabilitation of prisoners “isn’t a democratic or Republican issue anymore. It’s a pragmatic issue.” She’s passionate about the job. But was it the one she always envisioned for herself?

Brooks Boyer, Chicago White Sox

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:41:13 -0800

It’s not surprising that the chief marketing officer for the Chicago White Sox recalls being “the stereotypical jock” in high school. But there’s more to the story.

Christa Davies, Aon Corp.

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:43:06 -0800

She grew up in Australia and attended high school in Japan. How did those experiences shape her view of the world from atop Aon Center?

Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight.com

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:42:02 -0800

40_Nate_2008

Tiffany Winne, Studley

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:41:46 -0800

She’s a point person for Studley, representing clients looking for office space among the towers of downtown Chicago. But the town where she grew up had one stoplight. How did she make the leap to the big city?

2007 The Singing CEO

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:43:22 -0800

The secret life of an entrepreneur.

2007 The Frugal Gourmet

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:44:03 -0800

The art and business of Sebastien Canonne.

2007 The Born Teacher

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:42:50 -0800

Why Leslie Lancry believes learning English is not enough.

Demystifying closed-end funds

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:53:57 -0700

Crain's Lisa Leiter talks with Patrick Galley, chief investment officer at RiverNorth Capital Management, about what type of investor should consider closed-end funds and where the best opportunities can be found.

Long-term Care Insurance

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:48:40 -0800

More than 8 million Americans already have long-term care insurance. But those approaching retirement who have lost money in the stock market may be reluctant to shell out thousands of dollars in annual premiums for insurance they may never need.

Evaluating ETFs for Retirement Plans

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:11:14 -0800

Crain's Lisa Leiter talks with Tim Hannahs, managing director of Fifth Third’s Private Bank here in Chicago, about whether ETFs are an attractive choice for tax-deferred retirement plans.

Considering Commodities

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:11:01 -0800

Considering Commodities: How to enhance your portfolio.Hear insights on:*Whether commodities have bottomed out.*The outlook for inflation.*Which sectors have the most potential.

Portfolio Overhaul

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:10:48 -0800

Lisa Leiter talks about navigating the current market conditions with Dorothy Bossung, managing director of Chicago-based InterOcean Wealth Management.

Who's Who: Civic Leadership

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:41:26 -0700

Crain's Who's Who talks with Mellody Hobson and Marshall Field V about what it means to be a civic leader in Chicago.

Who's Who: Then & Now

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:37:04 -0700

Crain's Chicago Business takes a look at the business leaders who have been on the Who's Who list from it's inception in 1989 to the present.