Hall of Fame Welcomes New Members; Present Lifetime Achievement Award

The Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame recently inducted 21 new members and presented a special Lifetime Achievement Award to Leonard Lavin, founder of Alberto-Culver Co., as part of the annual event hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

Click here to listen to a recent WGN Radio interview with Leonard Lavin regarding his professional accomplishments and induction into the Hall. Real Player is required.

The 2008 Hall of Fame Class includes:

 Alsip, IL

• R. Bruce DeMent, President, Kastalon, Inc.

 Aurora, IL

• Glen Mayer, Founder and COO, Control Solutions, Inc
• Mike McKee, CEO, Control Solutions, Inc

 Chicago, IL

• Robert Blackwell Jr., President and CEO, Electronic Knowledge Interchange
• Robert Bowers, CEO, Soliant Consulting, Inc.
• Gian Fulgoni, Chairman and Co-founder, comScore, Inc
• Michael Golden, Co-founder, @properties
• Albert R. Grace Jr., President, Loop Capital Markets, LLC
• Michael Lerner, President, MCZ Development Corporation
• James Reynolds Jr., Chairman and CEO, Loop Capital Markets, LLC
• Christy Webber, President, Christy Webber & Co.
• Christopher G. Williams, Managing Director, Madison Capital Funding LLC
• Karen Darlene Wolters, Founder, Global Contract Manufacturing, Inc.; Founder and Chairman of the Board, IgniteUSA, LLC
• Thaddeus Wong, Co-founder, @properties

 Glenview, IL

• Sandra J. Lerner, President, Comprehensive Therapeutics, Ltd.

 Hinsdale, IL

• Mark Wicks, President and former Chairman, Dependicare Home Health

 Naperville, IL

• Vincent J. Bufalino, President and CEO, Midwest Heart Specialists

 Northbrook, IL

• Al Grossman, President, Con-Tech Lighting
• Ruth Tave, Principal and Founder, Tave Risk Management

 Oakbrook Terrace, IL

• Saif Nazir M.D. FACEP, CEO, MEA Management LLC.
• Daniel J. Sullivan M.D. J.D, Chairman of the Board, MEA Management LLC

Past inductees include: Robert J. Abt of Abt Electronics; John W. Baird of Baird & Warner; Robert W. Galvin of Motorola; Michael P. Krasny of CDW Computer Centers, Inc.; Stuart R. Paddock, Jr. of Paddock Publications (Daily Herald); Gordon Segal of Crate & Barrel; and Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter’s.

Since 1985, the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame has recognized innovative business leaders in Chicago's seven-county area. Each year, the Hall of Fame inducts distinguished entrepreneurs who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and business talent by founding or growing their respective business.

About the UIC Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies

The University of Illinois at Chicago Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is commemorating its 25th anniversary with a year-long celebration. Founded in 1982 by Professor Gerry Hills, Coleman Chairholder in Entrepreneurship, the institute is one of the leading entrepreneurial research and professional organizations in the United States. Today, the institute has expanded its scope and depth with innovative programs serving students, business owners and the international research community.