Profiles

Congratulations to Dan Meckes, CEO, CMT on their 75^th anniversary. In 2021, CMT is celebrating a 75-year legacy of delivering value to their clients and opportunities for their people.  As we reflect on what CMT has accomplished and where they are going, we are excited about their future to conquer new frontiers of excellence and secure a greater future. Their commitment to help minority students and minority businesses continue to set new standards for corporate social responsibility.

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In April, 2021, Mr. Shakir Alkhafaji, CEO of the W Investors Group held a grand opening of their FOUR CORNERS FLATS, a mixed use 82 unit complex in White Lake, Michigan. Working with city officials and community residents, W Investors Group has built a restaurant with views of Cooley Lake, 10,000 square foot shopping center anchored by Tim Hortons and Bank of America, as well as a stand-alone Taco Bell. Shakir worked tirelessly and imaginatively to bring major developments to cities and communities in Michigan. Shakir is passionate about minority business development and inclusion. Mayor Jim Ardis and Assistant Senate Majority leader David Koehler presented Shakir and his W Investors Group with proclamations on their impressive new developments and for their devotion to minority businesses.

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Congratulations to Dan Gallagher on his promotion to President of Gallagher Asphalt. Mr. Charlie Gallagher is now the Chairman of the Board of Gallagher Asphalt. Both Dan and Charlie has invested time and treasure at many executive summits where democrat and republication leaders convene with business leaders from the infrastructure industry. The $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital bill is fitting tribute to their effort and the timing of their new leadership role.

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In August 2021, Ms. Leslie Sawyer celebrated her 5^th year as the President, Chairman and CEO of Environmental Design International. Leslie is passionate about minority business development, growth and participation. She has devoted herself to helping minority and needy students through annual grants and scholarships in central Illinois and the Chicago area.

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Congratulations to Santiago Garcia, the owner of GSG Material Testing, on acquiring HOH Group. Santi had started his first business, GSG Material Testing, in 1995 as an environmental sampling company. Later he expanded it to offer other material testing services. But his big move came a few months before the pandemic began when he finalized the purchase of HOH Group, a well-known Chicago architectural and engineering firm. He credits his parents’ advocacy of education as a key to his success. Growing up in Skokie, when it was largely Jewish, taught him how to deal with people of other views. “My parents showed me a lot of times you just have to work hard at it and don’t take everything as personal,” he said. As a disadvantaged business enterprise and minority business enterprise, HOH could bring those qualifications to a partner who needs them for a job and needs the services HOH offers, “Only in Illinois, with a governor like Pritzker and a mayor like Lori Lightfoot, could a minority-owned business acquire a 60-year-old, majority-owned company and think they have a chance of succeeding,” he said. “I think I have a chance.”

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Congratulations to Leanne Skuse on taking the helm as President, ensuring that River City Construction remains true to its VISION and guiding principles: providing quality service, superior craftsmanship, safety excellence, and relationship based business practices. River City Construction is poised to serve its clients well into the future. The company is now made up of over 400 talented and exceptionally skilled people committed to pursue excellence. Since its founding more than 35 years ago, River City Construction has built over $5 billion in projects. The company has formed numerous, lasting relationships with leaders within businesses, hospitals, schools, treatment facilities, civic organizations, and government entities across the USA.

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The COMTO National Board of Directors is responsible for working with industry professionals on a national level to develop and enforce strategic plans for the organization. Adams’ two-year term as board president will run through July 2023. She previously served a 2-year term as vice chair. COMTO’s mission is “to eliminate barriers to maximum participation for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprise through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.

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In a historic ceremony in April 2021, Rita Ali, former at-large councilwoman, officially became the first Black woman sworn in as the city’s mayor. Ali said this day was a long time coming just an hour before taking the oath of office inside of city council chambers and eventually taking over the mayoral seat. “Being sworn in as the first woman, the first African-American person of color,” Ali said. “Raising the status for women and people of color in leadership and I’m going to do my very best to support this great city.” Ali is replacing outgoing mayor Jim Ardis who’s held the seat since 2005. Ardis wished Ali well in his final remarks before passing the gavel along. The city council also welcomed Denise Jackson and Andre Allen representing the city’s First and Fourth Districts respectively following outgoing council members Denise Moore and Jim Montelongo.

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Aaron Ozinga is the new president of Ozinga Ventures. Ozinga Ventures is responsible for overseeing the Ozinga family investments outside of the construction materials business. Aaron is an executive board member of Trinity Christian College, his alma mater. Aaron and his wife Amanda reside in Elmhurst, Illinois and have five children. Aaron professional service includes membership on Illinois Road Builders Association and Chairing the Illinois Aggregate Produces Board. He recently joined the Board of Directors of the Innovation in Transportation, Environment and Construction. He is a member of the Illinois Senate DBE Taskforce.

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Morreale is a leading certified woman-owned business that partners with businesses and organizations during times of change, crisis and opportunities. Driven by the desire to empower our clients by activating their voices, clients seek us out to deliver fully integrated communications solutions that connect, engage and educate audiences to transform outcomes.  Since their founding in 2006 by Kim Morreale, they’ve proudly provided clients with a competitive advantage – by understanding the powerful intersection of business, media, policy and people, and delivering integrated strategies with measurable results. As Morreale proudly celebrates their 15th anniversary, they’re marking the occasion by introducing a new Morreale brand, designed to reflect their resiliency, diverse perspectives and deep insights they provide to clients.

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A High-Speed Passenger Rail Committee was assembled by Mayor Ali in partnership with Ray LaHood, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation for the Obama administration. The purpose of the meeting was to convene key leaders in positioning the City of Peoria for direct high-speed passenger rail service. A pending historic bi-partisan federal infrastructure bill holds great promise in delivering funding in support of rail service throughout the nation. The meeting included local and state elected officials, representatives from the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, and staff from elected U.S. representatives. The group agreed to make high-speed passenger rail a top priority for Peoria and R&R (Rita and Ray = Railroad) meetings will be held the first Friday of each month at Peoria City Hall. Transportation has always been an important component of population growth and passenger rail is one of the best modes. It creates access, boosts the economy, and reduces the number of vehicles on our roads. Council member Sid Ruckriegel serves as the Mayor’s council partner in this initiative.

IIn October, 2011, James Easterly passed away but left a lasting legacy for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) that continues to set the high standards for ethics, integrity and leadership. Jim was a class act, a true professional and a gentleman. He was loyal, genuinely respected and appreciated by all who knew him. He brought great honor to his family, IDOT and to his profession. Under his leadership in several positions, he brought an atmosphere of trust and professionalism to IDOT. His climb to leadership positions at IDOT wasn’t through fear, lobbyist and political operatives but was earned through his exceptional leadership skills, remarkable engineering talent and genuine desire to serve Illinois and its constituents. As the ICI being lunched 10 years after his passing, we remember Jim’s amazing personal and professional qualities and that he is sorely missed.