A New Leaf

• Greg Lynch

Phoenix Builders, Ltd. is no stranger to new and challenging projects. For more than three decades, the company has grown and established itself as a reliable full-service construction partner across a variety of industries, including restaurant, retail, industrial and health care. The company got its start in 1983 when brothers Tom and Mike Teschner founded Phoenix Energy Systems, Inc. in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, building and selling renewable energy products and systems out of an 1,800-square-foot office/warehouse space. When the federal tax credit for renewable energy expired and interest in the product began to wane, the brothers knew they needed to change the focus of their new business.   read more...

Longevity Fueled by Family

• Chancellor Page

Family businesses are not all created equal, but they do carry a similar weight of expectation, a genuine regard for tradition, and a focus on treating clients and employees as the lifeblood of their organizations. After five generations in business, an enhanced level of respect and regard for people continues to fuel the culture at Sun Ray Heating, Inc., defining success from the inside out.   read more...

People, Partnerships & Performance

• Heather Beal

According to Daniel Levin, Cain Millwork, Inc.’s CEO, the “10,000-square-foot cabinet shop” that Roger Cain founded in 1978 has steadily grown to become a much larger, diversified company since his family purchased this business in 1996.   read more...

Agents for Opportunity

• Vicki Speed

When it comes to finding the best partners to complete a job, construction professionals have long relied on trusted relationships. But in today’s demanding environment with labor shortages, increasing project complexity, tight budgets and fast-track schedules, the ability to establish and build those relationships can be problematic.   read more...

Building
 With A Passion

• Greg Lynch

Growing up as a first-generation American in Cicero, Illinois, Carmen Gratace knew from an early age he wanted to own his own business. It’s a goal and desire he harnessed and rode to found Global Builders, Inc., becoming one of the leading general contractors in Chicago today.   read more...

A Community Bank at its Roots

• Raja Moussaoui

Win. Trust. What an exceptional name for a bank.   read more...

Imagination for Every Project

• Steve Freeman

The “work hard, play hard” mantra isn’t lost on Synergy General Contractors (Synergy) because fun is part of each day’s schedule.   read more...

Bricks & Beyond

• Vicki Speed

From the iconic Wrigley Field and Chicago’s towering skyscrapers to the classic residential structures in the metro area, the Oremus family has helped define the character of a city, a state and much of the Upper Midwest over the last 60+ years. While the names have varied—from Prairie Material to its parent name, Southfield Corporation, to local brand name Illinois Brick Company—the owners have remained focused on fostering an independently owned and operated company that adapts with the times. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, Southfield Corporation is poised to take another giant leap forward in products, services and regional market presence.   read more...

Barbecue With A Purpose

• Amanda Milford

When Gayla Smith of Frankfort, Illinois, first came across the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Smart Home Program, she knew she had to get involved. The program builds specially adapted smart homes for severely injured veterans to help them live more independent lives.   read more...

Winning the Cash Flow Management Battle

• Meredith Wargo

There’s a popular saying that suggests necessity is the mother of invention. For Alex Tovstanovsky of Working Capital of America, this adage aptly describes his journey as a successful business leader.   read more...