Zurich executive in it for the long haul
Zurich North America marked its 100th anniversary this month, hosting an event on its Schaumburg campus for its employees. And CEO Mike Foley led the event, unveiling a 100-year timeline and other exhibits during the ceremony.
That event wasn't the 100th anniversary of the company itself, only its time in Chicago and Schaumburg. The parent company is about 140 years old, he said.
“We think of ourselves as an underwriting company and know the risks we're taking,” he said about the longevity.
Foley, a Northwest suburban resident himself, said he's in it for the long haul as well. He joined Zurich in 2006 as chief operating officer and, about two years later, became the CEO. His background involves finance, including stints at Deerpath Group in Lake Forest, Electrocal Inc. in Connecticut, and McKinsey & Co. in Chicago.
When he joined Zurich, he realized its rich history, especially when the company had insured the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933 and other major events.
While the North American unit of the company started in Chicago, it moved to Schaumburg in 1980. Now, Foley oversees about 2,600 workers here, including 350 in Chicago.
While other insurance companies have had troubles over the years, especially during the recession, Foley said Zurich had diversified its risk to help protect its assets, keeping it going to reach this milestone.
“We'll be here for the long haul,” he said.
Wheaton partners expand
Wheaton Wealth Partners started in June 2010 in downtown Wheaton. But by August 2011, the firm had moved to a larger site in Wheaton and to an office in Libertyville due to growth. Now, the firm has reached more than $100 million in assets under management. The partners who run the firm are Rob O'Dell of Wheaton, John Dragstrem of Naperville, Kraig Mickelsen of Geneva and Heather Coulter of Sugar Grove.
Miami meeting
George Stenitzer, vice president of corporate and marketing communications for Naperville-based Tellabs Inc., was at Tellabs' partner conference in Miami. In all, 36 partner companies from 24 countries gathered together with Tellabs staffers. They worked on building business together, he said.
Who's retired?
Jim Uszler, who retired last June from the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, is doing membership recruiting and government affairs work for the Greater O'Hare Association. He's now on vacation in Florida until the end of the month.
FastTrack
And speaking of former chamber executives: Tonya Lamia, who left the helm of the Schaumburg Business Association, now is handling business development for CCG, which offers LED lighting solutions in Wood Dale. ... William A. Terlato, CEO of Lake Bluff-based Terlato Wines, signed an agreement with a United Kingdom firm to have the wholesaler represent the family's luxury wines around Britain. They'll focus on those from the California vineyards and wineries. ... Doug McAllister, owner of Douglas Automotive, earned the Pride in Crystal Lake Award from the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. ... Steve Theriault of Glen Ellyn is the new marketing director for B2B Computer Products.
Jayne Holley of St. Charles is the new patient care coordinator for West Physical Therapy PC, which has clinics in both Geneva and Sugar Grove. ... Bob Hiebeler and Philip Davis, co-founders of the St. Charles Consulting Group LLC, will host an open house to mark the firm's 10th anniversary on Jan. 26. ... Kelly Guinaugh of Inverness and owner of Interior Enhancement Group, won the 2011 Best in Design Competition. She received the honor during an event at Emmett's Brewery in Palatine. ... Bob Mariano, chairman of Mariano's Fresh Market, is hosting a grand opening celebration Jan. 30 at his newest store in Palatine. ...
Brian Douglas, CEO of Naperville-based Itzy Ritzy, will be on hand as students from the Entrepreneurship and International Business Organization do a community presentation about how they developed an export strategy with China for his company. The program is Feb. 1 at North Central College. ... Fred Scharm, owner of Des Plaines-based Scharm Floor Covering, was presented the 2011 Chicago Floor Covering Association Retailer of the Year Award. He received the award during a dinner at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village.
Karyn Glogowski, the former vice president of corporate strategic development and innovation, is now the vice president of sales and account management at Naperville-based Delta Dental of Illinois. ... Ken Bishop of Aurora and Scott Termine of Plainfield are now partners at Oakbrook Terrace-based Wolf & Co. LLP, a CPA and consulting firm. ... Special Agent Frank J. Sodetz, of the FBI's Lisle office, was the guest speaker at the Aurora Police Academy Alumni Association's meeting and outlined the FBI Chicago Division's Safe Streets program targeting gang activity in the city, as well as in Aurora, Elgin and other suburbs. ... Scott Schaefers of Glen Ellyn as well as Molly Eastman and Arthur Rooney, each of Chicago, are the newest partners at the law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Chicago.
Ÿ There's more to business than just the bottom line. We want to tell you about the people that make business work. I'm Anna Marie Kukec and I'd like to hear from you. Send news about people in business to akukec@dailyherald.com. Follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter.