Naperville trader stitches up a side business using mom's talent

Brian Pawl of Naperville is a trader of municipal bonds, working full-time in the financial world. But on the side, he co-owns and operates a custom quilting company called Quilted Memories.

After all, his partner is his mother, Diane Pawl of Elk Grove Village.

“It's been a good experience,” Brian Pawl said. “My mom has never owned a business before, but we knew this was a good thing because we all saw what she was capable of doing with quilts.”

The young entrepreneur is working on the finances and operations of the online business, while Diane focuses on making custom-designed quilts made from T-shirts or other material that has special meaning to customers. The website launched last August.

Brian recalls a quilt she did for him using his old Elk Grove High School basketball, baseball and football T-shirts. She also made other school-related quilts for other people. Another one is hanging in the lobby of the Susan G. Komen Chicago Center.

It wasn't until Diane did a quilt for Brian's fiance, using the woman's tennis T-shirts from Augustana College, that the future in-laws encouraged the business.

“She's also working on another quilt that includes drawings from a woman's daughter when she was in elementary school,” Brian said.

Quarter century of glamour

Kimberly Cavish and Tabitha Anderson owners of the new Kysse Hair and Face Studio in Geneva have about 25 years of experience in the industry. Over that time, they have worked consistently behind the salon chair but also have been actively involved by working onstage, in competitions, and behind the scenes at major fashion events in the Chicago region.

Milestone at Mortenson

Greg Werner, vice-president and general manager, said Mortenson Construction's office in Elk Grove Village has not had a single job-related illness or injury in more than two years and more than 300,000 worker hours. This injury-free record is six times longer than the industry average, which is one OSHA recordable incident for every 50,000 hours, according to 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Promotions at state chamber

Batavia resident Doug Whitley, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, has promoted Todd Maisch and Candace Gerritsen on his staff. Maisch will be executive vice president, responsible for government affairs and policy councils. He'll also oversee the Business Services Division and the Membership and Marketing Department, along with other roles. Gerritsen will be chief operating officer, responsible for the finance and operations of the chamber along with personnel, facilities, contracts, information technology, financial reporting, legal issues, website management and assistance for the board of directors.

FastTrack

Barrington resident Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd president and CEO, is expected to be on hand Wednesday for the grand opening of the company's new training and education facility in Rockford.

John W. Vires has been named chief investment officer of Trust Company of Illinois in Downers Grove. He's a partner of TCI and the Wheaton city treasurer. He assumed CIO duties from TCI founder and Managing Director Douglas G. Eyles. ... James Richter, a CPA, is the new accounting services manager at Weltman Bernfield LLC in Buffalo Grove. ... Anne Hazen, who most recently worked for Real Living Properties, has joined Centuray 21 Kreuser & Seiler in Libertyville. ... Scott Duenser has been named partner and Shannon Bachara, both CPAs, has been promoted to principal. at Klein Hall & Associates in Aurora.

Jack Siegmeier, a 30-year member of the Antioch-based State Bank of the Lakes board of directors, has retired and was feted at a dinner party at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wis. Siegmeier, known by many in the Antioch area-as the previous owner of Four Squires Clothing store in Antioch, will enjoy his retirement with his wife, Sandi, at their home in Michigan.

Joe Rathman, general manager of Jet's Pizza of Arlington Heights, said that on Jan. 26, the store will give away free slices of its signature deep dish pizza (one per person) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, the first 50 people will receive a free Jet's Pizza T-shirt. ... Ron and Karen Hanik own A + Pet Massage and Swimming in Wood Dale. While Ron does both pet and human massage, his wife Karen is embarking on a new career as a model.

Robert Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Co. will be the keynoter at the Executives' Club's luncheon on April 18 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel in Schaumburg. ... Michael F. Molnar, director of Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, and chief manufacturing officer of the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker on Oct. 30 at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont.

Joan Walker, executive vice president of corporate relations at Northbrook-based Allstate Corp., will retire after seven years. Since joining Allstate in 2005, Walker has been a member of the company's senior leadership team and served as Allstate's chief communication officer and as interim chief marketing officer. ... Curtis L. Stowers is the new planner at Sebold Capital Management, a wealth management firm in Naperville. Stowers responsibilities include fostering client relationships, developing and implementing client plans, and providing support to ensure our clients' success. ... Greg Schlafer will join ConAgra Foods Inc., which has operations in Naperville, on Feb. 25 as president of its Lamb Weston frozen potato business.

Arlington Heights resident Christopher M. Franz, a CPA, became a partner in Legacy Professionals LLP. ... Patrick McGee of Joliet has been named field supervisor/color specialist at Des Plaines Office Equipment and will be operating from the company's Elk Grove Village location.

Anthony “T.J.” Pollack, the director of aquatics at KeyLime Cove in Gurnee, has earned the Department-Division Head Employee of the Year by the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association's state “Stars of the Industry” awards. ... David Weissner was named Midwest Market Business Leader for Mercer's Retirement business. Based in Chicago, Weissner takes over from Louis Gagnon, who had been serving in an interim capacity and will return as global and U.S. head of retirement sales.

ŸT here's more to business than just the bottom line. We want to tell you about the people that make business work. Send news about people in business to akukec@dailyherald.com. Follow Anna Marie Kukec on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter.