17 honored as CFO of the Year

Seventeen suburban financial executives were honored Thursday evening for going beyond the ‘bean counter' image and being an integral part of their business' success at the second annual CFO of the Year awards presented by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.

About 200 people attended the ceremony at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. The CFO of the Year Awards celebrate financial executives who contribute to the success of the region's economic growth and stability. Consideration for the award is given to the honoree's contributions to an organization's overall growth, commitment to good ethics, effective reporting and involvement in the community. To be eligible, candidates must be the responsible for the financial management of their companies. They might or might not carry the title of chief financial officer, but they carry the responsibilities of that office.

“It's a pleasure to be a part of recognizing the people who are really critical to the operation of business, services and government,” said keynote speaker Dan Cronin, chairman of the DuPage County Board.

Cronin stressed the important role of financial executives play in a successful business team, as they are often the ones who are able to provide the expertise and insight that may not be the most popular decision, but is best for the business in the long term.

“They are the straight man. They're the guys who make things happen, they're the guys down on the ground, getting their hand dirty, making the tough decisions that make all of us look good,” Cronin said.

The majority of the honorees noted their success was not a one-person work, but through the work of a group of co-workers and executives who work together well.

“None of the honorees who are here tonight would be able to stand here without the support of others,” said Thomas J. Glaser, CFO of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

Len J. Petty of MBX Systems in Libertyville attributed his company's success to having a good team of people around you, who share the company's core values.

“It makes it easy for me working with such tremendous people,” Petty said. “It's really an indication of how values can drive success.”

Carl “CW” Mollenkamp of Lutheran Life Communities in Arlington Heights said he was grateful for the honor being given to people who don't normally get recognition.

“I think all of us hopefully long to continue to help move our companies in great strides forward and it's nice to see something like this for us,” he said.

Presenting sponsors for the event were Associated Bank, B. Gunther & Co. of Lisle and Corbett, Duncan & Hubly PC of Itasca.

CFO of the Year honorees

<b>Small Company</b>

Ÿ Pamela Banbury, Record Information Services, Kaneville

<b>Mid-Size Company</b>

Ÿ Lawrence Casas, LaSalle Network, Chicago

Ÿ Len J. Petty, MBX Systems, Libertyville

<b>Large Company</b>

Ÿ Joseph Freda, Flexera Software, Schaumburg

Ÿ Daniel Hunt, McGrath Auto Group, Westmont

Ÿ Luke Lukens, Sasser Family Holdings, Chicago

Ÿ Gregg Menzies, The RDI Group, Itasca

Ÿ Doug Mueller, NAI Hiffman, Oakbrook Terrace

Ÿ Michael Rubinstein, Corrugated Supplies Co., LLC, Bedford Park

<b>Educational institution</b>

Ÿ Michael G. Davey, Mount Prospect Child Care Center, Inc., Mount Prospect

Ÿ Thomas J. Glaser, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn

Ÿ Sharon Konny, Elgin Community College, Elgin

<b>Government</b>

Ÿ Fred Backfield, DuPage County, Wheaton

Ÿ Kimberly Schiller, village of Lisle, Lisle

<b>Not-for-Profit Organizations</b>

Ÿ Mike Hedderman, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton

Ÿ Lisa J. Hill, VNA Health Care, Aurora

Ÿ Carl William “CW” Moellenkamp. Lutheran Life Communities, Arlington Heights