James Leopardo - Board of Advisors

In 1979, James Leopardo opened Leopardo Construction, a two-man construction firm in Chicago. Under Jim's leadership, Leopardo Construction has grown into one of the nation's largest 250 contractors with 500 employees and revenues near $350 million. A pioneer in the construction industry, Jim provides a focused business approach and a deep commitment to quality, innovation and leadership. His drive, pledge to client service, and standards for excellence are the staples the company was founded on more than a quarter-century ago. Throughout its history, Leopardo Construction has been recognized by media, peers and clients for consistently performing at the very top of the construction industry. In 1989, 1990 and 1992, the firm was ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the nation's 500 Fastest Growing Companies. In 2006, Leopardo Construction won Contractor of the Year by the Coalition for United Community Action. Leopardo also won the coveted 2008 Interior Contractor of the Year Award at the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards, the third time in eight years that the firm has won the prestigious honor. Leopardo Construction has worked with numerous Fortune 500 firms, more than 30 hospitals, several international airports, and many of the world's most recognized retail and consumer brands, including Apple, Honda, Sears, Canon, Washington Mutual, Harley-Davidson, Borders and countless others. Jim served on the Board at YMCA - Metropolitan of Chicago and received the Volunteer of the Year and Family of the Year Awards. He also served on the Board at JFK Health World, a non-profit children's health education museum. An alumni member of the Young President's Organization (YPO), he served as the organization's Chicago Chapter Chairman, Chapter Treasurer, Day Chair, Education and Membership Chairman. Since 2004, he has been an active member of the World President's Organization (WPO). Jim received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst and Young in 1990 and has twice been a featured speaker at Harvard Business School's Annual Entrepreneurship Conference. Jim holds a bachelor's degree in construction engineering from Western Illinois University and is a member of the Economics Club of Chicago, the Executives Club of Chicago, Chief Executives Organization, Safari Club International, the Builders Association of Greater Chicago, and the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.