Russ Gruber, Owner

The Russ Gruber Insurance Agency

Dave Schlueter, owner

The Law Offices of David R. Schlueter Ltd.

Jeff Bittner, owner

AlphaGraphics

Table of

Contents

08 WELCOME

12  THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS

13 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

16  RUSS GRUBER:
A PASSION TO HELP AND LEAVE OTHERS IN A BETTER PLACE

20 Q&A WITH DAVID SCHLUETER

24 Q&A WITH JEFF BITTNER

In The Know | Winter 2024

GOA Regional Business Association

1200 N. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 240 | Itasca, IL 60143

630-773-2944 | info@theGOA.com

This publication was created and produced by Town Square Publication for the GOA Regional Business Association.

Copyright © 2024 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | tbusby@tspubsdigital.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Town Square is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Director of Operations | Joseph Nugara

Sales | Wayne Metcalf

Editor | Mia Katz

Project Manager | Sandy King

Contributing Writer | Matt Beardmore

Welcome to our winter edition of In the Know, the quarterly magazine that features our members, their businesses, and current topics important to the business community.

As we welcome the new year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on years past and recognize the tenacity and many years of dedication and hard work of our members, each of whom have such diverse and inspiring professional stories to tell. This issue, we feature Russ Gruber, a Vietnam veteran who followed a stint as a U.S. Army battalion resupply sergeant with 30 years at a landscaping company and an additional 20 years in the insurance industry, where he currently has a thriving business.

Today, it isn’t surprising to find Russ on Thursdays at one of GOA’s GONE (Greater O’Hare Networking Executives) IV Business Referrals Group. The association is happy to provide this group as just one of many ways to exchange ideas and find opportunities for professional and personal development.

This publication is another vehicle for doing just that, and we are happy to continue to provide you with this resource for useful and interesting stories for, about and from our members.

As a reminder, if you have a story of particular interest you would like considered for a future issue of In the Know, please send them to me via shirlanne@thegoa.com.

Don’t forget to sign up to one of our many events throughout the year, which include everything from job fairs to networking breakfasts and more. For more information and to register, please visit https://web.thegoa.com/events.

As always, we are happy to hear your feedback on the stories we share and we welcome suggestions for future events or programs. Please contact our office or reach out to a board member with your input.

Sincerely,

Shirlanne Lemm

President & CEO

Get to Know

Happy Anniversary!

Thank you to our renewing members

53 Years

GLADSTONE GROUP INC.

52 Years

DOUMAK INC.

JAROSCH BAKERY

N.W. VILLAGE REALTY, INC.

41 Years

ASCENSION ALEXIAN BROTHERS

49 Years

FOREST AWARDS AND ENGRAVING

45 Years

W.E. CARLSON CORPORATION

NIPPON EXPRESS USA INC.

43 Years

DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING

41 Years

BDG INTERNATIONAL INC.

39 Years

PONTICELLI & VITO

36 Years

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES AMERICAN HERITAGE REAL ESTATE

34 Years

GULLO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORP.

SAFEGUARD

33 Years

CH ROBINSON FREIGHT SERVICES LTD.

31 Years

ITASCA BANK & TRUST CO.

29 Years

ROPPOLO REALTY INC.

28 Years

W. R. MAGNUS INC.

26 Years

CINTAS

25 Years

MITSUBISHI LOGISTICS AMERICA CORPORATION

SOLEX EXPRESS INC.

GENNUSO FINANCIAL GROUP INC.

24 Years

AIT WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS

UPS SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS

WALMART

23 Years

LINCOLN FINANCIAL ADVISORS CORP

21 Years

BELVEDERE BANQUETS

MEDALLION HEALTHY HOMES OF CHICAGO, INC.

STANDRA IMPROVEMENTS

20 Years

R. S. EXPRESS, INC.

MID-WEST MOVING & STORAGE

PROMARK PLANNERS

19 Years

ELK GROVE TOWNSHIP

18 Years

GC REALTY & DEVELOPMENT

APOLLO INTERNATIONAL FORWARDERS INC

SMG SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

SERVICE SHIPPING INC.

TECHNOLOGY MASTERS INC

16 Years

KELLER WILLIAMS SUCCESS REALTY

JONES LANG LASALLE

W. S. DARLEY & CO

15 Years

LAW OFFICE OF DAVID R SCHLUETER

MORETTI’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA

COMCAST BUSINESS

SAUL EWING

14 Years

ACME INDUSTRIES INC.

ITASCA COMMUNITY LIBRARY

MID-AMERICA OVERSEAS, INC.

13 Years

GLOBAL SHIPPING PARTNERS LLC

EDWARD J. ZARACH & ASSOCIATES, INC.

SAVAGE BROS. CO.

PINNACLE SERVICES INC

ITASCA PARK DISTRICT

TOMLINSON & SHAPIRO, P.C.

BETSY’S ONE OF A KIND

12 Years

MAINFREIGHT INC.

GLM, INC.

PERMATRON CORPORATION

MAINFREIGHT INC.

ALLIED DAIRY PRODUCTS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES

AIR POWER

ROTARY CLUB OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE

PARKWAY BANK & TRUST

11 Years

ELK GROVE VILLAGE BANK & TRUST

RADIUS INTERNATIONAL

MCMASTER-CARR SUPPLY COMPANY

FLEXTRON CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY

CHURCH STREET BREWING COMPANY

WM RECYCLE AMERICA, LLC

GARAGE STORE

10 Years

CIRCLE GRAINS INC.

GARDI, HAUGHT, FISCHER & BHOSALE

OKEEFE MANAGEMENT CO.

AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE/ MATTHEW HARROLD AGENCY

KELLSTROM AEROSPACE

TOPGOLF

9 Years

ASHLAND DOOR SOLUTIONS

C & D USA

PERIMETER GLOBAL LOGISTICS

AXON INTERNATIONAL INC

APEX LOGISTICS INTERNATIONAL (ORD) INC.

COMPLETE SCRUB MAINTENANCE INC.

8 Years

MOTEL 6

CLUTCH GLOBAL LOGISTICS INC.

SKYLINE STAFFING, INC.

ROBACK’S TRUCK & AUTO

COMPLETE LANDSCAPING

7 Years

SERVPRO OF ELK GROVE

PANDUIT CORP.

JET SPEED LOGISTICS USA LLC

SCHAUMBURG BOOMERS

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

CRANE WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS

AUDIOMETRIC ASSOCIATES

JAMESON’S CHARHOUSE

INTERFRACHT USA

NNR GLOBAL LOGISTICS USA, INC.

6 Years

NAIGAI NITTO AMERICA, INC.

GREENBEE ENERGY EFFICIENCY

QUALIFIED CARGO SOLUTIONS, INC.

5 Years

AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION

BASIC CRATING & PACKAGING INC.

SONESTA CHICAGO O’HARE AIRPORT

AMERICAN COMMUNITY BANK & TRUST

4 Years

SCHOOLEY MITCHELL

COUNTRY INN & SUITES - ELK GROVE VILLAGE

RIGHTSIZE FACILITY

NEXA Mortgage

XPECT

GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING LLC

BATTAGLIA INDUSTRIES, INC.

3 Years

KOMATSU FORKLIFT OF CHICAGO

RELIANCE ORTHODONTIC PRODUCTS, INC.

2 Years

EDWARD JONES - ERIN WAMBANGCO

NANIA ENERGY ADVISORS

SHARTEGA IT

THE JUNKLUGGERS

IMPACT PRINTERS AND LITHO, INC.

INCLUSION HOMES TEAM BY KELLER WILLIAMS INFINITY

B10 CAPITAL

FARMERS INSURANCE

1st HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOLCIM US

1 Year

CARTAGE XPERTS CO

J. KRUG & ASSOCIATES, INC.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY STARCK REAL ESTATE

IXSOLUTIONS

BURTON MEDICAL LLC

J PRINT CENTER CHICAGO

WELCOME

NEW MEMBERS!

ADVOCATE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

www.advocatehealth.com

ALPHA SHIPPING, INC.

www.alpha-shipping.com

AMERIPRISE / ALLIANT FINANCIAL STRATEGIES GROUP LLC

www.ameripriseadvisors.com/justin.a.parker

BMO

www.bmo.com

BULLDOG CARTAGE

www.bulldogcartage.com

CHICAGO ELITE CLEAN TEAM

www.paylocity.com

COUNTRY FINANCIAL

www.countryfinancial.com

CYBER PRIVACY CONSULTANTS LLC

DRIVEN OPS CONSULTING

www.drivenopsconsulting.com

E.R.C. DELIVERY SERVICE INC.

www.ercdelivery.com

EURO ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS

www.euroarchglass.com

FERRARA CANDY COMPANY

www.ferrara.com

FORESTVIEW REHAB AND NURSING

forestviewrehab.com

FULLA BEANS

www.fullabeanscafe.com

GBS GROUP INC.

www.gbsgroup.com

GRECIAN DELIGHT/KRONOS FOODS

www.greciandelight.com

HAMILTON LAKES ATHLETIC CLUB

www.lifestart.net/hlac

HAMILTON LAKES DENTISTRY

www.hamiltonlakesdentistry.com

JAMESON’S CHARHOUSE

www.jamesons-charhouse.com

JRE BROS.

www.jrebros.com

LPI/PULVER PACKAGING

www.pulverpackaging.com

MADRIGAL TEAM

MINUTEMAN PRESS

il235.minuteman.com

MOA ADVISORY & FINANCIAL SERVICES CO.

www.moaadvisory.com

MR. HANDYMAN

www.mrhandyman.com/wheaton-hinsdale

NORTHWEST LAWN & POWER

www.northwestlawnandpower.net

NRG RESTORE

www.nrgrestore.com

OFFICE FURNITURE RESOURCES

www.ofr-inc.com

PAYLOCITY

www.paylocity.com

PDS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

www.pds-cos.com

REWORK OFFICE FURNITURE

www.rework-furniture.com

ROCO REMODELING

www.remodelingbyroco.com

ROYAL HOLDING USA PLUS INC.

www.royalholdingusa.com

SPECIAL LEISURE SERVICES FOUNDATION, SLSF

www.slsf.me

SPHERION STAFFING & RECRUITING

www.spherion.com/desplaines

SURESTAFF SERVCIES

www.sure-staff.com

TECHNOSOFT CYBER, LLC

www.technosoft.co

THE DELIVERY AUTHORITY

www.thedeliveryauthority.com

VARIETY THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY OF IL

www.varietyofillinois.org

VENSURE HR

www.vensure.com

XL.NET

www.xl.net

RUSS GRUBER

A Passion To Help and Leave Others in a Better Place

By Matt Beardmore

“I always like the feeling of leaving someone in a better place than before. I believe in servicing my clients kindly, efficiently, and getting the work done timely.”

Russ Gruber admits he started selling insurance “on a whim.” Since changing careers and deciding to work in the world of insurance, he has brought with him a real passion for helping others with the products he sells.

Gruber, a Central Illinois native, has been in the insurance industry for more than 20 years, including the last 4-plus as the owner of a Farmers Insurance agency in Rolling Meadows. There he sells auto, life, home, specialty, pet, and umbrella insurance, along with all commercial insurance, worker’s compensation and more. Gruber currently has three part-time employees and is looking to grow.

Joining the GOA Regional Business Association in 2022 has helped Gruber expand his business’ reach and given him opportunities to develop numerous professional relationships. Much of that he credits to his participation in the GOA’s GONE (Greater O’Hare Networking Executives) IV Business Referrals Group, which meets every Thursday “to share ideas and business and exchange referrals and grow.”

“I’m having a fun time and it’s an excellent group,” Gruber said. “There have been a lot of opportunities to grow my business.”

Gruber’s career in insurance started after working for three decades for the Brickman Group landscaping company. His last role with that company was branch manager after working in the field earlier in his career.

Although there was a learning curve as Gruber changed careers, he has been able to leverage the sales skills he developed in his previous occupation. Gruber also enjoys that a primary focus of his role is to assist others.

“I always like the feeling of leaving someone in a better place than before,” Gruber said. “I believe in servicing my clients kindly, efficiently, and getting the work done timely.”

Getting the work done is nothing new for Gruber, who was in Vietnam in 1967/1968 as a U.S. Army battalion resupply sergeant. “Working 12-hour days, 7 days per week definitely helped time go faster,” Gruber said.

With no intention of making the military his career, Gruber leveraged the G.I. Bill after being discharged from the Army and earned his Horticulture degree from Michigan State.

Outside of work, Gruber enjoys spending time with his wife of 32 years, Barbara, and his three sons (the first two are from a previous marriage): Derek, who owns a sports bar and restaurant with his wife in Washington State, Doug, who lives in Round Lake and works for Snap-on, and Adam, a professional organist who has performed from Seattle to Scotland. This past summer, Gruber and his sons, along with his grandson Walter (Derek`s son), all got together for the first time – and what a memorable experience that was as they attended the Indy 500.

“It was fabulous,” said Gruber, who attended his first Indy 500 in 1982 and has now been to 40 of those races. “It’s my passion. I’m proud that I took each of my sons to the Indy 500 when they were 10 years old, and now I was able to take my grandson when he was 10 years old.”

Back in the Chicagoland area, Gruber is a member of three car clubs. He started attending car shows 12 years ago before he purchased his insurance agency. Just last year, Gruber attended 40 shows, serving as a judge for more than half of those.

Gruber is proud that he has been able to link his passion for cars with his passion for his job.

“When I go to the shows, I work with Hagerty Insurance and sell insurance for the old cars,” Gruber said. “It’s something that I really enjoy doing.”

For more information on The Russ Gruber Insurance Agency, please visit https://agents.farmers.com/il/rolling-meadows/russell-gruber.

Q & A with David Schlueter

MEMBER
ITASCA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"What I find most rewarding is longtime friendships with other board members, some already retired, and with the staff."

Itasca Board Director David (Dave) R. Schlueter is an attorney and the owner of the Law Offices of David R. Schlueter Ltd. In Itasca, Illinois. A graduate of Trinity College in Bannockburn, Illinois, Dave earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1983 from the Loyola School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.

David, who was born in Oak Park, Illinois, resides in Itasca with his wife of 35 years, Denise, a special education teaching assistant for the Medinah Intermediate school. They have four children, Matthew, Rachel, Anna and Timothy and three pets. Dave is the co-host of Home Sweet Home Chicago, a live radio show on WGN 720, where he answers questions and frequently discusses real estate and planning issues.

Do you have an interesting quote to share about yourself, or how you would describe yourself?

In my now 38th year of representing individuals and families and businesses, I still find great joy and satisfaction in being a resource person for any legal matters at fair rates with integrity being the point guard in their lives on their legal related matters. This results in many client relationships also being cherished friendships.

What is your Board & committee involvement/length of time on the board?

I served on the GOA chamber for many years in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. I was part of the group of business owners who founded the Itasca Chamber and have enjoyed giving practical input to the board, enjoying events including sponsoring events but mainly valuing my decades long friendships with staff and Itasca Chamber board members.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first job besides random paper routes and lawn mowing was working as a stock clerk and cashier at a family-owned IGA grocery store on the West Side of Chicago. The owner’s grandfather founded the store as the 18th IGA store in the entire country. I learned about multicultural concerns, business ethics and the meaning of dollar and what it meant to sacrifice social life concerns (in order) to earn money, as I was raised in a single parent home where all five us children contributed their earnings to keep the family solvent.

Why did you choose your current field?

I am not a big fan of bureaucracy procedures just because parties holding the cards of authority institute processes that wear people and businesses down. An owner of a River North law firm saw that in me and invested in my legal career and I helped their clients greatly while a law clerk.

What is rewarding about your current position?

What is rewarding is my being able to support four families including my own through my hard work in an ever-changing world. I also provide a great deal of pro bono advice including volunteering monthly at a northwest suburban senior center. I am very accessible to my clients including after hours, which they appreciate and cherish.

Is there anything else you would like to share about other work you enjoy?

I am a longtime educator for bar associations and title companies and serve on the faculty for Illinois Continuing Education. I have been teaching adult Christian Ed classes at my home church in Oak Park for over thirty years and enjoy most sports, technology, history and aviation.

What are your favorite books and why?

My favorite books are The Universe Next Door by Francis Schaefer, Genesis by John Walton, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and the Bible.

What is your favorite travel destination?

I enjoy visiting Lone Mountain, Arizona because it is a close friends’ second residence. I especially enjoy deciding where to eat outside every evening at a Scottsdale Arizona area establishment.

If you weren’t in your current job, what career path would you like to explore?

Commercial aviation consulting has always been a deep interest of mine.

What is the most rewarding part about being involved with the Chamber?

What I find most rewarding is longtime friendships with other board members, some already retired, and with the staff.

Q & A with Jeff Bittner

MEMBER
WOOD DALE
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff Bittner is the owner of AlphaGraphics, a 25-year-old printing and sign company in Wood Dale, Illinois.

A Triton College graduate with an Associate in Arts degree, Bittner is serving his second term on the Wood Dale Chamber board, after being involved with that Chamber for around 4 years in the early 2000’s.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first job was actually ironing shirts at a tuxedo rental business. At 16 years old you learn pretty quickly what you do and don’t want to do in life, that was not my career path for sure. I will say however, when you have a stack of shirts that need to get done and a deadline to finish before the next weekend’s wedding and prom orders, you recognize that you have to work hard or you let a lot of people down.

Why did you choose your current field?

I started taking printing classes in high school and eventually worked in the school district’s production printing program where students in the graphic arts program were invited to a 40 hour per week summer job and weekends during the school year printing all of the district’s needs for three high schools. It was probably the best job I’ve ever had honestly. (I) learned so much and was hands on all the time. That really sold me on where I wanted to go. (I) proceeded to college for a graphic arts degree and (have) been doing this ever since.

What is rewarding about your current position?

What I find rewarding about this business is the ability to help clients figure out how to get what they have in their head into a physical, tangible product. I love the consultation portion of what I do. It’s a bit cliché but the statement of do what you love and you won’t really be working is accurate. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of long days and challenges as a small business owner, but I wouldn’t change it.

Do you have family members/pets?

I married my wife three months before opening this business. Talk about doing everything at once, but it has been great. I have two college aged boys, one in his last year at Aurora University and one in his first year at Marquette University. So while the boys are at school, my wife and I are pseudo-empty nesters, just the two of us and our two rescue pups.

Do you have any hobbies or favorite ways to relax in your free time?

When I do get some free time you will find me working on some type of woodworking project or out taking photos of nature, sports or anything that catches my eye. (I) love to lose myself in a project outside of work for a few hours, my own sort of therapy.

What are your favorite books and why?

The last book I read that I would say was a favorite was a biography of Walt Disney, by Pat Williams. I love what he has built and his passion toward what he believed in. That concept of “plussing” things up is something I try to instill in my business and team. If the customer experience is great, then they will come back.

What is your favorite travel destination?

I like to travel when I can, love the Smoky Mountains or any of the national parks. Anywhere serene and peaceful is great. We are definitely a Mountain over beach family. We’re planning a family trip this summer to England and Ireland, definitely looking forward to that.

If you weren’t in your current job, what career path would you like to explore?

If I wasn’t doing this for a living I would for sure work in some field where I could work with customers and help solve challenges. I really like helping others figure out how to make their ideas be the best they can. I’m not sure about any specific field, but I know it would be something that allows me to work with others.

What is the most rewarding part about being involved with the Chamber?

The most rewarding part of being involved is the opportunity to meet other business people that I can connect with. Typically other chamber members tend to be people that are engaged in their business, those are the best ones to work with.