Table of

Contents

06  WELCOME

08  THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS

09  WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

10  CYBERSECURITY

SAFE AND SECURE

14  HOSPITALITY HUB

 BUSINESS IS BOOMING AT AREA HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

18  RETURN TO OFFICE

 COMPANIES ADAPT TO CHANGING NEEDS FOR FLEXIBLE WORK SPACES

24  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 POST-PANDEMIC, BUSINESSES FLCOK TO THE SUBURBS WEST OF O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

28  Q AND A WITH GARY BECKER

30  Q AND A WITH AMIE GRANGER

35  MEMBER LISTINGS

GOA Regional Business Association

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

630-773-2944 | info@theGOA.com

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publication created and produced for GOA Regional Business Association.

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a company of Town Square Publications, LLC.

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Things have changed. So much so that it is hard to plan for the next few months let alone the next three to five years. Things we took for granted a year or two ago can no longer be counted on. The last couple of years have challenged us all to think differently. It’s an exciting time to try new things and think outside the box. This year we begin our strategic plan for 2023 and beyond. If it’s not broke, we’re breaking it. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions for what you’d like to see in the coming year. Please reach out to our staff or one of the board of directors with your feedback.

I am excited to present this inaugural issue of In the Know, our new quarterly magazine that features our members, their businesses and current topics important to the business community. In this issue we focus on the commercial real estate market, challenges for the hospitality industry and the importance of cyber security, along with economic development updates from Elk Grove Village, Itasca and Wood Dale. In each issue we will welcome our newest members and introduce you to a few of our volunteer board and committee members.

Thank you for your continued support. I hope you enjoy the magazine.

Sincerely,
Shirlanne Lemm
President & CEO

Get to Know

Happy Anniversary!

Thank you to our renewing members

48 Years

ELK GROVE PARK DISTRICT

47 Years

FOREST AWARDS AND ENGRAVING

PORTE BROWN ACCOUNTANTS & ADVISORS

43 Years

NIPPON EXPRESS USA INC.

41 Years

KENNETH YOUNG CENTER

HARPER COLLEGE

38 Years

RESTRICTED ARTICLES SPECIALISTS INC.

BDG INTERNATIONAL INC.

RENT RITE EQUIPMENT COMPANY

ELK GROVE VILLAGE

37 Years

PONTICELLI & VITO

36 Years

ADDISON BUILDING MATERIALS

35 Years

HAMILTON PARTNERS

34 Years

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES AMERICAN HERITAGE REAL ESTATE

31 Years

CH ROBINSON FREIGHT SERVICES LTD.

30 Years

E. H. WACHS

29 Years

BATTERY SERVICE CORPORATION

28 Years

LA-CO INDUSTRIES INC.

SUBURBAN EXPOSITION SERVICES

25 Years

SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT ORD

24 Years

AIR-SEA FORWARDERS

SANDLER TRAINING – BTSI

23 Years

GENNUSO FINANCIAL GROUP INC.

KVF COMPANY INC.

LOU MALNATI'S PIZZERIA

21 Years

WALMART

EDWARD JONES - ROGER SMITH, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

20 Years

TOLL GLOBAL FORWARDING USA INC

ALPHAGRAPHICS - WOOD DALE

CLARKE - MOSQUITO CONTROL

JAMES A. MARINO PC

19 Years

STANDRA IMPROVEMENTS

18 Years

PROMARK PLANNERS

CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE

17 Years

SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS, LLC

ROCCOVINO'S RESTAURANT

COPYSET PRINTING

SIGNODE SYSTEM GMBH

16 Years

QUICK DELIVERY SERVICE INC.

SPIRIT INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT, INC.

15 Years

DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES INC

GEFCO

IMAGE ONE FACILITY SOLUTIONS

SCARBROUGH INTERNATIONAL LTD

WAC SOLUTION PARTNERS - MIDWEST

SANKYU U.S.A. INC.

14 Years

JONES LANG LASALLE

SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.

EMO TRANS INC.

13 Years

EXPEDITORS INTL OF WASHINGTON

UTC OVERSEAS

OFFICE DEPOT

12 Years

COMCAST BUSINESS

11 Years

ITASCA PARK DISTRICT

TOMLINSON & SHAPIRO, P.C.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT - WOOD DALE

HERVAS, CONDON & BERSANI, P.C.

MID-AMERICA OVERSEAS, INC.

MAYOR CRAIG JOHNSON

JOHNSON INSURANCE AGENCY INC.

AMERICOR ELECTRONICS LTD.

10 Years

EMKAY INC.

AIR POWER

BETSY'S ONE OF A KIND

PARKWAY BANK & TRUST

UNIQUE LOGISTICS INT'L

VILLAGE SMILES, LLC

ROTARY CLUB OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE

EDWARD JONES - BRIAN G. HAMM

9 Years

NICOR GAS

CHURCH STREET BREWING COMPANY

THE HBC INSURANCE GROUP

8 Years

TOPGOLF

SANTA'S HELPERS

ELK GROVE VILLAGE SEWER & PLUMBING, INC.

NISSIN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT

FLEXERA SOFTWARE LLC

LAUFER GROUP INTERNATIONAL LTD.

BOC INTERNATIONAL INC.

7 Years

AXON INTERNATIONAL INC

POLARIS WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS

COMPLETE SCRUB MAINTENANCE INC.

KARABINER DESIGN

LEADER MUTUAL FREIGHT SYSTEM CHICAGO INC.

6 Years

PILOT FREIGHT SERVICES

ANDERSON LOCK COMPANY

PARTICLE DYNAMICS

FOX PEST CONTROL

5 Years

NNR GLOBAL LOGISTICS USA, INC.

MOTEL 6

THE RESIDENCES AT HAMILTON LAKES

4 Years

PRECISE FLEET TRACKING SOLUTIONS

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

SCHIELE GROUP

TREE GUYS PIZZA

ARDEN COURTS

3 Years

DATA MANAGERS INC.

ROSENTHAL BROTHERS

TECTA AMERICA ILLINOIS ROOFING

HOLLINGER INSURANCE SERVICES

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

2 Years

SIPI ASSET RECOVERY

GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING, LLC

GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING

BATTAGLIA INDUSTRIES, INC.

PROTECH WATER DAMAGE

VANTEC HITACHI TRANSPORT SYSTEM (USA), INC.

CONCEPT ONE MEDIA

CFC ILLINOIS

GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING LLC

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS

TRADE TECHNOLOGIES INC.

MCGRATH LEXUS OF WESTMONT

DYNASTY USA GROUP

1 Year

WATER MOLD FIRE RESTORATION

JIT USA LOGISTICS CORP.

LANER MUCHIN, LTD.

DRAPER & KRAMER MORTGAGE

LOGSDON OFFICE SUPPLY

KONA-ICE OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

eWORKS ELECTRONIC SERVICES INC.

OLD REPUBLIC TITLE

INSPERITY

TWO ITASCA PLACE

ION EXHIBITS

WELCOME

NEW MEMBERS!

ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY

https://agents.allstate.com/tom-geiger-franklin-park-il.html

ALYCE PARIS

www.alyceparis.com

BBAA BENSENVILLE BOYS & GIRLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

www.bbaasports.org

CARLISLE BANQUETS

www.carlislebanquets.com

DSP INSURANCE SERVICES

https://dspins.com/

ECO CLEAN SERVICES INC.

www.my-eco-clean.com

ENHANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS

www.enhancedenergysolutions.com

FC SAFETY

www.fc-safety.com

FORENSIC ANALYTICAL CONSULTING SERVICES

www.forensicanalytical.com

FOUR STAR
TRANSPORATATION

www.fourstartrans.com

GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES, INC.

www.ajg.com

GEM ENERGY

www.rlgbuilds.com

IBRAND VISUAL/PRYOR SIGNAGE

www.ibrandvisual.com

JACK LEWIN ASSOCIATES, INC.

www.jacklewinassociates.com

JEET INC.

www.jeetinc.com

MAGES & PRICE LLC

www.magesandprice.com

MERIDIAN BANQUETS

www.meridianbanquets.com

MIGHTY MOVING, INC.

www.mightymoving.com

NEW YORK LIFE

www.newyorklife.com

PARLAY BAR INC.

www.parlaybar.com

PAU HANA LOUNGE

www.pauhanaloungeil.com

PINOT’S PALETTE - ELMHURST

www.pinotspalette.com/elmhurst

PROMEDICA SKILLED NURSING & REHAB

www.promedicaskillednursing.org/elkgrove

RESTORATION 1 OF FOX VALLEY

www.restoration1.com/fox-valley

SHERATON SUITES CHICAGO ELK GROVE

www.sheraton.com/suiteselkgrove

TITAN TECHNOLOGY

www.titantechnology.com

TRANSWORLD MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

www.tworld.com/locations/kenosha

Tips for protecting your network from hackers

For hackers and other nefarious types it seems it’s always “phishing” season, with email still the most typical bait used to lure unsuspecting employees into providing crooks a way into their employer’s computer information systems.

So says Vince Mazza, CEO of Wheaton-based Guard Street Cybersecurity.

“Phishing emails still remain the top method used by cybercriminals to lay the foundation to ultimately break into an organization’s network,” he said.

Mazza explained that phishing is when someone receives an email designed to mislead them in order to obtain sensitive information about their workplace or about themselves. Or the email can be designed to trick someone into opening an attachment or clicking on a link that allows the attacker to drop malware into the network.

“Social engineering attacks are rapidly expanding to include texting and phone calls designed to do the same and even impersonate an important individual that an employee knows, like a CEO or a client,” Mazza said.

The ultimate objective of such chicanery is to steal information or money from an organization. As it stands, he said, such cyber-attacks now clock in at a cost of $6 trillion across the globe and are expected to pass $10 trillion in a few years.

“That’s only what has been reported,” Mazza said.

Ransomware attacks, where high-tech criminals lock corporations or individuals out of systems until they are paid money, often in cryptocurrency, are not always reported.  

Mazza said that over the last year alone, ransomware attacks have increased 715%, and an attack happens every 11 seconds. In 2016, there was one ransomware attack every 40 seconds.

“While there still are individuals attacking, the overwhelming trend has moved to sophisticated hacker groups, which include nation states,” he said. 

While things tend to change based on political and economic factors, by far, and consistently, most attacks are coming from China, followed by Russia, Turkey and domestic groups, Mazza said.

This year, most of the attacks emanating from Russia have focused on Ukraine, Mazza said. “Trust me. The Russian groups are still attacking U.S. infrastructure and organizations, but the increase here hasn’t been nearly what Ukraine has been experiencing,” he noted. “In fact, a recent trend has been hacker organizations attacking Russia because of Russia’s war on Ukraine.”

Whatever the approach being used, Mazza said cyber attackers are putting the reconnaissance time into understanding their targets. 

“They build a profile on employees they feel will lead them to the ‘gold’ they are trying to steal, whether it is actual money or information,” Mazza said. “The attackers review a potential victim’s social media accounts, dark web information and basically anything they can get their hands on. They will impersonate people a potential victim knows or reasonably has a connection to, like a coworker, college roommate or client.”

The criminals then attempt to use the obtained information to get to items such as customer lists, security tools used or not used and network infrastructure set so they can plan their attack.

To lessen the likelihood of a successful cyber-attack on a small business, Mazza recommends the following:

•  Hire a cybersecurity specialist to assess risks and vulnerabilities.

•  Have a cybersecurity plan for all devices, including phones. 

•  Educate employees about phishing and have related policies in place.

•  Manage network vulnerabilities with security layers that include a monthly scan and antivirus.

•  Use two-factor authentication to login to apps and systems.

•  Update your software and systems continuously.

•  Backup all your data as protection against ransomware attacks.

For more information, see guardstreetcyberpro.com/small-business-cybersecurity-the-basics.

The five most common scams used by cyber criminals

1. Phishing emails: An employee receives an email designed to mislead them, either to obtain sensitive information about the business and/or their personal information, or to trick them into opening an attachment or clicking on a link that allows the attacker to drop malware into the network. In many cases, these are well-crafted emails designed to impersonate a business leader and use a sense of urgency to encourage an employee to act on something. The ultimate objective is to steal information or money from an organization.

2. Hacking: This is what most people think of when they think of cybercrime. Thieves steal or corrupt data or take down a website. Such criminals typically gain access to your network through a compromised system in your IT infrastructure. This can be a computer that has malware that records user credentials or outdated software that doesn’t include the latest security patches.

3. Ransomware: Attackers gain access to your network through one of the above approaches, then lock your system until payment is made to them.

4. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS): This targets your website or server with an overwhelming amount of requests that it can’t handle. The overwhelming load of requests leads to a crash. Sometimes hackers will demand a ransom to restore services.

5. Payment scandals: These scammers impersonate a senior person in the organization and direct payment to a bank account that will ultimately move the money to the attacker.

List courtesy of Vince Mazza, CEO,
Guard Street Cyber Security

Tourism

Hospitality Hub

Business is booming at area hotels and restaurants

An old song claims love makes the world go ‘round.

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, love certainly has been a boon for hotels, motels and restaurants, including here in the northwest suburbs that make up the GOA Regional Business Association service area.

“Business is exploding on the wedding side,” said Jerry Varghese, owner of the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Elk Grove Village.

Varghese said it’s so busy at the Belvedere Events & Banquets adjacent to his hotel, receptions are being booked Thursdays through Sundays, with two to three scheduled there most Saturdays.

“A good many people have already been married, but waited to hold their parties until pandemic restrictions eased,” Varghese said.

Meet Chicago Northwest President & CEO Heather Larson, said weekends are currently sustaining hotels in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Larson and Varghese said other social events, group tours and the youth amateur sports markets are also helping the local hotel market,

“This is a reversal of how our hotels used to fill up,” Larson said. “Prior to COVID, our hotels were booked Monday through Wednesday with corporate business travel.”

Larson noted that the northwest edge of O’Hare International Airport is home to the largest industrial park in the country.

“Many of these businesses thrived through the pandemic,” Larson said. “Setting supply chain issues aside, many places never lost a step. These are small family-owned companies, to internationally renowned corporations who enjoyed record sales receipts, providing great economic impact for the communities and their residents.”

Even though the industrial park was thriving, the region still saw less travel, Larson said, and certainly a whole lot less international travel, which is a big part of what goes on in the northwest suburbs.

Corporate travel guest stays at local hotels, though, are now starting to make a comeback, but one that is not yet in full swing, Varghese said.

Varghese said, “We’re getting bookings for postponed corporate projects, yes, but not so much for things like certification courses, things companies realized they could continue doing online. Business travel is not what it was in 2018 and 2019, and it’s uncertain if it will return to that level.”

Another challenge the industry faces is that people are looking to book their events within a shorter window, Varghese said, and like a good many types of businesses, hotels and restaurants are dealing with labor shortages and inflation

Still, Varghese and Larson remain optimistic about the future of the region’s places to stay, in large part because of the old real estate adage – location, location, location.

“On the northwest edge of O’Hare International Airport, we are in the middle of the country and in the middle of everything,” Larson said. “Whether you are coming from the East Coast or West Coast, Frankfurt or Tokyo, a business or leisure traveler has thousands of direct flights in and out every day making this a hassle free destination to meet customers and conduct business.”

She also mentioned that the region holds the closest resort to O’Hare, Itasca’s Eaglewood Resort & Spa, which also offers a golf course.

“To say we are a central hub is an understatement,” Varghese said.

To that point, Varghese said other advantages of coming to the GOA Regional Business Association service area include access to transportation, entertainment and shopping as pluses for visiting the region, as well as the wide variety of cuisine to be found.

“You can experience a new culture and its cuisine within a short drive from wherever it is you are staying,” Varghese said.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Return to Office

Companies adapt to changing needs for flexible work spaces

Never before has the world of work been so quickly upended and transformed as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of a few days, the world’s work, social and family lives radically changed as everyone tried to figure out how to keep their businesses going and their customers served without breathing the same air as co-workers and customers.

Now, more than two years after the initial shock and an extended time of working from home, commercial real estate owners/developers like Hamilton Partners of Itasca and workplace planners like Forward Space of Wood Dale are making predictions about what comes next.

“The small companies have had employees back in their offices since the third quarter of 2020 and the mid-size firms have been back since early 2021,” explained Mark Hamilton, a partner with Hamilton Partners. “It was a matter of survival for them.”

“But the large, publicly-traded firms are still struggling with how to return to the office. Many of their employees would prefer to remain remote and with the shortage of workers today, they have a lot of leverage. Then there is a social/political side of the issue. Brand name corporations don’t want to be seen as too demanding. Nevertheless, many managers want face time with their employees, so earlier in the pandemic they tried to lure them back with catered lunches, stipends and hazard pay.”

The situation has forced Hamilton Partners and its competitors to offer things they wouldn’t have considered before the pandemic like shorter-term office leases and fully furnished, ready-to-move-in offices. Some developers are repurposing or tearing down older office buildings, replacing them with warehouses or apartments. This may help shrink the base of available office space, which could decrease the vacancy rate.

But Hamilton is optimistic about the future. He expects some companies with downtown office space to adopt a “hub and spoke” model, reducing their headquarters footprint in favor of adding a network of smaller suburban satellite offices closer to where employees live.

The design and accouterments of those offices of the near future will also have changed, according to Nicole Vensas, Director of Applications and Design for Forward Space.

“We are not necessarily seeing a reduction in most clients’ office footprints, just a reorganization of them,” Vensas said. “There are now more open and multi-modal spaces.”

Workstation settings featuring height-adjustable desks with outlets for laptops and phone chargers are becoming the norm and they are placed in close proximity to collaboration spaces with white boards, monitors and other technology tools as well as communal/learning spaces.

“The days of employees sitting static behind a computer in the office all day and cranking out work are over,” Vensas said. “People want to collaborate with others throughout the day and we anticipate, post-pandemic, that employees will demand a hybrid schedule of a few days a week in office, and that the office space needs to be accommodating for the new ways in which people want to work.

“So, we are moving away from individually-owned spaces. That is why we are suggesting that employers give their employees a locker or a locked and movable drawer where they can keep their things when they are working from home or the coffee shop or wherever they are.”

A great work environment is a huge recruitment tool for businesses at a time when there is a shortage of manpower, she added.

“Furniture in office design is a facilitator for productivity and a driver of behavior, but it’s not the bottom line,” Vensas stated. “When people are reevaluating what the future looks like for their space, they should partner with someone who will walk them through the studies, science, psychology, and insights that provide a more holistic solution.”

Desirable Location

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Post-pandemic, businesses flock to the suburbs west of O’Hare International Airport

Elk Grove Village

Elk Grove Village’s six-square-mile industrial park is achieving historically high occupancy rates. The first quarter of 2022 recorded a vacancy rate of only 1.85%, the lowest in village history, according to Josh Grodzin, Director of Business Development and Marketing for Elk Grove Village.

Long-time industrial residents Steiner Electric, Brett Anthony Foods and Magnetic Inspection Laboratories contributed to this phenomenon by purchasing neighboring facilities, connecting them to their current structures and expanding production accordingly.

The local growth in cloud computing data centers also played a part. Elk Grove now boasts 11 such centers covering 3.5 million square feet, making Elk Grove one of the largest data center hosts in the country.

“Commonwealth Edison’s robust presence in our community and the investment made years ago in installing underground fiber lines throughout the industrial park made this possible,” Grodzin said. “We have now reached the point where companies like Microsoft, T5 and Prime are locating here because they want to feed off of the infrastructure and take advantage of efficiencies through co-location.”

The demand for industrial facilities also led village leaders to allow the construction of corporate offices with adjoining warehouse space for companies like MC Machinery at Northwest Point office center.

Itasca

The Village of Itasca proactively works to promote development of its local economy. In 2021, it welcomed 30 new businesses ranging from marketing professionals to construction material suppliers that combined to lease over 1.3 million square feet of commercial space and generated over 630 jobs, according to Mo Khan, Itasca’s Village Planner.

For instance, Bridge Industrial’s “Bridge Point Itasca” development constructed approximately 740,000 square feet of Class-A industrial buildings near the IL-390 and I-290/355 interchange and in less than 12 months, the entire development was fully leased.

Construction has also begun on LSC Development, LLC’s new three-story climate-controlled storage facility near the Rohlwing Road and IL-390 interchange. It is repurposing a recently vacated warehouse/distribution building and dramatically improving the primary façade by adding vibrant colors and updated finishes

A new Dunkin’ is also under construction
at 351 N. Rohlwing Road. This project is transforming a decade-old building into Dunkin’
s latest brand design. Designers worked with village staff to incorporate Itasca into its signage for a local touch.

Wood Dale

The City of Wood Dale has enjoyed recent wide-ranging growth in all sectors, according to Wilvert Ibares, Wood Dale Management Analyst.

Forward Space, an office furniture firm that employs 70, came to town in late 2020, setting up shop at 650 N. Wood Dale Road. Then Nippon Express USA Inc. moved its headquarters to 800 Illinois Route 83 in early 2021. The logistics/warehousing/freight forwarding firm occupies a 30,084-square-foot facility and employs 165.

Choice Aviation Services, another warehouse and storage operation, found a new home at 850 N. Edgewood Ave. in late 2021. They employ 38 people.

About that same time, Duravant LLC, a firm that manufactures packaging machinery used to wrap, bottle, can and label products, opened in a large facility at 750 N. Wood Dale Road. employing 273 people.

A Hawaiian restaurant/bar called “Pau Hana Lounge” opened in the Georgetown Square Shopping Center in December, 2021, followed by the debut of a women’s clothing boutique called “Sewlovely” in a neighboring storefront this past January.

Finally, the Wood Dale Park District opened its year-round “390 Golf Experience” golf simulator facility at 1051 N. Prospect Ave. in late 2021. It features 76 golf bays with TopTracer Technology that is designed to provide valuable shot insights like distance, speed and location and can be played solo or with friends. The facility also includes the Parlay Golf Sports Bar & Grill.

Q and A with

Gary Becker

Elk Grove Chamber
Board Chair

Gary Becker, president of Chicago Sign Designs, attended Oakland Community College and Wayne State University and holds degrees in Business Administration and Liberal Arts. He is a partner in the business with his brother Eric and has been a member of both the GOA and Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce boards, serving several terms with each. “I’m an old-timer,” he says.

Board position & committee involvement:

I’m currently the chairperson for the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and chair-elect for GOA. I’ve been on the golf committee since 1992; that’s the fun one. Over the years, I’ve been an Ambassador and served on the Government Affairs committee…I probably dipped my toe into most everything.

First job and what you learned from it?

I was a busboy at a Chinese food restaurant. I learned to hustle and always be there on time.

Why did you choose your current field?

I started the business with my brother; we design anything from vehicle graphics to trade show booths and corporate identification, as well as corporate apparel and promotional products. My background was in business and my brother’s is in art. We wanted to do something together after graduating from college that utilizes my business background and my brother’s art background. And we’re still here 31 years later.

What is rewarding about your current position?

I like the ability to interact with people, which is why I love the Chamber; I’m always meeting new people. Also, it’s rewarding to create something from scratch. When it’s done, you have a piece of art you created.

Family members/pets?

My wife, Wendy, and bonus kids Cody and Emily. I’m also a proud new grandpa to Olivia. My cat Roxie keeps me entertained with her antics. Every day she makes me laugh.

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

I love to sit behind the drum kit and I’ve been playing for 50 years. When I was younger, I played a lot of bars in Chicago and the suburbs with multiple bands. And I’m a golfer; I’ve been playing golf all my life. I love the game.

Favorite books and why it stuck with you?

Devil in White City by Erik Larson. H.H. Holmes being considered the country’s first serial killer, and how it tied into the World’s Fair – I’m not originally from Chicago, so the whole thing was fascinating to me. It’s two stories in one, and I highly recommend it.

Favorite travel destination?

The best place I’ve visited for people watching is Venice Beach. I love Venice Beach for the eclectic nature of the people; you see people from every walk of life there.

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

I’d be trying out for the PGA Senior Tour, but I don’t think I’m good enough, or be playing drums for Rolling stones but don’t have the right connections.

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

I love making connections and meeting people. In fact, the best part of membership was that I met my wife at a GOA luncheon. GOA is not just for business.

Q and A with

Amie Granger

GOA Board Chair

Amie Granger, Harper College Community Relations Manager, found her theater degree from Eureka College has come in handy for her current role in community outreach. She educates residents of the college’s district on how they can benefit from Harper’s resources and services that are open to the community such as the dental clinic, cultural arts performances, certificate programs and movie nights. She’s been on the GOA Board for six years and is the current GOA Board Chair.

Board position & committee involvement:

I love volunteering for the Golf Outing and was a previous committee chair for the summer barbecue. GOA has done a lot of unique, fun events. Not many chambers have a lip sync contest or a barbecue. These are not your typical Chamber events, which I love.

First job and what you learned from it:

My first professional job was box office/theater manager for Moraine Valley Community College. The artistic director was an amazing mentor, and we are still close. She taught me to pick my battles. That’s something I use every day: Where am I going to put my energy?

Why did you choose your current field?

Prior to coming to Harper, most of my career was in entertainment and administrative arts. I started my career at the Moraine Valley Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center and loved the experience of working for a college. When the time came for a career change, I knew I wanted to be back in a college environment. I was lucky to find a position that allows me to be creative and use the skills I developed in my previous jobs.

Family members/pets?

I met my husband, Paul Avram, when I cast him in a show more than 20 years ago . This May we will be married 16 years. We’ve always had dogs as our furry family members. Mala is our pandemic puppy; we adopted her in 2020 at 10 weeks old. She’s a terrier mix and a purebred diva.

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

I’m a movie and TV person. I love spending a weekend binging an entire season of a show. Paul and I are both Star Wars and Disney geeks. He has an amazing Star Wars collection and I love collecting Disney figures (especially villains). We also enjoy spending time with friends, bringing Mala to the dog park and spoiling our nieces and nephews.

Favorite movie and why it stuck with you?

The Empire Strikes Back. Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia was beautiful, she was strong, she took charge, she could handle a blaster. I saw the movie at age 6. I didn’t realize it at the time, but she influenced what kind of woman I wanted to be.

Favorite travel destinations?

We’re Disney people and love to visit Disneyland and Disney World. We went to Hawaii in 2019 for the first time and loved it. We will return this year. We went to Italy for our honeymoon and ate and walked our way thorough the country. We will be back!

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

I’d be a film or TV director, if all the connections were there and money not an option. I love directing. I enjoy being the person that steers the creativity of a project by bringing together individuals with different talents and skills.

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

The connections and the people. I enjoy interacting and bonding with people I wouldn’t meet in other settings. It’s such a great feeling to build relationships and connect people.