Italian American Chamber of Commerce
The IACC is proud to announce that Joe Perillo – Perillo Auto Group’s owner – will be honored at this year’s Gala with its “Excellent in Business Award”. After a short stint at the Chicago Board of Trade, Perillo purchased a Pontiac dealership in 1975 in an area on Diversey Avenue, now located in Lincoln Park. He became successful in just a few short years. He then moved his BMW store to the Gold Coast area and has acquired many different luxury lines including Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rolls Royce, and Maserati.
Steve Lombardo, the owner of the Gibson Restaurant Group, will also be honored with the Chamber’s “Excellent in Business Award”. Lombardo and Hugo Ralli established an empire in 1989: Gibsons, in Chicago, Rosemont and Oak Brook; two outposts of Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House; Luxbar; and Quartino Ristorante Pizzeria Wine Bar.Gibsons’ downtown location now stands as the highest-grossing restaurant for its size in the country, raking in $20 million in its 8,400 square feet of space.
Belcore Electric President, Anthony Belcore, will be recognized with the IACC’s “Italian Legacy Award”. Founded in 1948, Belcore Electric has been a family owned and operated company for three generations. Belcore has been a consistent force in the electrical industry for the past 60-plus years and will continue to be here for many more years to come. Some of its recent projects include: Northwestern University Searie Hall, Cicero Youth Center, Holy Innocence School, and numerous Trader Joes Grocery stores.
The Chamber will also honor Jim De Blasio, owner of J.D.Graphic, with its “Italian Legacy Award”. J.D. Graphic is a family owned and operated business founded in 1963 by James A. DeBlasio, Sr. Through his hard work and dedication, J.D. Graphic has grown from a one man printing brokerage firm located in Chicago, to a full service commercial printing company today. In 1976, J.D. Graphic moved to its current location in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
This year the Chamber’s “Italian Legacy Award” goes also to Leopardo Construction Vice President, John P. Leopardo. Founded in 1979 by James A. Leopardo, Leopardo Construction is a recognized leader in construction, design-build and commercial real estate development with the resources to build world-class projects across practically every major sector. It regularly works as general contractor, construction manager, design-builder and development partner, providing a full range of services.
This year’s IACC Award recipients join a distinguished group. Previous honorees have included the late Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine; Terlato Wine Group/Terlato Wines International President and CEO William “Bill” Terlato; Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann; Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne; and PolyBrite International President Carl Scianna.
For the past century, the IACC has recognized and honored the accomplishments of influential business leaders who have contributed greatly to Italian culture and modern history. Each year, this elegant affair hosts more than 400 business professionals, politicians, government officials and VIP guests from the Midwest and Italy.