ELMHURST CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR FETES PRESIDENT/CEO
ELMHURST, Ill., January 11, 2008 – John R. Quigley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry since 1999, will receive the 2007 Chairman’s Award at the Chamber’s 89th Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon in the Presidential Room at Diplomat West Banquet Halls in Elmhurst on Wednesday, January 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.
“While I feel that there are Directors who are far more deserving than I am,” Quigley said, “It is my honor to be recognized in this fashion by the Board Chair, and it is my privilege to join such a respected list of esteemed recipients.”
Traditionally, the annual award is given to a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors for his/her outstanding service to the Board, Chairman and President/CEO, but can be presented to a non-Director for praiseworthy contributions or performance.
Outgoing Board Chair Dare Messina, who regretfully will be out of town, has asked two-time Past Chair Tom Cathcart to present the award to Quigley on her behalf.
“John was of great benefit to me as Chairman of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry this past year by providing me with his counsel and insights,” said Messina, one of only six female Board Chairs in Chamber history, but the third of four female Chairs since 1999.
As President and CEO, Quigley is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 650-member Chamber, the largest organization representing Elmhurst’s business community, and works in partnership with the Board, Executive Committee and Standing Committees of Governmental Affairs (as Chair), Marketing, Membership, and Ways and Means. He also serves as General Chairperson of the Elmfest Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade Committee.
In addition, Quigley serves on the Elmhurst City Centre’s Board of Director (ex-officio), both the Spring Road and York/Vallette Business Association Boards, Elmhurst Economic Development Commission (ex-officio), Elmhurst Visitor & Tourism Advisory Board and Central Business District (CBD) Retail Development Grant Committee.
His community service has included Executive Committee roles with both the Elmhurst College Bluejay Backers (Secretary from 1991-99 and current President) and Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst (President in 2005-06 and Bulletin Editor from 2000-Present).
Quigley also has volunteered his time to the benefit of the Elmhurst Jaycees, Elmhurst YMCA, Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation (ECAF) and numerous other charitable causes.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Quigley spent nine years at Elmhurst College, his Alma Mater, as Associate Director of Communications. While there, he served on the Chamber Board (1994-97), chaired the green-coated Ambassadors and many of the major special event committees (Annual Meeting, Golf Outing, etc.), and was an eight-year member of the Elmfest Steering Committee (1992-99). In 1997, the Chamber honored Quigley for his service with its prestigious Duke of Elmhurst Award.
A 1977 EC graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree (double majoring in business administration and public speaking), Quigley enjoyed an award-winning, 15-year career in journalism—including a six-year stint as Sports Editor of the Elmhurst Press and sister newspapers—before returning to his Alma Mater. He is a graduate of both Immaculate Conception High School (1973) and IC Grade School (1969).
A member of the American and Illinois Chamber of Commerce Executives, Quigley has contributed at seminars and conferences as a guest speaker and presenter, and assisted with special events as a master of ceremonies, announcer and auctioneer.
Born, raised, educated and having worked in Elmhurst for most of his 52 years, Quigley resides in Villa Park with his fiancй, Anne Lucas, Owner of Pure Harmony Massage.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.