Business Briefs | March 2016

By Naperville Magazine
March 2016 View more Business

Appointments

Ryan Down Photo courtesy Hesed House

The Hesed House Board of Trustees has announced that Ryan Dowd will be returning as its next leader for Illinois’s second largest comprehensive homeless shelter and resource center, replacing Michael Cobb, who recently resigned. Dowd returned to Hesed House as executive director on February 8, 2016. He previously served as Hesed House’s executive director for nine years, first serving as a volunteer at age 13 and continuing in various staff roles throughout college and law school. Dowd left Hesed House in 2013 and founded the Center for Faith and Human Rights based in Washington, D.C. where he focused on assisting human rights activists in repressive countries. Most recently, he served as executive director at Ayuda, serving vulnerable immigrants in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland with legal, social and language services. Dowd received his J.D. and MPA degrees from Northern Illinois University. He earned his undergraduate degree from North Central College.

Dr. Lucio Pavone Photo courtesy Edward-Elmhurst Health

Edward-Elmhurst Health has announced that surgeon Dr. Lucio Pavone has joined Edward Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Pavone received his medical degree from Albany Medical College and completed his General Surgery residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. prior to completing a Plastic Surgery residency at the University of California at Los Angeles. He also completed a fellowship in Reconstructive Microsurgery at the University of Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery as well as the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. His clinical interests include breast reconstruction including advanced microsurgical techniques, skin cancer surgery, general reconstruction as well as cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body.

Dr. Iris Seitz Photo courtesy Edward-Elmhurst Health

Dr. Iris Seitz, board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, has joined Edward Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Seitz received her medical degree from Freie Universitat Berlin in Germany and her PhD in neuroscience at Charite University Medicine Berlin. She completed her residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The University of Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Seitz received additional training in Reconstructive Microsurgery, Super-microsurgery and Craniofacial Surgery, with an emphasis on facial nerve disorders, functional muscle transfers, peripheral nerve surgery and lymphatic reconstruction, at internationally renowned medical centers in Europe, Taiwan, Korea and Israel. Dr. Seitz’s clinical interests include aesthetic facial reconstruction, complex microsurgical reconstruction of the cranium/scalp and face, focusing on facial paralysis and complex facial deformities in both children and adults. Additional areas of expertise include breast reconstruction, melanoma surgery and reconstruction, super microsurgical lymphatic reconstruction/lymph node transfer, peripheral nerve disorders, migraine surgery and cosmetic procedures.

Sue Buchta Photo courtesy Wilton Enterprises

Sue Buchta has been appointed CEO of Woodridge-based Wilton Brands LLC, effective immediately. Buchta, a seasoned executive who is currently serving as Wilton Brands’ executive vice president overseeing sales, marketing, ecommerce and product development, and previously served as president and CEO of Papyrus-Recycled Greetings Inc., will spearhead the company’s evolution and position Wilton Brands for future growth. Buchta has over 20 years of leadership experience in product development, marketing, sales and general management. Prior to Wilton Brands, she spent 15 years with American Greetings Corporation, most recently serving as president and CEO of Papyrus-Recycled Greetings in Chicago, where she demonstrated an ability to lead a complex organization focused on innovation and creativity.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Naperville resident Mike Hoffman as the director of Central Management Services (CMS). Hoffman is an experienced, transformational leader who joined the agency from the Department of Commerce where he was the chief operating officer. At DCEO, Hoffman ran the day-to-day operations of the Agency and led the Department’s strategic planning efforts. These efforts are transforming DCEO to become more innovative to improve Illinois’ economic and business climate. Prior to his work for the State of Illinois, Hoffman worked for RockTenn (now WestRock), which is a Fortune 500 company that manufactures consumer and corrugated packaging. Hoffman is a retired Major in the Marine Corps, where he served the U.S. for 15 years. Prior to his retirement, he served as a management consultant and Program Manager at the U.S. Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group. In this role, he advised foreign military services on how to implement strategic change in their organizations. Hoffman earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and holds a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Elmhurst resident Emily Bastedo has been named the chief of staff to First Lady Diana Rauner. Bastedo brings a unique background to the role with experience as an attorney at the corporate and state level, as well as a local school board official in the Chicago suburbs. Her thorough understanding of law and policy will be an asset as she assists with agency transformation and acting as a liaison for the First Lady across the state. She will also have an active role in the restoration of the Executive Mansion. Bastedo is currently an associate counsel in the Office of the Governor where she is the legal liaison for ten state agencies, boards and commissions including the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, the Capital Development Board and the Illinois Finance Authority. Bastedo is also a member of the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 School Board where she sits on the Finance and Operations Committee and Policy Committee. Bastedo is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and earned her law degree from DePaul University.

Ron Heitzman was appointed CEO of Parksite Inc. in Batavia. He succeeds George A. Pattee, who will remain chairman of the Board. Heitzman was a consultant who helped privately held companies with growth and strategy. Pattee will remain chairman of the board focusing the company’s acquisition strategy, seeking candidates with matching or complementary business propositions to tie in with the present structure.

T.J. Hicks has been named development director for Wheaton Park District. Hicks will oversee the continued success and growth of the district’s nonprofit foundations: Cosley Foundation, DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation, and Play For All Playground & Garden Foundation. A veteran of Northern Illinois University and DuPage Children’s Museum, Hicks brings many years of fundraising experience, event management, and board development to the district, along with a passion for seeing not-for-profit organizations positively impact their community. Hicks has a Master of Arts degree in Communication from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s in Speech Communication from Colorado State University.

Awards

Nina Carter and Michelle Adams, co-owners of The Sugar Path in Geneva, recently won a contest sponsored by a financial company that allowed them to travel to New York and have a one-on-one session with “Shark Tank’s” Barbara Corcoran, who shared her advice for small businesses.

New Business

Edward Elmhurst Hospital President and CEO Pamela Davis in Naperville IL. Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Photography by James C. Svehla

Edward-Elmhurst Health has extended its partnership with Naper Events to be the primary sponsor of the Naperville Half Marathon & Marathon for three more years, 2016-2018. The official title during that time will be the Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon & Marathon Sponsored by Edward-Elmhurst Health. Naper Events is the organization that puts on the event each year. Edward-Elmhurst Health was the primary sponsor of the first three races, beginning in 2013 and including 2015, which featured a downtown Naperville start and finish, raised more than $240,000 for charity and generated more than $2 million for local businesses. Nearly 3,600 runners completed the races—nearly 2,800 half marathon finishers and more than 800 marathon finishers. The 2016 Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon & Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 23 with the same start/finish location in downtown Naperville. As part of the agreement, the Edward Foundation continues as the premier charity in the event’s Charity Program. In 2015, the Foundation had 12 runners who raised nearly $11,000 to benefit Edward Hospital programs and services.

Naperville-based CPA firm Brennan & Brosnan LLC has merged with the Oak Park-based Sassetti LLC, expanding the firm’s reach and services. The merger, which was effective January 1, 2016, will allow Brennan & Brosnan to add auditing services to their existing tax planning, tax preparation, accounting, and financial consulting offerings. Brennan & Brosnan’s employees will continue to operate out of their Naperville office. Margaret Brennan and Betsy Brosnan join the five partners of Sassetti as partners in the merged company. Brennan & Brosnan, founded in 1994, specializes in serving the tax and business advisory needs of entrepreneurial businesses and owners in the Naperville area. The firm provides tax planning, tax preparation, estate planning and estate administration services to individual clients and companies in various industries. Sassetti LLC dates back to 1921 and provides accounting, audit, tax and advisory services to middle-market businesses, both closely held and publicly traded, nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plans and individuals.