Archive for the ‘General Corporate’ Category

Former Clune and Reed Construction Executive Joins Leopardo

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

CHICAGO, Illinois (January 10, 2011) – Leopardo announced that Michael A. Tenuta, LEED AP, joined the company as Senior Project Manager. Tenuta brings to Leopardo nearly 30 years of experience in construction and architecture with a focus on multi-floor tenant interior construction management.

Prior to joining Leopardo, Tenuta was Vice President and Project Executive at Reed Construction. Previously, he spent 16 years at Clune Construction where he was Senior Vice President and managed several of the firm’s most prestigious projects. Earlier in his career, Tenuta worked at Pepper Construction. Some of Tenuta’s high profile, multi-floor interior projects include:

The Quaker Oats Company (415,000-SF, 16 floors)
A.C. Nielsen (205,000-SF, 9 floors)
Transamerica Distribution Finance (190,000-SF, 3 floors)
DDB Needham Worldwide (187,000-SF, 7 floors)
Amoco Business Center (168,000-SF, 8 floors)
WorldCom (164,000-SF, 8 floors)
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (147,000-SF, 1 floor)
National Louis University – Chicago Campus (135,000-SF, 4 floors)

“Mike’s impressive multi-floor background and client-oriented approach sets him apart in our industry,” said Rick DuPraw, Senior Vice President of Leopardo. “He adds great depth and resources to our already strong Tenant Interiors market.”

Tenuta is a LEED Accredited Professional and serves as membership chair of the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Architecture.

Leopardo successfully completes more than 200 interior projects a year from smaller service work to multi-floor corporate headquarters relocations. Clients include American Hospital Association, CNA Insurance, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Intuit, Jones Day, Leo Burnett, Motorola, RR Donnelley, Thermos, Walgreens, Wells Fargo, Whirlpool, etc.

Leopardo is the frequent finalist and winner of the coveted Interior Contractor of the Year Award and successfully manages several of Chicago’s largest building repositioning projects with intricate infrastructure and building systems upgrades. For more information, visit leopardo.com.

Tags: Clune, construction, leopardo, Michael Tenuta, Reed, tenant interiors
Posted in General Corporate, Personnel

Cover Story: Leopardo Gives Back

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (December 21, 2011) — Just in time for the holidays, the December 2011 issue of Illinois Real Estate Journal features a cover story about Leopardo’s philanthropy, community service and “above-and-beyond” approach to client service.

“Most businesses champion a specific charitable organization or annually participate in an event or campaign to benefit a worthy non-profit,” the article reads. “Yet at Leopardo, it can truly be said that such endeavors are not merely on a yearly check-list, but are deeply embedded in company culture. From a house rock band that has raised $2 million in charitable donations through industry events to an employee initiated volunteer program that has donated more than 3,000 hours of service since 2008, Leopardo has proven it’s more than about writing a check. the firm has developed unique and creative ways to make a difference in the communities it serves.” Click here to download the full story (PDF 1.7MB).

Posted in General Corporate

Leopardo Protects His Blind Side

Monday, December 19th, 2011

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (December 19, 2011) — Below is an excerpt of an article written by Illinois Real Estate Journal Editor Mark Thomton. Click here to read the full story.

Before the film “The Blind Side” became a box office hit and its story was familiar to millions, Jim Leopardo, founder and CEO of Hoffman Estates-based Leopardo Cos., was involved in a similar story that netted almost identical results.

Not everyone has a Hollywood-caliber story in their background, but Leopardo can make the claim through his experience with a young man named Otis Hudson.

Leopardo has always been supportive of youth sporting programs as a financial sponsor and a volunteer.

“In my early days, sports were my outlet,” said Leopardo, who played football at Western Illinois University. “They gave me confidence.”

Through his work with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball program Leopardo met Hudson, a young man from the west side of Chicago with immense athletic talents, but limited outlets to display them in the city’s notoriously rough area. Hudson spent as much time trying to avoid gangs as he did honing his athletic abilities.

The Leopardo family would eventually end up being a champion for his transition to a brighter future. Read the full story…

Tags: Jim Leopardo, Otis Hudson
Posted in General Corporate

Leopardo Sponsors Party Trailer at Will County Government Golf Event

Friday, August 5th, 2011

BOLINGBROOK, Illinois (August 5, 2011) — On August 3, 2011, Leopardo attended the 2011 Will County Governmental League golf outing and sponsored the party trailer on the 15th hole. It was a very hot day at the Bolingbrook Golf Club and we enjoyed spending time with our Will County clients and peers.

>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS.<<<

Tags: Bolingbrook Golf Club, Golf, WCGL, Will County
Posted in Community, Events, General Corporate

Leopardo Hosts ROOF Party for Clients and Industry Friends

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Chicago (July 28, 2011) — On July 26, 2011, Leopardo hosted a casual get-together event for clients and industry friends at Chicago’s famous ROOF at theWit. Thank you to all those who were able to join us!

>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS.<<<

Tags: Leopardo event roof party
Posted in Community, Events, General Corporate

Leopardo Ranks Among Top U.S. Contractors

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (May 19, 2011) — Leopardo recently ranked No. 222 on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) list of the top 400 general contractors in the United States. Published in the magazine’s May 16, 2011 issue, the list is based on 2010 revenues. Leopardo posted revenues of nearly $236 million last year and climbed 20 spots since the previous ENR Top 400.

Posted in Awards + Recognition, General Corporate

Leopardo, as seen in The Wall Street Journal

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

A full-page, color Leopardo advertisement appears in today’s national edition of The Wall Street Journal, within the Money & Investing section. The ad speaks to the talented people who make our company stand out. Click here to view a web optimized version of our ad.

“Our clients say Leopardo is different. We tell them it’s because of our people. We believe our talent, professionalism and employee bond are the reasons for our success. That’s why hiring and retaining the right people are Leopardo’s highest priorities,” writes CEO Jim Leopardo and President Rick Mattioda in the ad. “If you’re interested in working with construction experts who care — as a client or as a part of the Leopardo team — we’d personally like to hear from you. It won’t take long for you to realize why Leopardo is different.”

Behind our Wall Street Journal advertisement, Leopardo lives up to its every word about quality service and craftsmanship. Don’t just take our word for it, take our clients. Click the video below to watch a montage of Leopardo clients explaining their experiences building with us.

Video link: Client Testimonials – Leopardo Companies, Inc.

Posted in Awards + Recognition, General Corporate

4 Hours of Leopardo CANstruction in 75 Seconds

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Video link: CANstruction 2011: “sNOw more hunger”

UPDATE 5/16/11: Leopardo and Eckenhoff Saunders won the coveted BEST IN SHOW, JURORS’ FAVORITE honor at the “aCANemy Awards”. Click here to see event photos published in RedEye.

While the great “Snowmaggedon” of 2011 has finally melted, Leopardo and Eckenhoff Saunders Architects teamed up to rebuild the iconic Chicago snow plow as part of the 5th Annual CANstruction Chicago competition. Just as all Chicago residents came to depend on this snow plow to clear their streets this past winter, we remember that the less fortunate depend on charitable organizations like the Greater Chicago Food Depository every day. We hope that our donation and that of our contributors will help make a difference in lives of those in need.

Our plow features a variety of can sizes and colors, and several distinctive structural ingenuities. For example, our wheels are bundles of cans turned sideways, bound together with tie straps, and kept circular by the outer tension. The plow face is a gently curving wall, made possible with selectively placed shims between layers of cans. Our plow is clearing a fluffy marshmallow snow cover, and dumping some Morton salt to keep the street ice free. An iconic Chicago-style “parking space saver” has gotten overturned in the process. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: CANstruction
Posted in General Corporate, Video

Leopardo’s Private CoreNet Event Attracts 250 Corporate Real Estate Professionals

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

Leopardo and Catalyst Group, leaders in construction and commercial real estate strategic planning, hosted a private VIP event May 2, 2011, at Chicago’s famous Vertigo Sky Lounge on the 26th floor of the dana hotel. The special event attracted 250 corporate real estate professionals who were in town for the CoreNet Global Summit Chicago.

During the evening, guests enjoyed a special acoustic performance by Jim Peterik, legendary musician, member of the bands Survivor (Eye of the Tiger) and The Ides of March (Vehicle), and songwriter for .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, REO Speedwagon, etc.; Alex Ligertwood, best known as the lead singer of Santana; and singer/songwriter Lisa McClowry, who has performed on more than 25 albums.

Click here to see photos from the evening.

Tags: construction, leopardo, Leopardo Companies
Posted in General Corporate