Note: This article was originally published on ÄKTA.com.
Jim was a quintessential Chicagoan, a South Side kid from humble roots who worked his way to the top but never left the city behind. He was beloved for what he gave back to the city that gave him so much—from his work with non-profit organizations, to his service on the board of the University of Chicago Medical Center, to his role in giving the Sun-Times a new lease on life. —President Barack Obama
The Legacy of Jim Tyree
I didn't personally know Jim Tyree, but I wish I had. If the group of people who currently support his name, foundation and legacy are any indication, he was a brilliant, caring and genuine man who made a tremendous and lasting impact on his community.
Jim was a leader in Chicago for over 30 years; he was a financier who was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mesirow Financial, where he worked his entire career, and in 2009, Jim and his team of investors took control of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, which he owned until his death in 2011. The James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award was established in his memory, and every year, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (where Jim served as Chairman) presents the award to one of Chicagoland's high-growth small businesses.
When I was nominated as a finalist for this award in June, it was a significant moment in my entrepreneurial journey—not only was it an honor to be recognized by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, but it was truly humbling to be included alongside other prominent, successful and respected finalists: Maria Katris, CEO of Built in Chicago; Dr. Michele Wilkins, Executive Director of Child's Voice; and Jeff Swano, CEO and Owner of Dig Right In Landscaping.
The next extraordinary moment came when I met the voting committee, which included Jim's wife, Eve Tyree. While I can't speak to her reciprocal first impression, I certainly felt an immediate connection. She gives off an aura of compassion and strength—which isn't surprising, given her noble quest with the James Tyree Foundation and the undoubtedly difficult years she's faced since Jim's untimely passing.
Jim cared about healthcare, children and education—all passions of mine and areas that I've tried to positively affect through my non-profit organization Digital Hope. Jim was an entrepreneur at heart, and he's left a legacy of business success—something that any entrepreneur like myself hopes to achieve. Even the cancer Jim fought in his later years was a very similar variety to one that was bravely fought by a family member of mine. I have an understanding for, and a deep appreciation of, what Eve is achieving with her family's name, and the opportunity to simply sit and speak with her was an honor.
Winning the 2014 Jim Tyree Award
The ultimate honor came a week later, at the Chicagoland Chamber's 110th Annual Meeting at Navy Pier. It was a beautifully decorated venue with a large representation of top business leaders in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel gave an inspirational speech, new Chairman Paul La Schiazza (President of AT&T Illinois) was introduced, and the presentation of the James Tyree Award was featured. When the finalists were announced on stage, I was planning my congratulatory handshake for the winner, not an acceptance speech. So needless to say, it was moving to hear ÄKTA called, and frankly, it was nerve-wracking to walk up on the stage to accept the award from Eve and Paul. From there, it was a flurry of photographs and media interviews, which added to the surreal nature of the day.
It wasn't until I returned to ÄKTA HQ later that day that I gave myself the chance to reflect on the meaning of the award for my company. My team is made up of the most intelligent, passionate and gifted people I've had the opportunity to be around in my 16 years of business. They are also a credit to Chicago—hard-working, honest and humble. We built this company holding on to our bootstraps, gritting our teeth and winning as much through sheer determination as a honed strategy. And while this team has always been focused on building a healthy, stable business, they also possess unending compassion around volunteering, fundraising and using their vast skills to help those in need.
My team deserved this award, and I was proud to accept it on their behalf.
What's Next?
One of the reasons this experience was so exceptional was that it shined a spotlight on Digital Hope, and the outpouring of folks in Chicago wanting to help with our re-ignition of the foundation has been incredible. I am as inspired as ever about the opportunity to change the way the world donates to those in need. The award also carried with it a $25,000 cash prize, which the ÄKTA Executive Committee chose to allocate in the following manner:
- $10,000 to a to-be-announced local Chicago charity (with input from Eve Tyree and the Chicagoland Chamber), including a volunteer-day with the ÄKTA team
- $10,000 to the deserving team at ÄKTA, to be used to promote cultural growth and development
- $5,000 to sponsor executive development and planning, with a focus on increasing strength, stability, growth and philanthropy, within ÄKTA and its employees
This adventure has been a unique and special one, and the award is really a testament to the Chamber's, and City of Chicago's, clear appreciation for small companies like ÄKTA that are creating jobs, offering high-value products and services, and further establishing this city as a tier one ecosystem for entrepreneurship. And I'm just damn proud that ÄKTA could be a part of its, and Jim Tyree's, enduring legacy.
Thank you to Eve Tyree, Greg Stevens, Theresa Mintle, Anil Ahuja, John Rico, Paul La Schiazza, Maria Katris, Dr. Michele Wilkins, Jeff Swano, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, my great team and and everyone who's supported myself and ÄKTA through the years.
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