Profiles

A strong entrepreneurial spirit, an emphasis on creativity, professionalism and a willingness to utilize best practices from all different types of industries are characteristics prized by Dominic M. Sergi, chief executive officer of REX Electric and Technologies LLC. These traits, along with the cornerstones of mutual respect and cooperation for all who interface with the company, and a commitment to good citizenship, have powered the success of REX, which has grown to be one of the largest providers of electrical and technology services in the Midwest. Sergi built the business from a modest family company started by his uncle in …

The Salerno family is entering its 100th full year of operation in the funeral industry, a major milestone by anyone’s standards. But they’ve also kept pace with the times. With its neoclassic atrium crowned by a striking peaked skylight, Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels in Roselle defies any dreary funeral home stereotype, as does the family’s Galewood Chapels on Harlem near North in Chicago. But ever since the first parlor opened its doors a century ago, Rosario D. Salerno established a tradition of compassionate service that his descendants honor with pride. “We still do business the way he did,” says Joe Salerno, …

Everyday conveniences have changed so much over the last couple of generations, including many that we take for granted, but depend on night and day. Nowhere is this truer than in heating and cooling, where Season Comfort owner Vito Palella has a unique double distinction. He stays on top of the latest advances in his field, yet has more than 30 years experience in helping customers spend smart now and save for years to come. “Because the technology has changed so much over the years, we can almost always help people save money and energy,” says Palella, a native of …

When Dominic Verlotta goes to work at Speed-O-Lite Printing Center in Franklin Park, he carries more than a mental list of upcoming print jobs. Working 60-plus hours a week, he lives out the lessons passed down by his Italian parents, who hailed from the Campania region. “When you’re family, you’re really family,” says Verlotta, who’s been in the printing business since 1975. “You help each other out, and that’s what it’s all about.” Others invoke family in the abstract, but for Verlotta, it’s as close as the front counter. His wife of 29 years, Marketta, handles a wide array of …

As the child of Italian-American parents of Calabrese descent, Dan Sergi grew up in Villa Park watching his folks not only preach the gospel of hard work, but live it as well. He remembers working electrical jobs from an early age with his dad, who rarely took vacations or time off while supporting his family of six. “The most important thing they taught us was to live your life with integrity,” says Sergi, president and CEO of Wine Sergi Insurance in Naperville. “You witnessed it every day in what they did.” You also can see it in Sergi’s quest to …

Franco A. Coladipietro has served as village president of Bloomingdale since 2013. He recently retired as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, having served in that capacity since 2005. Coladipietro joined the law firm of Amari & Locallo in 1995, and is the managing partner of the firm’s Bloomingdale office. His community involvement includes the DuPage County Area Project; Glen Oaks Hospital Foundation; and the Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Roselle, Glendale Heights and Wheaton chambers of commerce. He has been honored as a Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Young Lawyer of the Year …

John D’Amico has served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2004. Committee assignments include Consumer Protection; Labor and Commerce; Transportation – Vehicles and Safety (chairman); and Veterans’ Affairs. D’Amico is a member of the Edgebrook Community Association; St. Edwards Athletic Advisory Committee; City Club of Chicago; Mayfair Lions Club; Queen of All Saints Men’s Club; and the Edgebrook-Sauganash Athletic Association. He joined the Chicago Water Department in 1982 and now serves as an assistant superintendent.

Anthony DeLuca has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since March 2008. His committee assignments include Appropriations – Public Safety; Business Occupational Licenses; Cities and Villages (chairman); Insurance; Mass Transit; Business Growth and Incentives; Public Safety – Police and Fire (vice chairman); and Tollway Oversight. DeLuca previously served as mayor of Chicago Heights, and president and member of the Bloom Township High School District 206 Board of Education. In 2010, the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce counted him among the Outstanding Leaders Under 40, the Cook County Farm Bureau bestowed a Friend of Agriculture Award upon him, and the …

Dr. James DiScipio has served as mayor of LaGrange Park since 2005. A general dentist with a practice in LaGrange Park, he has lived in the community for 39 years. He has served as a West Central Municipal Conference Executive Committee member from 2005 to the present, West Central Municipal Conference vice president from 2008 to the present, District 102 School Board member from 1999 to 2007, Zoning Board member from 2000 to 2005, Friends of the Park Committee chairman from 1997 to 1999, Parks and Recreation commissioner from 1991 to 1997, Board of Commissioners vice president from 1994 to …

Bob Larsen has served as commissioner of the DuPage County Board for the 6th District since 2010. He serves on the Health and Human Services (chairman), Environmental, Finance, Intergovernmental, Judicial & Public Safety, Public Works, and Technology committees. A partner in the law firm Cunningham, Meyer and Vedrine, he received the American Bar Association’s Award for Professional Merit. Commissioner Larsen is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve currently assigned to Reserve Judge Advocate Command Support Branch, Legal Services Support Section, Marine Corps Mobilization Command. He served on active duty during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and has earned …