In recognition of his contributions to the Latino community and economy, Warner Cruz, president of Rolling Meadows-based J.C. Restoration, was recently named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chicago Latino Network.
Cruz received the honor on Sept. 24 at the 5th Annual Chicago Latino Network Awards Gala, held at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.
In addition to Cruz, there were three other finalists: Rodrigo d’Escoto Jr., owner of Reflection Window Company, Cece Gonzales of Raymi Productions and Enrique Lopez, principal of Lopez & Company, CPAs.
“It’s such an honor to be recognized as a leader in the Latino community,” Cruz said. “Whenever I receive this kind of recognition, I can’t help but be humbled. I am just part of a larger team effort that began with my parents nearly 30 years ago.”
His father, Jose Cruz started J.C. Restoration in 1982. Fifteen years later, Warner took the operational reins of the firm and in 2002 he acquired the company from his father.
Under his leadership, J.C. Restoration has gone from less than $1 million in annual sales to a projected $15 million in 2010.
J.C. Restoration has over 70 employees working from a 102,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility at 3200 Squibb Ave., which they moved into in April 2009. The company helps companies and homeowners recover from fire, mold, and water damage.
Earlier this year, the Small Business Administration recognized Cruz as the Illinois Small Business Person of the Year, honoring him for embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation and determination that make small businesses the economic engine of the United States.
An active supporter of other philanthropies, Cruz was recently selected to serve on the board of directors of the Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Joliet.
A 1991 graduate of Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison, Warner enrolled at Augustana College in Rock Island. He graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in international business administration and finance, with a minor in Japanese.
He and his wife, Chiara, have one daughter, Jaeda. They reside in Itasca.
The Gala raised funds for the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago and its free matinee outreach program, which enables 5,000 children to attend daytime film screenings of the Chicago Latino Film Festival.
For more information about the Latino Network Gala, visit: http://www.chicagolatinonetwork.com/CLNAwards2010/
In its 10th year, the Chicago Latino Network is online at www.chicagolatinonetwork.com.
J.C. Restoration is online at www.jcrestoration.com and www.facebook.com/JCRestoration.
