Ian Linnabary Bill LaFever Partner, & Zahm LLP President, BillReno Doran Company
A running Relationships commitment the key
“It’s less about flowers, more about people.”
Ian Linnabary is passionate about Rockford Bill LaFever credits his mother with her, and he’s not shy about it. “best sales job” when she talked him into moving from “My affection forand thishis cityjob is pretty evident, ” said Linnabary, downtown Chicago at Arthur Andersen LLP back a partner where his practice is devoted to RockfordattoReno lead & theZahm floral LLP distribution business started by his primarily to small and the individuals who ownand andI late grandfather, Billbusiness Doran. “I enjoyed being in Chicago, operate them. “I feel an overriding sense of obligation to do” grew up with all of the family stories of running the business. what talking I can toabout makewhere Rockford a betterwas place to live. I try to After the business going, he accepted. giveDoran back Company, where my employing strengths 500 allow me to make theand most Bill people nationwide 50 meaningful ” been the same. in Rockford, impact. has never His love of Rockford appreciation for itsthe excellent park Since joining in 1996,and LaFever has doubled number of system led facilities Linnabary pursue a position on the distribution (17)toand nearly tripled sales. His Rockford company Park District Boardfrom of Commissioners. Since taking office in sources fresh flowers more than 20 countries, hardgoods from Julycountries, 2011, he has actively engagedgreens in the and Reclaiming First five andbeen domestic Christmas green plants, initiative which seeks to build a downtown sports arena and and sells them to retail florists, mass market outlets and grocery expand Sportscore II in an solidify Rockford’s place in stores in 20 states. Success haseffort lead totobecoming the youngest board the regionofasthe theWholesale premier amateur president Florist &sports Floristtourism Supplierdestination. Association, Linnabary is than also800 committed to the improvement of representing more floral companies. Rockford’s public schools. He currently serves as treasurer of the LaFever says the key has been his relationships with growers Bettercountries Schools,like Brighter Future campaign. from Colombia andreferendum Ecuador, and with his “Never branch before, in my lifetime,and haveretail I seen the school district on he such managers, employees, customers. Often when hasa positivegrowers, trajectory, he said. visited he”has stayed in their homes, and shared many He has been a volunteer, director and advisor for the Rock birthdays, weddings and other important events. River Valley Rockford YMCA, Rockford of With a wifePantry, and three children 8 and under, tripsChamber around the Commerce PAC, Rockford GlobalInstead, Alliance, Friends world have become less frequent. LaFever will Forever fill the Humane Society, Artswith Council, State Legal Clock Tower ResortRockford in November flowersPrairie and products in a Services and countless state and local political campaigns. convention likely to draw several hundreds of retailers and at least When he’s working givingEcuador back toand theNew community, 50 growers, fromnot as far away asor Holland, Zealand. Linnabary in triathlons over the Midwesthas with histowife Anotherraces friendship LaFeverallstruck in Chicago lead his and three children. involvement as treasurer for the last nine years of the Chicago “My commitment to my clients is second only to my family,” Festivals Association, responsible for the McDonald’s Thanksgiving he said.in“Idowntown am invested in each one’sisprosperity, whatever Parade Chicago. He also an initial member of the measure of thatGroup, success may brings be. Mytogether job is allGeneration about achieving Next Rockford which X and positive results, and nothing is more satisfying to me than Generation Y professionals. playing a role in a client’s ” “Success has come fromsuccess. the business people who have become By Mike my friends. That’s what’s surprised me the most. ThatDeDoncker it’s been a lot
One
less about the flowers, and a lot more about the people.” 2012 ByNovember Barbara Connors
“My affection for this city is pretty evident.”
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