Leopardo Cos., Inc.

Giancarlo has amassed an impressive portfolio totaling more than two million square feet in projects. With expertise in healthcare work, his experience ranges from medical office buildings to multi-acre master site and hospital expansions.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in building construction management from Purdue University and is an active member of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), as well as the Healthcare Engineers Society of Northern Illinois (HESNI).

In 1977, entrepreneur Jim Leopardo started his own construction firm in Chicago and it didn’t take long for him to make an impressive impact on the industry. Under his leadership, Leopardo has grown into one of the nation’s top contractors with more than 450 employees and 650 projects worked on each year.

A pioneer in the construction industry, Jim provides a focused business approach and a deep commitment to quality, innovation and leadership. His drive, pledge to client service and standards for excellence are the staples the company was founded on.

In recognition of his industry pioneering, Jim was inducted into Midwest Real Estate News’ first-ever Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2010. He was also included on the Crain’s Chicago Business 2015 list of Who’s Who in Chicago, a directory of the city’s “movers and shakers,” from Fortune 500 CEOs to civic leaders and philanthropists. In 2017, he was named a Distinguished Alumni by his alma mater Western Illinois University. Later that year Jim also received the Honorary Legion of Honor Award from DeMolay International in recognition of his service to the community. Previously, Jim served on the board at the Foglia YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and received the Volunteer of the Year and Family of the Year awards. He also served on the board at JFK Health World, a non-profit children’s health education museum. An alumni member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), he served as the organization’s Chicago chapter chairman, chapter treasurer, day chair, education and membership chairman. Since 2004, he has been an active member of the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO). He also received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst and Young in 1990 and has twice been a featured speaker at Harvard Business School’s Annual Entrepreneurship Conference.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Western Illinois University and is a member of Safari Club International, FMI Executives/Presidents Peer Group, as well as a board member of James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate Wisconsin School of Business.

Leigh has overseen and managed some of Leopardo’s largest and most impressive municipal, community, recreation, office and industrial projects. In addition to her decades of experience in the construction industry, she is also a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional.

Leigh graduated from the University of Illinois with double masters degrees in architecture and civil engineering, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural studies. She is an active member with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Illinois City/County Management Association and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.

Matt joined Leopardo in 1993. Prior to stepping into his current role, he oversaw the company’s institutional business unit. During that time, he worked with more than 40 hospitals, numerous physician groups and personally managed countless healthcare, laboratories and senior living facilities. In his current role, Matt leads Leopardo’s field operations.

Mike Leopardo’s construction career spans more than 30 years, during which he has helped grow Leopardo from a small family-owned outfit into one of the nation’s top general contractors.

As president and CEO, Mike is responsible for the overall business strategy and standards that affect both Leopardo’s offices, hundreds of employees and jobsites, multiple service offerings, as well as all its markets.

Before stepping into his current role, Mike served as executive vice president, providing leadership, vision and direction to all Leopardo’s business units. Prior to that, he led Leopardo’s specialized institutional business unit and was responsible for the overall strategy and operations of the healthcare and senior living markets. His team successfully completed more than $1 billion worth of institutional projects, including medical office buildings, surgery centers, laboratories and senior housing, as well as all types of hospital renovation and expansion projects. With Mike at the helm, the group built an impressive list of loyal clients and became the trusted builder for 40 hospitals and many physician groups around the Chicago area.

Mike also played an active role in Leopardo’s strategic markets business unit, where he was focused on building lasting client relationships and an impressive portfolio of work. Many of the projects won during Mike’s tenure with the business unit played an important piece in rebuilding Chicago’s now-thriving West Loop neighborhood.

In 2018, Mike was inducted into the Midwest Real Estate News Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction technology engineering from Western Illinois University and previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Jane Addams Hull House, one of Chicago’s largest and oldest not-for-profit social services agencies.

Pierre is a 24-year veteran of Leopardo with a strong background in architecture and a robust portfolio of managing diverse construction projects. One thing that differentiates him from others is his comfort level with understanding development economics and the downstream demands they place on project budgets and schedules. Before stepping into the role of executive vice president, Pierre oversaw strategy and operations of Leopardo’s corporate/community business unit, which included residential, office, retail, industrial and local public sector clientele. He earned the trust and respect of many recognized national brands including Arthur J. Gallagher, Radio Flyer, Big Ten Conference, Walgreens, Honda, Universal Technical Institute and more.

Pierre graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a Master of Science in civil engineering (construction management), a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in architectural studies. He also studied architecture and urbanism at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Versailles, France.

Pierre is a former member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) and former affiliate of the Society of Industrial and Office Real Estate Brokers (SIOR). He served as an advisory board member of the James A. Graaskamp Center of Real Estate for the University of Wisconsin School of Business and is currently an active advisory board member for the Roosevelt University Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate.

He has also guest lectured at the University of Illinois in both architecture and civil engineering, as well as at Roosevelt University on project delivery methods and construction contracting.

Rick serves as executive vice president at Leopardo Companies and is one of the most prominent construction executives in the region, as supported by his 2016 induction to the Midwest Real Estate News Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. He also oversees Leopardo’s tenant interiors group, which is responsible for build-outs, renovations and restorations of commercial spaces. With Rick at the helm, Leopardo’s interiors business grew substantially in annual revenue and continues to be recognized by peers, clients and the media for its best-in-class construction.

Before his career in construction began, Rick was the drummer in a touring rock-a-billy band. His career with Leopardo began in 1983 when he was hired as a laborer and the company’s fourth employee. Combining his passion for music and community, Rick is currently the drummer for Liquidated Damages, a charitable rock band comprised of musicians from Leopardo and its business partners. He also serves on the board of directors for the United Service Organization (USO) of Illinois, a nonprofit organization providing programs, services and live entertainment to United States military service members and their families. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and communications from Southern Illinois University.

With decades of industry experience and a familiarity with all construction products and their suppliers, Rory helps clients navigate cost spikes and material inflation to save time and money. He counsels Leopardo’s project teams on price escalations, material demands, supply shortages, alternative methods of construction, lifecycle costs, efficiencies and impact on the environment.

Rory graduated with honors from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Steve’s construction career spans decades and his tenure at Leopardo started when he joined the company as an intern in 1987. He is responsible for the strategy and operations of Leopardo’s retail, office, industrial and mixed-use markets. He has personally overseen construction projects totaling more than $600 million across practically every major market. His project experience includes countless Fortune 500 firms and many of the world’s most-recognized brands like Lexus, Apple, Audi, Harley-Davidson, Jewel-Osco, Walgreens and more.

Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in construction technology from Western Illinois University and is a member of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA) and International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).