News
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
ROCKFORD — Developer and philanthropist Sunil Puri was honored with a key to the city on Saturday at an event that celebrated his company’s four decades in business and recognized how his work has reshaped Rockford.
The surprise presentation by Mayor Tom McNamara took place at the Rockford Radisson Hotel, which is part of Puri’s First Midwest Group.
“Sunil, you really represent what’s best of the American dream. You represent, absolutely, what’s best in the city of Rockford,” McNamara told Puri before presenting the key in a filled banquet hall. “You’ve given so selflessly to our community from your time to your treasure.”
It was a rare honor in that it was the second time Puri has received a key the city. He was previously presented one by then-Mayor John McNamara, Tom’s father who Puri credits as instrumental in his success.
“When my dad was with us, he absolutely cherished his relationship with you and your friendship,” McNamara said. “My dad always told me that the four smartest people he ever met and worked with in the city of Rockford was first Sunil Puri, then John Holmstrom, then Charles Box and then Judge Mary Gorman. But you were always listed first.”
McNamara noted a number of Puri’s philanthropic efforts, from contributing to saving and renovating the Coronado Theatre to obtaining land for Sportscore Two, supporting the YMCA of Rock River Valley, PAWS Humane Society, the Family Peace Center and Rockford University. Puri also funded a program that set out to help Rockford students prepare for their ACTs and improve their scores, among other charitable acts, McNamara said.
“I know I’m indebted to you and I know the city of Rockford is indebted to you,” McNamara said. “We are absolutely grateful for you. In all that you have done from your business to giving of your time, to giving of your treasure to make our community a better place.”
The key was given during First Midwest Group’s 40th anniversary celebration, bringing together employees, partners and community members, including political figures from both sides of the aisle.
The event recapped First Midwest Group’s work to develop what are now key business districts in the region, including State Street and Mulford Road in Rockford, major portions of Illinois 173 in Machesney Park and Loves Park Crossings at the southwest corner of Forest Hills Road and Riverside Boulevard.
The event also looked back on Puri’s achievements both in business and charity after moving to Rockford from Bombay, India, in 1979 to attend what is now Rockford University. As Puri’s story goes, he had just $142 to his name at the time.
“I just was one of those rebels who believed in the promise called America,” Puri was quoted as saying in a presentation on the company history. “And not with much permission from my parents, with very limited funds and resources, ended up coming to America.”
He started First Midwest Group in November 1984, when it was initially called First Rockford Group. He eventually built it into one of the premier development groups in northern Illinois.
“If there was a need in this community he stepped up, not just once but numerous times,” said former Mayor Charles Box, a three-term mayor from 1989-2001. “A lot of people see the problems, but very few put forth solutions. Sunil not only put forth solutions, but made sure they came to pass to make sure to make life a lot better for people.”
Box said Puri is also known for his tough negotiating tactics and how deeply he educated himself on every facet of the businesses he was involved in.
“He drives a hard bargain. It’s a test to negotiate with him,” Box said. “I’ve done it with him a lot of times and against him at the table sometimes. He’s very sharp.”
Puri, 64, is normally an energetic and charismatic speaker, but he was hampered from speaking freely because of a recent oral surgery. His partner Candy Ross helped him make a statement to the banquet hall during the event.
“When I started this company I had little more than a clear vision, a lot of determination, and if I’m honest, not very much money,” Ross said, reading from Puri’s statement. “Also, I had an unwavering belief that we could do something meaningful, something different.”
Puri thanked John McNamara and Box for their guidance in his early years, and thanked his employees for their work over the years to help First Midwest Group succeed.
One of the key milestones in his career was his partnership with the late Dan Arnold to develop Road Ranger gas station sites. Starting in 1996, it grew to the third largest truck volume in the country at one time, and it hit $1.6 billion in sales in 2014. Puri and Arnold were pulled together by Jim Keeling, their mutual attorney who became a good friend to Puri.
Keeling and Puri later founded the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza on Perryville Road, and they were the driving force behind Perryville Path.
Keeling said Puri is curious, charming and collaborative.
“His impact on the city is really huge. Tonight, when we’re getting here into the banquet hall, the hotel is full of kids who are here for the soccer tournament this weekend — 320 teams,” Keeling said. “Without Sunil’s efforts our regional amateur sports hub wouldn’t exist — it just wouldn’t. And so many other things that he is persistent into recruiting into our community, the amenities that all of us enjoy.”
Some of First Midwest Group’s other ventures include BoxedUp Self-Storage, First Midwest Rentals, Siena on Brendenwood independent living community and Volcano Falls. The company also developed the area’s first Portillo’s and numerous other restaurants, as well as shopping at places such as Old Navy, medical care at DaVita, physical therapy and ATI, and other businesses.
“Sunil has an incredible will to win. This is what attracts many of the employees that work at First Midwest Group now and in the past — we also have a desire to win,” Kyle Schilling, assistant CFO at First Midwest, said during a presentation on the company’s history. “And yes, sometimes the intensity to win can turn people off.”
But, Schilling said, that intensity is needed to make sure the business and the city is successful.
“Sunil, it’s your will to win that makes me want to come in every day and do my best work, because if our developments win, the community that I call home wins,” Schilling said.
Puri said after the presentation that he’s been thinking of his legacy over the past few years, and he’s proud to have his sons Ashwin and Chandan working by his side.
He has prepared for them to take on company leadership in the future, as well as setting plans to continue support for the many charities he’s helped.
Ashwin Puri, speaking to the crowd after his father, said he continues to draw inspiration from his dad.
“When I look at my dad I see truly the American dream personified in a human being,” Ashwin Puri said. “I think it’s more than just impacting a place in Rockford, it impacts the minds of kids who grow up, who come from nothing and have a dream and want to make something of themself.”
