Robert Figliulo Named Finalist for CEO of the year

With six IT organizations headquartered in Illinois, Figliulo redefines
vision, entrepreneurialism and community

CHICAGO, IL – April 25, 2011 – Robert Figliulo, the CEO of SPR Companies, has been named a finalist for a 2011 Illinois Technology Association (ITA) CityLIGHTS award in the CEO of the Year category.

Figliulo has served as CEO of SPR Companies for 19 years. Through his vision, entrepreneurialism and dedication to the Illinois technology community, Figliulo is setting a new standard for leadership—and adding community contribution to its measures of success.

He joined the company in 1976 as a software developer, before moving up to engineer, branch manager and executive. He led the company through dramatic growth and myriad retooling cycles, and has grown SPR Companies into six distinct IT organizations all headquartered in Illinois: Redpoint Technologies, MPS Partners, TAP Group, Impact Insights, Social Syntax and the award-winning nAblement.

Rob serves on the Board of Directors for Misericordia Homes for disabled children and young adults in Chicago, where his daughter Katie is a resident. He is the Board Chair for the Kabara Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Miguel Schools of Chicago, which provides inner city children an opportunity for an outstanding education. Rob has also served as a Board Chair for the St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Board of Trustees as well as on the Advisory Board for DePaul University’s Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

“This company was founded by my father, Gene Figliulo, who would be regarded today as a successful CIO, but four decades ago was called an EDP (Electronic Data Processing) Manager,” Figliulo said. “Since then, we’ve undergone dramatic and exciting transformations. I am immeasurably grateful for this honor and for our talented employees and clients that made this achievement possible.”

“There is a growing energy and momentum in the Illinois technology industry, and this is reflected in the record number — more than 200 — and the quality of the CityLIGHTS Awards nominations this year,” said ITA CEO Fred Hoch. “Nominees range from start-up companies to industry leaders, and we are extremely excited to see the organizations and individuals that rise to the top in 2011.”

The 12^th Annual CityLIGHTS Awards honor companies and individuals whose innovation and success drives growth in Illinois. The winners will be announced at the CityLIGHTSAwardsGala Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Union Station in Chicago. The gala attracts more than 700 people from 400 organizations including business owners, investors, legislators and policymakers.

Winners will be determined by composite score (50 percent judges; 50 percent community voting) in all categories except the CityLIGHTS Award, which is determined solely by the ITA Board of Directors. Votes can be submitted online through April 29, 2011.

About SPR Companies
SPR provides Fortune 1000 and mid-market companies with world-class technology solutions and in-demand talent through its family of companies—Redpoint Technologies, MPS Partners and TAP Group. Through its specialized Enterprise Services—Impact Insights, Social Syntax and nAblement—SPR also offers high-value IT-business alignment, social media and diversity solutions. SPR has been serving the Midwest since 1973, and is proud of its award-winning track record of helping organizations achieve critical business objectives and solve even the most complex technology challenges. Learn more at www.sprcompanies.com.

About the ITA
The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is a driving force behind the growth of Illinois’ vibrant technology industry. We are relentless in championing the development and application of technology, from start-up companies to industry leaders, leveraging the transformative nature of technology to revolutionize industries. ITA uniquely capitalizes peer-to-peer collaboration, networking, and access to experts across the breadth of business to cultivate the Illinois technology industry. The unique and powerful integration of these valuable and experienced resources differentiates the ITA as a source of accelerated growth for the technology industry of Illinois. For more information about ITA, please visit www.illinoistech.org.

Contact the ITA at headquarters@illinoistech.org, follow the discussion on Twitter at @itabuzz, and visit www.illinoistech.org to find out more about how ITA supports the growth of the local industry.

Media Contacts:
Ellen DePodesta, Public Relations, ClearEdge Marketing, (312) 450-3400, edepodesta@clearedgemarketing.com