Damen Society's new heights and leadership

Jack Hartman heads up Loyola's core supporters

Arnold Damen, S.J., was the founder and first president of St. Ignatius College, which later became Loyola University Chicago. It is a fitting tribute that Loyolans who contribute personal annual gifts of $1,000 or more to the University he began qualify for membership in the Damen Society. This year, the Damen Society has over 2400 members--an all-time record.

Jack Hartman (BBA '80, MBA '82, JD '85), a Loyola trustee, has recently taken on the role of chair of the Damen Society. Like Father Damen, Hartman understands the critical need for members of the community to financially support the institutions that serve them. "The participation of alumni and friends is key to continuing the significant progress the University has made in recent years. I'm happy to be a part of that momentum," Hartman says.

Hartman's involvement with Loyola goes far beyond his economic support. In addition to his position on the boar of trustees, Hartman has been a member of the Council of Regents, serves on the School of Business Administration Board of Advisors, and is a past president of the School of Law Board of Governors.

"I love Loyola--I chose it three times. It challenged me to become a values-based leader," says Hartman of his ongoing dedication to Loyola's success. "Every place I've been, I've hired people from Loyola. They're hard-working, understand ethics, and are well grounded."

Hartman is president of The Rise Group, an international program management, technical services, and strategy consulting company serving clients with capital improvement projects and major infrastructure programs. Prior to joining Rise, he served as executive director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority; executive vice president of construction, engineering, and facilities for the Chicago Transit Authority; and deputy commissioner of Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

He has successfully led large, complex projects including the successful $5.3 billion Illinois Tollway Congestion Relief Plan and the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) $2.5 billion Capital Development Program, and managed major terminal and land-side facilities projects at both O'Hare International and Midway Airports.

"The education I received at Loyola, with its focus on excellence and ethics, helped start me on my career, so I'm glad to help lead this significant group of donors," Hartman says. "Jack's been an outstanding leader in the Chicago and Illinois business community, as well as a loyal alum who generously contributes to the success of the University," says Jonathan Heintzelman, vice president for advancement. "We're delighted to have him bring his considerable leadership skills to this role."