Clearbrook, retired business executive have 'a marriage made in heaven'

What started as a quest to find a good place to call home for a special-needs relative led to a strong and lasting bond between a retired business executive from South Barrington and a suburban agency dedicated to serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.

“The long and the short of it is, it's been a marriage made in heaven,” David Riley said of his long association with Arlington Heights-based Clearbrook.

The relationship, which will be honored tonight at the agency's annual Shining Star Ball, began with Riley's now 68-year-old brother-in-law, Steve Wessels.

Riley and his wife, Linda, needed to find a good place where Wessels, who is nonverbal, could live and receive care after moving here from his parents' home in Cincinnati.

In what Riley calls a bit of serendipity, he received a call from a friend who was involved in a charitable endeavor and requested a donation of cooking equipment. Riley, the retired president and CEO of Middleby Corp. in Elgin, a global leader in the commercial food service and cooking equipment industry, later accepted an invitation to attend a dedication ceremony for the new kitchen at what turned out to be a Clearbrook facility.

“I came home and told Linda, 'I just saw the most terrific place. I think this might be your brother's home,'” Riley said. “She said, 'Oh, that's good, because he's been on the waiting list (for Clearbrook) a long time.'”

Wessels was accepted into a Clearbrook group home and now lives in a residence for men in Elk Grove Village.

In 1996, Riley landed on the agency's board of directors at the invitation of then-Chairman Robert Jaffee. His board resume includes six years as chairman and current roles on committees for major gifts, marketing and finance.

The family connection to Clearbrook goes beyond just Riley and Wessels.

“I'm from a big family. There's probably 30 of us up here in Chicago now, between nieces and nephews. And I would say almost half of them are involved in Clearbrook,” Riley said.

As grateful as Riley and his family have been for Clearbrook, the agency is equally thankful for him. That gratitude will be on display when Clearbrook honors Riley during its black-tie Shining Star Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.

Tom Pirelli, who served on the agency's board with Riley from 2002 to 2008, said the kudos are well deserved.

“The amount of money he's given, the amount of his time, I think I admire him more than anyone else I know, both as a businessman and in philanthropy,” Pirelli said. “He combines the best of both.”

Clearbrook President Anthony Di Vittorio said Riley's passion for the organization is obvious.

“Dave is an authentic soul,” Di Vittorio said. “He is a consistently good man who has been a great advocate for Clearbrook, whether he's meeting a prospective parent with needs, a donor or just being a good friend to his brother-in-law, Steve.”

Riley's service on Clearbrook's finance committee has been especially valuable, Di Vittorio said, because he knows the needs and vulnerability of families seeking services.

“He also combines passion and knowledge that keeps the committee focused on Clearbrook's mission while maintaining a strong organization,” Di Vittorio added.

Former Clearbrook board member Gerald Fitzgerald Jr., who served from 2006 to 2016, said Riley has made the nonprofit organization a priority in his life.

“He spends a tremendous amount of time there,” said Fitzgerald, chairman of Palatine-based Cornerstone Bancorp Inc. “He just has a passion and a mission to serve a segment of the population that's often forgotten.”

Clearbrook has grown to serve about 8,000 children and adults with a variety of disabilities from across the Chicago area. It also is Illinois' largest provider of home-based services.

Pirelli cited Clearbrook's expansion as a highlight of Riley's board tenure. Riley agreed.

“I really think there is such a need out there, and we were able to prudently grow into it without sacrificing principles that this is built on,” Riley said.

“We're as good today with 8,000 (clients) as we were 20 years ago with 450. Probably, in some cases, we're actually better because of more opportunity for breadth of service.”

As for being the center of attention at Friday night's 30th anniversary gala, Riley said he typically isn't one for being in the spotlight. However, he's willing because it'll help Clearbrook.

“I want this to be the best fundraiser,” he said. “I want people that are there to walk out of there saying, 'Boy, that is one terrific organization.' That's my biggest hope.”