SALUTE TO BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR LIONEL RABB
WHEREAS, Chicago native Lionel Rabb, President and CEO of Catalyst Group Global, is an enterprising and successful business consultant who combines expertise in business innovation, technology and large-scale data systems with a passion for supporting worthy civic projects and social programs; and
WHEREAS, Catalyst Group Global, is a technical consultancy that develops business solutions through employing a cross-section of techniques that utilize a framework of data, strategy and action to achieve tangible outcomes for the benefit of both the private and public sector enterprises; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 22, 1976, Lionel Rabb began exhibiting extraordinary ability and acumen as a high school sophomore when he started his first company, Omicron Technologies, that developed a data system to track student ID's in his own school. Omicron developed a comprehensive data system for the Chicago Public Schools and has grown exponentially to provide integrated technology solutions for major national and international corporations such as 3M, ExxonMobil and Coca-Cola; and
WHEREAS, As an entrepreneur, Lionel Rabb has expanded his horizons to include business enterprises that range across multiple industries. In addition to Catalyst and Omicron, Verify.net, a provider of software solutions to schools and non-profits; Verify Gas, a provider of gauges with remote monitoring capabilities to the liquid gas sector; Coterie Capital, a focused strategic investment fund; and OpenTrak, a comprehensive data gathering and analytics platform, are all included in his current business portfolio; and
WHEREAS, As a civic benefactor, Lionel Rabb has founded numerous nonprofit organizations and social innovations. He started the Rabb Family Foundation to provide direct support for action on critical social issues. Through both his funding and ongoing leadership he has established MGR, a direct service national nonprofit organization focused on empowering youth and changing communities; Odysseus, a national nonprofit focused on innovation and systems change; Violet Lotus: Yoga for Youth; and Peer Corps, an agency focused on juvenile recidivism reduction; and
WHEREAS, At just shy of 36 years of age, Lionel Rabb is a dynamic activist and advocate for community issues both locally and globally. He serves on the board of directors for the National Veterans Art Museum and the Chicago Park District-Jefferson Park Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Walter Burnett, Jr., Alderman of the 27th Ward, has apprised this august body of the remarkable accomplishments of this truly noteworthy young man during the month of his 36th Birthday; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago Council, gathered together this 12th Day of December, 2012 AD, do hereby salute Lionel Rabb for his momentous achievements and positive impact on business and civic affairs, extend our felicitations for the happiest of birthdays and express our very best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Lionel Rabb.