Billy Dec
Billy Dec is an Emmy Award Winning Entertainment TV Personality, Attorney and CEO/Founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, Chicago’s premier hospitality and entertainment development company, specializing in the creation, marketing and management of some of the city’s top venues including Rockit, Sunda, Underground, Rockit Burger Bar, Bottlefork & The Duck Inn. Dec can be seen on ABC TV’s “Windy City Live” & NBC's "Today Show," and heard on KISS FM. Dec most recently founded Elston Films to bring more TV & movie projects to Chicago, after building his acting resume for the last ten years with roles on shows like "Empire" & "Criminal Minds," to name few.
In May 2014, President Obama appointed Dec to serve on his White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, where he also serves on the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force. Dec’s educational background includes the University of Illinois, Chicago-Kent College of Law & the Harvard Business School. He has received numerous awards including “Excellence in Business Award” from the State of Illinois, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Community Leadership Award and Chicago-Kent College of Law Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Dec is also actively involved in philanthropic organizations like Best Buddies, Lookingglass Theatre, Asian Americans Advancing Justice...and formerly served as the Director of Cultural Relations for the Olympic Committee.
Dec writes his own blog http://www.aChicagoThing.com about Chicago and its culturally rich entertainment landscape, where his contact info, press pages & upcoming events calendar are also posted, along with access to his heavily followed http://www.Twitter.com/BillyDec - http://www.Facebook.com/BillyDec & http://www.Instagram.com/BillyDec.
Contents
Early life
Dec was born and raised in Chicago and went to St. Clement School for elementary and later, The Latin School of Chicago. Upon graduation, Dec attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where he majored in Economics/Pre-Law.[1][2] During his time in college, he worked as a bouncer where he learned the ropes of the nightlife industry. After graduation, Dec got offered a full-time job as a promoter but turned it down to attend law school at Chicago Kent College of Law. During his first year of law school, he opened up his first club called Solo. While in law school, Dec went on to open Equinox Wine Bar, Dragon Room, Circus & The Bedroom. In 2009 Billy Dec married Katherine Stephans.
Rockit Ranch Productions
In 2002, Dec and business partner Brad Young formed Rockit Ranch Productions, a restaurant and nightclub development and management company specializing in entertainment marketing, promotions, branding, public relations and operations,.[3] Their first nightclub venture was Le Passage Nightclub and their first restaurant was Rockit Bar and Grill, a restaurant that featured rock music along with all American food. The company then went on to open more award-winning[4][5][6] venues like Rockit, Underground, Sunda, Rockit Burger Bar, Bottlefork and The Duck Inn.
Charity Work
Dec is a supporter of non-profit organizations and charity events throughout Chicago, such as Make-A-Wish Illinois, The American Cancer Society, the Lookingglass Theatre Company,[7] and Maggie Daley’s (late wife of Richard M. Daley) After School Matters. He is known for his role on the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee as director of cultural relations[8] where he interviewed 60 celebrities to support the Olympics coming to Chicago.
Awards
| Year | Award | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Midwest Emmy Award - | Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programs – Single Magazine Program, Program Series, or Segment (Nominated)[9] | Television |
| 2008 | Nightclub & Bar Magazine's USA Operator of the Year (Won)[10] | Nightlife and Hospitality |
| 2009 | Midwest Emmy Award - Outstanding Achievement for Entertainment Programs – Arts/Entertainment Program or Program Series (Broadcast/Advanced Media) (Won)[11] | Television |
| 2010 | Byrne Piven Community Service Award[12] | Community Service |
| 2010 | Chicago-Kent College of Law Professional Achievement Award[13] | Law |
| 2010 | Illinois Secretary of State’s Asian Pacific American Business Leadership Award[14] | Business |
| 2010 | Illinois Secretary of State Judy Baar Topinka Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence in Business | Business |
| 2010 | Filipino American TV Asian American Hall of Fame Award[14] | Television |
| 2010 | Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' Asian Pacific American Entrepreneur Award[14] | Business |
| 2010 | Cook County State Attorney's Asian Pacific American Community Leadership Award[14] | Business |
References
- ↑ Hipster club owner Billy Dec analyzes the science of Chicago’s scene
- ↑ Who The Heck Is Billy Dec?
- ↑ Overview | Rockit Ranch Productions
- ↑ Chicago's Best Winter Cocktails
- ↑ Chicago's top 10 celebrity spots in October | Chicago Tribune
- ↑ Chicago's top 10 celebrity spots in August | Chicago Tribune
- ↑ Board of Directors | Lookingglass Theatre Company
- ↑ TOC poll: Should Chicago get the 2016 Olympics?
- ↑ 2007-2008 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences - Chicago/Midwest Emmy Nominees
- ↑ Rockit Ranch Productions - Profiles - Billy Dec
- ↑ Billy Dec wins an Emmy, Chicago beams with pride
- ↑ Actress Kate Walsh receives award from Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston
- ↑ Alumni Award Recipients 2010
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Famous Filipinos - Chicago Hearts Trivia
