SHIA KAPOS TAKES NAMES
Chicago execs join in ice bucket challenge
August 22, 2014
The ALS ice bucket challenge is bringing out the competitive spirit of Chicago's top executives.
Billionaires J.B. Pritzker, Joe Mansueto and Eric Lefkofsky have taken part in the challenge to raise awareness and money to fight Lou Gehrig's disease, formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. So have CME President and Executive ChairmanTerry Duffy and 1871 CEO Howard Tullman.
Mr. Pritzker, the venture capitalist, philanthropist and entrepreneur, takes the cake for creativity.
He appears in his video, above, dressed as Dr. Evil, the fictional character played by actor Mike Myers in the "Austin Powers" films — bald head, tipped pinky and all.
Seated in a chair "deep below the Merchandise Mart," he says he was nominated "by the techno geeks at 1871."
"Little do they know, I'll be turning the tables on them with 'operation ice bucket,'" he says with a sinister laugh. "I'll pour one million bajillion gallons of water over Chicago!"
The buckets drop with the help of two assistants, and a drenched Mr. Pritzker then peels off his mask to say he's giving $26,000 to the ALS Association — $100 for each of the 260 companies in 1871. He also challenged his "evil brother" Tony Pritzker, Graff CEOHenri Barguirdjian and professional poker player Phil Hellmuth.
OTHER ICE BUCKET EXECS
The CME's Mr. Duffy appears in his video dressed in a suit and tie.
"Being in the business I've been in for 35 years, I don't turn down too many challenges," Mr. Duffy says, adding that recent surgery on his right elbow made it impossible for him to lift a bucket, so he asked his "two able assistants," his twin sons, to do the honors:
On the count of three, they each threw a bucket of ice water on Mr. Duffy, who let out a loud "Oh!" His sons then pushed him into a swimming pool a few feet away.
He was challenged by Walt Lukken, CEO of the Futures Industry Association based in Washington.
Mr. Mansueto, CEO of Morningstar Inc., had his three children drench him with a big bucket of ice water as part of the challenge:
He was nominated by his good friend Mr. Tullman, who posted his own video:
Barney Harford, CEO of Orbitz Worldwide Inc., was doused by a bucket and cups of ice water by about 20 employees standing by the Chicago River.
He challenged GrubHub Inc. CEO Matt Maloney and Mr. Lefkofsky, CEO of Groupon Inc. Mr. Lefkofsky answered:
Also taking part: auctioneer Leslie Hindman and Dr. David Fishman, director of the cardiology department at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center on the Northwest Side.