Dominican University to honor Radio Flyer family

Dominican University’s Brennan School of Business will present the James W. Haugh Award for Entrepreneurship and Ethics in Business to the Pasin family, founders and third-generation operators of iconic company Radio Flyer, at the annual Entrepreneurship Breakfast on Friday, October 18. 

The Entrepreneurship Breakfast annually celebrates entrepreneurship and honors regional business leaders for their contribution to business and adherence to ethical leadership.

Founded in 1917 by Antonio Pasin, Radio Flyer is the iconic producer of toy wagons sold across the country. Antonio’s son Mario expanded the company and introduced new products for customers. The efforts of the third generation of family leadership have revitalized the brand and continued Radio Flyer’s multi-generational success story as the purveyor of the toy wagon that has enhanced countless American childhoods. Radio Flyer is consistently listed among top companies to work for in Chicago and the U.S., and has been named as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

The Haugh Award is presented by Dominican’s Brennan School of Business to an entrepreneur whose achievements reflect not only extraordinary business acumen but also dedication to community and personal integrity.  The award was created in honor of James W. Haugh, who served for 10 years on Dominican’s board of trustees, including three years as chairman of the board.

Haugh’s distinguished career includes law practice (Kirkland and Ellis), banking and public accounting.  He served 26 years with KPMG as national practice director, banking; partner in charge, Midwest and Chicago bank tax practice; and various staff and management responsibilities.  After his retirement from KPMG, he formed American Capital, LLC.

Past recipients of the Haugh Award include William J. (Bill) Darley, chairman of W.S. Darley & Co.; Ralph B. Mandell, co-founder and chairman of Private Bancorp, Inc.; Martin J. Noll, chairman and CEO of Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest; and Paul Beckwith, president of The Sachem Company.

The Entrepreneurship Breakfast will be held in Parmer Hall, on Dominican’s main campus at 7900 West Division Street in River Forest.  The event will start at 7:30 a.m.  Individual tickets and tables can be purchased at connect.dom.edu/radioflyerbreakfast for $50 and $450 respectively.  A portion of each ticket and/or table purchase is tax deductible.  Those interested in attending can also contact the Brennan School of Business at 708-524-6810 or gradbus@dom.edu.