Don Popravak

President


Don Popravak Biography A 28-year resident of the Village of Flossmoor, Don was born in Chicago on July 17, 1959. He was raised on the city’s industrial Southeast side less than 3 miles from Downtown Whiting in a working class family where he learned the values of hard work and commitment to the community. His grandfather worked for U.S. Steel for 45 years, and his father was a Chicago police officer for 23 years while his mother was involved with their grade school parent organization. During Don’s formative years, he attended St. George grammar school and St. Francis de Sales high school, graduating in 1977 where he was a member of the National Honors Society. As a two sport athlete he won varsity letters for both baseball and football and was a member of his high school’s 1976 State of Illinois summer champion baseball team. In the fall of 1977, Don enrolled at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. While at DePauw, he majored in Communications. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981, thus becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college. Don’s work ethic was evident in these years, as he worked hard to help finance his college education by holding down two jobs on campus during all four years at DePauw. Don also participated in all aspects of campus life while at the university: he was a member of the baseball and football teams for four years and won varsity letters in both sports three times. After his graduation from DePauw University, Don began a 30-year career in advertising sales and marketing. Intertwined with Don’s business career is his passion for volunteering. In addition to working with and mentoring youth since 1977, he has spent many hours serving his alma mater and other worthwhile organizations.