John C. Robak is Chief Executive Officer of Greeley and Hansen, a leading international civil, environmental, and water infrastructure consulting engineering firm, headquartered in Chicago since 1914. With 30 years of professional business experience, Robak directs all business affairs of this 20-office global firm. In addition, he is responsible for international growth operations in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Robak is an elected member of the Greeley and Hansen Board of Directors and serves as the management liaison to the board’s Executive Compensation Committee. He also leads the firm’s Senior Executive Management Team.
Robak is a strong advocate in promoting U.S. technology and manufacturing globally. He was selected by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to serve as an appointed member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC). The committee provides consensus advice to the Commerce Department on the development and administration of programs and policies to expand U.S. exports of environmental technologies. Robak has also been appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to serve on the Illinois District Export Council, where he contributes leadership and business experience in support of the nation’s joint industry/government export expansion effort.
Robak leads Greeley and Hansen’s efforts to support community initiatives aligned with the company’s mission to create better urban environments. Focusing on diversity as an important business imperative, he is proactively cultivating a diverse employee base at the firm and promoting multiculturalism and inclusion to other Chicagoland businesses as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chicago United, an advocacy organization that brings together diverse senior business leaders to promote multiracial leadership in business to advance parity in economic opportunity. Robak is also a member of The Economic Club of Chicago.
A committed proponent of altruistic action, Robak is personally involved with many Chicago-based non-profit organizations and supports many civic causes on the local, state, and national level. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Police Foundation.
The Chicago Police Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing supplemental resources in technology, advanced training, and safety equipment to the Chicago Police Department (CPD). The programs funded are ultimately intended to enhance overall public safety and help build stronger relationships between the community and the Chicago Police. In 2017, Robak was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor. This award acknowledges the accomplishments of an individual citizen whose efforts have served or supported the Chicago Police Department. Robak also serves on the Department’s Community Policing Advisory Panel, which brings together members of the CPD command staff and Chicago community leaders to focus on efforts and strategies for reducing crime and building community trust.
Robak developed an innovative Global Engineers in Residence apprenticeship program with Upwardly Global, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating employment barriers for highly skilled but underemployed immigrants. Robak also serves on the board of the Chicago Botanic Garden and is a member of its Science and Education Committee, which guides the Garden’s research, science education, community service, and youth and adult training programs. Robak is an avid supporter of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Chicago City Colleges, Chicago Consular Corps, Chicago Gateway Green, America in Bloom, The Magnificent Mile Association, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Face the Future Foundation.
Robak holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. He has served as a long-time member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Driehaus College of International Business at DePaul University and has been active in promoting the university’s graduate program in Sustainable Urban Development. This interdisciplinary program explores how cities can cope with the demands of building urban areas that are environmentally sustainable and also support both economic and community development.
Known for taking a holistic approach toward creating a satisfying work environment, Robak has received numerous awards and accolades for his collaborative leadership style, creative workplace employee engagement programs, and commitment to community service. He is a sought-after speaker and published author on human resource, leadership, and career management topics.