Muchow to Recieve ECCI Chairman's Award

Joe Muchow, President of Elmhurstbased E.L. Foust Co., Inc., will receive the 2015 Chairman’s Award at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 97 th Annual Awards and Talent Showcase at the Waterford Banquet & Conference Center on Friday, January 29, starting at 6 p.m. Traditionally, the annual award is given to a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors for his/her outstanding service to the Board, Chairman and President/CEO or to a non-Director for praiseworthy contributions or performance. “Joe has stepped up whenever the Chamber has needed a Director to take on an expanded role,” stated John R. Quigley, Chamber President and CEO since 1999. Outgoing ECCI Board Chair Dee Longfellow of the Elmhurst Independent will present the award to Muchow. A second-term elected Director, Muchow voluntarily served as the Chamber’s representative to the City of Elmhurst for both the North York Street Tax-Increment Financing (TIF 4) Corridor Plan and the Sustainability Task Force. Muchow was elected at the Board’s November meeting to the Executive Committee as First Vice Chair and will chair the Marketing Committee in 2016. He has served on the Governmental Affairs Committee since joining the Board in 2011. A Chamber member since 1996, E.L. Foust has manufactured high-quality air purifiers for allergy and asthma sufferers since 1974 and now offers a line of “green” cleaning products for work and home. The company was founded by Edwin Foust, who developed all-steel air purifiers in response to his wife Jane’s sensitivity to chemicals. Muchow has served E.L. Foust as President since 1997 and before then was General Manager from 1989. Muchow also served as President (1995-99) of his Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local. A member of the Illinois Professional Firefighters Association since 1974, Muchow was named Firefighter of the Year in 1998 and received the Joseph Hartman Award for Paramedics. Muchow also served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve from 1969-2002, as a Chief Petty officer in Port Security. Muchow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University and an Associate Degree in Fire Science from the College of DuPage. Until recently, Muchow resided in Elmhurst for 38 years. Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community. The Chamber’s mission is to promote an environment that creates success for local businesses and our community. The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.