MICHAEL FERRO, JR. - CEC CO-CHAIRMAN
Chairman & CEO
Merrick Ventures, LLC
Merrick Ventures is a technology holding company, based in Chicago, founded by Michael W. Ferro, Jr.
Mr. Ferro is the past chairman, CEO and founder of Click Commerce, Inc., the leading provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions.
Under Mr. Ferro’s leadership, Click Commerce posted 14 consecutive quarters of growth and profitability and acquired and integrated nine companies. During this time, the company’s stock value increased 900 percent.
Because of Click Commerce’s industry reputation and proven ability to deliver results, Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a multi-billion dollar Fortune 150 company with 700 decentralized business units in 48 countries, acquired Click Commerce on Oct. 24, 2006. ITW selected Click Commerce as the platform to launch their software and technology group.
2006 Click Commerce Awards and Recognitions:
- #1 Stock Star, highest three-year growth rate, Crain’s Chicago Business
- #1 fastest-growing software company, Baseline
- Most Influential Manufacturing Technology Provider, START-IT
- Highest Profit Growth, VARBusiness
- Top 20 supply chain execution provider, Modern Materials Handling
- Supply and Demand Chain Executive 100, Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- Top Logistics IT Provider, Inbound Logistics
- The Global 100, Manufacturing Business Technology
- Hottest Companies, START-IT
Mr. Ferro has won numerous awards including the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the technology category. He was also named a 2006 Henry Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute. Mr. Ferro has received the CEO National Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Holocaust Memorial Foundation. He has received the KPMG Illinois High-Tech Award and was listed as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Mr. Ferro is a Director on the Board of Trustees of The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum of Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He serves on the boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Big Shoulders Foundation, and AfterSchool Matters.
In addition to his civic and philanthropic activities, Mr. Ferro participates in several business organizations. He is the chairman of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, a board member of the Economics Club of Chicago, and a director of The Executive’s Club of Chicago. Mr. Ferro is also a member of Young Presidents’ Organization and The Commercial Club of Chicago. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois.
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