Greg Padovani’s resume includes 17 bullet points under the list of organizations he has served with, and 12 under the list of honors he has received. And neither list is fully complete. A U.S. Army veteran, Padovani is the president and founder of PENS Communications Systems, LLC, and lives in his hometown of Arlington Heights. He is widely regarded there, and throughout the region, as a dedicated champion of veterans’ causes.

“It’s in my nature to serve and help others,” he says. “I have tried to learn from, and pattern my life after, leaders and inspirational people. Some I would read about; many I would meet and serve under, or with. All this carried over to my civilian life. Through the years, I continued to learn from everyone.”