Digital advertising firm atLarge, Inc. won a Stevie Award for their IMG Academies Interactive Campaign in the Best Software Programming & Design category of The 2009 American Business Awards.

What book are you currently reading?
Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative by Sir Ken Robinson. I recently heard Sir Ken speak about how today’s education system is focused on systemized, standardized learning instead of recognizing individuality and fostering our natural creativity. His book weaves in statistics about the cost we pay for strained creativity and the strategies for recovering it.

What was the last movie you saw, and would you recommend it?
I took myself to Disney’s Up when it opened recently. The animation was amazing and the story pulls at you no matter what age you are. Go see it!

What is your favorite sport or hobby?
I’ve been practicing kickboxing for the last 6 years. I always feel accomplished after a go-round.

Who is your favorite historical figure?
Rosa Parks. She understood her place in history by becoming the catalyst for the civil rights movement. Through a peaceful but powerful act she ignited a nation and set into motion events that would change the world. Her life is a great example of servant leadership.

Who is your favorite living person?
My mother raised four children as a single parent while putting herself through college, working full-time, supporting her community, and at the same time being an endless source of encouragement for her friends and family. She’s the most ethical, dedicated, and generous person I know.

If you could choose another profession, what would it be?
I sent my first resume and cover letter to Saturday Night Live when I was a junior in high school. I had written a short play and decided I belonged in entertainment—and what better spot than on the SNL writing team? I’m still waiting to hear back … but I can do a dead ringer of Molly Shannon’s Superstar.

What do you think is the worst bad habit to have at work?
A career is like a marriage, so you have to pick the right one. A lot of times we take the wrong job because it’s safe. You can tell when people don’t care about their work, but when you do what you love, you have a career, not a job. It feeds your mind, not just your mouth. One of my favorite quotes is from Buddha: "Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it."

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Gary Rappeport won the Stevie Award for Executive of the Year - Service in The 2009 American Business Awards. Here is Gary's Stevie-winning nomination.

Gary Rappeport is Chief Executive Officer of Donlen Corporation, based in Northbrook, Illinois. Donlen provides companies with innovative vehicle fleet management solutions ranging from acquisition through remarketing.
 
Under Gary’s leadership, Donlen Corporation has realized double-digit revenue growth with annual revenue increasing from $375 million in 2003 to nearly $925
million last year. During that period of time, Donlen is the fastest growing fleet leasing and management company in North America, and has been recognized by a number of leading industry organizations and publications:

•             Crain’s Chicago Business Best Places to Work for 2009 (one of 20
Chicago companies selected)
•             The International Association of Outsourcing Professional (IAOP) Global
Outsourcing 100 for 2008, 2007, and 2006
•             The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) 101 Best and
Brightest Places to Work For in Chicago, 2008 and 2007
•             Finalist in the “Most Innovative Company” category in The 2007 American
Business Awards

Gary recognizes the value in having happy employees, and how that translates
directly to company growth. The satisfaction and pride that Donlen employees
exhibit are direct drivers of the company’s superior customer service, making
Donlen one of the top outsourcing companies in the world. He has implemented
programs such as extensive in-house training programs, college tuition
reimbursement, a fully equipped on-site fitness center complete with a golf
simulation room, company-sponsored health screenings, and an at-work Weight
Watchers program.

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Blogs, or web logs, are all the rage these days. Each month in this space we'll point you to several blogs and web sites that we think might be of interest to you.

350.org: Website for an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis.
StillTasty: Is that leftover pizza from yesterday's meeting still edible? (No.) Everything you need to know about when to keep and when to toss food.
iBP: Worried about your blood pressure? This iPhone app will help you track that and your pulse, and even email the results to your doctor.
blogcatalog: Claiming to be the largest directory of blogs on the Web, this page provides links to reviews of the top iPhone apps.