Alumnus Leon Garoufalis ’81, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Composites One, has been selected to serve a four-year term on Heidelberg University’s Board of Trustees, beginning in February 2024. Composites One is the leading supplier of composites and advanced composite materials throughout North America.
Leon, who resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois, has more than 37 years of experience in the composites industry, primarily at Composites One, based in Schaumburg. He joined GLS Composites Distribution Corporation, which would later become Composites One, in 1988 as a Resin Product Manager. Over the past 35 years, he has held a variety of sales, marketing, and operations positions after starting his career in sales with a specialty chemical manufacturer and then a thermoset resin producer. At Composites One, he was named Chief Operating Officer in 1999, promoted to President in 2002 and finally, appointed CEO in 2022. His excellent leadership has been recognized by the composites industry. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Chairman’s Award from the Composites Manufacturer’s Association. He also has served the association in several capacities since 2006, including membership on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and as Secretary and vice president.
As a student at Heidelberg, Leon was a member of the Excelsior Men’s Society, the wrestling team, and the College Council. After graduating from Heidelberg with his bachelor’s degree in Economics and following his older brother, Dr. Matthew Garoufalis ’78, by three years, Leon went on to earn his MBA from Loyola University in Chicago in 1991.
Locally, Leon is active at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, where he served on the Board of Directors as secretary from 1999-2007. He also served as President of the Board of the Tumberry Country Club. He and his wife, Ann Marie, are the parents of three adult children, JB, Alexis, and Luke. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, fitness, and golf.
President Rob Huntington is excited to welcome Leon to the Board and grateful that he will be lending his leadership skills, business acumen, and energy to Heidelberg’s mission.
“When Leon spent a day on our campus meeting with students in Business and other majors in September 2022, I saw how he connected in large gatherings, small groups, and one-on-one,” Rob said. “He asks excellent questions, listens intently, offers practical advice, and exudes lots of positive energy. His formal talk on Sales Strategies was outstanding! I believe that Leon will bring all of his professional expertise and enthusiasm for our students to the Board of Trustees.