Name Billy Dec Role TV Personality | ||
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Spouse Katherine Stephans (m. 2009) Education University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign People also search for Brad Young, Brian Herzlinger, Joe Maggio Movies and TV shows NightLights, The Last Rites of J, Frankenfood Profiles | ||
Organizations founded Rockit Ranch Productions | ||
Billy dec tv hosting reel
Billy Dec is an entertainment television personality, attorney and entrepreneur. As the CEO/Founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, a Chicago hospitality and entertainment development company, Dec and his team specialize in the creation, marketing and management of some of the city’s top venues including Rockit, Sunda, Underground, Rockit Burger Bar, Bottlefork, The Duck Inn at Otto Mezzo. Dec appears regularly on ABC Chicago's Windy City Live, and 103.5 KISS FM, and NBC's Today Show. In addition, he has appeared on shows such as Empire and Criminal Minds. Dec recently launched Elston Films, a production company to bring more film and television projects to the city of Chicago. In May 2014, President Obama appointed Dec to serve on his White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, where he also served on the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force.
Contents
- Billy dec tv hosting reel
- Andrew zimmern 2016 olympic bid interview with billy dec
- Early life
- Rockit Ranch Productions
- Charity Work
- Elston Films
- The Meal of Your Life Podcast
- References
Dec’s educational background includes the University of Illinois, Chicago-Kent College of Law & the Harvard Business School. He has received numerous awards including the Excellence in Business Award from the State of Illinois, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Community Leadership Award and Chicago-Kent College of Law Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Dec is also actively involved in philanthropic organizations like Best Buddies, Lookingglass Theatre, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and formerly served as the Director of Cultural Relations for the Olympic Committee.
Andrew zimmern 2016 olympic bid interview with billy dec
Early life
Dec was born and raised in Chicago and went to St. Clement School for elementary and later, the Latin School of Chicago. Upon graduation, Dec attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where he majored in Economics/Pre-Law. During his time in college, he worked as a bouncer where he learned the ropes of the nightlife industry. After graduation, Dec got offered a full-time job as a promoter but turned it down to attend law school at Chicago Kent College of Law. During his first year of law school, he opened up his first club called Solo. While in law school, Dec went on to open Equinox Wine Bar, Dragon Room, Circus and The Bedroom. In 2009, Billy Dec married Katherine Stephans.
Rockit Ranch Productions
In 2002, Dec and business partner Brad Young formed Rockit Ranch Productions, a restaurant and nightclub development and management company specializing in entertainment marketing, promotions, branding, public relations and operations. Their first nightclub venture was Le Passage Nightclub and their first restaurant was Rockit Bar and Grill, a restaurant that featured rock music along with all American food. The company opened more award-winning venues like Rockit, Underground, Sunda, Rockit Burger Bar, Bottlefork, the Duck Inn and Otto Mezzo.
Charity Work
Dec is a supporter of non-profit organizations and charity events throughout Chicago, such as Make-A-Wish Illinois, The American Cancer Society, the Lookingglass Theatre Company, and Maggie Daley’s (late wife of Richard M. Daley) After School Matters. He is known for his role on the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee as director of cultural relations where he interviewed 60 celebrities to support the Olympics coming to Chicago.
Elston Films
In 2015, Dec launched Elston Films production company with Kat Stephans and Hollywood producers DeAnna Cooper and Kevin Cooper. Based in Chicago, and with a focus on storytelling and working with top talent, Elston Films plans to bring a larger part of the entertainment industry to Chicago through movies and television projects. On January 9, 2016, Elston announced the acquisition of Justin Kremer’s Black List script “Bury the Lead", about a talented journalist on a quest for a Pulitzer Price who fabricates the truth to create a compelling news story. On March 7, 2017, Elston Films announced Anthony Hemingway as the director for "Bury the Lead," their first feature film scheduled to be filmed in 2017 in Chicago.
The Meal of Your Life: Podcast
In each episode of The Meal of Your Life, Dec welcomes a guest including celebrities, athletes, renowned chefs, intellectuals, politicians, and everyday people, and invites listeners to join in on a discussion about defining meals that impacted their life.