www.negociosnow.com
42 February 2017
President, Solis Construction
Ivan Solis, a native of Zacate-
cas, Mexico, grew up in a small
town where he attended school
through the 10th grade, wor-
ked as a farm hand and learned
woodworking from his father, a
master carpenter and teacher.
Solis moved to the south side
of Chicago in the early 1990s
and skipped a year of school to
work with his father as a full-
time carpenter, building por-
ches and rebuilding homes. He
returned to school and gradua-
ted on the honor roll from Holy
Trinity High School.
Solis' journey took him from
journeyman carpenter to es-
timator and construction ma-
nager. He became president of
Solis Construction in 2001, lea-
ding the company through ra-
pid growth that included going
from three to 32 carpenters in
three years.
Solis Construction joined
HACIA in 2002. After five years
of membership Solis felt com-
pelled to serve on the board. A
firm believer in the association's
mission of evening out the pla-
ying field for minority- and wo-
men-owned companies, Solis
decided to give back. After an
unsuccessful first run, he got
elected to a three-year term the
following year. Solis has been
reelected twice and currently
serves as board president.
Solis credits his success to
his family and mentors. Equa-
lly important are the lessons he
has learned from other business
owners (many in HACIA), who-
se unselfishness and generosity
in sharing their wisdom, expe-
riences, setbacks and triumphs
have made it easier for him and
his company to forge a path
forward.
Solis lives in Chicago with
his wife and 3 children.
Ivan Solis, 38
HACIA
champion
and board
president
"A
lways remember where
you come from and enjoy
the journey, regardless of the
destination."
