548 Foundation

09/02/2026

Welcome to the newest 548 Auxiliary Board member!

Christopher Gersch is the Chairman, CEO, and Founder of Altimus Capital, LLC, a Chicago-based holding company specializing in renewable energy development and energy derivatives. A former Chicago Board of Trade trader, he has founded eleven companies since 2006, including Verde Solutions, Navigate Power, RxSun, Fresh Coast Solar, and Blox Capital. Companies he has founded have appeared on the Inc. 5000 list 18 times, and he was a 2017 Midwest Finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a 2023 Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leader in Sustainability. Chris has appeared as an expert guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, Fox Business News, and the Schwab Network, and has served as an Adjunct Professor in the University of Chicago's Master of Science in Financial Mathematics program since 2015. He holds an Executive MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. in Aerospace, magna cm laude, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Welcome aboard, Chris!

08/28/2026

⚡ 548 Foundation is growing!

We’re looking for an experienced Electrical Instructor who’s ready to turn real-world experience into real-world opportunity.

This is more than teaching electrical skills. It’s about helping prepare the next generation of skilled professionals, building confidence, and opening doors to careers that can change lives.

If you know the electrical trade, know how to lead, and want your work to make an impact beyond the jobsite, this could be the opportunity for you.

🔌 Bring your expertise.
👷🏾‍♂️ Build the next generation.
🚀 Help power what’s next.

Interested? Check out the full job description and apply using the link below.

Apply for the Certified Electrical Instructor (Chicago, IL) job in Chicago, IL! Learn more about the job description, salary, and job details to see if you qualify on Indeed today.

08/12/2026

Our Auxiliary Board continues to grow with the addition of Jake Pepper.

Jake Pepper is a creative problem solver and forward-thinking construction executive focused on driving growth, innovation and environmental responsibility across the industry.

As President of Pepper Environmental Technologies and Pepper Energy, Jake leads efforts spanning environmental services, renewable energy development, solar power and battery energy storage. He also oversees Pepper’s field operations, partnering with field leaders to improve performance and integrate new technologies that create greater efficiency at both the project and business levels.

Across his roles, Jake is helping Pepper enter new markets, build strategic relationships and reduce the construction industry’s environmental impact—while creating lasting economic opportunities in historically underserved communities.

Jake earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Thanks for joining us on our mission, Jake. 💜

08/08/2026

To anyone feeling stuck: your current situation does not have to define your future.

One of our 548 Foundation alumni shares a powerful message about growth, opportunity, and taking the next step when life feels uncertain.

Stories like this remind us why access to training, support, and community matters.

08/07/2026

We were honored to welcome Illinois State Senator Celina Villanueva to 548 Foundation’s West Lake Street location. Senator Villanueva spent time speaking with our students, offering words of encouragement, and reinforcing the importance of workforce development and access to family-sustaining careers. We appreciate her taking the time to engage with our students and see firsthand the impact of our work.

08/06/2026

🎉 5️⃣4️⃣8️⃣ Celebrates 5️⃣4️⃣8️⃣ 🎉

"The moment carries special significance. While the number reflects the Foundation’s name, it also represents something far greater: 548 individuals who have taken meaningful steps toward family-sustaining careers, greater economic mobility, and long-term financial stability through workforce development."

This is what it looks like when collaboration and partnership come together for the betterment of our communities and the members within them.

We're grateful for the opportunity to serve this region, for our staff who work tirelessly for the success of our students, and for our employer partners who offer opportunities to our Alumni.

https://apnews.com/press-release/ein-presswire-newsmatics/press-release-1584266120b35a9c9bfb832e4098153d

💜

08/04/2026

A special thank you to Kinjal Patel, President of McHugh Construction, for speaking with our students and sharing valuable insight from the construction industry.

Opportunities like this give students a closer look at the field, the expectations, and the pathways available as they prepare for their careers.

08/03/2026

Getting fired could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became a turning point.

Through 548 Foundation, one of our current students, Diego, is turning that moment into motivation, growth, and a new career path.

07/31/2026

Success isn't always linear. 🎢

Crashun Jones, a graduate of Cohort 27, took time to stop by and talk to our current students who aspire to walk across the stage and step into a career like Crashun did.

It's a story of persistence and dedication for Crashun. For many reasons, the first attempt at our Solar Program didn't work out, but he was determined to finish what he started.

He came back. completed the program and received a stack of industry-relevant credentials that he used to get a role with LK Steel.

Now, he's able to come back as an alum and let the current students know that with the right mindset, they can graduate from our program and be on the pathway to a career. 💜

07/29/2026

We’re excited to introduce Shon Harris as a new member of the 548 Foundation Auxiliary Board.

Mr. Shon Harris is the President and Owner of multiple construction companies
serving the Chicagoland area, with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He began his career in electrical construction as an IBEW Local 134 apprentice and became a Journeyman Electrician in 2002, building a strong foundation rooted in union craftsmanship and technical excellence.

In August 2006, Shon founded LiveWire Electrical Systems, a certified union
contracting firm specializing in commercial and industrial electrical and low-voltage systems. Under his leadership, LiveWire has delivered successful projects for clients including ComEd, Chrysler, AT&T, Metra, the CTA Red Line, public and charter schools, healthcare facilities, training centers, and universities. The company’s commitment to excellence and culture has been nationally recognized, earning Crain’s Chicago Business Top 5 Best Places to Work distinction.

Driven by continued growth and opportunity, Shon expanded his portfolio of services to include concrete installation and general contracting. To ensure each division could fully realize its potential, he established BlackRock Construction, a firm that has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars in the Chicagoland construction market.

As a business owner, inclusion and diversity are core values that guide Shon’s
leadership. He is deeply committed to creating equitable employment opportunities for individuals who have been historically excluded from the construction industry.

Under his leadership, LiveWire and BlackRock maintain a majority-diverse workforce, averaging approximately 50% African American, 20% Hispanic, and 10% women, reflecting Shon’s belief that project teams should mirror the communities they serve. This commitment is further demonstrated through the companies’ certifications as Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Small Business Administration (SBA) certified firms, and participation in the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program.

In addition to leading his companies, Shon currently serves as President of the
Chicago Building Congress, where he continues to advocate for collaboration,
innovation, and inclusive growth across the construction industry.

Thanks for joining us on our journey, Shon! 💜