Carmen Rossi

Owner, 8 Hospitality

Chicago

Carmen Rossi was born and raised in Frankfort, Illinois. He received 4 collegiate and post colligate degrees while owning and operating five profitable companies. After graduating law school, Carmen practiced law for a civil litigation firm before acquiring and developing a number of hospitality venues in the Chicago land area in 2013. He currently is partnered with, owns and manages thirteen such businesses.

Carmen received his B.Ş. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in English and Political Science. He stayed at U of I for his Master's Degree and taught three undergraduate classes as a University employee. Carmen finished his academic career at Northern Illinois University where he received his Juris Doctorate. During law school, he worked as a clerk with the Will County States Attorney's office. Carmen was the NIU College of Law Student Bar President and a member of a hand-full of student organizations. Following his passing of the bar exam in 2012, Carmen worked for the civil & Manzella, P.C. in Joliet, IL, where he concentrated primarily on appellate court drafting.

In 2013 Mr. Rossi proudly introduced "8", a Hospitality Management Company that manages and employs over 700 individuals in the Chicagoland area. "A commitment to hospitality includes a series of promises to our communities as we seek to enrichen the neighborhoods by providing quality food and beautiful spaces to accommodate groups and events of all kinds" quotes Rossi.

In 2014 he started "Chicago Knight Life" a company he built to involve his hospitality

portfolio with local Chicago charities. Chicago Knight Life reaches out directly to Chicago organizations and charities to provide a warm meal and companionship. All employees of his hospitality portfolio are encouraged to volunteer for weekly visits to charities. These calls range in purpose from passing out food, helping serve and engaging in conversation to enhance life. Chicago Knight Life has worked with Little Black Pearl, Sarah's Circle, Ronald McDonald House, Asian Youth Services and many others.

Carmen has continued the practicing of law, forming City Lake Law, a law firm specializing in corporate strategy with clients from the entertainment, real estate and hospitality industries. His clients include the national entertainment booking company, JAM Presents; the international music festival company, Live Style; C3, owner of Lollapalooza; Portillos; and a number of real estate developers and Chicago hospitality companies.

In addition, Carmen was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel as Commissioner on the City of Chicago Landmark Commission, is a board member to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce PAC and serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Restaurant Association. In April 2016, Carmen was appointed by Governor Rauner to serve as a board member on the Illinois Economic Development Board (now "Intersect").

"Over the years I have also been fortunate to interact and work with many people. Any success I have experienced has wholly been a product of my dynamic network and persistent work ethic. It's all about making a mark with the time you have. My involvement in academic, charitable, community and professional endeavors has been quite diversified and, as a result, I stand in a stronger position to make a difference in the greater Chicagoland community."