Links Celebrates 20 Years & the Holidays!
On Saturday, December 7th Links Technology celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala party at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel.
It was a grand affair attended by Links employees and spouses/partners, Links customers, and as President and CEO Brian Burke said, “the folks that helped us get started and still work with us… our attorney, Tom Palmer (MPS Law); our banker Roy Picciuca (WinTrust); and there in spirit, our accountant, Rich Augustine (RJACPA); and our insurance broker, Bob Keller (Keller and Associates)”. Links employees from California, Georgia, Indiana, and North Carolina were also in attendance.
Schaumburg Mayor Tom Daily presented the company with a plaque proclaiming December 7, 2019 Links Technology day. The Mayor also shared a favorite story about Brian: Many years ago when the Village of Schaumburg board of trustees was considering whether or not to invest in the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, and it came time for Tom to vote, he shared some advice with a quote given to him by Brian: “If not now, when?” When contemplating the start of a whole new business 20 years ago, Brian had concluded…..“if not now, when?” He shared this advice with Tom, and Tom voted yes!
Brian then gave an eloquent speech highlighting the history of the company, and how he, his son Jim Burke, and son-in-law Bob VanValkenburg put the start-up technology company together. He talked about the growth of the company, ever-expanding into new lines of the technology business. Starting off in consulting and staffing, moving into custom software and web development; and creating a help desk support business that has expanded into managed network support. Links started with Brian, Jim, and Bob, and today employs 145 people in 5 states.
A You Make a Difference Award was presented to Brian Burke by Jim and Bob. Brian is a mentor, leader, and an exceptional businessman. Through his guidance and leadership, he has made Links a sought-out technology firm for customers. Brian has a passion and knack to connect and form relationships with the Schaumburg community. He not only encouraged a Schaumburg Chamber of Commerce to be formed but he was also the first Chairman of the Board.
The celebration was a night filled with delicious food, a trip back down memory lane through a slideshow, marvelous music, a fun sundae and candy bar and a whole lot of dancing. Every employee was given the chance to share with the crowd what they do and how many years they have been with Links. The event was a perfect way to start the holiday season and celebrate being in business for 20 years!
