BCZ Advisory Directors

Melvin L. Katten (“Mel”), Advisory Director is a  senior founding Partner of Katten Muchin & Rosenman, a national law firm with over 600 attorneys. The Firm is based in Chicago with offices in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and New York. Mel’s practice includes business consulting with start-ups and national and international companies in all business aspects, including federal tax, mergers and acquisitions, financings and business relationships. He is active in many civic and charitable efforts including the Auditorium Theatre, Roosevelt University, the Better Government Association and the Anti-Defamation League. He serves on their respective Boards and/or as an officer of these and other organizations. Mel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois followed by a CPA, and a Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School (1963).

James V. Kimsey (“Jim”), Advisory Director, is the founding CEO and Chairman Emeritus of America Online, Inc. (AOL). He transformed what began as Quantum Computer Services in 1985 into the nation’s leading provider of interactive online services to consumers and the largest company ever started in the Washington, D.C. Area. In 1996, Jim created the Kimsey Foundation and since that time has built it into one of the largest and most influential foundations in Washington. He has founded and served on the boards of a number of successful businesses in the area in a wide variety of disciplines including financial services, information technology, real estate development and restaurants. In 1994, he was named Business Leader of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. Jim is Chairman of the Board of Refugees International, Chairman of the Washington Opera, on the Executive Committee of the National Symphony and on the Board of Georgetown University. Jim is a graduate of West Point Academy (1962).

Robert Viets (“Bob”), Advisory Director was CEO of CILCORP Inc. from 1988 through 1999.  CILCORP’s major subsidiaries were Central Illinois Light Company, which provided regulated utility services in Illinois, and QST Enterprises Inc., which provided unregulated energy-related services throughout the United States. After CILCORP was sold to AES Corporation, Bob, through ROV Consultants, LLC, provided consulting services to acquirers of regulated utilities.  Bob has served as Director of publicly-traded   and privately-held businesses involved in energy, communications, water, banking, and insurance.  He currently serves on the Board of RLI Corp. (NYSE:  RLI) which writes multiple lines of specialty property and casualty insurance.  Bob also has actively served numerous State and community activities, including serving as Chairman of the Bradley University Board of Trustees, Chairman of Methodist Health Services Corporation, and Vice Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.  He currently is Chairman of Advanced Medical Transport, a not-for-profit corporation that provides Advanced Life Support ambulance service in 40 communities in central Illinois.  Bob received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree from Washburn University (1965) and a Juris Doctors degree from Washington University in 1969.  Bob is a Certified Public Accountant.