Founder's Biography

Our Founder

John G. "Jack" Sullivan

(August 2, 1922 - October 25, 2007)

Founder and CEO (1955 - 1995)

John G. "Jack" Sullivan was born on August 2, 1922, in Chicago, IL to David, an engineer, and Nell, a housewife.  He graduated from Austin High School in 1940, before serving in the Army Air Corps as part of the 315th Wing in Guam during W.W.II.

Upon returning home at the conclusion of the War, Jack studied at Loyola University of Chicago, where he received his Bachelor of Philosophy in 1948. Jack's ability as a writer, and his determination to get into advertising guided him through the early years of his career as he held a variety of positions with local ad agencies. Jack took this experience and his family to South Bend, IN in 1952 to become the Sales Promotion Manager for Bendix Home Appliances. By 1954, Jack had made a name for himself in the home appliances industry, and accepted the position as National Advertising Manager for the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor, MI.

After having spent significant time at every level of the advertising business, from emptying waste baskets to copy writer to National Advertising Manager, Jack decided that it was time to make one final move, and in 1955 he formed JGSullivan Advertising and Sales Promotion.  Jack spent the rest of his business career in South Bend, IN, while raising nine children with his wife Jean.