Technology >> CEO Interviews >> August 9, 2001
MICHAEL W. FERRO, JR., is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Click
Commerce, Inc., the leading developer of Channel Management solutions
for Global 2000 enterprises. He combines more than 15 years of
experience in manufacturing and technology development with his strong
entrepreneurial spirit, which has propelled Click Commerce to become one
of the leading business-to-business, electronic commerce providers in
the world. Before launching Click Commerce in 1994, Mr. Ferro founded
and headed his own industrial company which was ultimately sold to
Pettibone Corp., a Lisle, Ill.-based manufacturer of construction,
industrial and material handling equipment. At age 26, Mr. Ferro
remained with Pettibone as the youngest Division President in the
company's 100-year history. Since the inception of Click Commerce in
1996, Mr. Ferro has been featured in more than 30 publications such as
Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and Industry Week. Mr. Ferro also was
named to the Crain's Chicago Business ranking as one of the Top 40
Entrepreneurs Under 40 in Chicago. He also is a three-time finalist in
the KPMG Illinois High-Tech Awards. Mr. Ferro is the youngest member
ever elected to the Board of Directors of The Executives' Club of
Chicago, one of the most prestigious business forums in the United
States. He also is a well-renowned speaker at some of the top industry
events and forums. Mr. Ferro holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Psychology from the University of Illinois. There, he co-founded Multi-
Digit Technologies, which gained national acclaim within its first six
months of operations for its new design of standardized exam testing. He
is dedicated to turning Chicago into the number-one location for
Internet business-to-business electronic commerce that caters to
manufacturing clients worldwide. He also is committed to supporting
causes that provide education and support to less fortunate children
worldwide. As a result, Click Commerce supports organizations such as
the Chicago Archdiocese Schools and Children's Friends For Life. Profile
Mr. Ferro: Click Commerce was incorporated in 1996 with the idea of
connecting global corporations using the Internet with
