Technology >> CEO Interviews >> May 14, 2001
MARK POLINSKY is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VisionTek. A
graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Journalism, Mr.
Polinsky went on to earn his JD from DePaul University. Prior to
founding VisionTek in 1988, Mr. Polinsky was an Attorney at Harvey B.
Bass Chartered. Mr. Polinsky's entrepreneurial vision has earned
accolades from the following business magazines, trade publications and
associations: named to the prestigious list of Chicago's Largest Private
Firms of 2001 by Crain's Chicago Business; recognized for their forward-
thinking by inclusion in Crain's Chicago Business 'Who's Who' list of
Chicago's top business executives. He was awarded the Governor's Export
Award in the category 'New to Export' from the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Community Affairs. Mr. Polinsky earned a 'Stellar' rating
from Windows Sources for its step-by-step instructions and excellent
data transfer software for its ExtremeDrive_ with DriveExchange_
portable hard drive upgrade system. He was recognized for its 1997
advertising campaign and its creative business-to-business branding
message. He earned multiple 'Gateway Excellence in Supplier Quality
Awards'. Profile
ANDREW J. ZAHN is President of VisionTek and he sits on the Board of
Directors. He has served as Chairman and CEO of Diversified Food Group
since its inception in November 1995. Mr. Zahn continues as Chairman of
the confectionary company, serving over 2,000 specialty retailers and
department stores in the United States. Mr. Zahn is also co-Chairman of
GZ Properties, a real estate development firm specializing in industrial
construction and the continued ownership in those properties, and ZG
Ventures, an investment fund which primarily invests in early-stage
high-tech companies. Prior to Mr. Zahn's affiliation with Diversified
Food Group, he served as President and then as CEO of International
Foods. Mr. Zahn was a principal in the Louis Zahn Drug Company, the
largest pharmaceutical distributor in the Midwest before its sale in
1989. From 1989 to 1991 he served as President of the Louis Zahn
Investment Group. In 1994, Mr. Zahn was admitted into the Entrepreneur
Hall of Fame presented by Arthur Andersen Enterprise Group, William
Blair and Company, ABN Amro Bank and the University of Illinois. Mr.
Zahn has also been a member of the Young Presidents' Organization since
1994. In 2000 Mr. Zahn was named Orthodox Union of Rabbi's (OU) Man of
the Year for his integrity and charitable activities (the previous year
winner was Edgar Bronfman Jr., Chairman of Seagram). Profile
VisionTek?
Mr. Polinsky: I founded the company along with Alan Sutker. We started
brokering memory out of a very small
