Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1546217
24 Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 26 I n the early 1960s, Leo Rodriguez arrived in the United States with determination and a willingness to work. Nearly three decades later, in 1991, he founded Chicago Pallet Service. In 1997, Manuel Tavarez started Harvey Pallets with six employees, one truck, and one forklift. Today, both companies are respected members of the wood packaging industry, and both remain family businesses at their core. at is not unusual in this industry. Across North America, many wood packaging companies have grown from a founder's vision into multigenerational organizations. Children and grandchildren bring new ideas while learning the principles that made the business work in the first place. Striking that balance takes patience, communication, and trust. Few companies illustrate it better than Chicago Pallet Service and Harvey Pallets. Building Something Bigger Than A Business Araceli Rodriguez, Leo's daughter, now serves as Acting CEO of Chicago Pallet Service. She describes her father as someone who built the company through perseverance, integrity, and an unwavering work ethic. "He truly embodies the American dream," Rodriguez said. "After immigrating to the United States in the early 1960s, he faced a lot of challenges, but he managed through perseverance." BY ANNETTE FERRI, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS at example continues to shape her leadership. "No matter how hard the obstacle is, he always found a way forward," she said. "He built our company on a foundation, hard work, integrity, and unstoppable mindset. And those values continue to guide us today." e company now spans three generations. Rodriguez and her siblings represent the second generation, while younger family members contribute technology skills, fresh ideas, and new perspectives. "We hope that each generation does not replace this before it's built upon it," Rodriguez said. "By combining my father's grit, our generation focused on innovation and the next generation's digital expertise." SPOTLIGHT BUILT BY FAMILY, STRENGTHENED BY EVERY GENERATION