"What he has done is almost unequaled in the nation. ... I expect Jim will continue working on St. Jude until he takes his last breath."
-Mike McCoy, Peoria County Sheriff

Founder: Jim Maloof / Realtor®, 1969

Education: Graduated from Spalding High School in 1937.

Personal: Married Gertrude Burson June 28, 1941. She died March 29, 2001. Four children: J. Michael, Mark, Nicholas, and Janice.

Military: Served with U.S. Army Air Corps, acting master sergeant, 1943-1946.

Professional: President, Maloof Cleaners, 1946 to 1968; founder, President and Chairman, Jim Maloof / Realtor®, 1968 to 2013.

Achievements: Mayor of Peoria, 1985 to 1997; chairman of the board and founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, Methodist Medical Center, 1972 to 2013; national executive vice president American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities/ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., 1973 to 1974; original member of the Peoria Civic Center Commission; chairman legislative committee, Illinois Municipal League; Illinois Human Rights Commission, 1997 to 2003; past president Kiwanis Club South-West Peoria; chairman Christian education fund drive, St. Philomena Church; chairman Bradley University athletic fund drive; chairman St. Jude Telethon 1978 to 2013.

Awards and honors: WEEK Tom Connor Award; Pope John XXIII award; B'nai B'rith Man of the Year, entered into the Congressional Record; special recognition, Gov. Jim Edgar; Land of Lincoln award; Helen Haien Good Samaritan Award, South Side Mission; Good Scout Eagle award, Boy Scouts of America; Kiwanis Tri-County man of the year award; American Syrian Lebanese Clubs award, Midwest Federation; J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award; Friedrichafen honorary citizen award; Peoria Rescue Ministries distinguished service award; South-West Kiwanis legion of honor; honorary member Bradley University Alumni.