Glen Ellyn's Yadav Nathwani sees success in business and politics

GLEN ELLYN – Yadav “Nick” Nathwani has plenty to be proud of.

The Glen Ellyn resident received his MBA at 23, won his first election – as a trustee for the Glenbard District 87 School District – at 25, and currently serves as a trustee for Milton Township and as chief financial officer for Glen Ellyn-based Professional Paving and Concrete Co.

After obtaining his MBA from Benedictine University, Nathwani found immediate employment at Community Bank Wheaton/Glen Ellyn.

He spent his first five years of employment focusing not on the money, but rather on the experience. It paid off when, in October 2010, he was sought out by Alex Demos, owner of Professional Paving and Concrete. When he joined the company, revenues were around $10 million, and he was brought on board for accountability and to help the business grow. Now, the company’s revenues fall in the $16 million to $17 million range yearly.

“I think one of the main reasons I’m doing so well is I found my niche at such a young age,” Nathwani said, adding he has always enjoyed numbers, analyzing and talking with people.

In grad school, Nathwani used to tell people he wanted to be CFO of a company, he shared with a laugh.

While still working at Community Bank, Nathwani also began volunteering with Junior Achievement at Christ the King in Lombard and Naperville North High School, as well as with the Chamber of Commerce.

At 25, Nathwani also ran his first political campaign, seeking a spot on the Glenbard District 87 School Board. He was elected and served from May 2009 through May 2013. As part of the school board, Nathwani was responsible for managing a budget, collaborating with the district’s stakeholders and setting policy for the district. He did not seek re-election to the position, and instead decided to run for a seat on the board of Milton Township. He was elected in 2015 and his term ends in 2017

“Everyone thinks you can get rid of township government and taxes will go down,” Nathwani said. He said that's not the case because the county or city would then need to offer services to township residents.

One of his continued goals while serving on the Milton Township Board is to increase awareness of the volunteer-run, tax-free food pantry.

“We take care of the people that everyone else turns away,” he said.

He also wants to increase the relationships between townships and the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to his MBA, Nathwani did his undergrad work at Benedictine University, studying social science, so between his professional work and his political work, he is managing to use both degrees.