On January 27, Lincoln Central Association hosted our annual meeting again via Zoom. During the meeting, dozens of LCA members joined us as we discussed 2021 accomplishments and elected new board members for 2022. We also welcomed guest speakers, Congressman Mike Quigley and Alderwoman Michele Smith who addressed neighborhood issues and also answered questions from members.
Welcome New LCA Board Members!
DEBRA DOBBS
Debra Dobbs and her daughter Katharine moved to Lincoln Park in 2003. Debra has been an active member of the community, personally and professionally, with a passion to support local businesses. Debra has been a member of the LCA Zoning committee since 2015.
Professionally, Debra began her real estate career in 1984, representing developers for some of Chicago’s earliest loft conversions. Beginning in 1987, Debra moved from development to representing buyers and sellers within the residential real estate market. During her 38 years as an agent, Debra has closed over $900M in sales volume and is honored to work with current clients that she first represented in the very early years of her real estate career.
Debra holds a 5-star rating on Google, Zillow, and @properties reviews, and is also recognized by her peers for her professionalism and integrity - she has received the Five Star Real Estate Agent Award each of the past 14 years, granted to a select group of agents rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers, and industry experts. Debra is also a graduate of the Realtor Institute, a past President of the Women's Council of Realtors, and a graduate of the University of Illinois' Fundamentals of Urban Real Estate program.
Prior to real estate, Debra was a Marketing Director in an advertising agency, a theater producer, and an entrepreneur; at the age of 24 Debra trained in Italy to make Gelato then opened ‘Baci’ in Lincoln Park, the first gelateria in Chicago.
Debra is passionate about and actively involved in local and national politics, advocacy of women's rights and equality, and animal welfare. During her free time, Debra enjoys cooking with her daughter and friends and is known for hosting lively Sunday Suppers
DENNIS HACK
Dennis is a native of the Beverly neighborhood. He has resided in Old Town since 1977, raising three children in the community. He lives across from Bauler Park and served on the Bauler Park Advisory Council.
Dennis is the third generation of his family in the steel business in Chicago. He heads two steel service and processing companies: Standard Steel and D.D. Hack & Co.
Dennis served on the LEED Council, a local nonprofit that advocates for industrial retention, and was named by Mayor Richard M. Daley as a Commissioner of the Chicago Economic Development Commission, to work with DPD and business leaders to retain industry.
Dennis is an avid cycler who rides the lakefront. In summer he swims Lake Michigan and enjoys the beach.
Dennis looks forward to bringing his talents to advance the goals of LCA.
ANDREW MASLAN
Andrew Maslan is originally from Kansas City and has lived in Chicago for the past 13 years. He resided in many great neighborhoods, including Old Town, Evanston, and River North before settling down with his wife, daughter, and dog in 2018 near Oz Park and Lincoln Commons. We were originally drawn to the area because of the tree lined streets and family nature of the neighborhood and we loved seeing the liveliness of Oz Park in the summer. We are excited by the new development in the area and enjoy discovering local gems, from restaurants and running routes to farmers markets and dog parks.
Andrew received his BA from Amherst College, and his MBA and JD from Northwestern University. He currently works in finance.
JACOB RINGER
Jacob Ringer loves Chicago. He is fifth generation Chicagoan and has fond memories of his father walking him around Lincoln Park as a young boy sharing stories about the houses, restaurants and people in the community. Jacob always knew he was going to return to Chicago after attending college at Tulane University and he settled in Lincoln Park over 13 years ago. Jacob has spent his career trying to improve the community in and around the city. He began his career as Chief of Staff to the CFO in the Office of the Mayor at the City of Chicago. In that role he drove high impact projects in finance, pension reform legislation, public-private partnerships, municipal marketing, municipal bonds and public policy. He also helped deliver over $250 million in new revenues to the City through innovative partnerships and coordinated the first of its kind biannual Municipal CFO Forum conference. In 2018, Jacob wanted to do more and as such, decided to run for Alderman of the 43rd Ward. Block Club called Jacob ‘an active force in the community’ during the election and Jacob ran because he believes the most change and impact a person can make is at the local level.
Outside of work Jacob supports many local nonprofits including The Night Ministry and Lincoln Park Zoo, where he helped raise over $500,000 in two years as President of the Auxiliary Board. Jacob is also currently Vice President of the Bauler Park Advisory Council where he helps organize events to bring the neighborhood together including the first annual movie in the park as well as a Glow-stick dance party that brought over 200 Lincoln Park families together. Jacob is committed to this neighborhood and is always striving to make it better.
Currently, Jacob is co-owner and developer of Sushi Hall, a family-friendly neighborhood sushi restaurant on Clark and Wrightwood, which is scheduled to open early 2022. Jacob lives in Lincoln Park with his wife Dana and their three children, Leo (6), Henry (4), and Sunny (1). You will see them often at the local parks like Bauler and Oz and frequenting their favorite neighborhood spots.
