CHAMPAIGN — A University of Illinois alumnus who leads a local realty company and a number of other ventures is being honored for his business savvy.
Chris Saunders, founder and owner of Green Street Realty, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Parkland College Foundation. He will receive the award at a June 5 banquet at the I Hotel and Conference Center.
Saunders is also the founder and owner of CRS Hospitality, which operates 13 brands in Champaign, including local restaurants such as Seven Saints and Jupiter’s.
According to Parkland officials, his other ventures include Sub 4 Development Company; Culver’s franchises in Grand Island and Omaha, Neb., with his brother, Greg; Do it Best Hardware in Champaign; and Insurance Providers Group.
Previous winners of the Parkland College Foundation’s V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year Award:
2010: Clint Atkins
2011: Rick Stephens
2012: Dwight Miller
2013: Rudy Frasca
2014: Murray Wise
2015: Steve Hillard
2016: Lori Gold Patterson
2017: Jeff Hartman
2018: Robert J. Libman Family
2019: David J. Downey
2022: Victor Fuentes
2023: Brian Neiswender
2024: Betty Brennan
