Urban Elevator History - Company Information

One of the largest independent elevator companies in Illinois and has been serving the Chicagoland area for over 20 years.

Urban Elevator was founded on May 13, 1985 by two principal partners John Calandra and Dick DeForte in a small office located at 527 S. Wells, Chicago , Illinois . John Calandra , had 15 years of experience as Vice President of Reliance Elevator, the largest Midwest independent elevator company. Dick DeForte, who started his career in the elevator industry in 1968 after returning from Vietnam , brought 17 years elevator installation and service knowledge to the partnership. One year later Carl Osborne and Mark Hertsberg joined the organization, thus creating what was to be a very strong management team with many years of combined experience.

Carl Osborne had worked within the elevator industry for 20 plus years prior to joining Urban Elevator. Due to Carl's extensive experience in sales prior to Urban, it was only natural for Carl to accept and manage the responsibility of sales and marketing. Mark Hertsberg, an electrical engineer, would take on the responsibility of building and managing the maintenance department.

Dick DeForte would assume the primary function of managing the construction, modernization and repair departments; while John Calandra would oversee the administrative functions and overall operations of Urban Elevator.

The early years of Urban Elevator Service were challenging but very rewarding. In 1988, in need of more space and additional accommodations, Urban Elevator relocated to a facility of 5,000 square feet at 844 W. Erie , Chicago , Illinois . In the years to follow, a rigorous growth plan was formulated which would turn this newly founded company into one of Chicago land's premier elevator service providers. Today with over 85 licensed, talented and dedicated employees, Urban Elevator Service continues to grow while remaining committed to complete customer satisfaction.

After many years of dedication, Carl Osborne made a very difficult decision to retire. In April of 2002, Brian Skoczylas accepted Carl's responsibilities and was promoted to the position of Sales and Marketing Manager.

In May of 2002, to satisfy the need for yet more space, the directors of the company purchased a 3 story structure with 25,000 square feet of additional adjacent heated warehouse. This would accommodate the storage of materials for the ever expanding company. The property at 4830 West 16 th Street , Cicero , Illinois would become the new home of Urban Elevator Service.

In July of 2006, Dick DeForte announced his retirement after almost 40 years of dedication to Urban Elevator and the I.U.E.C. local 2. Dick successfully built what today is one of the most dominating modernization departments in the Midwest region.

On October 5 th 2006 , John Calandra, the original founder of Urban Elevator, passed away unexpectedly. During John Calandra's career, he managed to create a premier Elevator and Escalator service company. John was a man of great inspiration, dedication, passion and conviction; he will be missed by all who knew him.

In an endeavor to expand its service area in the short years to follow, Urban Elevator would open a new regional office in Merrillville , Indiana and at the same time make the necessary changes in the management team to accommodate the current needs of the company. Mark Hertsberg, the current President of Urban Elevator Service, entrusted Brian Skoczylas with the position and responsibilities of General Manager which include running the day to day operations of the company and establishing a continued successful growth plan. As we move forward, Urban Elevator will continue to adapt to current economic conditions but the fundamental beliefs of honesty and fairness remain as our guiding principles.