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Billy Dec is a Filipino-American TV personality, background actor, and businessman in the hospitality industries. He is the CEO/Founder of hospitality management company Rockit Ranch, marketing agency COACT, and human resources firm HR Pro. He makes regular television appearances discussing food and entertainment, and his background acting experience includes Friends and Chicago Code. He also hosts a podcast, The Meal of Your Life!.
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Dec has also served on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force, and was the director of cultural relations on the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee.
Early life and education
Dec was born and raised in Chicago, and educated at St. Clement School and the Latin School of Chicago. Upon graduation, Dec attended the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, majoring in Economics/Pre-Law.[1][2] During his time in college, he worked as a nightclub bouncer. After graduation, he was offered a job as a promoter, but turned it down to attend law school at Chicago Kent College of Law.
Hospitality industry
During his first year of law school, Dec established his first club, Solo. While in law school, he went on to open Equinox Wine Bar, Dragon Room, Circus and The Bedroom.
In 2002, Dec and business partner Brad Young formed Rockit Ranch Productions, a restaurant and nightclub development and management company.[3] Their first nightclub venture was Le Passage Nightclub, and their first restaurant was Rockit Bar and Grill, a restaurant themed around rock music. The company went on to open more venues including Rockit, Underground, Sunda, and Rockit Burger Bar.[4][5][6] In 2019, Rockit Bar and Grill closed after 15 years.[7]
Entertainment industry
In 2015, Dec launched a Chicago-based production company, Elston Films, with his wife Kat Stephans and producers DeAnna Cooper and Kevin Cooper. The company has yet to produce a single movie. [citation needed]
Dec hosts a podcast entitled The Meal of Your Life, in which he interviews celebrity guests about a defining meal that has affected their lives. Past guests include David Schwimmer, Andrew Zimmern, Macy Gray, Carla Hall, Ming Tsai, Curtis Stone, and Rahm Emanuel.[citation needed]
Charity work
Dec is a supporter of several non-profit organizations and charity events based in Chicago, including Make-A-Wish Illinois, Best Buddies, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the American Cancer Society, the Lookingglass Theatre Company,[8] and Maggie Daley's After School Matters. He was the director of cultural relations on the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee,[9] responsible for attracting celebrity support for the city's Olympic bid.
Personal life
In 2009, Dec married Katherine Stephans.
Filmography
Dec has worked as an extra on many major productions and has used his connections to get small speaking roles as well.
Television guest appearances
- 2019: Today in Nashville, guest
- 2018: Today in Nashville, guest cohost
- 2007-2019: Today Show, food contributor
- 2016: Weekend Today, guest
- 2016: The Meredith Vieira Show, guest
- 2011-2016: Windy City LIVE, entertainment contributor
- 2014: Frankenfood, guest judge
- 2014: Good Morning America, food contributor
- 2014: Chicagoland, guest
- 2014: Fox & Friends, food contributor
- 2008: 24/7 Chicago, host
Awards
| Year | Award | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Chicago / Illinois Tech, Personal Achievement Award | Business |
| 2019 | Chicago / The Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame, Legend Award - (Won) | Business |
| 2019 | Champaign-Urbana / University of Illinois, College of Liberal Arts & Science Alumni Award - (Won) | Business |
| 2017 | Chicago / Chicago United, Business Leaders of Color - (Won) | Business |
| 2015 | Midwest Emmy Award - | Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programs – Single Magazine Program, Program Series, or Segment (Won)[10] | Television |
| 2010 | Byrne Piven Community Service Award[11] | Community Service |
| 2010 | Chicago-Kent College of Law Professional Achievement Award[12] | Law |
| 2010 | Illinois Secretary of State's Asian Pacific American Business Leadership Award[13] | Business |
| 2010 | Illinois Secretary of State Judy Baar Topinka Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence in Business | Business |
| 2010 | Filipino American TV Asian American Hall of Fame Award[13] | Television |
| 2010 | Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' Asian Pacific American Entrepreneur Award[13] | Business |
| 2010 | Cook County State Attorney's Asian Pacific American Community Leadership Award[13] | Business |
| 2009 | Midwest Emmy Award - Outstanding Achievement for Entertainment Programs – Arts/Entertainment Program or Program Series (Broadcast/Advanced Media) (Won)[14] | Television |
| 2008 | Nightclub & Bar Magazine's USA Operator of the Year (Won)[15] | Nightlife and Hospitality |
| 2008 | Midwest Emmy Award - | Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programs – Single Magazine Program, Program Series, or Segment (Nominated)[16] | Television |
References
External links
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