Pontarelli Associates owes its existence to Ross Pontarelli. After emigrating to the U.S. at the age of 21, Ross worked in a number of different fields including construction and being a butcher with the founder of Dominick’s Food Stores. Finally, in 1959, he decided he would use real estate as a way to satisfy his love of people. Well, it worked wonderfully. During his first 12 years working in Chicago’s Portage Park area, he won many awards as one of the city’s most active real estate agents.
In 1972, he founded Pontarelli Realty Company which has evolved into Pontarelli Associates. His son, John, continues his legacy. Ross is semi-retired and spends his working hours with investment properties. He is a Past President of the Elmwood Park branch of Kiwanis International, founding member of the Chicago Restaurant Brokers Association, and past director of the Chicago Association of Realtors.
