The Mama of the Papas
Nicholas Family of Companies’ matriarch Nancy Papanicholas reflects on raising a generation of leaders.
It was October of 1974 when Nancy Dawson first laid eyes on Nick Papanicholas. He was a semi driver and she worked as an administrator for Emery Air Freight at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Nancy was smitten by Nick’s swagger and his ability to command a room.
Their courtship began and they joined the Emery bowling league where Nick had the highest men’s average, and Nancy was one of the top women bowlers. Individually they were formidable and together they were unstoppable. Their flirtations evolved into true love, and they knew that God had led them to each other.
They married in the spring of 1978, and that is when the Papanicholas legacy began…
THE FORMATIVE YEARS
While they were both thankful for their jobs at Emery Freight, Nick wanted to provide a better life for his bride. A friend tapped him to serve as a superintendent for a new bank in Glenview. Nick knew nothing about construction but threw caution to the wind and obliged. He learned how to read blueprints and manage a construction site in rapid fashion, almost as if he had been doing it his entire life. It was a pivotal time in his career, and Nancy served as his rock, sounding board, and biggest supporter. ‘Construction added a bigger smile to his face and extra glimmer to his eyes,’ she said. ‘I knew that he was destined for greatness and my intuition was that this was the start of something spectacular for both him and the family we dreamed of creating.’
After just one year working in the field, Nick approached Nancy with a wild idea at their kitchen table: to start his own construction company. He wanted to change the less-than-desirable reputation that construction firms had at the time by drastically elevating the client experience. His company would be distinctly different and deliberately personal, in both the service it provided and the ways in which it gave back to local communities. Nancy told him to chase his dream with every ounce of his being, and just like that, Nicholas & Associates came to be.
The early years were tough. There was blood; there was sweat; and there were tears for them both as Nick worked relentlessly to build the company’s foundation and Nancy worked tirelessly to raise four children under the age of six. Nick Jr., Joe, and Tony were each one year apart, and then came Gina four years later. ‘It was difficult, and it was hectic, but our children were (and still are) the ultimate blessings and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat,’ Nancy said.
FAITH & FAMILY
Faith was important to the Papanicholas family. All four children received a Catholic education where the virtues of humility, respect, honesty, and charity were impressed. These values were reinforced at home, both in words and actions. ‘Even though Nicholas & Associates was flourishing, we remained grounded and reminded our kids how fortunate they were,’ Nancy said. ‘They did not get everything they wanted. They had to work hard for it all.’
Nick and Nancy stressed the importance of family time, even as their roles and responsibilities stretched them to exhaustion. ‘Nick still made time to coach our kids in all their sports. He was a very active dad and a nurturing and supportive husband. He always put us first. I held down the fort at home and was the primary caregiver to the kids and a compassionate listener when Nick had a rough day at work. It was important to us to start and maintain traditions when our kids were young. And we made it happen; traditions like spending weekends throughout the summer in Michigan with cousins were crucial to creating the tight-knit family we have.’
A SECOND GENERATION
Today, Nick and Nancy’s kids are grown and share ownership in the company founded by their late father. ‘Where they have taken things is amazing,’ Nancy said. ‘Never in my wildest dreams did I think that there would be an entire family of companies tied to our name. They did that on their own. Nick would be so proud.’
To be fair, the Papanicholas children had solid role models. Nick and Nancy led by example, approaching life with vigor and an acute understanding of what brings about pure happiness. ‘It’s all about having drive, but also about finding peace,’ Nancy said. ‘We taught our kids that if you want it, go after it, but remember that there will always be someone with more money or things than you have. You must find contentment within you to be happy. My husband and I did… and we lived very happily!’
As the flagship company, Nicholas & Associates has completed more than $4 billion in construction in the last ten years alone. The company has offices in three states and is responsible for more than 150 team members and their families. To say that the company is thriving would be an understatement. So, when asked what she attributes the success of her children to, Nancy was quick to respond with two words: respect and humor.
‘Ever since they were little, my kids have respected and defended each other emphatically. They truly enjoy each other’s company and being together. They all bring a unique sense of humor, which was a huge part of their upbringing, and laugh at each other and themselves often. These are the ingredients for success in our family.’
NICK JR., CEO and Managing Director
His Father Incarnate
From looks to outlook, and humor to charisma, Nick Jr. is a carbon copy of his namesake. ‘Nick reminds me of his dad every day. I observe his work ethic, attitude, perspective on life, and how he raises his kids—and it brings back the fondest of memories,’ Nancy said. ‘Oh, and both never met a microphone they didn’t love! It doesn’t matter if it’s a karaoke opportunity or a platform to speak, the Nicks are cut from the same fabric.’
While most of his mannerisms came from his father, Nancy jokes that Nick Jr.’s affinity for gambling came from her. ‘Nick loved gambling from a very early age. He tells everyone that when he was a baby, we put the dice on his high chair and convinced him that they were his friends,’ Nancy laughed, ‘and starting at six-years-old, he would read the newspaper over his bowl of Honeycombs, perusing the sports section to track stats before heading off to school. He used that knowledge to run (and dominate) Super Bowl pools throughout grammar school!’
JOE, Managing Director
The Family Prankster
Never one for conflict, Joe is the family jokester. The Papanicholas family lovingly donned the phrase ‘you never know from Joe’ because of his prankster tendencies. ‘As a little boy he would love to provide entertainment to the family,’ Nancy recalled, ‘he is a one man show with his ability to imitate people and to this day we look to him to make us laugh.’
Joe balances his jovial personality with a black and white approach to life. ‘He loves to debate and would have made an exceptional lawyer. He observes facts and recalls the smallest of details, which is why he is so fantastic at his job.’
TONY, Managing Director
The Gentle Soul
Tony was coined the sensitive and kind child, and to this day has maintained those noteworthy qualities. ‘Things seem to always happen for Tony because he draws positivity and good things towards him. He is super kind, thoughtful, and always takes care of his mom,’ Nancy beamed. ‘His siblings love to call him ‘Mama’s boy Tony’.’
He is the unrivaled favorite uncle among the entire Papanicholas family. ‘He’s always throwing his nieces and nephews in the air, taking them places, and sharing his endless energy. They know they can ask Uncle Tony for anything, and he’ll make it happen!’
Tony enjoys a ‘go with the flow’ attitude unless he’s under pressure. ‘He doesn’t eat or sleep when he’s focused on something. Whether it’s his woodworking, golfing, his home building or entertaining, he is consumed with creating the best results. And when he finishes, we get our Tony back.’
GINA, Managing Director
The Glue
Gina is the youngest of her siblings but has an innate ability to keep her brothers in line both at home and at work. They appreciate her drama-free approach to life and common-sense attitude. ‘She’s both a leader and cheerleader, and has earned her spot at the table,’ Nancy said.
Becoming the CFO for the Nicholas Family of Companies was never part of Gina’s master plan. ‘She hated math and hated numbers all through school. In fact, she called our fledgling accounting department at that time the ‘black hole,’ Nancy cracked-up. ‘We got the last laugh, though, as we guilted her into returning from college in Arizona to learn the business.’
Like everything Gina does, she took on the role with attention to detail and perseverance. ‘She absorbed everything her dad taught her with passion. She wanted to make him proud… and she certainly accomplished that! Gina felt she still had so much to learn from him when he passed away, but I am confident he is still guiding her all the way from above!’