James F. Bergeron
Class of 1985

Alumni Recognition Award, 2003
 

James F. Bergeron, a high-profile member of our Naperville community, graduated from Naperville Central in 1985. Mr. Bergeron was an active member of the Naperville Central community while a student. An excellent student, Mr. Bergeron was also involved in the Redskin soccer program and was a regular participant in the Tae Kwon Do club. He states that his best NCHS memories involved soccer, the people and his senior trip to Europe.

Mr. Bergeron graduated from Miami of Ohio with a B.S. in Personnel & Employment Relations and a B.S. in Organizational Behavior. As a young man, Jim Bergeron grew up around the restaurant business. He was working at the family's Little Caesar's business as early as eleven years old. After graduating from Miami, he began working his way up through a variety of high profile restaurants. Mr. Bergeron has worked for Bennigan's TGI Friday's, and Dave and Buster's in Addison.

James Bergeron's experience and expertise eventually led him to purchase the Metro Grill in downtown Naperville. It did not take long for him to put his stamp on the business and rename the Metro, appropriately Jimmy's Grill. Jimmy's has enjoyed phenomenal success, thanks to great food, a prime Naperville location, and impeccable management. Located in the heart of downtown Naperville, Jimmy's has become one of our community's centerpieces.

Five years after re-opening Jimmy's, Mr. Bergeron purchased Leonardo's Pizza, another landmark Naperville restaurant. Renamed Brick House Pizzeria, James Bergeron is attempting to combine good food and great service, with an historical tie to our community.

Mr. Bergeron's involvement in his community is extraordinary. He has become a leading voice in the Naperville Rotary Club. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hawthorne Credit Union. He is on the board of Directors of the Downtown Naperville Alliance. He was a founding member of the Naperville Restaurant Association. He also serves on the board of the Stillwater Homeowners Association. In addition, Mr. Bergeron has been involved with the Toys for Tots program, Rotary's Octoberfest, the Last Fling, Ribfest, and the United Way.

Mr. Bergeron was, for his business acumen, named by The Business Ledger, one of DuPage county's top young executives.

Jim is an avid Harley Davidson enthusiast, is married to Jennifer and has a beautiful little girl, Chloe.

 

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