Richard “Dick” McCann, founder and chairman of McCann Industries, received the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award for 2007 at a luncheon in St. Charles, Ill., Oct. 30.

For each of the last 15 years, the Boy Scouts have given the Distinguished Citizen Award to one individual of the Fox Valley community. This award recognizes individuals who unselfishly dedicate themselves to community service and, most especially, to the welfare and development of the community’s youth.

Past recipients include Ray Kroc of McDonalds; James R. Thompson, past Governor of Illinois; and J. Dennis Hastert, congressman and past Speaker of the House.

Scouts Play Influential Role

McCann was born and raised in DeKalb, Ill. He has four children and seven grandchildren.

McCann joined the Cub Scouts as a young boy and his mother was den leader. His Scouting experiences instilled in him a love for adventure and the great outdoors. While in the Scouts, McCann learned about perseverance, loyalty and determination.

At age 14, McCann attended the three week long National Boy Scout Jamboree in Anaheim, Calif. That trip was sponsored solely on others’ generosity.

That generosity was not lost on McCann. It served as his motivation for devoting time and effort to the Scouts today.

Business Life

In 1967, McCann started McCann Construction Specialties Company in a one car garage in Villa Park, Ill. Through the years, he played a major role in his company’s growth into one of the premier wholesale distribution and construction equipment dealerships in the Midwest.

That small company now has become known as McCann Industries Inc., which employs more than 150 individuals and services thousands of contractors and municipal customers throughout northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.

McCann held several industry positions including president of Associated Construction Distributors and board member of the Underground Contractors Association and Concrete Contractors Association of Greater Chicago.

McCann formerly retired from the business several years ago and handed the business to his son, Jim.

Giving Back to the Scouts

McCann is the executive board member of the Three Fires Council and sits on the facilities committee. McCann has become involved in the planning efforts of a new camp called “Cub Scout Adventure Camp.” This camp will be a first-class 500-acre facility located north of Rochelle, Ill. This venture is a joint campaign of the Three Fires Council and the Des Plaines Valley Council.

Objectives of the Boy Scouts of America include building character, developing personal fitness and training young people to be responsible, contributing citizens.

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