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Alumni Profile: Chris Gallagher ’91 and Todd Gallagher ’94
Focus, persistence, hard work and a love of “competing against the best” are four attributes Chris Gallagher ’91 and Todd Gallagher ’94 cited as they accepted Crain’s Chicago Business magazine’s annual “Best Place to Work in Chicago” award. Their technology firm, Green Office Partner, ranked No. 1 out of 259,000 companies in Chicago.
“Chris and I strongly believe our experience at Country Day provided the raw skills directly responsible for our success in business,” Todd said. Chris added, “I have over 200 Country Day contacts across my LinkedIn network, and I love reading posts from other Country Day entrepreneurs because we are all doing some fascinating things.”
Todd began his FWCD journey as a fifth grader and recalls academic rigor that “took his breath away” and teachers like Dan Bloch H’06, who bonded with him over a shared passion for the Chicago Cubs, and Rick Kneuven, who transformed him from a relaxed student into a serious scholar. Chris was blown away when he began in eighth grade. “I vividly remember the panic within the first 10 minutes of my first day of physics class with Dr. [James] Aldridge [H'14]. The curriculum was so advanced, I wasn’t sure if he was speaking English,” he said. Chris also fondly remembers Steven Hoover’s math class filled with hilarious one-liners.
The brothers were academically engaged and deeply involved in the School’s music program, where they played drums and percussion taught by Preston Thomas. Highlights included jazz band, ISAS, performing in the pit for Pippin, Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as Chris’s talent show tradition, the infamous “Drum Duet” with Ty Hoffer ’90. The blend of rigorous academics and rich arts activities fostered their interpersonal skills and competitive spirits, which have melded into their professional lives.
After FWCD, Chris and Todd attended Vanderbilt and Northwestern University, respectively. Their careers took different paths: Chris worked for SAP and Microsoft, and
Todd became a political consultant, managing campaigns and serving as a Senior Adviser on U.S. Senate campaigns. However, in 2004, the Gallagher brothers quit their day jobs and put their life savings on the line to start their first company, which ultimately would become Green Office Partner, a national provider of managed print services, intelligent process automation, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality consulting for regional and national enterprises.
Today, this Inc. 5000 company has 52 full-time employees, eight figures in revenue, and clients in 49 states and Canada, ranging from banks in New York to Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners in Los Angeles.
Green Office Partner is also a mission-driven organization dedicated to environmental sustainability. Their “green” initiatives include a program where trees are planted in deforested areas for every case of paper printed by their clients. Since 2016, they have planted over 50,000 trees, ensuring their operations positively impact the environment.
Chris and Todd believe their No. 1 ranking among the “Best Place to Work in Chicago” reflects their dedication to creating a positive workplace. While many companies laid off significant portions of their workforce during the pandemic, Chris and Todd chose to retain all their employees, even if it meant foregoing their own salaries. They foster a culture of mutual support, where employees are encouraged to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The Gallaghers remain connected to their roots at FWCD. They frequently visit campus, participate in alumni events, and support The FWCD Fund, understanding the importance of giving back to the community that helped shape them as students and as adults. Looking toward the future, Chris and Todd remain committed to continuing their growth, advancing their green initiatives, and maintaining their company’s reputation as a best place to work.
