Richard K. Sykes

(B.S. GE ’81) 

Richard Sykes graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1981. He began his career at Eli Lilly and Company, holding various engineering and management positions for seven years. After obtaining an MBA from the University of Chicago, he transitioned to management consulting, initially at A.T. Kearney and later at McKinsey and Company, where he served as a partner, senior partner and managing director of its Midwest office. Throughout his consulting career, he has worked with clients across different industries on strategy, operations and organization.

Apart from his professional work, Sykes has been actively involved in community service. He has served as a board member for World Business Chicago, a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and its Civic Committee, a member of the Council on Chicago Booth for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business advisory council, and as a board member and past president of Shelter, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on helping children in need. Currently, Sykes is a member of the board of directors at Dycom Industries, a specialty contractor serving customers in the cable, telecom and tech industries.

Sykes and his wife, Peg, met at Scott Hall and married in 1982. They reside in Inverness, Illinois, and spend time in Naples, Florida. They have three married sons and five grandchildren.