Our Founder

Robert M. Ady is the founder and president of Ady International Company. Mr. Ady is widely recognized as an individual who had a great impact on making the fledgling field of site selection into the recognized profession that it is today. He is credited with developing and implementing many of the techniques and approaches considered standard within the site selection industry. He continues to strive for the recognition and betterment of the site selection profession.

In 2010, he and a number of his peers formed the Site Selectors Guild, the first-ever association by and for professional site selectors. Mr. Ady was voted the organization’s first President of the Board.

His core areas of expertise include corporate site selection and incentive negotiations for companies wishing to locate, relocate, or expand. He also provides location advisory services and stay-go/feasibility analyses, and serves as an expert witness. As a site selector, he has identified optimal locations in the United States for more businesses than any other individual.

Recognized worldwide as the consummate professional, Mr. Ady has been chosen by prominent firms to undertake their most sensitive and important assignments as a corporate site selector.

Professional Background

Ady International Company, President, 2000 to present

World Business Chicago, Founder/Co-Managing Partner, 1997-2000

Deloitte & Touche Tohmatsu, Executive Consultant, Realty Consulting Group, 1996

The Fantus Company/PHH Group, President, 1987-1996

The Fantus Company/PHH Group, Executive Vice President, 1983-1987

The Fantus Company/Dun & Bradstreet, Executive Vice President, 1981-1983

The Fantus Company/Dun & Bradstreet, Senior Vice President, 1973-1981

Selected Affiliations and Leadership

Founder and President of the Site Selectors Guild

Former Board member for Japan America Society of Chicago

Former Board Member and Honorary Life Member of the International Economic Development Council

Former alderman for the City of Park Ridge, Illinois

Recipient of the Edward DeLuca Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the International Economic Council, this award is bestowed in recognition of the individual who has consistently exemplified the highest standards of professional excellence throughout his or her career in the economic development field.

Representative Speaking Engagements

White House Staff Conference on Economic Development
World Conference on Economic Development
World Utility Development Council
National Association of State Development Agencies
Industrial Economic Development Council
National Governors Association

Representative Media Interviews

  • Business Week magazine
  • Forbes magazine
  • Fortune magazine
  • NBC Nightly News
  • New York Times
  • Time magazine
  • Wall Street Journal

Representative Articles and Publications

“Advanced Manufacturing Changes Location Dynamics”, Expansion Solutions Magazine, July/August 2011

“Corporate Headquarters Relocation”, Trade & Industry Development Magazine, March/April 2010

“Auto Parts Suppliers: Use Site Selection to Meet OEM Demands,” Trade and Industry Development Magazine

“Economic Development: A Viewpoint from Business,” Community College Press

“High Technology Plants: Different Criteria for the Best Location,” National Council of Economics

“Locational Determinants for Emerging Industry,” National Emerging Industry Association

“New Factors Are Added to High Tech Site Selection,” High Tech Super Connections

“Taxation and Economic Development,” New England Economic Review

“The Global Corporation: Locating Success,” The German-Midwest Chamber Way

“The Increasing Importance of Corporate Image as a Site Location Factor,” Forbes

“The Internet Has Changed The Dynamics of Site Selection: What It Means For Your Business,” Forbes

“What To Look For In A Relocation Destination,” Forbes