Leadership Team

Larry Gies

Larry Gies

Founder & CEO

Mr. Gies is the Founder and CEO of Madison Industries, one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world (www.madison.net). Madison builds entrepreneurially driven, branded market leaders that are dedicated to making the world safer, healthier and more productive by creating innovative solutions that deliver outstanding customer value. The team at Madison is committed to building something truly remarkable that long outlasts them while coaching others to reach their highest potential.

 

Madison has built market leaders in the filtration, medical diagnostics, life sciences, safety, rescue & firefighting equipment, industrial equipment, marine, instruments & controls, advertising, service outsourcing and indoor air quality industries.

 

Mr. Gies serves as President of The Gies Foundation, which is dedicated to democratizing education and enhancing health. He was instrumental in establishing The Gies Campus of Chicago Jesuit Academy, a full-scholarship school for 3rd–8th grade boys and girls on Chicago’s West Side. He serves on the boards of Northwestern University, Amsted Industries (2016–2022), one of the largest ESOP’s in the United States, and the Accelerate Institute, which is working to close the achievement gap in U.S. education.

 

He holds degrees from the University of Illinois and Northwestern University and is a featured speaker at universities across the country. A lifelong champion of the University of Illinois, Mr. Gies has spent decades teaching and mentoring students while advancing the university’s mission. His enduring commitment is honored through the naming of both the Gies College of Business and, in honor of his US Army veteran father, Gies Memorial Stadium. In 2025, the University of Illinois awarded Mr. Gies an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

  • "Cablecraft Motion Control was a part of Tuthill for 42 years. Heck, my own career at Tuthill began in the Controls business some 32 years ago, so you can bet I had high standards when I went looking for its new owner. In Madison, I found an experienced team that was true to its word and more than capable. Under Larry Gies’ leadership, I’m comfortable my colleagues at Cablecraft Motion Controls have their best days ahead of them."

    Jay Tuthill, CEO - Tuthill Corporation

  • "Larry Gies and his team are the only buyers I have ever met that never wavered in what they said they would do, never strayed from their Letter of Intent and acted with integrity and honor from start to finish. Madison is a throwback to a different era when your word really was your bond. I would be comfortable doing my next deal with them on just a handshake."

    Eric Menke, Partner - Champlain Capital

  • "Larry Gies is a genius company owner, not just a dealmaker... as operators, they are rock stars."

    Lawrence Golub, President - Golub Capital

  • "Larry Gies was true to his word and delivered exactly what he said. The Madison team did an excellent job in pulling this transaction together very quickly and thoroughly."

    Johannes Huth, Chief European Operations - Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR)

  • "The Madison Team, led by Larry Gies, not only did everything they said they would do, but they did it exactly WHEN they said they would do it. In 20 years, I’ve never met a buyer that could close a deal within 15 business days... until now. Madison does not negotiate for ’sport’ and this allows both parties to start with a reasonable position based on their true needs. Larry’s straight-forward approach, fairness and honesty enabled all parties to reach a fair transaction efficiently."

    Bill Willhite, Managing Partner - Thompson Street Capital Partners