Brian Ortiz often says he was meant to be a coach and teacher, but his path led him to entrepreneurship. Raised by an immigrant mother and a father who led large construction projects, he was the first in his family to attend college on a full academic scholarship to Illinois.
After ten years in his family’s business and seeing it close due to the challenges of low-bid public work, Brian developed a deep respect for risk, resilience, and the realities of building a company. At 36, he launched his first business and went on to found Nacional Group, now a leading General Contractor serving Corporate America nationwide.
Brian is passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented people in the construction industry. He is a proud husband of nearly 30 years and father of five, and channels his love for coaching into mentorship through “Changing the Face” a mentorship program he developed for construction industry entrepreurs, and his work with HIRE360 Chicago.
He serves on the boards of HIRE360 Chicago, YPO, CMSDC, and the Chicagoland AGC. Brian has been recognized by Chicago United as a Business Leader of Color, named among Chicago’s Most Powerful Hispanic Businesses, awarded Exelon’s Supplier of the Year, and is a frequent keynote speaker on diversity and leadership in construction.
