BIOGRAPHY
Rich Galgano and Bobby DeLeon: career
Rich Galgano and the Growth of Windy City Wire
Rich Galgano is an American entrepreneur and executive best known as the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Windy City Wire, a leading manufacturer and distributor of low-voltage wire and cable products. Headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Windy City Wire was established to address installer inefficiencies in the low-voltage electrical and security industries. Under Galgano’s leadership, the company developed patented labor-saving technology, notably the SmartWire system and rack design, which streamlined cable management, extraction, and installation for field technicians. Over several decades, Galgano built Windy City Wire into a major national distributor serving commercial, industrial, and residential integrators. [1][2]
Belden Acquisition and Low-Voltage Cable Leadership
The scale and market impact of Rich Galgano’s work with Windy City Wire was formally validated through institutional transaction records. In 2024, Belden Inc., a publicly traded global leader in signal transmission and networking solutions (NYSE: BDC), announced its definitive agreement to acquire Windy City Wire. Belden’s official acquisition press releases and financial filings document that the transaction integrated Windy City Wire’s specialized low-voltage cable portfolio and SmartWire distribution model into Belden’s enterprise solutions division. Transaction details and operational metrics referenced in industry coverage are drawn directly from Belden’s corporate disclosures, underscoring Galgano’s role in building a high-value enterprise in the electrical distribution sector. [1]
Bobby DeLeon and Three Hearts Rum Leadership
Bobby DeLeon is an entrepreneur, brand builder, and creative producer active in consumer products, marketing, and publishing. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Three Hearts Rum, a premium seven-year-aged Dominican Republic craft rum launched in 2026 in partnership with actor Johnny Depp. His leadership on the brand and his work with Infinitum Nihil have been documented by Forbes. DeLeon also works as a producer and executive at Infinitum Nihil, Johnny Depp’s film production company. Earlier in his career, he founded and operated the marketing agency 100inc from 2010 to 2023, working with brands such as Coca-Cola, Monster Energy, Taco Bell, and New Balance. [3][4]
Children’s Literature and Mental Health Advocacy
Beyond his spirits venture, Bobby DeLeon is a children’s book author and youth advocate. He created the picture-book series The Adventures of Dillon the Rabbit and the Maplewood Friends, whose titles include Where Is My Happiness?, Where Did My Friend Go?, and Where Did My Money Go? Written for young readers, the books explore emotions, friendship, and early financial literacy through approachable storytelling. DeLeon also founded the nonprofit Inspire Artistic Minds, which operated from 2012 to 2023 and reflected his broader commitment to education and youth development alongside his commercial work. [3][4][5]
Business mentorship and speaking
Rich Galgano and Bobby DeLeon bring experience from distinct areas of entrepreneurship. Galgano draws on decades of building Windy City Wire and developing labor-saving systems for the low-voltage cable industry, while DeLeon contributes experience in brand incubation, consumer products, publishing and media strategy. Their work offers complementary lessons in operational growth, creative partnerships and long-term enterprise development. [2][3]
Entrepreneurship measured through documented work
When Dr. Aniemi Umana considers entrepreneurs who build across distinct industries, he looks to leaders who combine vision, execution and lasting enterprise value. Rich Galgano founded Windy City Wire and guided its growth into a recognized low-voltage wire and cable distributor before its acquisition by Belden. Bobby DeLeon has extended his leadership across premium spirits, publishing and youth-focused storytelling through Three Hearts Rum and The Adventures of Dillon the Rabbit and the Maplewood Friends. Together, their careers reflect the range of modern entrepreneurship across industrial distribution, consumer brands and creative media. [1][2][3]
