Bobby Murray, Age 34
Senior Manager, Sikich LLP
In his role at Sikich LLP, a global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services, Murray is responsible for audits and reviews of businesses in a variety of industries including construction, manufacturing, retail and agriculture. These companies range in revenue from $5 million to $150 million. In addition, he works on business and personal tax planning and compliance.
“Bobby is an invaluable member of the Sikich team. … He always exceeds expectations,” said his nominator. “Bobby has moved from staff accountant … to senior manager in less than eight years’ time.”
Outside of work, Murray was a board member at the Hult Center for Healthy Living, which has been absorbed into Carle Health. This organization hosts a yearly event called Whitney’s Walk for Life, which raises money for mental health and suicide prevention. He also has been involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Prior to his career with Sikich, Murray volunteered to provide income tax assistance for low-income taxpayers.
He is a graduate of Monmouth College, where he double-majored in accounting and business administration and played football before getting his masters at the University of Illinois Springfield. He is married and has two stepsons and assists with their sports and Boy Scouts endeavors.
Childhood ambition: “I wanted to be a professional football player. Clearly that didn’t happen.”
Advice to 20-year-old self: “Don’t ever be afraid to fail at something. You will never learn or grow without failing at it first.”
Unknown to colleagues: “As a child I was very involved in 4-H, and one year won first prize for the best dozen eggs in Peoria County by chickens I raised at my house.”
Best advice: “My college football coach taught us to try to remain even-keeled in everything that we did, to not get ‘too high on the highs’ or ‘too low on the lows.’ … I think it has helped me effectively deal with stress and the everyday challenges life presents.”
Motivating social issue: “The number of children in America living in poverty.”
Book recommendation: “The Road by Cormac McCarthy.”
Peoria needs: “I would love to see Peoria have a minor league football team.”
