Billy Dec

Billy Dec is a two-time Emmy Award-winning TV personality, entrepreneur, attorney, actor, and documentary filmmaker whose career spans hospitality, advertising, business consulting, and media. Dec is recognized for his work in the Chicago hospitality industry, having founded venues such as Solo, Equinox Wine Bar, Dragon Room, Circus, and The Bedroom during his early career. He is an alumnus of Chicago-Kent College of Law and Harvard Business School, leveraging his academic background to drive innovation and growth in his ventures.

Dec and business partner Brad Young established Rockit Ranch Productions, a company specializing in restaurant and nightclub development and management. Their projects include Le Passage Nightclub, Rockit Bar and Grill, Underground, Sunda, and Rockit Burger Bar. Sunda New Asian operates in Chicago's Fulton Market and River North, Tampa, and Nashville. Dec also founded COACT, an agency integrating marketing, advertising, and production to deliver brand solutions for clients.

Dec appears regularly on national broadcast programs including ABC, Good Morning America, the Today Show, and Windy City Live, contributing expertise in entertainment and food. His acting credits include roles in "Criminal Minds" and "Empire." Dec earned his first Emmy Award for a travel short inspired by his experiences in Southeast Asia, which influenced the creation of Sunda. He hosts the podcast "The Meal of Your Life," where he interviews guests about meals that have shaped their lives.

Dec produced the PBS documentary "Food Roots," which explores self-discovery, multicultural influence, and family heritage. The film, produced by an Oscar Award-winning executive producer and an Emmy-winning director, with music by a Grammy Award-winning producer, received the Audience Award at the Nashville Film Festival and has been featured at film festivals internationally. The documentary was inspired by Dec's personal journey to reconnect with his heritage in the Philippines.

Dec served as a Presidential appointee on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders and the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force. His recognitions include the Excellence in Business Award from the State of Illinois, the Asian American Hall of Fame Award, the Cook County State's Attorney's Community Leadership Award, and the Chicago-Kent College of Law Alumni Professional Achievement Award. Dec also served as director of cultural relations for the Chicago Olympic committee, focusing on celebrity engagement for the city's Olympic bid. Dec frequently addresses topics such as entrepreneurship, cultural identity, and the impact of food and community in his public speaking engagements.