Chicago Wolves

Donald R. Levin (luh-VIN) founded D.R.L. Enterprises in 1969.  The Chicago-based company has holdings in many industries, including tobacco processing; aircraft and medical equipment leasing; licensed sports product manufacturing and distribution; and motion picture production and distribution.

Levin's film company has made nearly 20 motion pictures distributed in the U.S. and overseas, featuring such stars as Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Sharon Stone, Rodney Dangerfield and Chuck Norris.



Following the 1999-2000 season, Levin was named the International Hockey League's Executive of the Year.



In addition, Levin donates his time and serves on the board of directors for several charitable organizations.



The Chicago native was recognized at the Boy Scouts of America's Northwest Suburban Council's Distinguished Citizens Banquet as its 2005 Honoree.  Under Levin's direction, the Wolves organization has held a scout night for the Northwest Suburban Council at a home game for the last 13 seasons.

Levin also supports Chicago's Department of Animal Care and Control (ACC).  The Wolves host the ACC's Adopt-a-Dog Program at several home games during the season and encourage fans to bring home an adopted dog after the game.  Seven summers ago, Levin purchased and donated the Animobile - a mobile adoption unit and a modern clinic staffed by veterinarians and adoption specialists.

Before beginning his business career, Levin served in the United States Marine Corps, from which he was honorably discharged.



Levin and his wife, Kathleen Ann, have a son, Robert, and live in the northern suburbs.

William Buddy Meyers, a principal owner of the Wolves, has been involved in the world of hockey for more than 35 years.  He is a former certified agent of the National Hockey League Players' Association and is past attorney for the Soviet Red Army Hockey Team (CSKA).
 
He is a practicing attorney and the principal in the law firm of William Buddy Meyers, Ltd.  His concentration is in the area of worker's compensation and personal injury litigation.  Additionally, he is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Illinois Trail Lawyer's Association, Illinois Worker's Compensation Association; a former director of the Better Boys Foundation and River North Association; and the benefactor of the 2006 Man of the Year Award of the Shomrim Society.  He also is an avid supporter of numerous charitable and environmental organizations. 


Meyers is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a juris doctor degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology/Chicago Kent.  He and Jill live in the River North area of Chicago and have five children between them: Justin, Lindsey, Zak, Brad and Leslie. 

Best known for his stirring rendition of the National Anthem, Wayne Messmer not only sings the anthem at Wolves home games, he also plays a crucial role in business operations and promoting the team in the community.
 
Messmer's association with sports began as the announcer/soloist with the Chicago Sting soccer team. From 1982 to 1985, the Chicago native served as field announcer and soloist for the Chicago White Sox and has held a professional association with the Chicago Cubs since 1985.  Messmer also spent 13 seasons as the celebrated soloist for the Chicago Blackhawks. His performance at the 1991 NHL All-Star game at Chicago Stadium is still recognized by fans as one of the greatest moments in hockey.

During the Wolves historic home opener on Oct. 14, 1994, Messmer made an emotional return, singing the Anthem publicly for the first time since suffering a gunshot wound to the throat six months earlier. Messmer is the founder of Wayne Messmer & Associates, a nationally recognized financial services firm.  He is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where he received a bachelor's degree in music education, and Loyola University of Chicago, where he earned a master's degree in counseling.  Messmer also earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from La Salle University. He is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).
 
Messmer and his wife, Kathleen, who often accompanies Wayne in singing, have two daughters - Jennifer and Stephanie – and reside in Glenview.

Seth Gold was named director of the Wolves in 1996 after joining the team's parent company, D.R.L. Enterprises, as a vice president.
 
Gold has more than 24 years of experience in entertainment and sports law.  In addition to the Wolves, his clients have included the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, Dino DeLaurentis Productions and Roger Corman.
 
Gold graduated from the University of Michigan in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and earned his juris doctor degree in 1981 from Harvard University Law School.  He is active in many community organizations, including Lawyers for the Creative Arts and the Nature Conservancy.
 
Gold and his wife, Marcy, have a son, Jacob, and a daughter, Rebecca, and reside in the northern suburbs.
 

Irwin Jann has been a director of the Chicago Wolves since 2000. 
 
A graduate of De Paul University College of Law (J.D.), Jann has practiced law for more than 40 years.  Jann's interests include food service, long-term care and motorsports.  He has an extensive background in sports, including ownership of J&S Racing Stables; a six-year term as a Director of the Illinois Racing Board; 17 years as an active professional and amateur race car driver; and 27 years as a pit board man at the Indianapolis 500, including being a member of Hemelgarn Racing's 2000 Indianapolis Racing League Championship Team.
 
He currently serves as a member of Illinois Motorsports Council.  A former member of the executive committee of the Chicago City Ballet, he has served on numerous civic and charity boards, including the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, and two Illinois Gubernatorial Transition Teams.

Jann, a Chicago resident, is the father of three children, and is married to Judge Norma Finely Jann, a judge of the Illinois Court of Claims.