What does it take to work one’s way from answering phones at a company to running part of a multibillion-dollar global business?

For Mount Carmel alumnus Jack Molloy ’90, it has taken more than three decades of hard work, learning, and leadership. Mr. Molloy came back to MC to speak with the school’s Business Club on March 4, 2026, in the Kiszka Suite. He talked to the students about his life story, his experiences in the business world, and what he has learned so far. 

Mr. Molloy is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Motorola Solutions, a global technology company that designs and provides communication and security systems used by emergency responders, governments, and businesses around the world. Most people would likely know Motorola for the cell phones it produces as well.

Mr. Molloy’s interest in business began while he was still a student at MC. Several courses offered at the school helped introduce him to these ideas and encouraged him to explore business as a career path.

“I learned a lot here, and I think the school offered a lot academically in terms of business courses,” Mr. Molloy says. “I took accounting, economics, and business law here, and it really piqued my interest.”

He went on to further his education at Northern Illinois University and got a degree in marketing. After undergrad, he then went on to graduate studies while working at Motorola Solutions and taking night classes at Loyola University Chicago, eventually earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration. 

Mr. Molloy worked many jobs during college. One of them involved working as a janitor at Evergreen Plaza in Evergreen Park, IL. He thought the job was easy, and it was more about gaining experience because it exposed him to people from different backgrounds and taught him lessons that would influence the way he treats employees today.

“If you’re a new hire in the company who cleans the washroom at Motorola Solutions, I try to know everybody’s name and treat everybody with respect,” he says.

Those early experiences helped him recognize that strong organizations depend on every person contributing to the team, regardless of their role.

Mr. Molloy did not start his career at Motorola in a leadership role. Instead, he came into Motorola in an entry-level role where he would answer customer service calls. This role gave him the opportunity to see how the company operated and to learn from the people around him. Mr. Molloy did not focus on his title at the time and just focused on the quality of his work.

“Nobody was going to work harder than me,” he says. “Nobody was going to show up earlier, and nobody was going to learn later.”

Over time, those habits helped him advance through the company. After more than thirty years at Motorola, he now helps oversee the major aspects of the company’s operations.

Mr. Molloy’s experience with various leaders and teams at Motorola and other companies that he has collaborated with throughout his career is what shapes his views of leadership. Some of the key leadership qualities that Mr. Molloy considers essential are honesty and authenticity. In his opinion, people can easily identify if a leader is genuine.

“People can see through phoniness,” he says. “[Workers] want to deal with and follow someone authentic.”

He also said that leaders need to be prepared to make decisions, even in difficult and uncertain situations. Hesitating too long can slow progress and lead to missed opportunities.

“The worst leaders I’ve ever worked with are indecisive,” he says. “If you don’t make a decision, someone else will move faster than you.”

Mr. Molloy, during his presentation to the Business Club, encouraged students to start thinking of how they can prepare for their future careers. One step in preparation that he considers essential is making connections with people.

“Make sure you network,” he says. “There are always people who want to help you get your foot in the door.”

He also stressed the importance of staying curious and continuing to learn throughout life as industries and technology change.

Junior Nolan Esquivel, who is part of the Business Club, enjoyed the talk because Mr. Molloy had experienced both the difficulties and successes of the business world.

“I think it was really great and very informational,” Esquivel says.

Mr. Molloy’s presentation allowed students to listen to someone who had been in their shoes, attending the same classes they are attending today. Mr. Molloy’s career path shows students how persistence and strong values can influence a career. In looking back at his days at MC, he realizes the significant role the school played in developing the values he has followed in his career path.

“Mount Carmel taught me grit and the importance of doing things the right way,” he says.

For students, Mr. Molloy’s story serves not only as inspiration but also as a guide for how their career paths could unfold in the future.