Schultz’s book, Boomtown USA: The 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns, was published in early 2004.  The Boomtown USA project took more than 3 years of intense research beginning with 15,800 small towns across the country.  The list was narrowed to an outstanding group of 397 towns, that Jack affectionately calls AGURBS®.

Jack’s research has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Business Week, among numerous other publications.  Jack has been a guest on many radio and television programs including Bloomberg Business Television.

The Boomtown Speaking Tour began shortly after the book was published.  Since February 2004, Jack has spoken to over 225 communities in 41 states, traveling over 186,000 miles.  Jack is fast becoming known as a national expert in economic development.  He is a sought-after speaker on the topics of building up town economics, revitalizing towns, and on the keys to becoming a Boomtown.

In 2006, Jack founded Boomtown Institute, a mentor for America’s hometowns.  The Institute was established in response to the overwhelming support for Boomtown USA and the subsequent speaking tour.  Boomtown Institute is the antidote to the many requests Jack receives to help communities all over the U.S. realize their potential.

In 2005, Jack was named Ernst and Young’s Illinois Entrepreneur of the Year. Recently, Jack received the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship.

Jack has an MBA from Harvard, is married and a father of twin sons.