Ralph Korte was born and raised in the Pierron area, and attended Pierron School. He founded the Korte Company in 1958. The company, under his leadership, has grown from a neighborhood builder to a national construction company. Ralph is active in numerous business and professional organizations, community affairs, and philanthropic endeavors. Among these are: member of the Illinois Business Roundtable, member of the SIUE Foundation and Chairman of the SIUE Business School advisory board, helped start the Highland Business Education Alliance, founding member of the Regional Business Council, and regular supporter of the Girls Scouts River Bluff Council, and the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. Mr. Korte was named the SIUE alumnus of the year in 1978, received the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce Bob Hardy "Citizen of the Year" in 1990 and was named the SIUC Business Leader of the Year in 1991