January 24, 2025 23rd
AGENDA
8:00 AM Opening Remarks
Ryanne Bush Dent, Partner | Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
8:15 AM The State of the Market
Moderator: Marcia K. Owens, Partner, Honigman LLP
John Joyce, Managing Director, SVN Chicago Industrial
Carrie Szarzynski, Sr Managing Director & Head of Management Services, Hiffman National
Meredith O’Connor, International Director, JLL
Steven D. Weinstock, Senior Vice President / Regional Manager, Marcus & Millichap
Charley Margosian, Jr., Managing Principal Owner, Highland Management Associates
Joe Rook, Executive Vice President, ARCO/Murray
Ken Witkowski, Senior Vice President, Calamos Real Estate
• Market Fundamentals
• Industry Segment Assessment
• Lessons from Past Market Cycles
• Investment Maximization Strategies
• Emerging Trends and Challenges
• Impact of Hybrid Work Models
• Future Growth Opportunities
Ryanne Bush Dent Partner
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Ryanne’s practice focuses on complex construction, real estate, and fiduciary litigation in both state and federal courts. She represents commercial clients through the contracting, construction, and litigation processes working with architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, developers, owners, lenders, and title insurance underwriters. Ryanne’s experience in construction litigation includes construction contract and change order disputes, construction and design defect claims, mechanics liens, and delay and disruption claims.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 1
Marcia K. Owens
Partner
Honigman LLP
Marcia Owens is a partner who represents clients on a wide-range of real estate matters, from finance and workouts to leasing and development. Marcia has experience in retail, office, industrial, and mixed use transactions, with a particular concentration in retail development and leasing and the restructuring and workout of loans and distressed assets. Marcia has represented clients in numerous transactions involving acquisitions and dispositions (including vacant, improved or income-producing assets), complex debt and equity financing, retail leasing (including the negotiation of leases with national department stores, big box retailers, junior anchors, grocery stores and national small shop tenants), and complex development and reciprocal easement agreements. Marcia not only has the technical experience necessary for a sophisticated real estate transaction, but prides herself on partnering with her clients to implement the strategies necessary to accomplish the client’s goal and get a deal done.
John Joyce
Managing Director
SVN Chicago Industrial
John Joyce, CCIM SIOR serves as Managing Director at SVN Chicago Industrial. Joyce delivers professional commercial real estate services by providing real-world solutions through an integrated platform. He also provides his clients with a unique competitive advantage through competency and diligence. He executes financial analysis, market analysis, and user decision analysis for commercial real estate users and owners. Joyce views real estate decision-making in the context of the client’s overall strategic objectives and works at understanding each company’s productivity and profitability. He focuses on his client’s short-term real estate needs and long-term growth strategies to ensure the plan being implemented is aligned with both. His focus is on providing real estate and supply chain solutions to distribution and warehouse companies throughout the Midwest on matters including: relocations, consolidations, site search analysis, build-to-suit alternatives, incentives, acquisition, disposition, and leasing services.
BIGLAW REDEFINED.
When your world changes, your legal partner can make all the difference. Greenberg Traurig’s Global Real Estate Practice is a cornerstone of the firm and a recognized leader in the industry. More than 700 real estate attorneys from around the world serve clients from key markets in the United States, Europe & The Middle East Asia and Latin America. Together, we are changing how your lawyers work for you.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 1
Joe Rook
Executive Vice President ARCO/Murray
Joe Rook’s professional background shows a trajectory of continuous growth and exceptional governance. At ARCO/Murray, Joe started as a Project Manager in the entertainment division, completing high-profile Topgolf projects in Colorado, Illinois, and Oregon. Joe transitioned to the industrial team at the end of 2016 where he immediately started building technology-based tools to enhance and streamline many of the company’s processes. </em> <em>At the time of this transition, the industrial team was small and stagnant in its growth. Shortly after his move, Joe was promoted to Director of Operations where the team doubled in personnel year after year. By 2019, Joe Rook was named Vice President of the Chicago Industrial team, overseeing a thriving business with a revenue of $101M and a diverse set of clients. In 2023, he was promoted again to Executive Vice President. Under Joe’s leadership, his team generated approximately $270M of projects at the end of 2024.
Ken Witkowski
Senior Vice President
Calamos Real Estate
Ken has been with the Calamos family of businesses for 18 years. An Illinois licensed real estate broker; he has been Director of Real Estate Services for over 10 years. Along with managing Calamos’ real estate portfolio, Ken also directs all real estate functions on behalf of Calamos Investments, which includes activities in metro Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, San Francisco and Coral Gables, FL. In the past four years the Calamos Real Estate Team has opened new offices in New York City located atop 50 Rockefeller Plaza as well as in Chicago in the Fulton Market District where the Calamos name proudly shines upon the Chicago skyline. A boutique practice, Calamos Real Estate is vertically integrated, performing real estate development, property management and construction services along with traditional brokerage services. This model allows Calamos Real Estate the opportunity to streamline deals for tenants and clients, minimizing commission fees while making efficient use of TI dollars.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 1
Meredith O’Connor
International Director
JLL
Meredith is an Executive Managing Director and member of the JLL Executive Committee. She has a diverse array of international experience in tenant representation, economic incentives, zoning and land use, acquisitions and dispositions, and development services. Meredith manages real estate services for Toyota Motor Corporation, AON, Takeda, Chicago Bears Football Club, HCSC (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Lowe’s, Chicago Transit Authority, City of Chicago, CommScope, and Alight. Meredith leads JLL’s Economic Incentives and National Site Selection. Meredith recently represented Toyota Motor North America on the site selection and economic incentives for the new battery manufacturing plant (1800+ acres, $13B) in Liberty, NC, PsiQuantum on their new $1B Chicago Quantum Exchange campus, Gotion $2B battery plant in Manteno, IL, The Chicago Bears Football Club on the 326-acre land purchase in Arlington Heights, IL, Freyr Battery and Koch Industries’ multi-billion dollar battery plant in Coweta County, GA, Array Technologies on a new solar manufacturing facility in New Mexico, NorSun on their $640M solar wafer facility in Tulsa, OK
Charley Margosian, Jr
Managing Principal Owner
Highland Management Associates
Managing Principal: Charles S. Margosian Jr. joined Highland Management in 2005 in the capacity of acquisition and development manager. Working together with other team members, Charles S. Margosian Jr. is responsible for lease negotiations, property and asset oversight as well as sourcing and financing new acquisition and development opportunities. Prior to joining Highland Management, Charles S. Margosian Jr. was a Principal with Walton Street Capital in Chicago, IL and an Associate with The Blackstone Group in New York, NY. Charles S. Margosian Jr. has a BS in Real Estate and Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Charles S. Margosian III is an active member of ICSC, a board member of the Chicagoland Association of Shopping Center Owners (CASCO) and an emeritus member of the Next Generation Board of the DuPage Children Museum.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 1
Steven D. Weinstock
Senior Vice President / Regional Manager
Marcus & Millichap
Steven Weinstock is Senior First Vice President / Regional Manager of Marcus & Millichap’s Chicago Oak Brook office. He also serves as the National Director of the Self-Storage Division as well as National Director of the Land & Redevelopment Division. Steven began his commercial real estate career in the 1980’s leasing office properties in metro Detroit. Eventually, he opened his own brokerage and property management company and sold it to Trammell Crow Company in 1994. He joined Marcus & Millichap’s Detroit office in April 2001 becoming Vice President of Investments, Director of the National Multi Housing Group, and Member of the National Self-Storage Group. Mr. Weinstock is the recipient of multiple national achievement and sales recognition awards. Steven joined the management team in 2008 when he served as Sales Manager of the Columbus and Cincinnati offices. In 2009, Steven was named Regional Manager of Chicago Oak Brook ultimately earning the title of Senior Vice President in 2023.
Carrie Szarzynski
Senior Managing Director & Head of Management Services
National
Carrie Szarzynski, Senior Managing Director & Head of Management Services, provides leadership and oversight to the management department and teams, pursues new business and maintains relationships with institutional and private clients. An insightful and experienced commercial real estate veteran, Carrie excels at building effective teams, executing consistent and effective best practices across Hiffman’s management portfolio, and investigating and implementing new technologies and procedures to achieve premium results for clients. Carrie’s business prowess has been recognized through several honors during her tenure at Hiffman. She was awarded the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s Influential Women in Business Award as well as the Connect CRE Women in Real Estate Award for the Chicago and Midwest Region. She was inducted into the commercial real estate Hall of Fame by Midwest RE Journals in 2021. Carrie’s previous facility and property management experience includes roles with JLL, Equity Office Properties, GE Capital, US Equities Asset Management, Inc. and Douglas Elliman-Beitler.
Hiffman
March 5th
2025 EVENTS
Chicago Women in Commercial Real Estate Summit (6th Annual)
April TBD
Chicagoland Industrial Summit (22nd Annual)
May TBD
Chicago Asset, Property, Facility Management (20th Annual)
June 5th
IREJ Awards Gala
July 24th
National Net/Lease Summit (11th Annual)
September TBD
Chicago Multifamily/Apartment Summit (16th Annual)
September
Chicago Supply Chain, Distribution & Logistics Summit (22nd Annual)
September
Chicago Commercial
9:15
Moderator: Benjamin Householder, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dan Fogarty, Chief Investment Officer-Principal, Stotan Industrial
Eric Nordeen, President of the Great Lakes Region, Ryan Companies
Keith Lord, President, The Lord Companies
Michael Fassnacht, Chief Growth Officer & President, Chicagoland, CLAYCO
Lori Healey, SVP, Operations & Implementation Lead, Obama Presidential Center
Mike Potter, Executive Vice President, Riverside Investment & Development
Chad Huber, Vice President, W.E. O’Neil Construction
• Recent Development Projects
• Regulatory Impact
• Sustainability and Innovation
• Commercial Property Trends
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Development Challenges
• Future Development Opportunities
• Costs
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 2
Benjamin Householder
Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Ben Householder is a real estate attorney experienced in a broad range of complex matters, with a concentration on capitalization, including structuring, equity investments, and debt financing. Ben represents and advises commercial real estate investors, operators, funds, sponsors, and developers. In addition to joint ventures and loans (including senior and mezzanine loan transactions), he also helps clients navigate development, property management, acquisitions (including assemblages), and dispositions. His experience covers all asset classes, with a primary focus on industrial, multifamily, student housing, retail, and mixed-use properties.
Dan Fogarty
Chief Investment Officer-Principal
Stotan Industrial
Dan Fogarty joined Stotan Industrial as Chief Investment Officer-Principal in January 2022. He is responsible for identifying, pursuing and directing new build-to-suit and speculative development opportunities across the U.S .In this capacity, Dan maintains a strong network with national and local brokerage firms and is responsible for directing all relationships with stakeholders involved in each project. A 25-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, he has extensive experience in acquisitions, leasing, asset management and ground-up development. Prior to joining Stotan Industrial, Dan was Executive Vice President of Investment & Development at Becknell Industrial. During his six plus years at Becknell, he orchestrated the development of more than 1600 acres across 11 states resulting in 57 buildings totaling 18+ million square feet and with a total investment value of $1.8 billion. Notable projects completed include: Old Augusta Commerce Center in Savannah, GA; Air Commerce Park in Orlando, FL; North Las Vegas Business Parkin Las Vegas, NV; and Madison Business Center in Tampa, FL.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 2
Lori Healey
SVP, Operations & Implementation Lead
Obama Presidential Center
In December 2020, Lori Healey joined the Obama Foundation as Senior Vice President and Operations and Implementation Lead for the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). She is leading work to build and operate the OPC, a 19.3-acre campus within Jackson Park, that includes a Presidential Museum, Auditorium, Restaurant, retail store, Fruit & Vegetable Garden, playground, lush parkland and greenspace, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library.
Michael Fassnacht
Chief Growth Officer & President, Chicagoland
A seasoned business executive, marketing and strategic thought leader with more than 30 years of experience, Michael joined Clayco, one of America’s largest fully integrated design and engineering centric builder and real estate development firm across the commercial, industrial and residential sector as its first ever Chief Growth Officer and President of Chicagoland in early 2024. Prior to this role between, Michael led as President and CEO World Business Chicago, the City’s economic development organization, with more than 100 C-Suite executives from all over Chicagoland on its business centric board between 2020 and early 2024. The organization’s core focus is on growing its industry sectors by supporting the expansion of existing Chicagoland based companies and by attracting new corporate relocations to the region, all with a focus on equitable economic prosperity across all 77 neighborhoods and the region.
CLAYCO
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 2
Mike Potter
Executive Vice President
Riverside Investment & Development
Mike has over 20 years of domestic and international commercial real estate experience with mixed-use, institutional-quality assets. In his role at Riverside, he focuses on development, acquisitions, and financing. Mike’s experience spans a<em> </ em>breadth of product types including office, multifamily, and hospitality sectors. Previous experience includes John Buck International, Rockwood Realty (DTZ) and Equity Office Properties Trust. Mike is a CFA Charterholder.
Chad Huber
Vice President
W.E. O’Neil Construction
Chad Huber serves as Vice President of Preconstruction for W.E. O’Neil’s Chicago region and has more than 26 years of construction industry experience. His deep understanding of preconstruction operations and extensive expertise in adaptive reuse hospitality projects have made him a key leader in the industry. Chad has provided executive oversight for some of W.E. O’Neil’s most complicated projects, including the transformation of the historic Continental and Commercial National Bank Building (Daniel Burnham, 1914) at 208 S. LaSalle into a luxury 234-key hotel and the redevelopment of the Roanoke Building (Holabird & Roche, 1915) at 11 S. LaSalle into a 382-key hotel.
ILLINOIS | INDIANA | WISCONSIN
Results-driven real estate management company with more than 4,000 Units Throughout Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin
Daniel Management Group (DMG) has made a significant mark within Chicago and beyond for delivering first-rate property management programs focused on exceptional customer service, seamless integration of technology, and a respect for the environment. As one of the leading property management companies in the Midwest, we are dedicated to providing quality, customized living experiences our residents deserve through unyielding attention to detail and a professional, service-minded management style.
From managing suburban garden communities to neighborhood mixed-use walk-ups, DMG has cultivated a long-standing reputation of providing communities where residents thrive and owners expectations are exceeded.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 2
Eric Nordeen
President of the Great Lakes Region
Ryan Companies
Eric is President of the Great Lakes Region at Ryan Companies, a national leader in commercial real estate services specializing in development, architecture and engineering, construction, real estate management, and capital markets. In his role as Regional President, Eric oversees all real estate development and construction projects in the six-state area. With more than two decades of development and capital markets experience — which includes the founding his own real estate development and investment company — Eric has garnered an expansive understanding of the industry market trends and varying economic waves of commercial real estate. He leverages this understanding into a finely tuned ability to lead the Great Lakes in successful growth, insightful strategy, and collaborative client relationships. Eric’s role is both people-centric and client-focused as he aligns the region with Ryan’s overarching company goals and values.
Keith Lord President
The Lord Companies
Since 1986, Keith Lord has served as President and General Partner of The Lord Companies, L.L.C., a diversified real estate corporation with consulting, brokerage and development divisions specializing in urban infill and adaptive re-use brokerage, design, and development. The Companies’ clients range from developers, Fortune 500 corporations, banks, law firms, private individuals, and the City of Chicago. In 2004, Keith Lord, along with Scott Fithian, were named the City of Chicago’s “Top Retail Leasing Owner’s Representation Brokers” by the Commercial Forum Awards. In 2012 he received the Top Producer Gold Sales Award by Chicago Commercial Forum for investment sales. In 2015 The Lord Companies, LLC received Chicago Commercial Forum Awards for most retail rental leases and most gross square footage leased.In 2009, Mr. Lord founded Lord Financial Advisors, LLC. He is currently the President and Manager. Lord Financial Advisors provides distressed asset consulting and disposition services to financial institutions including banks, credit unions, insurance companies and private equity firms.
Location, location, origination
We are experts with roots in real estate and in your neighborhood. Our team members live and work in the same communities in which you build and invest—so we have a deep understanding of your market and its opportunities, influences, and local codes and regulations.
Learn more: chase.com/ctl-chicago
© 2025 Chase, J.P. Morgan, JPMorgan Chase, and Story by J.P.Morgan are marketing names for certain businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide (collectively, “JPMC”, “We”, “Our” or “Us”, as the context may require).
Moderator: Annamarie Bjorklund, Senior Vice President, Debt & Equity, Northmarq
Jerry Lumpkins, SVP, Valley National Bank
Adam Johnson, Executive Vice President, NAI Hiffman
Chris Ellis, Senior Director, Nuveen Green Capital
Frank Montalto, Managing Director, Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), Marcus & Millichap
Jack Brennan, Managing Principal, Brennan Investment Group
Roger Daniel, President, Daniel Management Group
• Interest Rate Impact
• Cost Management Strategies
• Investor Sentiment and Risk
• Sector-Specific Insights
• Adaptive Investment Strategies
• Stable Asset Classes
• Long-Term Trends and Implications
Annamarie Bjorklund
Senior Vice President, Debt & Equity
Northmarq
Annamarie Bjorklund (AB) is Senior Vice President of Equity and Debt at Northmarq. She joins Northmarq as part of the National Equity Advisory team along with Joel Heikenfeld and Charlie Rimkus. AB focuses on equity capitalization for developments, acquisitions and special situations for commercial real estate investments across the US. She works extensively with sponsors and equity providers including private equity funds, family offices, pension fund advisors, life companies and international equity groups looking to invest in US real estate. Prior to joining Northmarq, AB served as associate director of acquisitions at Marquette Companies where she lead the firms acquisitions and fundraising efforts for multifamily investments in the sunbelt region. AB also completed all underwriting, analysis and closing for Marquette’s development vertical in Chicago, Nashville and Houston. Prior to Marquette, AB spent four years at Origin Investments, a Chicago-based private equity fund, where she evaluated acquisitions, development, opportunity zone and debt opportunities.
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 3
Jerry Lumpkins
SVP
Valley National Bank
Jerry Lumpkins r</em>eceived his degrees in Political Science and History from Rockford University and his MBA from the University of Phoenix-San Diego. After serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for over five years, Lumpkins began his commercial banking career in Southern California. Lumpkins has been in commercial banking for over 25-years and specializes in commercial real estate and affordable housing. Currently, Jerry is a Senior Vice President and Midwest CRE Division Head for Valley Bank and solely focuses on commercial investment real estate transactions. Products include multifamily, retail, office, and industrial properties throughout the Midwest. Jerry was recently inducted into the Real Estate Journal’s 2020 Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. He was recognized by Crain’s Chicago as one of the most notable minorities in commercial banking in 2021 and recognized by Crain’s Chicago as one of the 2021 notable nonprofit board leaders.
Adam Johnson is an Executive Vice President in the Office Services & Capital Markets Group and a shareholder at NAI Hiffman. Adam specializes in office investment sales, assisting owners, users, and banks, purchase or sell office and flex/industrial space throughout the Chicago suburbs. Adam joined NAI Hiffman in 2008 focused on leasing and sales of suburban office product. His unique background in leasing helps him bring a unique perspective to underwriting, trends, space utilization and how it effects the value of an asset. He has been involved in over 500 transactions totaling over 4 Million square feet in his career.
Adam Johnson
Executive Vice President
NAI Hiffman
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 3
Jack
Brennan Managing Principal Brennan Investment Group
Jack Brennan serves as Managing Principal at Brennan Investment Group, overseeing the acquisition and development of industrial properties across the Midwest Region. With over 12 years of experience in commercial real estate, Jack brings a wealth of expertise in industrial property sales, leasing, land transactions, site selection, speculative construction, and investment sales. Before joining Brennan Investment Group, Jack held the role of Senior Vice President at CBRE, where he co-led a six-person industrial landlord and tenant representation team. During his tenure, he successfully managed over $1B in transactions nationwide. Jack’s exceptional performance earned him numerous accolades, including CBRE’s RISE-ING Star Award, Chicago Circle Award, and recognition on CBRE’s Top Global Producers List in 2023. Jack holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Finance and English from the University of Dayton. His deep industry relationships and proven track record make him a valuable asset in driving growth and success in the Midwest Region for Brennan Investment Group.
Frank Montalto
Managing Director, Institutional Property Advisors (IPA) Marcus & Millichap
Frank Montalto is a Managing Director of Institutional Property Advisors (“IPA”) Capital Markets based in the firms Downtown Chicago Office. Mr. Montalto joined the firm in April 2017, previously working for an international financial institution specializing in corporate real estate structuring including vehicles such as subscription lines of credit, fund level revolvers and term facilities. He draws on his extensive relationships with national, regional and local funding sources to secure commercial debt and equity financing for an array of property types including multifamily, office and industrial, retail, seniors housing and self-storage. Since joining IPA, Mr. Montalto has closed over $2Bn in financing ranging from senior permanent financing, mezzanine and preferred equity, co-GP and common equity, along with structured credit facilities including subscription lines of credit and monetization of historic tax credits. Mr. Montalto is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 originators throughout the country by volume and revenue.
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Lombard, Illinois
Rolling Meadows, Illinois Chicago, Illinois
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 3
Roger Daniel
President
Daniel Management Group
Roger Daniel is the founder and President of Daniel Management Group, Inc. He is also President of DMG | Leasing (dmgleasing.com), the leasing division of DMG. In these capacities, Roger is responsible for the day-to-day management and leasing of a portfolio consisting of more than 3,000 units around the broader Midwest. In 2021, Roger co-founded DMG | Capital (dmgcapital.com), a real estate investment firm focused on sourcing, underwriting, and structuring multifamily real estate transactions. Prior to creating DMG, Roger held various positions in multifamily leasing, property management, acquisitions, and brokerage. Roger’s work history includes roles at The Habitat Company, Village Green Companies, Northwestern Mutual Real Estate, and others. Roger earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from the University of Wisconsin. He is a licensed Real Estate Managing Broker, a member of the Chicagoland Apartment Association, an NBOA board member, a EUBA board member, and a member of the Chicago Association of Realtors.
Chris Ellis
Senior Director
Nuveen Green Capital
Chris is Senior Director, Originations at Nuveen Green Capital, a national leader in sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions. Chris has over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate, including working in areas of accounting, asset management, acquisitions, dispositions, underwriting, financing and investor relations. With his extensive experience, Chris has been pivotal to Nuveen Green Capital’s growth and expansion in key states. Prior to Nuveen Green Capital, Chris was Vice President, Investor Relations at White Oak Partners. Additionally, Chris spent 11 years with Washington Prime Group (formerly Glimcher Realty Trust), as Senior Director, Investments, where he sourced new acquisition opportunities, oversaw the financial underwriting function, managed the relationships with joint venture partners, and oversaw financial projections on development and redevelopment opportunities. He also spent 10 years at Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), in the Real Estate Accounting and the Real Estate Investment divisions, where he managed several portfolios, consisting of various property types, totaling over $1.5 billion in market value.
11:15 AM Regional Economic Development Opportunities
Moderator: Christopher Brewer, Vice President, Economics + Advisory, AECOM
Alyson Grady, Deputy Director, Office of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Ronald Lanz, AICP, Business Development Director, Lake County Partners
Heather Ennis, President & CEO, Northwest Indiana Forum
Kevin Kramer, CEcD, Director of Economic Development, Village of Hoffman Estates
Kevin Leighty, Economic Development Director, Village of Oswego
Kyle Schulz, Chief Growth Officer, World Business Chicago
• Evolving Role of Economic Groups
• Innovative Tools and Programs
• Strategies for Attracting Businesses
• Success Stories
• Public-Private Collaboration
• Impact of Policies
• Future Outlook
Christopher Brewer
Vice President, Economics + Advisory
AECOM
Mr. Brewer’s practice in urban planning and economic analysis began in 1994 with the real estate appraisal firm Thorne Consultants, completing valuations of commercial property across Washington DC, including buildings along 7th Street NW that would eventually see redevelopment. He joined Economics Research Associates (ERA) in 1995, working there through the acquisition by AECOM in 2008, to today. At ERA, he focused on redevelopment planning for urban brownfield sites and closed military bases, financial analysis of adaptive reuse projects, repositioning of golf courses and other recreation facilities, and creation of economic development strategies for regions impacted by the loss of a major employer. State and local government has been a consistent focus. Initial work with Polk County, IA directly led to development of the $450-million-dollar Iowa Events Center. Engagements with the Lake County, IL Forest Preserve District resolved debate associated with the decision to re-open or permanently close the Fort Sheridan Golf Course.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS WANTED
Why Choose Oswego, IL?
• One of Chicagoland’s fastest-growing communities
• Over 1,300 new residential units added to market since 2022
• More than 3,000 new residential units approved for future construction
• $114K median household income
• Join several new high-end retailers and restaurants in the evolving commercial area
Financial incentives may include:
• Tax revenue sharing
• Low-interest loans
• Grant funding
• Permit fee waivers
Contact Kevin Leighty, Economic Development Director kleighty@oswegoil.org | (630) 551-2334 | oswegoil.org/commercial
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 4
Ronald Lanz, AICP
Business Development Director
Lake County Partners
Ron’s 25+ years of experience in planning and implementation along with his professional know-how make him a strong asset as he works directly with local businesses to help them tap into Lake County Partners’ services and grow in Lake County.
Heather Ennis
President & CEO
Northwest Indiana Forum
Heather Ennis is President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, a privately held nonprofit organization focused on creating economic development opportunities for the seven-county region. With more than 130 members, the Forum works to create a positive business climate promoting investment, quality job creation and retention in harmony with the environment and critical components of a sustainable regional economy. Funded by membership contributions and grants, Forum membership translates into a direct investment in the region’s future. In her 9 years with the Forum, Heather has worked to build a coalition of regional partners focused on transforming the Northwest Indiana economic landscape; focusing on key performance indicators of population growth, increase in capital investment and per capita income growth. She is a registered lobbyist and has spent hundreds of hours advocating for economic development tools.
KIMBERLY ADAMS
Managing Director at Clarion Partners
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 4
Kevin Leighty Economic Development Director Village of Oswego
Kevin Leighty is the Economic Development Director for the Village of Oswego, Illinois located in the western suburbs of Chicago. Kevin has served in the position since May 2022 where he is responsible for strategically supporting economic development through attracting new investment and facilitating business expansion within the community. Prior to his time in Oswego, Kevin worked for the Village of Schaumburg as a key member of the Economic Development team for over 7 years. During his tenure, he served as a key ambassador to Schaumburg’s extensive business community comprised over 5,000 businesses, managed the Cook County Class 6 & 7 Property Tax Incentive program, directed the village’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program, and helped market Schaumburg to prospective businesses and investors. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science degree and Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree both from Northern Illinois University.
Aly Grady is the Deputy Director for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Regional Economic Development Team. With this position, Aly works with local governments, community partners, businesses, and other entities to serve the needs and promote economic development across the state of Illinois. Aly has been working in state government for over 25 years and brings her knowledge and experience into this role to further the mission of DCEO. That mission is to support and maintain a strong economic environment for those served – taxpayers, employers, workers, and communities – by actively recruiting and growing businesses, maintaining a 21century workforce, enhancing innovation, and brining jobs and investment to underserved communities throughout Illinois. Aly is a Central Illinois native having grown up in Mattoon and living for over 28 years in the Springfield area.
Alyson Grady
Deputy Director, Office of Regional Economic Development
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
SPEAKER PROFILES: Panel 4
Hannah Loftus
Vice President, Research
World Business Chicago
Kevin Kramer, CEcD
Director of Economic Development
Village of Hoffman Estates
Kevin Kramer is the Director of Economic Development for the Village of Hoffman Estates, Illinois in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He’s worked in this position since 2013 after working as a planner and economic developer for Barrington, IL. He has facilitated more than $1 billion of development in Hoffman Estates from retail to data center, entertainment to Metroburbs, and industrial to multi-family. He helped found Next Level Northwest, a small business accelerator, and the Greater Chicagoland Advanced Manufacturing Partnership to build a workforce pipeline in the manufacturing industry. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning. He serves on several committees including the Community Advancement Advisory Committee Chair for ICSC, Chair of the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Excellence Awards Committee, is member of Lambda Alpha International, and is a part of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Regional Economy Committee. Kevin is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).
January 24, 2025