Exploring Chicago's Northern Suburbs

Jessica Erickson is a seasoned economic development professional currently serving as the Economic Development Director for the City of Woodstock, Illinois. She brings deep expertise in municipal governance, public-private partnerships, and strategic redevelopment, leading efforts to attract investment, support local businesses, and advance transformative projects, including redevelopment within Woodstock’s Downtown and Route 47 TIF District. Jessica takes a results-driven approach to complex economic development challenges. Her prior experience includes leading public-private economic development organizations in Colorado and serving as Senior Business Development Manager for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Before joining the City of Woodstock, she worked in the private sector as Director of Business Development for a commercial and industrial general contractor, focusing on highly technical environments across the aerospace, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and government sectors. Throughout her career, Jessica has demonstrated a strong track record in strategic planning, business attraction and retention, and the development of impactful public-private partnerships. She is passionate about building vibrant, sustainable communities that foster innovation, economic opportunity, and long-term growth. Jessica serves on the Board of Directors for the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and the McHenry County Enterprise Zone Board and is a member of the Leadership Greater McHenry County Class of 2026.

Walid is a Manager of Commercial Development for Xfinity. Xfinity is the multifamily arm of Comcast, serving customers such as apartments, condos, dorms and senior facilities. Walid leads the Account Executive team, with a primary focus in the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs, working with owners and associations to provide unique solutions to meet their needs. Walid joined Xfinity in 2013 bringing nearly 20 years of telecom experience with the last 10 years solely focused on Multi-family. Walid was born in Chicago and currently lives in the south suburbs with his wife and 3 kids.

Recognized as one of the leading real estate experts in Chicago for his development, advisory, and management skills, John T. Murphy has been a prominent member of the real estate industry since 1989. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Real Estate Services, John provides leasing and development services and serves as a principal and advisor to institutional clients and investors. He also leads development initiatives and has been involved in various equity syndications for the acquisition and repositioning of assets across the United States. As a principal and owner, John has been involved in and led the development and repositioning of several million square feet of developments throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Currently, John is developing a seven-story office complex for Michigan State University in Grand Rapids and is leading the redevelopment of Old Cook County Hospital, a five-phase, $1 billion project located in the world-renowned Illinois Medical District. Most recently, John completed The Paragon, a 500-unit apartment tower, located at 1326 S. Michigan in Chicago’s South Loop and Cambria Hotels & Suites in Milwaukee, WI. Upcoming projects include two office towers, totaling one million square feet, located at 301 and 321 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago. Other notable accomplishments include Lincoln Park 2550, a prestigious three-tower, 228-unit luxury condominium development in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Hyatt Chicago “The Loop,” a $71 million redevelopment of 100 W. Monroe, transformation of a 130,976 square foot historic office high-rise in Chicago into a 257-room, full-service hotel, the 85,839 square foot redevelopment of the Chicago Motor Club building at 68 E. Wacker into a 143-room, select-service Hampton Inn, and a 237,200 square foot redevelopment of the Oriental Theater Building at 32 W. Randolph into the Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop. He is also actively involved in the development of a 206-acre private marina and beach resort on Lake Erie in Ohio. Over the years, Mr. Murphy has also brokered high-profile properties such as the development site at 155 N. Wacker and 200 W. Jackson. Other notable past achievements include successfully leasing several Chicago properties such the Citadel Center, 200 N. LaSalle, and 230 W. Monroe.

Steve is an Executive Vice President and Partner at NAI Hiffman. He has over 20 years of experience representing private companies, individual owners and investors, and institutional lenders/owners in the leasing, repositioning, acquisition and disposition of office and office/flex properties throughout the Chicagoland. Steve’s passion and experience is working directly with assets that are going through a transition or are in need of a new message and direction.

Len is currently the Economic Development Director for the Village of Wheeling. Prior to his appointment in Wheeling last summer, he led the Village of Skokie’s economic development efforts by building additional real estate capacity, spearheadingredevelopment efforts, expanding capital investment, growing employment and regional presence, all of which enhanced municipal revenues. His efforts led to the approval of multiple Tax Increment Financing agreements, and Property Tax incentive projects. These efforts yielded over $300 million in capital investment and over 1500 new jobs. Prior to relocating back home to Illinois, Len worked for Buckeye, Arizona as Economic Development Director, Vice President of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Director for the Downtown Phoenix Partnership as well as Economic Development Director for the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to name a few. Over his career, his efforts led to the attraction of hundreds of new businesses, over 20,000 new jobs, and development of millions of square feet of new and redeveloped commercial space resulting in significant economic impacts. He has a demonstrated track record of success in germinating and leading creative and innovative strategic economic development and business development initiatives on behalf of organizations and stakeholders. Len is a member of numerous business and professional organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce.