JLL Managing Director Steve Thelen and his wife, Gina, died in a plane crash in Addison, Texas, Sunday shortly after takeoff, according to the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Thelen practiced commercial real estate for nearly 30 years at major firms such as Cushman & Wakefield, The Staubach Co. and JLL.

Thelen and nine others died after their plane departing from Addison airport crashed into a structure on the ground seconds after lift off, news reports say. 

Five years ago, Bisnow pegged Thelen king of the burbs for his success in luring Pizza Hut to Plano in 1995 and his ability to close more than 10M SF of transactions in the years following that corporate relocation.

A few of his notable deals include the 200K SF Conifer Health Solutions headquarters move to Frisco and big assignments for Lehigh Hanson, Starkey Mortgage, Pacific Union Financial, Crosstex Energy and Stryker Corp.

JLL named Thelen its top tenant rep in 2013.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took place yesterday," JLL said in a statement. "Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies go out to Steve and Gina’s family and friends during this difficult time. Steve was a valued friend and colleague to all of us, personally and professionally. They will both be deeply missed."

In his Bisnow Up Close profile in 2014, Thelen proudly showed photos of his family and took particular pride in his son Kyle’s graduation from A&M and his daughter, Christy, who was studying in Italy at the time.

Thelen also was recognized in the Bisnow story for joining the Entrepreneurs of North Texas to support a veteran nonprofit known as Honor Courage Commitment.