Future of the Suburban Office

Redefining the Way We Do Business in Suburban Chicago

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  Ralph Zucker

  Ralph Zucker is CEO & Founder of Somerset Development, one of the New York Metropolitan region’s foremost pioneers of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Design development. Throughout his career, Zucker has worked hands-on in every facet of the building and development process, and has demonstrated a commitment to working with municipalities to create innovative communities based on the principles of New Urbanism. Zucker is perhaps best known for Bell Works, the two-million-square-foot redevelopment of the former Bell Labs property in Holmdel, N.J., where he and the Somerset Development team successfully transformed the iconic Saarinen-designed research facility into a “metroburb,” a term that Somerset coined to describe the suburban building’s revival into a blossoming, downtown-style ecosystem of technology, traditional office, retail, dining and hospitality. Today, Zucker and his team are in the midst of redeveloping The Ameritech Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, originally built as the former AT&T research facility, into Bell Works Chicagoland. The 1.65-million square foot building, which has already welcomed retail and office tenants, is quickly transforming into another successful metroburb. Under Zucker’s leadership, Somerset and its projects have earned numerous industry awards and recognition for their contributions to furthering responsible development practices, including the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award for Wesmont Station, Somerset's 70-acre transit-oriented mixed-use redevelopment located in Wood-Ridge, N.J., where Somerset partnered with NJ TRANSIT to build a brand new train station that provides access to Manhattan.

  Inspired by Somerset Development

  CEO & Founder

  Ralph Zucker

  CEO & Founder

  Inspired by Somerset Development

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  Andrea VanGelder

  Andrea Van Gelder is an International Director with JLL. She has been practicing commercial real estate in the Chicago markets for over 28 years. Andrea’s specialization responsibilities that include the exclusive representation of corporations in the strategic real estate planning, acquisition, and disposition of corporate facilities and real estate assets. Andrea is an expert in the Chicago office market and leads five national accounts with her team. Andrea’s in-depth experience on several different industry type real estate portfolios gives her a unique position as a tenant representative at JLL. Andrea uses her vast experience to creatively structure solutions for her clients to reduce costs and enhance the flexibility of their real estate. Experience Prior to her affiliation with Staubach, Andrea was a Managing Director with Julien J. Studley, Inc. Andrea joined Studley in 1997, coming from the Madison Realty Group, Inc., where she served as Assistant Vice President in the Corporate Brokerage Division. Previously she spent 8 years at Miglin-Beitler Management, Inc. as Assistant Vice President/Landlord Representative. She served as the head of all suburban leasing and managed a portfolio of more than 1 million square feet of office space. Education and affiliations Andrea received a BA from the Central University of Iowa where she pursued a double major in philosophy and psychology.

  JLL

  International Director

  Andrea VanGelder

  International Director

  JLL

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  Paul O'Connor

  Paul joined Hamilton Partners shortly after its creation in 1987. He started his commercial real estate career with Trammel Crow in 1984. When Allan Hamilton left Trammel Crow to form his own firm, Paul knew he wanted to pursue his career with Allan and his partners. From 1987 to 2007, Paul worked in the East West Corridor office of Hamilton Partners doing development, leasing and management of the office portfolio there. During this period, the East West Corridor Office planned, developed, leased and managed over 2 million square feet of office space. In 2007, Paul assumed responsibility for leasing Hamilton Partner’s growing portfolio of downtown office properties. By 2008, this portfolio had grown to just over 1.1 million square feet. In 2015 upon sale of Hamilton Partners’ downtown properties, Paul has been involved in all areas of acquisition, re-positioning, and leasing.

  Hamilton Partners

  Partner

  Paul O'Connor

  Partner

  Hamilton Partners

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  Matt Havey

  Matt Havey joined Vermilion Development in 2018 as a Managing Director. Matt focuses on capital markets, asset management, risk management, and acquisitions. In addition to other projects, Matt is leading the development of 605 Davis, an 18-story “Class A” office building located in downtown Evanston, IL. Matt joined Vermilion from The John Buck Company, where he concentrated on asset management, capital markets, and acquisitions. Prior to The John Buck Company, Matt practiced law in the Corporate & Securities group of Faegre Drinker LLP, where he represented public and private clients in corporate finance, M&A, and securities matters. Matt received a BS in Economics from Northwestern University, an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management, and a JD from the Northwestern University School of Law.

  Vermilion Development

  Managing Director

  Matt Havey

  Managing Director

  Vermilion Development

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  Wendy Spreenberg

  Wendy Spreenberg is the founder and president of YES! Your Exceptional Space®, a Strategic Partner in the development of Innovative & Flexible Workspaces. YES! is a boutique consulting firm, providing a comprehensive portfolio of services to the coworking and flexible workspace industry. Wendy and her team understand the many layers and complexities that go into creating exceptional workspace—from site selection, experience design, concierge level service, IT infrastructure, staffing, training and operations. She works with a wide array of small entrepreneurial businesses and their leadership. Since 2001, Wendy’s experience has taken her across North America, from Vancouver to Puerto Rico, working with over 80 flexible workspace projects to start new locations, to reposition existing businesses or buildings with entrepreneurs and landlords. Additionally, Wendy is a frequently sought out speaker and podcast guest with local media, Everything Coworking (podcast), at NeoCon Chicago, IIDA, InBIA, WANY (Workspace Assn. of New York) and the Global Workspace Association.

  YES! Your Exceptional Space

  Founder & President

  Wendy Spreenberg

  Founder & President

  YES! Your Exceptional Space

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  Larry Woodard

  Larry Woodard is an experienced attorney who focuses his practice on real estate law. He represents Fortune 500 companies, developers, regional and national banks, institutional investors, special servicers, institutions of higher education, units of local government, REITs, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, landlords, tenants, condominium associations, property managers, receivers and real estate brokers in the development, management, financing, construction, leasing, zoning, acquisition and disposal of their real estate interests, across all asset classes. Clients engage Larry to handle complex matters, involving multiple parties, properties and sources of capital, encompassing multiple states or countries. As complementary components to his real estate practice, Larry has significant experience structuring investment entities, joint ventures and syndications, loan workouts and foreclosures, as well as tactical oversight of litigation strategy for mechanics lien, construction defect and real estate litigation. Larry has been on all sides of the deal, handling every stage of the life span of a real estate development: from concept and capital stack, to land use and economic incentives, through due diligence, financing and acquisition, during construction or redevelopment, to lease-up and disposition.

  Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn

  Partner/Co-Leader, Construction Planning Practice Grp

  Moderator

  Larry Woodard

  Partner/Co-Leader, Construction Planning Practice Grp

  Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn

State of the Suburban Market

The Latest Scoop on the How the Pandemic Has Accelerated Change in the Suburbs

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  Liz Holland

  Elizabeth (Liz) Holland is the Chief Executive Officer of Abbell Associates, an eighty- year old private real estate investment, development and management company with an approximately 5.5 million/sf portfolio, comprised of shopping center, office, and enclosed mall properties. Liz is responsible for overseeing all business and legal matters, including development, financing, leasing, capital and construction projects, and investor and tenant relations. Active in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Liz served as the worldwide Chairman (2016- 17). In addition to ICSC, Liz is also a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) - Commercial & Retail Council - Blue. Liz is a Trustee of Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) and a board member of: VICI Properties, Inc. (VICI); Village Bank & Trust; and The James Campbell Company, LLC. Prior to joining Abbell, Liz was a Senior Staff Attorney with the National Bankruptcy Review Commission, a Congressional commission charged with making recommendations to amend the Bankruptcy Code. Previously, Liz was a restructuring and business reorganization attorney with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York. Prior to becoming an attorney, Liz was a fixed income portfolio manager at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. in New York. Liz currently serves on the board of The Primo Center for Women & Children. She also served for many years on the boards of Lighthouse Academies; Uptown United; and 1,000 Friends of Iowa.

  Abbell Associates

  CEO

  Liz Holland

  CEO

  Abbell Associates

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  Adam Firsel

  Adam Firsel is the founder and managing principal of Core Acquisitions. Adam started Core with the intention of creating a full service and fully integrated commercial real estate organization. With Adam’s storied career including investment banking, development, property management, and acquisitions, he brings a wide range of roles and diversity of experience to Core business and culture. Adam graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors of Business Administration majoring in real estate and urban land economics. After college, Adam was a real estate investment banker with GMAC Commercial Mortgage in Denver, Colorado. In 2003, Adam moved back to his hometown of Chicago to become the Director of Finance & Development for Mid-America Development Partners. Adam then joined Crossroads Development Partners as a Principal and subsequently became the Director of Acquisitions for Next Realty. In 2011, Firsel formed Core Equities, LLC which focused on property management, leasing, receiverships, acquisitions, and development. In 2014, Adam renamed the company to Core Acquisitions, LLC when he partnered with Core’s other Principal, Bradley Joseph, to focus primarily on value-add acquisitions, property management, and development projects. Through a career that has allowed Adam to succeed in many roles, he has focused expertise in development & construction management, project analysis, and asset management among other skill sets. Adam has been involved with the complete life cycle of many complicated and successful projects in all property types including retail, office, hotel, mixed-use, apartments, and industrial. The transaction types have been note purchases, auctions, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, and traditional arms-length transactions. All said, Adam has been the managing principal on over 25 projects in the last 6 years, and in his career has been involved on the principal side in over one hundred projects totaling over two billion dollars of project cost and millions of square feet of real estate.

  Core Acquisitions

  Managing Principal

  Adam Firsel

  Managing Principal

  Core Acquisitions

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  Christopher Coleman

  Chris Coleman is the Vice President of Development with responsibility for all of Wingspan Development Group’s lines of business. His responsibilities include development oversight, fostering new debt and equity relationships, and implementing Wingspan’s overall strategic plan. Prior to Wingspan, Coleman was the Chicago Division President for William Ryan Homes, Inc. Chris started in the real estate business in 1988 as a market analyst with Chicago developer and home builder The Zale Group. His career path took him to Orlando, FL with Morrison Homes and Atlanta, GA with John Wieland Homes, a National Builder of the Year winner. ​Coleman returned to Chicago in 1997 to launch his own firm specializing in in-fill redevelopment; leveraging deep experience in entitlement, land development and construction, focusing on communities close to Chicago. Coleman is active in a variety of industry and charitable organizations, and outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.

  Wingspan Development Group

  VP of Development

  Christopher Coleman

  VP of Development

  Wingspan Development Group

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  Cole Tyrell

  Division President

  D.R. Horton

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  Roger Daniel

  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 Daniel Management Group, Inc. In these capacities, Roger is responsible for the day-to-day management and leasing of a portfolio consisting of over 2,000 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 Daniel Management Group, Inc., 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, a member of EUBA, and a member of the Chicago Association of Realtors.

  Daniel Management Group

  Founder & President

  Roger Daniel

  Founder & President

  Daniel Management Group

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  J.L. Cherwin

  Jay concentrates his practice primarily in commercial real estate and corporate transactional matters. His experience includes commercial estate leasing, real estate acquisitions and sales, land use and development, real estate and commercial/industrial lending, and mergers and acquisitions. Jay has served many types of clients, from Global 100 companies to small, family businesses and individual investors. He has worked with various types of real estate assets across many states and regions, including industrial, retail, office, multi-use, large scale single family and attached housing, multifamily, healthcare and senior housing, student housing, common interest communities, and agricultural properties. Jay has also worked on a variety of corporate M & A matters in a variety of industries, ranging from small business sales to large, multi-billion dollar transactions. Jay’s previous industry experience includes strategy and brand management roles for a Fortune 500 industrial company, with particular focus on the U.S. manufacturing market, including the food processing and metals industries. He has worked closely with colleagues in finance, supply chain, product management, e-commerce, sales, pricing, and analytics — among others — to develop strategic plans for gaining market share and growing profitability. Jay has served as in-house counsel to a publicly-traded REIT, and was previously an associate with two Am Law 200 law firms.

  MPS Law

  Partner

  Moderator

  J.L. Cherwin

  Partner

  MPS Law

Mega Developments

An Inside Look at the Current and Future Developments that are Shaping the Suburbs

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  Richard Tucker

  Richard H. Tucker, CEO, formed Tucker in March 1996. Tucker draws on Mr. Tucker’s 39 years of experience in the development, redevelopment, financing, leasing, and management of real estate assets. Utilizing his expertise, Mr. Tucker has developed and/or acquired over ten million square feet valued in excess of $1 billion. Mr. Tucker is a leader in various influential industry associations. His leadership roles include past Co-Chair of the National Open Air Committee; past Director of the Illinois State Committee; and past Chairman of the Illinois governmental Affairs Committee. Mr. Tucker is also an active member of both the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as a frequent panelist at various national real estate conferences and other educational forums.

  Tucker Development

  CEO

  Richard Tucker

  CEO

  Tucker Development

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  Jon Meshel

  SVP, Development

  Centennial

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  Jeff Leibovich

  As an Advisor for Kiser Group, Jeff focuses on the sale of multifamily buildings throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs Jeff’s clients benefit from his exposure to a wide range of real estate assets. Since 2015, Jeff has had exposure into real estate deals ranging from the purchase and repositioning of a 680,000 square foot mall in Texas to lease negotiations on behalf of retail tenants. Most recently, Jeff has been involved with the development of 278 multifamily units at 1400 W. Randolph from inception. Working closely with previous ownership, Jeff worked on underwriting the redevelopment as well as assembling a parcel owned by a billboard company. Jeff is still involved with the project and attends weekly OAC meetings. Before Joining Kiser Group, Jeff spent 14 years as a consultant in the Pro Audio Industry. With clients ranging from institutions, A-list musicians and producers to the hobbyist recording in their basement, Jeff maintained the highest level of repeat business within the company due to his nature of putting his clients’ needs above all else. Jeff has a BGS degree from the University of Michigan with a focus on Sound Engineering. Jeff spent 7 years touring with his band, Great Divide Having grown up on the North Shore of Chicago, he now lives in Highland Park with his wife and two children. When not working, Jeff enjoys creating music, perfecting his BBQ and smoker skills as well as spending time with his family. Jeff also speaks fluent Russian.

  Kiser Group

  Advisor

  Jeff Leibovich

  Advisor

  Kiser Group

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  Kevin Kramer

  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 all types development in Hoffman Estates from entertainment to data center, retail to Metroburbs. 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 became a member of Lambda Alpha in 2020 and serves on several committees including the ICSC Illinois State Committee and the Next Generation Leadership Network, the International Economic Development Council’s Young Professionals Advisory Committee, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Economic Development Committee and the Young Professionals group for the Illinois Economic Development Association. Kevin has earned his Certified Economic Developer status. While he loves all things economic development he also loves DIY projects around the house, hiking in the mountains (not in Illinois of course), and reading a book on the deck while enjoying a craft beer, fine whiskey or sparkling water. Kevin lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and five children.

  Village of Hoffman Estates

  Director of Economic Development

  Kevin Kramer

  Director of Economic Development

  Village of Hoffman Estates

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  Harold Francke

  Hal concentrates his practice in annexation, zoning, tax increment financing, and other development incentives, as well as utility system and roadway infrastructure construction financing and general real estate development matters. Hal has had primary responsibility for land use, development and infrastructure financing, and construction matters for parcels throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. His representation has encompassed all forms of land use, including retail, single-family and multi-family residential, senior housing, commercial, industrial, and institutional uses. Hal has also participated extensively in the drafting of state and local legislation of significance. These include amendments to the Illinois Business District Development and Redevelopment Act, the Illinois Road Improvement Impact Fee Law, the Illinois Vacant Lot Act, the Illinois Public Construction Bond Act, and the Illinois Township Open Space Act. Hal was a partner at an Am Law 100 global law firm and its predecessor firms before joining MPS.

  MPS Law

  Partner

  Moderator

  Harold Francke

  Partner

  MPS Law