Speakers

Mr. Ahitow is a founding partner of Chicago Apartment Finders, the fastest growing apartment rental brokerage firm in Chicago. Mr. Ahitow graduated from the University of Iowa in 1999 and went to work in the telecom industry. After doing some job hopping in the telecom industry, he began his career in real estate in 2001 working for his number one competitor. After a year and a half, he saw an opportunity in the market for another company and decided to go off on his own. He and his partner, Mr. Justin Elliot, started Chicago Apartment Finders in 2002 in a 200 square foot office space.

Today, Chicago Apartment Finders has two locations with 60 leasing agents and 35 employees. In 2005, they rented more than 5,000 apartments in the City of Chicago. They have plans to open two more locations at the beginning of 2006, one in Naperville and one in the Edgewater neighborhood. The company has plans to open its first real estate sales office the same time next year, enabling them to keep their customers for life.

A graduate of The John Marshall Law School, 1968, where he served as an adjunct faculty member for ten years, Mr. Amari’s concentration was in complex commercial litigation until 1982. At that point, Mr. Amari left the general practice of law to become counsel to the Assessor of Cook County, Thomas C. Hynes. After more than three years in that position he created his present firm, whose practice is exclusively that of the real estate tax assessment process. During his career, Mr. Amari has had the honor of serving as president of the 37,000 member Illinois State Bar Association (1989-90); presently serves as a member of the Board of of Trustees of his law school, The John Marshall Law School; is a member of the Board of Visitors of the Northern Illinois University Law School; an Advisory Board Member for the director of the Illinois Department of Revenue; recently concluded a three-year stint as Chairman of the Review Panel of the Illinois Attorneys’ Registration & Disciplinary Commission (where he still serves as a Review Panel member); is an Independent Director of the 13 billion dollar ABN AMRO Family of Mutual Funds and serves on the boards of the United Community Bank of Lisle and the Delaware Place Bank. Mr. Amari also is a past Chairman and founder and continues to serve as a board member of the Illinois State Bar Association/Mutual Insurance Company.

Mr. Becker is a seasoned real estate and transaction attorney with more than 25 years of practice. His emphasis is in complex commercial real estate lease negotiations, real estate acquisitions, dispositions and development matters. He is also a member of the Village of Deerfield Planning Commission.

Becker & Gurian is an aggressive law firm that provides quality expertise in complicated real estate transactions, including the acquisition, sale, development, construction, leasing and

financing of commercial, industrial, and residential property. They have extensive experience in a broad range of real estate projects including shopping centers, office buildings, and custom home residential developments, condominium conversions and troubled debt restructuring.

Michael Bennett is a Senior Managing Director in the Capital Group, overseeing the Midwest investment sales division. Contributing his highly specialized disposition skills, Mr. Bennett’s primary focus is on leveraging the global platform of Newmark Knight Frank to deliver a higher level of investment sales service and expertise to his clientele. His team has exclusively listed and sold approximately $500 million worth of commercial investment assets. Prior to joining Newmark Knight Frank, Mr. Bennett served as a vice president at Marcus & Millichap, where he began his real estate career in 2003.

Newmark Knight Frank is one of the largest independent real estate service firms in the world. They provide comprehensive real estate solutions to many of the most prominent corporations, property owners, investors and developers across the globe.

Ms. Blanchard is the Director of Economic and Community Development for the Village of Barrington, IL. She is an economic development professional with over 25 years experience and expertise in community economic development and downtown revitalization. The primary focus of her career has been in the areas of strategic planning, downtown revitalization planning, and implementation of economic development plans. Her experience includes negotiation of development issues, community planning and citizen involvement, market analysis, strategic planning and business district revitalization.

She has developed economic development programs for several Chicago Metro communities including Barrington, Highland Park, LaGrange, Downers Grove, and East and West Dundee. Her accomplishments include implementing business attraction and retention programs, project impact analysis, management of Tax Increment Financing Districts, negotiating redevelopment agreements, development of master plans and managing downtown revitalization program. In addition to her public sector experience, she was the Community Development Director for Mid-America Real Estate responsible for identifying retail opportunities.

Barrington is a village in Cook County, IL and Lake County, IL. Located 35 miles northwest of Chicago with a population of more than 11,000, the Barrington area ZIP code, 60010, is the seventh wealthiest ZIP code in the nation.

Peter is a co-founder and Managing Member of Pine Tree Commercial Realty, LLC in Northbrook, Illinois. Peter began his career at The Balcor Company in 1984 after graduating Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington University. In 1987, Peter joined First Dearborn Properties, a Chicago-based real estate investment company, as a Vice President of Acquisitions. In 1990, Peter formed Plymouth Court Properties, Inc., which owned and managed several office and apartment buildings and a public golf club in

the greater Chicago area. In addition, the principals of Plymouth Court Properties were involved in the development of Michael Jordan’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1995, Peter was a founding Managing Member of Pine Tree Commercial Realty, LLC, and Pine Tree Institutional Realty, LLC in Northbrook, Illinois. To date, Pine Tree affiliates have developed and acquired 51 shopping centers nationwide totaling over 3.5 million square feet, with an aggregate value of over $350 million. Pine Tree Commercial Realty offers a full spectrum of real estate services for retail properties, including development services, construction management, property management and leasing. Pine Tree Institutional Realty is an active acquirer of retail property nationwide.

Peter has also been active with the George Washington University Alumni Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chicago, Deerfield AYSO, the Deerfield Youth Baseball Association, and has served as a member of the board of directors for the Deerfield Park Foundation, Harold Eisenberg Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chicago, American Friends of the Be’er-Sheva Foundation, and the Standard Club of Chicago.

Peter is married and has two children.

Mr. Bossy co-founded Mid-America Development Partners in May 2001 with Michael Firsel and together they successfully initiated an impressive series of development ventures primarily involving retail and mixed-use properties. Through 2005, Bossy has planned or completed 65 projects totaling more than 10 million square feet of commercial and residential space. Prior to establishing Mid-Am, Mr. Bossy gained recognition as one of the Chicago areas most successful retail property brokers, a career he began in 1977. In 1983, he co-founded Mid-America Real Estate Corporation, which pioneered the concept of tenant brokerage in the retail field and has represented more than 100 national and regional chains. In 1992, he also helped establish Mid-America Asset Management Company, a property management firm with a portfolio of 20 million square feet of retail centers.

Mid-America Development Partners is committed to creating functional, attractive developments that enhance their communities and deliver an exceptional level of tangible value to both their partners and the municipalities they serve. Currently, Mid-America has more than 40 projects, including retail, hospitality and mixed-use in various stages of development.

Mr. Caruso is the Senior Managing Director and Retail Client Advisory Director for Retail Services. Supported by a national platform, he is committed to providing retail portfolio ownership access to all of CB Richard Ellis service lines aligned to optimize portfolio value and meet client needs. Having been exposed to many types of retail properties, Mr. Caruso works closely with service line leaders in Brokerage, Property Management, Investment Properties, Finance, and Appraisal to create “go to” Integrated Retail Teams throughout the Eastern U.S. Mr. Caruso’s previous experience includes Retail Sales and Leasing, leading two of the company’s Chicago offices and Midwest Regional Retail responsibilities. In these roles his responsibilities included business development, revenue/expense, hiring and training.

CB Richard Ellis is the first globally integrated real estate services company. With a staff in excess of 10,000 in over 230 offices covering in excess of 32 countries, they sport the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of products and services.

Karen Case is President of Commercial Real Estate Banking for The PrivateBank, Chicago. Previously, she was Executive Vice President in LaSalle Bank’s Commercial Real Estate Department, and most recently, was responsible for serving the dynamic and growing real estate companies based in Illinois, LaSalle home market. Ms. Case was responsible for the launching of the Bank’s Corporate Real Estate Group, which banked national real estate service companies, opportunity funds, and pension funds and advisors, and for the start-up of loan production offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and Denver. Prior to joining LaSalle in 1992, Ms. Case established and managed the Midwest real estate lending operations for New York based Marine Midland Bank. At The First National Bank of Chicago, she was responsible for managing banking relationships with Midwest-based real estate development and syndication firms.

PrivateBancorp, Inc., through its PrivateBank subsidiaries, provides distinctive, highly personalized, premium financial services to a growing array of successful entrepreneurial small and middle market privately held and public businesses, affluent individuals, wealthy families, professionals, entrepreneurs and real estate investors. The Company, with assets over $6.0 billion, has 22 offices in the country based largely in the Midwest.

Mr. Chupack is responsible for real estate development, commercial leasing, operational matters, litigation supervision, condemnation and purchase and sale agreements for retail operations of Bridgestone-Firestone centers nationwide. He is currently Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Corporate Real Estate Attorneys and Executives, editor of the very popular Lease Negotiation Handbook published by the American Bar Association, and lectures for the Prentiss Hall Law and Business, The Decalogue Society, the Chicago Bar Association, International Council of Shopping Centers School for Professional Development, John Marshall Law School and International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conference.

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC owns and operates the world’s largest chain of company-owned auto care centers through its 2,200 Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Expert Tire and Wheel Works retail locations across the US.

Ms. Dodd is the Regional Director of Real Estate for Chicago and the State of Minnesota. She is responsible for identifying and negotiating acquisitions and leases for new pharmacies. She manages two fee-for-service developers and their brokers to accomplish her team’s goals. Prior to joining CVS, Ms. Dodd was the Director of Real Estate—Eastern Division for Blockbuster Video. She led the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

CVS Pharmacy is the largest pharmacy in the United States with over 5,500 locations. CVS is based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and has been in business for over 40 years.

Norris Eber is the President of Abbell Associates and oversees all acquisitions and dispositions; asset management; investor relations; and strategic partnerships for Abbell. Prior to Abbell, Norris was EVP of Assets and Acquisitions at Joseph Freed & Associates. Before Joseph Freed Norris was SVP of Asset Management and Acquisitions for Tucker Properties. Mr. Eber serves on the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Open Air Center Committee, ICSC Education Advisory Committee and the ICSC Foundation as a member of the Board of Directors. He is a past ICSC Central Division VP, ICSC Trustee and State Director for Illinois.

Abbell Associates is a 70-year old private real estate acquisition, management and development company currently specializing in both enclosed and open-air retail and office projects. Based in the Midwest, Abbell Associates is focused on unlocking the hidden value in retail centers and office buildings through innovative leasing, management and re-development strategies with over 2.5 million square feet of ground up development as well as redevelopment of existing shopping centers has been successfully undertaken in recent years.

Mr. Fishbein leads Red Seal’s land acquisition, zoning and development efforts. Over the past few years, Mr. Fishbein has led the acquisition effort on projects exceeding $80,000,000 in aggregate purchase price. Mr. Fishbein, a licensed attorney, is also responsible for overseeing all in-house legal matters and is involved in all aspects of Red Seal’s operations, including administration, personnel, customer contracts/closings, and residential project management. Mr. Fishbein is a former member of the Highland Park Plan Commission.

Red Seal Development recently, within Chicago’s North Shore sub-market, has successfully acquired and developed nine subdivisions culminating with the involvement in the Town of Fort Sheridan Company and the $270 million redevelopment of Fort Sheridan’s Historic District.

Mr. Francke concentrates his practice in annexation, zoning, public sector financing, tax increment financing, utility construction, real estate development and general real estate matters and in litigation challenging the validity and application of local impact fee ordinances. Mr. Francke has had primary responsibility for the land use related development aspects of several large tracts of land in the Chicago metropolitan area. These have encompassed both large-scale, mixed-use planned unit developments and mixed-use residential and multiple user commercial developments. In addition, Mr. Francke has participated in the drafting

drafting of several pieces of State legislation of significance to both local government officials and the development community, including amendments to the Illinois Township Open Space Act, the Illinois Road Improvement Impact Fee Law and a proposed, but yet-to-be enacted, Illinois School Impact Fee Law.

DLA Piper USA LLP is a business law firm of about 975 lawyers with offices in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Edison, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Reston, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington. The firm’s practice is focused on litigation, real estate, technology and business, government affairs, and international law.

Mr. George is President of both Mid-America Real Estate and Mid-America Asset Management and co-founded Mid-America with David P. Bossy in 1984, developing the Chicago-based firm into a prominent retail real estate brokerage company. Mr. George has personally directed the firm’s growth in brokerage, as well as its diversification into investment sales and asset management. Mr. George has been responsible for some of Mid-America’s greatest successes in tenant representation, as well as counseling investment firms in the acquisition and sale of shopping centers.

Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the Mid-America Real Estate organization is Chicago and the Midwest’s leading full-service retail real estate organization. Founded in 1984 primarily to service an emerging national chain store expansion phenomenon, Mid-America Real Estate Corporation (MAREC) brokers and consultants have been unrivaled in tenant representation, pre-development and shopping center leasing, land assemblage, investment sales and consulting. Mid-America Asset Management Company (MAAMCo) has similarly become the region’s most dominant third-party asset management group, accumulating an impressive portfolio of clients and currently managing and leasing in excess of 16 million square feet, more than any other non-owner firm. The management company also provides construction management and development services for its clients. The two companies have also recently combined to offer retail consulting services to area municipalities. Mid-America Investment and Development Corporation (MIDCO), formed in 2001, focuses on the acquisition and development of retail product throughout the Midwest. Mid-America also has an office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mr. Glatz is the leader of the Real Estate Services organization in the Business Support Services Group of U.S. Cellular Corporation. He is the principal person responsible for their Commercial and Retail Real Estate portfolio. Duties include developing a strategy for site acquisition of retail and commercial properties and being responsible for the asset management of all facilities to include leasing, lease negotiation, and financial strategies of management of over 2 million square feet of retail and commercial properties. He supervises an associate staff of 34 professionals in the areas of leasing, asset management and construction and is actively involved in developing market studies, predicative model analysis and expansion plans nationally.

Chicago-based U.S. Cellular Corporation is a super-regional wireless company serving more than 5.3 million customers in 149 markets in 25 states. Founded in 1983, U.S. Cellular continued to grow. They are publicly traded and boast service revenues in excess of $2.64 billion while maintaining one of the industry’s highest customer satisfaction levels.

While representing tenants, publicly traded and private property owners, Mr. Gurian has negotiated complicated transactions involving more than 10 million square feet of commercial real estate. His areas of expertise are numerous, with an emphasis on sophisticated real estate developments and financing. His reputation is that of a dealmaker!

Becker & Gurian is an aggressive law firm that provides quality expertise in complicated real estate transactions, including the acquisition, sale, development, construction, leasing and financing of commercial, industrial, and residential property. They have extensive experience in a broad range of real estate projects including regional shopping centers, office buildings, custom home residential developments, condominium conversions and troubled debt restructuring.

Mr. Hanna has experienced over 45 years in mortgage lending and recently merged the company he founded in 1982, Mid-North Financial Services, with Draper and Kramer Incorporated. He has been involved with over 1,700 financings totaling of $7 billion and has supervised restructurings and acquisitions of over $500 million of loans. Mr. Hanna’s background includes 22 years as director and Vice President of the Commercial-Industrial Loan Division of Percy Wilson Mortgage and Finance Corporation, which was at the time Chicago’s largest mortgage banking firm. For his personal account he

has constructed, owned, remodeled, managed, and syndicated ownership of apartment and major office projects.

Draper and Kramer Incorporated (“D&K”) is a Chicago based, Illinois Corporation managed by a Board of Directors. The Chief Operating Officer is President and CEO. D&K was founded in 1893 as a real estate brokerage and mortgage-banking company. D&K (the “Company”) is a Midwest based, multi-disciplined real estate and financial services firm with capabilities to serve clients nationally. The Company provides high quality investment and property services, including commercial mortgage origination and servicing, investment property acquisitions and sales, and realty advisory services for investors and pension funds. Additionally, the Company manages, brokers and develops and markets commercial and multifamily properties. D&K’s income-property mortgage servicing portfolio approximates $2 billion and annual commercial and industrial mortgage originations exceed $1.5 billion. It also services over 3,000 residential loans for a volume of about $400 million. D&K presently employs 450 at 80 locations.

Mr. Hanna is proud to be an Eagle Scout and we are all proud of Mr. Hanna’s achievement at age 72, becoming the oldest person to climb the seven summits of Mt. Everest.

Mr. Hulina possesses extensive real estate background in the shopping center industry, having been actively involved in the development, leasing and sales of numerous regional, neighborhood and community retail shopping centers across the United States. Mr. Hulina has demonstrated success in assembling seasoned professionals in key areas of development, brokerage, tenant representation and management. During his 35 year career he has been a principal at several well known real estate development & brokerage firms including financing Homart Development Co., Vantage/Bradford Cos. & Hiffman Shaffer Associates.

Clark Street Development is a recently formed real estate development partnership of like-minded individuals that specialize in the development of retail shopping centers throughout the United States. Founded in the fall of 2005, the principals came together cementing already established development project relationships in this new venture. Balancing the interests of the retailers, with the intensity objectives of the developer and with the community and political concerns can be a daunting task. The Clark team, through creativity, experience and objectivity, has overcome these obstacles on numerous occasions over the years. The results are properties that are easily understood and have ready appeal to the investment community.

Throughout his 25 year real estate career, Mr. Hyman has become one of Chicago’s premier dealmakers, exceeding 25 deals annually. Since its inception in 1996, Millennium Properties, Inc. (MPI) has soared to success, with Mr. Hyman contributing over $1.8 billion in sales. In the course of his impressive career, Mr. Hyman has also performed the duties of receiver, consultant, and leasing and sales agent on behalf of the State Court, as well as Federal Bankruptcy Court. The firm also conducts real estate auctions, sealed bid sales, asset management and consulting.

Millennium Properties credits their success on the firm’s ability to select the proper marketing program and provide the necessary information to effectuate a sale. Their team prides itself on comprehending their role as intermediaries. This understanding has allowed them to effectively match client needs with the appropriate buyer, thus providing a rapid and productive sale. The firm also conducts real estate auctions, sealed bid sales, asset management and consulting.

Since 1978, Mr. Klairmont has been involved hands-on in the process of finding, buying, rehabbing, leasing, managing and maintaining commercial properties. Mr. Klairmont directs a staff of 30 professionals who are geared to offer “tender loving care” to all operations of property ownership. Fast-paced decision-making, ranging from large to small, is a constant. Mr. Klairmont is Chairman of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation Mentor Program.

Imperial Realty Company has built a portfolio of over 70 retail, office and industrial properties containing over 10 million square feet. Most acquisitions were purchased as distressed properties and have been subsequently guided to success through rehabilitation and repositioning to meet the needs of the respective marketplaces. The firm’s in-house departments include legal, architectural, space planning, brokerage, leasing, management and maintenance.

At Mid-America, Mr. Kuchman is responsible for the coordinated efforts of a 19 member sales staff who collectively represent over 85 of the country’s top retail chains. He has over fifteen years of experience in the areas of retail tenant representation, surplus property disposition, shopping center leasing, commercial sales, assemblage, development consulting and market analysis. Mr. Kuchman represents selected clients in as many as 50 major metropolitan markets, in addition to his efforts in the Greater Chicagoland Area. Over the course of his career, Kuchman has completed over six hundred

lease transactions with a collective value in excess of $2 billion. Kuchman has represented retail tenants in the acquisition of over 9.0 million square feet of space and has assisted developers in gaining approval for the development and leasing of five million square feet of new construction.

Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the Mid-America Real Estate organization is Chicago and the Midwest’s leading full-service retail real estate organization. Founded in 1984 primarily to service an emerging national chain store expansion phenomenon, Mid-America Real Estate Corporation (MAREC) brokers and consultants have been unrivaled in tenant representation, pre-development and shopping center leasing, land assemblage, investment sales and consulting. Mid-America Asset Management Company (MAAMCo) has similarly become the region’s most dominant third-party asset management group, accumulating an impressive portfolio of clients and currently managing and leasing in excess of 16 million square feet, more than any other non-owner firm. The management company also provides construction management and development services for its clients. The two companies have also recently combined to offer retail consulting services to area municipalities. Mid-America Investment and Development Corporation (MIDCO), formed in 2001, focuses on the acquisition and development of retail product throughout the Midwest. Mid-America also has an office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Rich LeBrun has more than 25 years of experience in the management, leasing, and marketing of commercial real estate assets. He has extensive experience with a wide variety of product types, markets, and ownership structures which he applies to the diverse NAI Hiffman portfolio where he currently has responsibility for over 17 million square feet of industrial and office product. Before joining NAI Hiffman, Mr LeBrun was the Director of Asset Management at Janko Group and Vice President at Prime Group Realty Trust.

NAI Hiffman is the Chicago area representative for NAI Global – the world’s premier commercial real estate organization with over $45 Billion in annual transaction volume and over 300 million square feet under management. NAI Hiffman is the largest full-service, privately owned real estate services firm in the Greater Chicago Area managing approximately 300 buildings with nearly 60 million square feet of 3rd party institutional product, all 3rd party owned.

Mr. Litvin entered the real estate brokerage business in 1985 subsequent to a 12 year career as a retailer. He has been a leader in the representation of retail users as well as other user types in their initial and subsequent roll outs in the Chicago area. He has been recognized as such by The Chicago Sun Times as a Finalist for Retail Broker of The Year. Mr. Litvin’s personal involvement, attention to detail, creativity, and unique ability of “becoming the Tenant,” with each deal is apparent. He has, over the years, been responsible for the “roll out” of numerous retailers’ locations throughout the Chicago area. In addition, Mr. Litvin represents several retailers in their expansion throughout the United States, and on a regional basis. In 2009 Mr. Litvin joined Horizon Realty Services, bringing a major enhancement to the Tenant Representation side of the firm.

Horizon Realty Services manages over 1,000,000 square feet of retail properties in 26 centers. Horizon Realty has direct responsibility for leasing 120 different properties currently with 4 brokers responsible for the leasing duties. In addition, the Tenant Representation Division represents numerous retailers such as Goddard Schools, Urban Active Fitness, Dunkin Donuts, Firehouse Subs, Colorific, Tucanos Brazilian Grill, Running Room and Paragon Theaters.

Mr. MaRous, MAI, CRE, in addition to providing appraisals has served as an expert witness in litigation proceedings for many financial institutions, local municipalities, corporations, builders and developers, architects, governmental agencies, law firms, and school districts in the Chicago metropolitan area. He also has provided cost estimates, highest and best use studies, and marketability and feasibility studies for a variety of properties. Mr. MaRous is the former Mayor of Park Ridge, Illinois.

MaRous and Company has appraised more than 10 billion dollars worth of primarily investment grade real estate in over 25 states. Mr. MaRous is a State of Illinois Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and past President of the Chicago Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. He has published articles and lectured to a number of professional organizations. His list of clients encompasses large corporations, law firms, financial institutions, local governments, and large owners of every property group.

Speaker Series Chairman

In 2000, Mr. Millman and his partner Stuart Lenhoff founded Horizon Realty Services. They are engaged in the Leasing, Management, Development, and construction of Retail properties. Over the last 8 years they have completed 100′s of lease transactions from 1000 to 100,000 square feet. Mr. Millman began his retail career in the 1970’s at Saint Mary of Nazereth Hospital as the Hospital Administrator and Attorney with the responsibility of acquiring land for additional structures. With early success negotiating acquisitions he was appointed to directing two Hospitals within the city. Mr. Millman continued his path by opening his own retail store and spearheading the leasing of Port Clinton Square in Highland Park.

Horizon Realty Services manages over 1,000,000 square feet of retail properties in 26 Centers. Horizon Realty has direct responsibility for leasing 120 different properties currently with 4 brokers responsible for the Leasing duties. In addition they represent in the Chicago market, Hertz Rent a Car, Sprint, Goddard Schools, Cuppys Coffee and Dunkin Donuts.

Mr. Nitzberg has spent his thirty year business career involved in the retail industry with a special emphasis on retail real estate. He joined Mid-America Real Estate Corporation in June, 1991. Mr. Nitzberg specializes in providing advisory services to tenants and landlords with a special focus on urban retail projects. He has represented tenants and property owners in over 1.5 million square feet of retail projects on North Michigan Avenue, State Street and Lincoln Park. Exclusive tenant clients have included Crate & Barrel, The Container Store, H&M, Sears “the great indoors”, Nordstrom Rack, Facconable, Apple Computer, Virgin Records, American Girl Place and Allen Edmonds. Mr. Nitzberg is also recognized for the sale of investment retail real estate. He has been directly involved in the closing of over $520 million of retail investment sale transactions. Mr. Nitzberg received the 2002, 2001, and 1998 Chicago Retail Broker of the Year Award.

Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the Mid-America Real Estate organization is Chicago and the Midwest’s leading full-service retail real estate organization. Founded in 1984 primarily to service an emerging national chain store expansion phenomenon, Mid-America Real Estate Corporation (MAREC) brokers and consultants have been unrivaled in tenant representation, pre-development and shopping center leasing, land assemblage, investment sales and consulting. Mid-America Asset Management Company (MAAMCo) has similarly become the region’s most dominant third-party asset management group, accumulating an impressive portfolio of clients and currently managing and leasing in excess of 16 million square feet, more than any other non-owner firm. The management company also provides construction management and development services for its clients. The two companies have also recently combined to offer retail consulting services to area municipalities. Mid-America Investment and Development Corporation (MIDCO), formed in 2001, focuses on the acquisition and development of retail product throughout the Midwest. Mid-America also has an office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Donna J. Pugh is a partner at Foley & Lardner and is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice, where she provides land use and zoning services. Ms. Pugh utilizes a team approach, heavily involving clients in strategic planning and has an exceptionally high success rate in obtaining needed approvals. She crafts the approvals so as to maximize long-term flexibility for future uses of the land.

Her practice focuses on obtaining zoning, land use and other governmental approvals relating to land, including: Planned Development approvals for large-scale or mixed-use projects, rezoning of land, Variations to allow proposed development, text amendments to update zoning codes to accommodate clients’ needs, public way approvals to allow skybridges, tunnels, canopies, monument or overhanging signage and other private uses of the public way, vacation and dedication of streets and alleys to allow better utilization of sites, subdivision, annexation, administrative relief and administrative adjustments, obtaining rulings from zoning administrators or other code enforcement officials that a proposed use is either legally nonconforming, falls within the definition of an enumerated permitted use, or is otherwise allowed, and obtaining “Part II,” site plan or other planned development-related approvals for later phases of development.

Prior to joining Foley, Ms. Pugh was a chair of the Land Use Practice Group at Vedder Price.

Mr. Shiner oversees all of the activities of The Shiner Group, LLC including identifying new projects, procuring financing for developments and negotiating with anchor tenants. Bill also is responsible for approving leases and making property management decisions for a portfolio of over two million square feet of retail space.

William A. Shiner founded Shiner Group in 1982 for the purpose of acquiring and developing real estate in the Midwest. Acting as sole principal for the past 25 years, Mr. Shiner has developed and owned over four million square feet of retail, 100,000 square feet of office, and has acquired over 1,000 acres of land for development. Mr. Shiner has completed projects in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and California.

Mr. Simmons manages the mortgage brokerage team arranging financing for the investment sales clients of Grubb & Ellis. Prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, Mr. Simmons was a partner at Cohen Financial. Mr. Simmons is a current member of the boards of Inland Real Estate Corporation and Albany Bank & Trust.

Grubb & Ellis Company is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate service and investment companies in the world with over 6,000 professionals in more than 100 company-owned and affiliate offices drawing from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors.

Mr. Stein joined the Milwaukee based Polacheck Company in 1970. He has specialized in leasing both regional and strip-shopping centers, land development and site selection. He has represented numerous national and local chains throughout the State of Wisconsin including Kohl’s Food Stores, Roundy’s, Sentry Foods, Walgreens, Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Famous Footwear, Comp USA, McDonald’s, Toys R’ Us, OfficeMax and others.

While we’ve adapted to new technology and techniques, our strength is in solid market knowledge, relationships and the anticipation of trends as well as the ever-changing needs of our clients.Their services include appraisal, international services, mortgage banking & brokerage services, facilities management, research services, and institutional investment advisory services.

Founded over 50 years ago, The Polacheck Company A CB Richard Ellis Company, is a results oriented real estate firm and industry leader nationally known for unparalleled attention to detail.

Mr. Weinstein specializes in all areas of taxation and designs creative solutions to tax issues for family businesses, asset acquisitions and dispositions, real estate transactions and high net worth individuals. Mr. Weinstein brings over 30 years experience to consulting engagements on various real estate projects and businesses, including commercial, industrial and residential real estate developments. He regularly advises real estate development companies on management, financing and operational issues. He also provides valuation support for purposes of asset transfers, family succession and divorce. From time to time, he also provides expert testimony on such matters.

FGMK, L.L.C. is a progressive, rapidly expanding certified public accounting and consulting firm dedicated to the concept of providing quality and attentive service to their clients. The firm has been in business since 1969, has a staff of 86, including fifteen partners, senior principals, professionals, and support staff. Industries served include service firms, real estate and construction, manufacturing and healthcare. A full range of accounting, audit, tax, estate planning, computer and consulting services are provided. FGMK is the 20th largest firm in the Chicago area, and the largest firm in Lake County.

Mr. Weinstock is the Regional Manager of the Oak Brook (Chicago) office of Marcus & Millichap. Mr. Weinstock initially joined the Detroit office of Marcus & Millichap in April 2001 where he was Vice President Investments as well as Director of the national Multi Housing Group and Member of the National Self-Storage Group. With over $500,000,000 in closed investment sale transactions, Steven earned multiple agent awards for productivity and results.  In 2008, Steven realized he wanted to share his experience and help others achieve their goals and became Sales Manager for the Cincinnati and Columbus offices.  Ultimately, he moved to Chicago in 2009 to become Regional Manager of the Oak Brook office.

Since 1971, Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company has been the premier provider of investment real estate brokerage services. The foundation of their investment brokerage services is their depth of local market knowledge. Their history of maintaining investor relationships in local markets enables them to be the best information source and transaction service provider nationally.

Mr. Wiese brings over 30 years of commercial real estate experience to his current position as an Office and Industrial Investment Specialist. Previous positions include Regional Vice President, Director of Real Estate Investment and Real Estate Agent with national corporations such as Balcor, ManuLife Financial and Cushman & Wakefield. Accomplishments include having acted as broker or principal in over 70 investments transactions. This represents over 4,000,000 square feet of office, industrial and retail properties that Howard has sold. In 2001, Mr. Wiese ranked second in production in office and industrial investment sales out of 600 agents nationally with Marcus & Millichap. He is a 4-time winner of the company’s National Achievement Award. In his outstanding tenure with Marcus & Millichap, Mr. Wiese has sold leased investments valued at over $220 million.

Since 1971, Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company has been the premier provider of investment real estate brokerage services. The foundation of their investment brokerage services is their depth of local market knowledge. Their 35-year history of maintaining investor relationships in local markets enables them to be the best information source and transaction service provider nationally.

Mr. Wong co-founded @properties in 2000. His leadership, drive and vision led @properties to grow from a four-person, $40 million operation to a billion dollar enterprise with over 700 licensed agents recognized throughout Illinois. Among his many awards Mr. Wong was named to Crain’s “40 Under 40” list of top young executives; Inman News’ “100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders” and Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.”

@properties incredible success has been widely recognized by the real estate industry and the broader business community including the “Inc. 500” list of fastest growing companies in America and continue this success with @properties Institutional Services Group, @properties Property Management and @properties Commercial Division.

Mr. Yi concentrates his practice in the area of real estate law with a a particular focus on commercial lease transactions representing both owners and users of office, retial and industrial properties including a number of Fortune 250 corporations. Mr. Yi earned his B.A. and B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. Mr. Yi is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and is selected for inclusing in the 2005-2010 Illinois Super Lawyers lists.

Quarles & Brady LLP provides broad-based, national-level legal services through a strong network of regional practices and local offices. Quarles & Brady LLP attorneys have direct experience with a wide range of industries from traditional manufacturing to leading-edge technology and nearly every point in-between.

Mr. Yura joined DLA Piper USA LLP in 1979 and concentrates his practice in real estate transactional matters. His clients include lenders, investors, developers, and contractors. Mr. Yura is a frequent speaker before trade and professional groups on matters of state and federal legislation, multi-family housing financing, and commercial real estate lending topics. He is a member of various housing trade associations, including the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association and the National Multi-Housing Counsel. He is also active in numerous bar-related groups, including the Chicago Mortgage Attorneys Association, the Affordable Housing Forum of the American Bar Association and the Affordable Housing Law Subcommittee of the Chicago Bar Association Real Property Law Committee. Based on peer and client reviews, Mr. Yura has been selected as one of America’s leading real estate lawyers by Chambers & Partners, a respected English research firm.

DLA Piper USA LLP is a business law firm of about 975 lawyers with offices in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Edison, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Reston, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington. The firm’s practice is focused on litigation, real estate, technology and business, government affairs, and international law.

Mr. Zifkin has an extensive background in commercial real estate and has been active in the Chicago metropolitan market for more than 25 years. Prior to starting his own company, Mr. Zifkin was a Principal at Hiffman Shaffer Associates, Inc., one of Chicago’s largest full-service commercial real estate companies, where he was responsible for developing HSA’s retail group in Chicago. During his tenure, Mr. Zifkin was responsible for approximately 750 transactions, worth an estimated $600 million.

Zifkin Realty and Development, L.L.C. was formed in 1998. They provide attentive tenant representation services to a number of active national retailers. In addition, Zifkin Realty purchases retail properties for their own portfolio.