Construction & Development Chicago

Gwendolyn Hatten Butler is a partner at Capri Investment Group, oversees Global Investor Relations, and is on the Investment Committee. Over a more than 35-year career, Ms. Hatten Butler has been involved in a broad range of corporate debt, structured finance, leveraged buyouts, and real estate equity and mezzanine transactions. Ms. Hatten Butler holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree from University of Michigan. Ms. Hatten Butler is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and serves as the Chair of the Architects, Construction and Contractors, Engineers, Real Estate, and Mortgages Membership Committee. She is a member of The Chicago Network and serves on the Financial Services Subcommittee. Ms. Hatten Butler is a Commissioner, City of Chicago Community Development Commission. She is on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan and Develop Detroit. Ms. Hatten Butler is on the Advisory Board of the Michigan-China Innovation Center, and on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Securities Professionals.

Graham Grady is a partner at Taft Law where he advises real estate developers, investors and property owners. He assists clients in building consensus with local elected officials, government entities, community organizations and other stakeholders. As a former Zoning Administrator, Buildings Commissioner and Ex-Officio member of the Chicago Plan Commission, his practice encompasses zoning, land use, economic incentives, building code compliance, licensing, construction agreements, government and legislative approvals. Graham helps clients obtain government entitlements and solve problems with units of local government. With a focus on the city of Chicago and Cook County, he helps secure necessary approvals for land developments in the Chicago metropolitan area. A consensus builder and negotiator, he maintains excellent relations with community organizations, local elected officials and other stakeholders. Graham provides legal counsel for compliance, regulatory, public policy and encompasses zoning, land use, building code compliance, licensing, construction agreements, government contracts, procurement and legislative approvals. In the land use area, his experience includes securing all types of land use entitlements through planned developments, zoning map amendments, special uses, variations, text amendments and public way approvals. He represents property owners, real estate developers and every classification of real estate including retail, residential, commercial, industrial and myriad specialized land uses. He regularly represents clients before the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department. In addition, he has obtained approvals through boards and commissions, including the: • Building Board of Appeals • Chicago Plan Commission • Committee on Standards and Tests • Chicago Plan Commission • Committee on Zoning • Chicago City Council • Commission on Chicago Landmarks • Community Development Commission • Zoning Board of Appeals Graham also serves as legal counsel to one of the five annuity and benefit funds of the City of Chicago, advising in a broad range of areas including compliance with the Illinois Pension Code, investment management agreements, open meetings and freedom of information act compliance and the fiduciary obligations of the trustees of the pension fund.

Over the past 15 years, Leon I. Walker, Esq. has spearheaded cutting-edge community development projects that have generated thousands of new jobs, and brought grocery stores and health care services into the food and health care deserts on Chicago’s south side. Mr. Walker is an innovator who continues to be at the forefront of utilizing new financing tools and blending funding streams. During his career, Mr. Walker has structured more than $100 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), including at the award-winning Roseland Medical Center, which was the first project to finance new construction with NMTCs in Chicago. He was also the first Chicago developer to use crowdfunding for new construction, raising $500,000 in two days from 61 investors in 26 states as part of the $20 million capital stack for the nationally recognized Englewood Square retail center, anchored by Whole-Foods. As the Managing Partner of DL3 Realty, Mr. Walker works closely with municipalities, anchor institutions, and Fortune 500 companies to implement projects that are sensitive to a neighborhood’s character while creating economic opportunities for those who live there. Mr. Walker’s projects are more than just bricks and mortar. They are designed to provide a stimulus that ultimately lifts economic prospects and quality-of-life for local residents. He calls his work “Venture Development,” as described in a recently released discussion paper that can be downloaded at dl3realty.com/venturedevelopment. Current projects include a new Jewel-Osco that will be the first grocery store to come to the Woodlawn community in over 40 years, helping to accelerate local revitalization efforts underway through the University of Chicago, Obama Presidential Center and local neighborhood organizations. He recently opened the new UI Mile Square Health Center in the South Shore neighborhood, collaborating with the YWCA to creatively co-locate critical health care and child care services at one site to better support the needs of families. He is also collaborating with Central City Productions to develop the nation’s first National Museum of Gospel Music, a highly inspirational project in the historic Bronzeville community on the site once occupied by Pilgrim Baptist Church, known as the birthplace of gospel. Mr. Walker is also leading the effort to develop social innovation hubs in Woodlawn, Chatham and Morgan Park. These new developments are anchored by some of Chicago’s most seasoned non-profit tenants including a Lighthouse call center providing 400 new jobs, a new Gift of Hope training center designed to prepare new candidates for medical careers, and University of Chicago sponsored co-working space for social enterprises. Given his catalytic projects and investment philosophy, Mr. Walker is often invited to speak to local and national organizations regarding economic development, Venture Development, and his experience with crowdfunding. Audiences have included the Chicago Bar Association, Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, American Bankers Association, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Entrepreneur Podcast Network. Mr. Walker serves as a Board member of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University and as a Commissioner of the Roseland Community Medical District. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Realty Club of Chicago, International Council of Shopping Centers Government Relations Committee, and The Business Leadership Council. Prior to taking on the leadership of DL3 Realty, Mr. Walker worked in corporate real estate services at Jones Lang LaSalle, and in real estate capital markets at Citicorp Securities. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Law School and Booth School of Business, and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He lives with his wife and two children in the Kenwood historic district on Chicago’s south side.

Majd Ello had a passion for the AEC industry since her early childhood days of walking the ancient cobblestone streets of her hometown of Jerusalem. The creativity in design and coordination of the beautiful and complex structures that stand thousands of years later, absolutely amazes her. An incredible program called ACE Mentor Program, guided this passion of hers with 2 hours a week of living in the shoes of an Architect, Engineer or Construction Manager, from visiting a potential project site, sketching possible layouts of a lobby to the detailed structural analysis and design of the columns in the building. She quickly learned this was an industry she loved. Through the years, she's touched a few parts of the industry from architectural design and structural engineering to general contracting and technology. This has introduced her to some of the most creative and passionate people, which led her to her current role as Customer Success Manager at Autodesk. Combining two passions of the AEC industry as well as helping people. If you know Majd, you know she is a dreamer, and her ambitions for this industry and our world are ever so exponentially growing. She hopes to continue pushing the ceiling of this industry and its people.

Chris has been a leader in Wrap-Up insurance for close to three decades, with experience in underwriting, risk management, and brokerage. The 90’s were spent at Liberty Mutual where he helped build their Construction Unit and underwrote insurance for Construction and Large Wrap-Up accounts. In the 2000’s Chris was Turner Construction Company’s Insurance Manager and National CCIP Director. He helped create their Rolling CCIP program and helped make it the largest Rolling CCIP program in the country. Since 2011, Chris helped make Turner’s sister company, Turner Surety and Insurance Brokerage (TSIB) into one of the leading, privately held, independent, Wrap-Up brokerage groups in the county selling OCIP specific services. His client list included the likes of Tishman Speyer, Related, Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC), Alameda County, Sacramento Light Rail, and most recently Amazon to name a few. Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts.

Jim Letchinger founded JDL Development in 1993 and to date, has developed more than 1,200 residential units with another 1,500 currently preparing to be in construction. He launched his development career with a conversion of a 1940’s Benjamin Marshall building at 210 E. Walton St. in Chicago where he transformed 21 apartments into five unique residential condominiums. Mr. Letchinger quickly became known as one of Chicago’s most creative and respected residential developers, specializing in urban development where his expertise in entitlement and infill design provides a significant competitive advantage. Mr. Letchinger is intimately involved in all aspects of JDL’s projects, from inception to completion. His hands-on approach has helped JDL survive a number of real estate cycles. Mr. Letchinger is a graduate of the University of Michigan. A life long resident of the City of Chicago, Mr. Letchinger is married with two grown children.

Luke E. Stater, CPC, is an Associate Director at Fulcrum’s Omaha office, where he is primarily responsible for client engagements in the Midwest and surrounding areas. Luke has [Luke Stater] over 20 years of construction industry experience, including construction consulting and management, estimating, field supervision, and subcontracting. Luke’s knowledge spans projects varying in size and complexity, including commercial office, multi-family, mixed-use, retail, bioscience, healthcare, hospitality, and educational structures.

Mr. McElroy founded Level-1 Global Solutions, LLC in 2001-present and is a member of the Mayor’s Office of Technology Advisors and The Chicago Community Trust. Level-1 is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) licensed, certified, and registered in the City of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois. Thomas McElroy is the founder and president of Level-1 Global Solutions, LLC. Since the firm’s first project at the New Cook County Hospital in 2001, Level-1 has been a timely, reliable, and costeffective resource in meeting the City of Chicago’s infrastructure needs. Mr. McElroy prides himself and his company on building and maintaining stellar relationships with Level-1 customers and team members – relationships built on mutual respect, trust, open communication, and the successful meeting of shared goals. Mr. McElroy and his executive administrative, program management, and technology officers remain involved in each and every Level-1 project. Maintaining a complete open-door policy, they are available and accessible to clients and technical teams leads alike to provide executive guidance, decision-making, and escalation services as needed. Level-1 is a Technology Systems Integrator with a wealth of experience embedded in our core capabilities of providing technology systems integration and the design, implementation, and management of interoperable technology infrastructure, communications, security and audio-visual systems. We offer successful project experience within the federal, local and private industry sectors. Level-1 has received numerous accolades regarding our project performance via client reference letters. Key Clients Chicago Public Schools: Data Center Move and Relocations services for the Board of Education; Network and Security Camera Infrastructure support; Local Area Network System Improvement; Audio Visual Equipment and Installation services; Web Filtering services City Colleges of Chicago: Audio Visual Equipment and Installation services; Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Services; City of Chicago: Department of Aviation & City of Chicago O’Hare Modernization project (OMP) United Airlines, Willis Tower: Operations Center Power Protection and AV Infrastructure project Cook County/Department of Homeland Security: Power Protection for County-Wide Security Camera Installation Cook County Juvenile Detention Center: Telecommunication Infrastructure support State of Illinois: Statewide Unified Communications Implementation.

Dailey Tipton has spent many years in senior positions of management where he is recognized for his expertise in energy and sustainability. He has a long history of growing companies, from start-up to Fortune 500 in size. As the leader for revenue generation for Evolution Energy Partners, Dailey focuses on creating opportunities for customers to drive impact to their bottom line through energy management projects while increasing their sustainable footprint. Prior to EEP, Dailey worked at CPower as a General Manager, SAP as the leader for Energy Management and Sustainable Applications Center of Excellence, DATUM as part of the management team and created, launched and managed a highly successful SAP sustainability practice for ERM. Dailey started his career as a Naval Flight Officer and is a Veteran of Foreign War with multiple recognitions including two Navy Achievement Medals. He holds two degrees in Engineering: MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas and BS in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. In his off time, Dailey is a competitive runner, cyclist, long distance open water swimmer and sails boats competitively. Dailey is on the Board of Directors for US Patriot Sailing, a wounded warrior program that provides support to the “Silently Wounded” warriors. Married 34 years to Jessica, who he met at Auburn, with two children Nate 30 and Leah 27.

Dr. Suzet McKinney, a nationally recognized public health expert, serves as Principal and Director of Life Sciences. In her role, Dr. McKinney leads the strategy to expand Sterling Bay’s footprint in life sciences nationwide, pursue grant programs for laboratory incubation and graduation space and advance the work of various Sterling Bay life sciences initiatives including Prysm Institute. Prior to joining Sterling Bay, Dr. McKinney was CEO and Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District (IMD) where she managed medical research facilities, labs, a biotech business incubator, universities, four hospitals, and more than 40 healthcare-related facilities. Before IMD, Dr. McKinney served as Deputy Commissioner for the Bureau of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response at Chicago Department of Health.

Matthew Fritzshall is the President and founder of Triton Realty Group. He has been involved with nearly $200 million investment real estate transactions throughout his 11-year career. His primary focus includes multi-family, mixed-use, and re-development properties on the north side of Chicago. Matthew has superior market knowledge on the north side of the city regarding all aspects of multifamily housing, including zoning, de-conversions, add-value strategies, and new development. Matt is an advisor and trusted resource for his clients. His approach to real estate is founded on his belief that credibility and a work-hard attitude breeds success. His credibility is shown by his decade-plus of success in the real estate industry. If you want to find out if he can be a vital advisor for your portfolio, please reach out to him anytime. Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University with concentrations in finance and real estate Prior Experience: Matthew began his brokerage career at a large national real estate firm and then helped start the brokerage division at a local Chicago real estate company.

For more than 40 years, Rich Reizen has represented a wide array of clients in connection with numerous construction projects. Rich, who is chair of the firm's Construction Practice, has represented contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers and owners in connection with hundreds of construction projects in Chicago and throughout the country. These projects have included: construction of the largest mixed-use development in the United States the world’s largest cable stayed pre-cast segment concrete span bridge convention centers and hotels government projects, including water treatment plants, high-rise buildings and commercial office centers, coal gassification sites, residential communities, schools, arenas and performing arts centers, data centers, hospitals, parking structures, nuclear power plants, and alternative energy. Rich is both an experienced litigator and construction lawyer, using his depth of skills to advise his clients in all phases of construction, including pre-construction documentation, construction issues arising during the project, and the mediation, arbitration or litigation of claims resulting from the projects. Rich is a frequent author and speaker on a variety of construction-related topics, as well as other topics including class actions, accounting and banking issues. Rich was invited to join the Construction Lawyers Society of America as a Fellow. CLSA is an invitation-only international honorary association of preeminent lawyers specializing in construction. Fellowship is limited and selective, with lawyers being invited only upon a proven record of accomplishment. Rich has also been recognized by his peers as an Illinois Leading Lawyer in the areas of Construction and Commercial Law.