Movers: Brad Gries takes over as LaSalle’s Head of Americas … and more

One of the biggest investment funds in commercial real estate has gone through a shakeup with its Americas leadership. Another fund has picked off a longtime local development executive for a next chapter. And some big brokerages pulled off the return of some familiar faces.

Read on for more Chicago-area real estate career moves.

➤ Brad Gries has assumed the head of Americas post for Chicago-based LaSalle Investment Management, as part of a leadership transition at the firm with $87 billion in assets and investments under management.

Gries had served as co-head of the Americas since 2021 alongside Kristy Hueberger, who is leaving the role this summer to pursue other opportunities, a news release from LaSalle said.

“We thank Kristy for her contributions in advancing our Americas platform over the past nine years and wish her the best in her next chapter,” LaSalle CEO Mark Gabbay said. “We have deep conviction in the Americas team under Brad’s leadership to continue delivering optimal outcomes for our investors and stakeholders and further propel the growth and development of our Americas business.”

Gries will retain his position as Chair of the LaSalle Americas Investment Committee, resume his role as Co-Chief Investment Officer for LaSalle Americas and maintain his role as part of the Global Management Committee.

➤ Darren Sloniger has made it official with Kayne Anderson.

The longtime developer and former executive with Naperville-based apartments player Marquette Companies has signed on as a senior managing director for Los Angeles-based Kayne’s multifamily housing team.

Sloniger sold his stake in Marquette in 2023 and was previously reported to be working with Kayne in an advisory capacity while the firm eyed a possible investment into Sterling Bay’s stalled Lincoln Yards megaproject along the Chicago River between Lincoln Park and Bucktown. It remains unclear, however, if Kayne is moving forward with a deal for the project.

Sloniger will be mostly working out of Kayne’s offices for its real estate arm in Boca Raton, Florida.

“This fund fits my personal sense of mission as its focus is on investments that are attainable and sustainable in both value-add and ground up strategies,” Sloniger said on social media.

➤ Tom Kim and George Mack are the latest CRE pros to jump between big brokerages — in both cases returning to firms where they’ve had lengthy previous stints.

Kim has come back to CBRE’s valuation and advisory services arm as its national industrial practice leader after spending a little more than two years with JLL. He previously spent 16 years with CBRE starting in 2006, according to LinkedIn.

Similarly, Mack has returned to Cresa as a principal on its capital strategies team, following more than a year working on tenant credit lease financing deals with Prudential Private Capital. Mack previously spent six years at Cresa.

“My time away has been enriching, and I am truly grateful to have worked with and learned from all the great people at Prudential Private Capital,” Mack wrote on LinkedIn.

➤ Bradford Allen is growing its property management services team.

Angela Burnett, who was previously with EQ Office for nearly nine years and was a property manager for the Willis Tower, is coming onto Bradford as director of operations, and Sean P. Kenny, previously chief engineer with CBRE and Sterling Bay, will be Bradford’s director of engineering.

They will report to Bradford’s Jennifer Murphy, president of management services, and oversee operations across the firm’s 4.5 million square feet of properties.

 “Their knowledge of operations and the industry overall will be invaluable as we continue to look at opportunities to expand our portfolio of office assets in Chicago and other top-tier markets,” Murphy said.

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Development

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➤ Chicago-based construction, development and design conglomerate Clayco has appointed Jeff Miller as its Chief Information Officer.

Miller was previously at computer software firm Quantinuum and Honeywell.

“Cutting-edge technology and innovation have always been paramount to the work we do at Clayco, and Jeff’s extensive experience and military service, coupled with his strategic leadership capabilities, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our operations,” Clayco founder and executive chairman Bob Clark said.

Correction: Brad Gries’ first name has been updated in this story.