Chicago’s commercial real estate world experienced a shakeup as Transwestern recruited 30-year industry veteran Blake Johnson.
A former John Buck Company President and CBRE senior partner, Johnson is joining Transwestern as executive managing director and Chicago market leader. His position will take effect Sept. 29.
The firm’s Chicago office employs 300 people and is responsible for a portfolio of 33 million square feet of leased or managed commercial property.
Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rice University and an MBA in finance from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He began his career at Eastdil Secured.
W.E. O’Neil, a Chicago-based general contractor, recently promoted Todd Guthrie to chief operating officer. The 100-year-old is headquartered in Chicago but has a significant nationwide presence.
Guthrie spent the majority of his 40-year career at W.E. O’Neil, most recently serving as Regional President for the firm’s Arizona, Colorado, and Tennessee markets.
He holds a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MBA from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business. Just under 10 years into his career, Guthrie launched W.E. O’Neil’s Colorado office in 1999.
Daniel North is joining Polsinelli’s Chicago office as an attorney and shareholder. The Kansas City-based law firm that specializes in real estate law has established over two dozen offices across the U.S. since its inception.
North’s expertise lies in helping clients navigate foreclosures and loan restructurings, interpreting and executing leasing agreements and resolving mechanics’ lien and bond claim matters.
North is one of 14 shareholding attorneys to join Polsinelli over the last year.
He earned a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Sam Houston State University.