Prior to becoming a broker, I was a Physical Therapist Assistant at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn for seven years. I personally treated people affected by strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, gun shot wounds, sports related injuries, amputations and orthopedic surgeries. I learned early on that it was important to understand a person’s situation and their personality right away in order to make them respond and trust you. I learned how important it is to set expectations and goals for people and to implement a plan to help people succeed. Being able to understand the situation, set expectations and goals, develop a game plan and execute it to the best of my ability is how I approach every client and person I meet in business. I take great pride in helping people reach their goals. I have been fortunate to work and sit on both sides of the table during many different and challenging situations in my career in commercial real estate. I carry the same approach and philosophy to everyone I work with – understand who the people are that I am working with and understand what is needed to reach their goals.
I have three young boys and have been married for 15 years. My passion is guiding my sons through life and exposing them to things that the “virtual world” they are growing up in doesn’t give them. I want to teach my sons the “life skills” that are not being taught in school or online. I am an avid outdoors person and fishing is one of my life long hobbies. I have been going to Canada fishing for more than 20 years and I have been able to take my sons with me on the trip and they are hooked! I can’t picture going fishing without them and seeing their faces as they catch fish and hang out with each other. They are now riding their bikes with a pole in one hand to ponds to wet a line, and I couldn’t be happier. I love fishing, golf and all sports. I grew up playing all sports and I love to play with and coach my kids. I also am humbled in life to know that you have to go slow and to not take things for granted because life can change in an instant.
Inspired
“It's better to win late.”
Professional Background & Experience
Steve is an Executive Vice President and Partner at NAI Hiffman. He has over 20 years of experience representing private companies, individual owners and investors, and institutional lenders/owners in the leasing, repositioning, acquisition and disposition of office and office/flex properties throughout the Chicagoland. Steve’s passion and experience is working directly with assets that are going through a transition or are in need of a new message and direction. Over his career, he has represented institutional lenders for the leasing and disposition of more than 100 REO properties totaling sales of over $20M and landlords totaling over 2M square feet.
Prior to joining NAI Hiffman, Steve oversaw the brokerage functions and business development at Chicago’s JCF Real Estate. Steve had been with JCF Real Estate since 2002, managing all of the primary brokerage obligations for all of the properties in JCF Real Estate’s portfolio totaling 2M square feet.
Steve engages each client in a more consultative relationship, with careful upfront strategic planning prior to commencing a review of market alternatives. Steve takes a strong focus to understand a client’s goals towards shifting company’s culture, decreasing occupancy costs, streamlining business processes and improving the end user experience.
With a diverse client base that ranges from non-profit institutions, healthcare, governmental agencies, banking institutions and for-profit companies. Steve has helped clients identify and align real estate requirements with strategic business, financial and operational objectives.
Strategic Clients
Barrington Bank/Wintrust | BMO Harris | Berger Asset Management | Byline Bank | C-III Capital | Capital Crossings | Center for Employment Training | Cole Taylor Bank | Colony Northstar | Dougherty Real Estate | Equity Advisors | First Bank | Private Bank, The | PNL Companies, The | Paul’s Corporation, The | Royal Imperial Group | Sterling Bay | Various Limited Partnerships