JLL Strengthens Retail Platform in Chicago

JLL strengthened its retail platform with the addition of industry expert Steve Schwartz, who joins the firm as a SVP from RKF. The 15-year CRE veteran will be based in the company’s corporate Chicago headquarters, where he will partner closely with the firm’s Midwest retail team.

JLL’s Dan Ryan says, “We’re very excited to have Steve join the JLL team, especially given the growing strength of our Chicago retail platform. Adding Steve and his extensive retail experience to our team will provide tremendous value to our clients throughout the region.”

Schwartz was responsible for both landlord and tenant representation at RKF. During his career, he has completed sale and lease transactions valued at more than $200 million, worked on several high-profile leases for Chicago flagship locations, such as Steak 48 and Liberty Travel, and helped bring several national retailers to Chicago, including Current Elliott.

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About Dennis Kaiser

Dennis Kaiser is Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for Connect Creative. Dennis is a communications leader with more than 40 years of experience including as a journalist and in corporate and agency marketing communications roles. He is responsible for Connect Creative’s agency client services and is involved in a range of initiatives ranging from public relations and content strategy, communications and message development, copywriting, media relations, social media and content marketing services. Prior to joining Connect Media in 2015, his most recent corporate communications roles involved leading a regional public relations effort across Southern California for CBRE, playing a key marketing role on JLL’s national retail team, and directing the global public relations effort at ValleyCrest (BrightView), the nation’s largest commercial landscape services company. He has worked on marketing communications assignments for such CRE companies as Blackstone/Equity Office, Carlyle, Caruso, Disney Resorts, GE Capital, Irvine Company, Hines, Howard Hughes Corp., Jeffries, Lennar, MGM, Marcus & Millichap, Prologis, Raleigh Studios, Simon, Starwood, Trammell Crow Company, Transamerica, UBS and Wynn Resorts. Dennis has also worked on communications and launch strategies for a number of consumer electronic, media and tech brands including SlingMedia, Channel Master, Deluxe Media Entertainment, BeIn Sports, EchoStar and Sprint. Dennis’s agency background included firms such as Off Madison Ave., Idea Hall and Macy + Associates. He has earned an outstanding reputation with organization leaders as a trusted advisor, strategic program implementer, consensus builder and exceptional collaborator. Dennis has developed and managed national communications programs for Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, both public and private. He’s successfully worked with journalists across the globe representing clients involved in major-breaking news stories, product launches, media tours, and company news announcements. Dennis has been involved in a host of charitable and community organizations including the American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, Boy Scouts, Chrysalis Foundation, Freedom For Life, HOLA, L.A.’s BEST, Reach Out and Read, Super Bowl Host Committee, and the Thunderbirds Charities.

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JLL Strengthens Retail Platform in Chicago

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JLL Strengthens Retail Platform in Chicago

Inside The Story

About Dennis Kaiser