**Chicago/Midwest People & Company News – Week of December 19, 2025**
**Essex Realty Group Celebrates 35 Years**
Essex Realty Group, LLC is marking its 35th anniversary as a leader in the mid-market multifamily sector. In response to evolving client demands, the Chicago-based firm has expanded its offerings with the 2023 launch of Essex Capital Markets and Essex Three-Twelve. Over its history, Essex has brokered more than $4 billion in multifamily real estate transactions, totaling nearly 50,000 units throughout the Chicagoland area. The firm is led by partners Doug Imber, Brian Kochendorfer, Jim Darrow, Steve Livaditis, Jordan Gottlieb, Kate Varde, Brian Karmowski, and Matt Feo.
**Gerber Diaz Group Joins Baird & Warner**
Baird & Warner has welcomed the Gerber Diaz Group to its Highland Park office. Previously affiliated with Compass, the six-person team is led by Louis Diaz and Joe Tyler Gerber and aims to provide services tailored to the next generation of North Shore buyers and sellers. The group also includes Tova Goldberg, Lana Shapiro, Michael Sidor, and Isaiah Raynal.
**29th Street Living Named 2025 Property Management Company of the Year**
29th Street Living has received the 2025 Property Management Company of the Year award from Multi-Housing News. The company was recognized for its innovative, tech-focused operational model. Technologies such as UDP, Rentana, HelloData, EliseAI, and Tour24, along with a strong culture of service and transparency, helped earn the honor.
**Brailsford & Dunlavey and PMA Announce Merger**
Brailsford & Dunlavey, a portfolio company of Bernhard Capital Partners, has merged with Chicago-based Project Management Advisors (PMA). The strategic partnership unites two leaders in program management and real estate advisory services, enhancing their capacity to support clients throughout the full project lifecycle with an integrated and scalable approach.
**Illinois Economic Development Corporation Announces New Board Appointments**
The Illinois Economic Development Corporation has named several new members to its board of directors:
– Henry Bienen, Interim President, Northwestern University
– Joshua Davis, President and CEO, The Will Group
– Sandeep Nain, President and Founder, SNtial Technologies, Inc.
– Dia Nichols, President, Advocate Health Care
– Karen Sauder, President of Global Client and Agency Solutions, Google
**Edward Polich to Retire from Draper and Kramer**
Draper and Kramer, Incorporated announced that Edward Polich, Executive Vice President of Real Estate, plans to retire at the end of 2025. With a distinguished 43-year career in the industry, Polich has spent nearly 20 years with the firm. He served as Chief Development Officer from 2014 to 2019 before being promoted to his current position. Polich also previously served as Vice President during the 1980s.
