[[{“value”:”
**Chicago/Midwest People & Company News – Week of January 2, 2026**
**Newmark Welcomes Dan Baker to Multifamily Finance Team**
Newmark has announced the hiring of Dan Baker as Managing Director within its multifamily debt and structured finance division. Based in St. Louis, Baker brings over 15 years of commercial real estate finance experience. In his new role, he will partner closely with Newmark’s expanded Central U.S. Multifamily Investment Sales group, working alongside Senior Managing Directors Tom Maloney, Dan Wiele, and Hank Hicks; Vice Chairmen Tim McKay, Justin Wilson, and Brandon Lamb; and Managing Directors Ted Prince and Ben McKay.
**Tim Kramer Named President of ABOMA**
Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, shared that Tim Kramer, Vice President and Director of Operations for Management Services, has been elected President of the Apartment Building Owners and Managers Association (ABOMA). Based in the Chicago area, ABOMA is a nonprofit focused on multi-unit residential property management. Kramer has previously served as Vice President of ABOMA and has been a dedicated board member for many years.
**Byline Bank Recognized among Best Workplaces in America**
Best Companies Group has named Byline Bank one of America’s Best Workplaces and Best Remote and Hybrid Workplaces for 2026. Headquartered in Chicago, the full-service commercial bank serves small- and medium-sized businesses, financial sponsors, and consumers. Byline Bank, a subsidiary of Byline Bancorp, Inc., has approximately $9.8 billion in assets and operates 45 branches across the Chicago and Milwaukee metro areas.
**Matt Feo Promoted to Partner at Essex Realty Group**
Essex Realty Group has promoted Matt Feo to Partner. Feo began his career at Essex in 2017 as an intern and most recently served as Managing Director. He has played an integral role in the firm’s multifamily investment sales efforts, advising clients on Chicago’s North Side in areas such as portfolio strategy, property valuations, acquisitions, sales, and 1031 exchanges. He now joins the firm’s partnership team, which includes Brian Kochendorfer, Doug Imber, Jim Darrow, Steve Livaditis, Jordan Gottlieb, Kate Varde, and Brian Karmowski.
**Lee & Associates Arranges Retail Lease in Vernon Hills**
Lee & Associates has negotiated a 1,762-square-foot retail lease at Evergreen Drive Plaza, located at 279 Evergreen Drive in Vernon Hills, Illinois. The landlord, Mass Vernon Hills, LLC, was represented by Carole Caveney, Senior Vice President, and Michael Petrik, Senior Associate, both with Lee & Associates of Illinois. The new tenant, SK Tasty Tales, LLC, is a locally-owned Indian restaurant started by a husband-and-wife team.
**L.L.Bean and Scramblers Joining The Greene in Dayton, Ohio**
Olshan Properties has announced two new tenants coming to The Greene Town Center in Dayton, Ohio, in the fall of 2026. L.L.Bean will open its first Dayton-area store in a 10,659-square-foot space, marking the expansion of the Maine-based outdoor lifestyle brand. Joining L.L.Bean is Scramblers, a popular breakfast restaurant, which will occupy a 3,871-square-foot space that includes a patio.
—
For more regional updates in commercial real estate and corporate news, stay connected with Connect CRE.
“}]]
