Lee Kiser is Principal and Managing Broker of Kiser Group, which he co-founded in 2005 with his partner, Estella Kiser (General Counsel, Kiser Group). Lee has assembled the team that has led Kiser Group from a small start-up firm to the company it is today. Prior to establishing Kiser Group, Lee was the top producing apartment broker in Chicago at a large, national commercial brokerage company, and ranked in the top 10 brokers nationally with that company. Today, Lee remains an active broker in addition to running Kiser Group, and has a personal career transaction volume greater than $3 Billion.

Lee holds a BS in business from the Kenan Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Lee is a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council and an active contributing writer to Forbes.com. Lee is also actively involved in various commercial real estate organizations, including the Leadership Council of The Preservation Compact (a MacArthur Foundation mission to preserve affordable housing in Chicago), the Lincoln Park Builders of Chicago, The Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University (mentor program), and The Eisenberg Foundation (mentor program). Personally, Lee enjoys working out, traveling and performing with his band.

Stella began Kiser Group, along with her husband Lee, after recognizing the need for a cohesive and experienced set of brokers that could expertly serve the commercial real estate community throughout Chicagoland. After years of facilitating multi-family transactions, being in charge of marketing and operations, and overseeing the firm and its agents as its managing broker, Stella currently focuses her efforts at Kiser Group on serving as the firm’s General Counsel. Stella has a commercial litigation background, having worked for two prominent Chicago law firms. During her career in commercial real estate, Stella has been named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and recognized as of one of Bisnow’s “Chicago Power Women,” REJournal’s “Successful Women in Commercial Real Estate,” as well as Crain’s “Top 40 under 40.” Stella has also been active in the local real estate community, having served as one of the founders and directors for the Neighborhood Building Owner’s Alliance (NBOA) and on the Leadership Committee for The Preservation Compact, led by Community Investment Corporation (CIC) and supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation aimed at preserving affordable multi-family rental housing in Cook County. Stella has also been a director of the Rogers Park Builders Group where she served as Chair of Government Relations and has been a member of CREW (the Chicago Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Executive Women).

Outside of real estate, Stella trains and teaches Shorin ryu karate, where she holds a third degree black belt. She has also trained in Wing Tsun, a Chinese martial art. Stella is an avid cook and enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and sons. She has also volunteered with the Moran Center of Youth Advocacy, representing troubled youth in the juvenile justice system.

Stella earned her B.S. in Business Administration as well as her J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she served as Managing Editor of the North Carolina Law Review. In addition, Stella has earned her AM in clinical social work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.

As Senior Director at Kiser Group, Michael combines his financial analysis skills with his interest in commercial real estate to assist multifamily property owners and investors reach their investment goals. During his tenure at Kiser Group, Michael has brokered buildings totaling over 1,100 units and a transaction volume of over $172 million in a variety of asset classes including multifamily, mixed-use, land and industrial properties. He currently works on distressed properties, condominium deconversions and conventional investment buildings sales. Michael focuses his brokerage efforts on the near north side of Chicago including Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Ravenswood and Lincoln Square. Michael was recently named a CRE Future Leader by Illinois Real Estate Journal.

Before joining Kiser Group, Michael worked as an investment analyst on a $1.1 billion portfolio supporting advisors on matters of equity, fixed income and cash, hedge funds, private equity, commodities, foreign exchange and structured notes. Through his work in the mortgage syndication markets, Michael also gained experience managing structured products securities.

Michael attended the Applied Investment Management Program at Marquette University where he majored in finance and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He also earned and currently holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. In his spare time, Michael competes in triathlons, appreciates fitness, plays golf and loves to snow ski.  A funky fact about Michael, he enjoys swimming in Lake Michigan during the coldest months of the year in Chicago; you might even catch him in the winter jogging around the city in just his shorts. He lives in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, serves on the Cystic Fibrosis Junior Advisory Board, and is an active member of Young Real Estate Professionals as well as the Chicago CFA Society.

As Senior Director of Kiser Group, Aaron assists investors, developers, and property owners on the acquisition and disposition of South Side multifamily properties. Since joining Kiser Group in 2015, he has completed transactions in excess of $200,000,000 on behalf of his clients as well as brokered the sale of more than 1,900 units. Aaron is constantly featured in publications such as The Real Deal, RE Journals, Bisnow,  and more. Additionally, Aaron has been named a CRE Future Leader by REjournals, “One To Watch” by Bisnow, and in 2017 he earned Kiser Group’s Top Closer award.

Aaron graduated from the University of Michigan amongst the top of his class with a degree in Economics. He is a member of the South Side Community Investment Association. Aaron lives in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, and outside of real estate, he enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with his family.

As a broker at Kiser Group, Sam brings a diverse background in engineering, construction, commercial office and multifamily building operations, and real estate investing. Focusing on multifamily assets, Sam uses an analytical approach to maximize return on investments.

Prior to joining Kiser Group, Sam oversaw and executed $100 million in value-add renovations for Golub & Co., a Chicago-based real estate investment and development business.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a Masters of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Sam is on the Board of Directors for Giordano Dance Chicago and involved with the DePaul Real Estate Alumni Alliance.  He currently resides in Morton Grove with his wife and two children.

As a broker at Kiser Group, Marco Cesario brings a full spectrum of real estate expertise having brokered over $100 million of multifamily, residential, mixed-use, land deals as well as retail and office leasing for his clients. Marco joins Kiser Group from a large national firm where he specialized in multifamily and mixed-use properties throughout Chicagoland. At Kiser Group, Marco focuses on deals throughout Chicago’s west side. Marco’s clients benefit from his deep understanding of multifamily from experience managing his family’s properties. With brokerage expertise in both residential and commercial real estate, he delivers the highest level of analysis and market knowledge. Marco has a “client first” approach to brokerage and considers relationship and trust as the foundations.

Marco graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance.  Outside of the office, Marco lives in the West Loop, enjoys playing soccer, golfing and has been involved with Tutoring Chicago since 2010. Marco is a licensed broker in Illinois.

As a broker at Kiser Group, Andy Friedman specializes in condominium deconversion sales in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Deconversions are the sale of a multifamily property shifting from multiple owners to a single owner. Andy excels in managing multiple stakeholders and applies leadership skills gained from his experiences on internal committees at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, as a start-up founder and as a small business owner to best serve the interests of the selling group. Andy has been involved in numerous condo deconversion listings and closings including brokering Dover Court, a 64-unit condo deconversion in Uptown, for $12.5 million and is currently marketing Barry Quad, a 115-unit condo deconversion in Lakeview. Learn more about the deconversion process at www.kisergroup.com/project/condo-deconversion.

Outside of real estate, Andy enjoys golf, platform tennis, and returning to his native Colorado to ski when possible. He resides in Deerfield, IL with his wife, three children, and dog. Andy holds a BA in Business and Public Administration from the University of Arizona.

As Broker at Kiser Group, Matt brings a diverse background in engineering, construction, commercial property insurance, real estate investing and brokerage. Matt specializes in the analysis and disposition of multi-family properties in Chicagoland.

Prior to joining Kiser Group, Matt was a broker for a well-regarded brokerage firm. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University and his M.B.A. from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Matt is also a real estate investor and a lifelong Chicago area resident.  He currently resides in Oak Park with his wife, three children and dog.

Danny has brokered $30M in multifamily transactions throughout his career and specializes in selling value-add properties. Prior to joining Kiser Group, Danny had experience in asset management and brokering both multifamily, retail and industrial deals. From start to finish, Danny is involved in every element of the deal, producing great results for both the buyer and seller. Danny’s work ethic and dedication prove him to be a valuable asset in building client relationships.

Danny graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Finance. While studying at DePaul, Danny worked at Premier Building and Development, where he focused on new-development projects and business development.

Danny lives in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. He speaks fluent Greek, and when he is not working he enjoys new restaurants, traveling, spending time with his family, and volunteering for a non-profit shared clothing drive in Hyde Park every Saturday. 

As Broker, Danny brings a strong analytical background to Kiser Group aiming to help clients meet their real estate investment objectives. Danny’s primary focus is analyzing multi-family assets throughout the Chicagoland area.

Prior to joining Kiser Group, Danny worked as a commercial credit analyst for a local bank where his primary job function was to underwrite and qualify commercial real estate loan requests. In addition to understanding the economics of real estate, Danny also has experience in the day-to-day management of rental property.

Danny graduated from Carthage College with a Bachelor’s of Science in accounting and business administration and holds a Masters of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Danny is involved with the DePaul Real Estate Alumni Alliance as well as various Armenian non-profit organizations. Danny lives in the West Loop with his wife and dog.

Pat focuses on the analysis and disposition of apartment buildings on the north side of Chicago. Pat’s clients benefit from detailed, thoughtful valuation and underwriting, which comes from his extensive financial experience, including complex projects like long-term ground and air rights agreements with government agencies. Pat has also given numerous public presentations outlining the financial details of large redevelopment structures and TIF arrangements. Rounding out his experience in commercial real estate, Pat also owns apartment buildings personally, giving him first-hand knowledge of being an apartment landlord in Chicago.

Prior to joining Kiser Group, Pat worked for one of Chicago’s best known and most influential developers where he led all aspects of their capital sourcing, both debt and equity. He also led the team in underwriting $500 million of value-add, adaptive re-use and development projects in office, hospitality, retail, parking and multifamily asset classes. Pat has sourced and underwritten real estate investment opportunities throughout the country. 

Outside of real estate, Pat and his wife started a gluten and grain free granola company. Pat enjoys golfing, traveling and is always excited to spend time with family and friends. Pat graduated with a double major in Commercial Real Estate Finance and Marketing from Marquette University. Pat currently resides in the Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville with his wife. 

As Broker at Kiser Group, Rick specializes in the sale of multifamily investment properties on the north side of Chicago, with a focus on Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville and Ravenswood. Since joining Kiser Group, Rick has brokered over $26M in multifamily real estate sales.

Before joining Kiser Group in 2016, Rick enjoyed a successful career teaching U.S. History and Mathematics in the northern suburbs and north side of Chicago. Rick draws from his experience as an educator to provide clear market analyses for investors and multi-family property owners to assist them in reaching their investment goals.

Rick earned a B.S. in psychology and graduated with distinction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before earning his M.A.T. from National-Louis University.  Rick lives in Roscoe Village and is an active member of the Edgewater Uptown Builder’s Association (EUBA).  

Rick spends his free time with his wife and daughter, on the golf course, or at Belmont Harbor, where he is a charter sailboat captain.

As a Broker at Kiser Group, Jake combines his passion for sales and experience in real estate investment management to deliver results for his clients. Jake joined Kiser Group as an Analyst in October 2016, and he successfully supported multi-million dollar property closings. Jake was promoted to Broker in May 2018 and uses his experience to represent multifamily and mixed-use assets to buyers and sellers in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood and its surrounding areas. 

Jake’s entrepreneurial spirit started early. He developed and launched a successful online electronics recommerce business which has seen year-over-year growth in the past five years.

Jake graduated with honors from Michigan State University’s The School of Hospitality Business within the Eli Broad College of Business where he majored in Hospitality Business and minored in Real Estate Investment Management. While at Michigan State, he was a member of the Real Estate Investment Club and Sigma Pi fraternity.

Jake lives in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood and enjoys playing tennis, watching Michigan State sports and dining at the city’s vast supply of restaurants. He is a member of the Young Real Estate Professionals of Chicago (YREP).

As an analyst at Kiser Group, Jack focuses on the South Side market supporting the company’s top-producing brokers. With a background in finance, Jack’s approach to market research is amplified by his strong work ethic and eagerness to learn.

Jack previously worked at Northern Trust and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Finance.  When he is not working, Jack enjoys playing and watching sports and spending time in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with his family and friends. He currently resides in Wrigleyville where you’ll often find him at a Cubs game or at the beach.

As Sales Team Coordinator, Allison focuses on database management, procedure development and assisting a team of brokers with day-to-day functions.

She brings expertise in payroll administration, team management, and human resources to her role.

In her spare time, Allison practices yoga, enjoys being with her family and playing with her dog.

As the Director of Operations, Vanessa is focused on data management, overseeing company finances and human resources department and technical / back-office systems development.

She brings a background in corporate business administration and human resources. Vanessa is also fluent in Spanish.

In her spare time she spends time with her family and friends. She loves sports, traveling, outdoor activities and trying new restaurants.

As Director of Marketing, To-uyen is responsible for the development and execution of Kiser Group’s strategic marketing through digital marketing, creative direction, media planning and business development. She brings along a strong background in digital marketing, copywriting and graphic design.

To-uyen graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She is also fluent in Vietnamese. In her spare time, she can be seen indulging in her love for music, snowboarding, traveling or trying new restaurants in the city.

As Director of Public Relations, Sabrina keeps a pulse on commercial real estate happenings and works to increase the brand’s name recognition by securing media placements, panel seats at industry events and developing the team as thought leaders in the industry.

Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising from Loyola University Chicago.

In her space time, she can be found at The Second City Training Center and on her Ducati Monster.

For All Press Inquiries, Please Contact: swottreng@kisergroup.com

As Office Manager at Kiser Group, Rebecca is responsible for managing daily administrative duties for the company such as data management, communicating with the brokers to maintain company procedures for all listings, and handling incoming calls and other communications.

Rebecca holds a BFA in Acting/Directing and Theatre Management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She has worked in a variety of industries from antique sales to childcare before joining the Kiser Group team.

Rebecca is a professional actor who toured 6 states with The National Theatre for Children, educating students on saving natural resources. She is currently a company member with The Cuckoo’s Theater project and performs at various theatres across the Chicagoland area.