from what I have created? After I finally accepted God’s new plan for my life, it became crystal clear. I had hired the best team of people. They were not only smart and caring but hard workers and they “got it.” I would create COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE COLLEGE and train them with everything I learned over the years. They would not only be able to keep things going, they would excel and the success would grow. Sometimes it is challenging to remain loyal beyond a contract or a paycheck, but when you create something special, you know what it takes to keep it that way.
4. Who were the innovators to you in the industry?
The innovators were the pioneers of the Illinois Condominium Act and its amendments and related regulations. Those professionals that poured hours of their own time into crafting and recommending legislation that could “raise the level of the lake for all the boats.” Specifically, these innovators did the right thing for the industry because they believed in doing the right thing. Mark Pearlstein, Jordan Shifrin, and of course, Barbara Wick. Yes, there were many others too, but these innovators were not only intelligent but also were dedicated to the higher level cause beyond their own bottom line. They also blazed the trail for many to follow and they encouraged not only members of their own firms, but others (even competitors) to learn and become educated about the market niche. They saw the big picture.
5. Who were some of your mentors?
As I answer this question, I remember thinking many times – Who can help me out? Who has done this before? Who can I talk to? There was only one – Barbara Wick. I am humbled she took me under her wing, and I miss her a lot.
6. Can you provide a little background on how you got started in Banking? Banking was not even on my radar.
Ted Gross I was going to be
the next Donald Trump! No, I never planned to run for President, but I had dreams of making it big in real estate. I was hoping to catch a break and work at Trammell Crow, The John Buck Company, LaSalle Partners, or a similar firm. I worked full time in an architectural development company and attended college full time with a double major in Economics and Marketing and a minor in Urban Studies. The principals of the firm were involved in various types of real estate including commercial, retail, office, industrial, multi- family and single family. I loved it all. I learned so much at this company from experiences of meeting at job sites with contractors, running payouts through the various banks and title companies, putting together marketing plans and loan application packages, builders risk insurance, reading architectural plans and specifications, meeting with owners (even a couple of Chicago Blackhawks at the time), property management, tenant leasehold improvement negotiations,
46 | COMMON INTEREST® B
Our Condo Team
Kathy Heitkemper
runing & Associates, P.C. provides a supportive environment of skilled attorneys with the highest of professional standards, a professional administrative
staff with the strongest of work ethics, and an organizational platform that is particularly suited to the needs of Community Association representation. We strive to provide our condominium and common-interest community association clients with comprehensive legal services, including affordable retainer plans for transactional matters and both hourly and
www.bruninglaw.com www.facebook.com/BruningAndAssociates
commercial leases, financial statements, cash flow analysis, contingency planning, zoning, and much more. This was fun stuff! Every day was different, interesting and challenging. Then one of the bankers we worked with mentioned that NBD Bank was hiring a new group of Credit Analysts. He said they typically recruit from the “Big 10” universities, but what were my plans after graduation? Uh, not banking, but ok, I could use the interview experience. And the rest is history!
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Schaumburg Crystal Lake 847.637.5140 815.455.3000
A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
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