About Jeffrey: 

Jeffrey Wingert is a seasoned property management professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the City of Chicago and surrounding suburban communities with a proven expertise in construction management, capital improvement projects, tenant relations, financial reporting and leasing support. His experience includes a diversified portfolio of properties that include office, industrial and retail shopping centers.

Jeff currently serves as manager to Highland Landmark V, a 251,000 square foot, trophy asset and national headquarter location.  During his tenure at the property, he instituted an annual energy plan resulting in the building earning Energy Star certification with a score of 86.  In 2017, Jeff alongside his team secured and continues to maintain the prestigious BOMA 360 designation. In 2020 his property was Awarded the Local TOBY Award for Corporate Facilities and In 2022 Achieved LEED Silver Status.

Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Jeff worked as a Real Estate Manager for CBRE managing a 322,000 square foot, institutional quality office building with a prominent Michigan Avenue address in the heart of the Magnificent Mile for a foreign ownership.

Previously, he was responsible for managing a complete building remodel, repositioning and lease up of the City of Naperville’s premier office building – “Metrowest”, an icon building along 1-88 corridor designed by world-renowned architect Helmut Jahn. Interested in learning more? Check out his LinkedIn!

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?

Competing in and Winning the 2020 Local BOMA/Suburban Chicago TOBY.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

In my youth I was invited to a closed tryout with the Chicago Cubs.

What are you reading/watching lately that you would recommend to others?

Same thing everybody else is watching - “Yellowstone."

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?  

When I was starting my career, my father advised me that I better find something I like to do because I would be doing it for the next 40 years.  He also told me that advice came with good and bad news.  The bad news being that I was just starting and the good news that he was half way done!

What’s your favorite part of being a member of BOMA?

The invaluable information and quality contractor resources it connects you with.

Jeff Wingert (fourth from left) and team as winners of the 2020 Local TOBY awards for their building Highland Landmark V, Downers Grove
The winning building: Highland Landmark.

About Jonathan

Jonathan Swindle is the founder of Waveland Property Group.  After attending Wheaton College, Jonathan attended Pepperdine Law School.  A year later, he took a professor’s advice and went into commercial real estate, not law.  Initially working for Scribcor in the Wrigley Building, Jonathan focused on medical transactions.  In 2005,Waveland was founded with a commitment to managing and leasing medical and financial building.  Waveland has moved from Chicago to Oak Brook and now to Wheaton, where they occupy a 123 year old Sears house in the city-center.) Interested in learning more? Check out his LinkedIn!

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?  
I founded Waveland over 17 years ago.  I am proud of the team that I have assembled and the number of problems we have solved for our clients. We are committed to tenant relationships.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?  
My father worked for an international company and I was born in South Africa.  We moved to Glen Ellyn when I was 7.

What’s the best advice you were ever given?
Your resume and life story only appear to be a straight-line when you look back on them.

What’s your favorite part of being a member of BOMA? BOMA has broadened my horizons.  It is easy to think of your career with ‘blinders’ on.  BOMA makes you aware that you are part of an eco-system that is essential to healthcare, logistics, commerce, and technology.

Is there anything else you would like to include about yourself?
When we are not engaged in property management and leasing I can be found on the water.  I love boating and time spent with friends and family.

About Ben

Ben Bischmann serves as Senior Vice President of National Operations at Bridge Industrial where he leads the development and institution of strategic operations, capital improvements and management services for all Bridge owned assets and third-party management clients. 

Bischmann previously served as Executive Vice President of Industrial Property Management at JLL, where he served as the Midwest Industrial Property Management (IPM) Lead. As part of the role, he managed the growth of the region’s portfolio of 69 million square feet.  He also served as the national client relationship lead for a portfolio of over 180 properties across 20 markets; and assisted in the development, institution and management of operational and investment strategies.

Prior to JLL, Bischmann served as an Account Manager at Colliers, overseeing 1.4 million square feet of office and 5.9 million square feet of industrial real estate, along with coordination of all operations, leasing, construction, sustainability, and overall investment strategy.

Bischmann also currently serves as a Co-Chair for the Advisory Board of Roosevelt University’s Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate in Chicago, which works to encourage the growth of a diverse and socially conscious real estate industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois, and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Roosevelt University. Interested in learning more? Check out his LinkedIn!

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of? 
I am currently the Co-Chair of the Advisory Board to the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University.  As one of the first classes to graduate from the Real Estate program, it was an honor to be the first Alum to join the advisor committee and now to act as Co-chair.  I feel blessed to give back to an organization that helped me so much in finding a path in Real Estate.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 
My undergraduate degree is in Art Education.  If I could find a way to paint everyday as a living I would. 

What are you reading/watching lately that you would recommend to others?
I am reading Texas Flood, the inside story of Stevie Ray Vaughan.  His life was fearless, furious and elegant along with his music and I dig it.

About Thomas

Thomas Civitanova serves as Vice President of Operations for First Industrial Realty Trust, where he oversees operations, property management, construction and capital expenditures for a 25 million square foot portfolio. He has more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience.

Since joining First Industrial in 1999, Mr. Civitanova has held leadership positions in property management, leasing and operations in various markets. Initially, his career began in the property management and leasing of First Industrial’s Detroit and Cleveland portfolios. He later became the Operations Director for Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Nashville. At this time, he oversees Operations for Chicago, Dallas and Houston.

Prior to joining First Industrial, Mr. Civitanova was a property manager with McKinley, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was responsible for managing and leasing industrial and office properties.

Mr. Civitanova earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Boston College and his Master’s Degree in Facility Management from the University of Michigan. He secured his CPM designation in 2008 and his CCIM designation in 2017. He serves on the BOMA Industrial Committee in Chicago and participates in the BOMA mentoring program. Interested in learning more? Check out his LinkedIn!

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?
After spending 15 years of my First Industrial career in Detroit, I relocated to Chicago for better opportunities within First Industrial. It was both challenging, exciting and rewarding to learn a new market and cultivate new business relationships in the third largest industrial market in the US.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
In graduate school, I drove the Zamboni during University of Michigan hockey games.

What are you reading/watching lately that you would recommend to others?
Yellowstone; it’s like the Godfather out West.

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Ignore the distractions and focus on what’s important. My father.

What’s your favorite part of being a member of BOMA?
Great people and passion for the business. It’s really impressive the effort and passion that so many people give to the organization.

Is there anything else you would like to include about yourself?
I am slightly colorblind so my wife makes sure my clothes match.

About Dave

Dave Fink has been part of Tovar/Outworx Group since November 2008 and is a Market Sales Leader. Dave is responsible for renewing some of Tovar/Outworx Group’s top 150 accounts and acquiring new snow and landscaping accounts. During his 15 years at Tovar/Outworx Group Dave has learned every facet of the business. He focuses on building strong relationships, strives to consistently provide superior solutions, ensures that every customer receives the highest quality of service, and customer service. He has received his Advanced Snow Manager designation from SIMA and the OSHA 10 HR certification.    

Dave graduated from Western Illinois University in 2003, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration with a concentration in Sports Management. Dave and his wife Allison have two daughters Sabrina and Scarlett. When not working his family likes to take family trips to Lake Geneva. Dave loves sports, which he grew up playing his whole life and still does today. You can catch him either on the softball fields or playing a round of golf. Interested in learning more? Check out his LinkedIn! 

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of? 
In my 15 years at Tovar/Outworx Group, it gives me great pleasure in seeing my mentees thrive and exceed their goals year after year. Therefore, further building our relationships as a team.  

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
Fear of Heights. It is something that I just have a hard time facing. As I get older it doesn’t get easier, I figured it would or I would face it enough that the fear would eventually go away. Flying in an airplane, amusement park rides, climbing ladders, all evoke the same fear. 

What are you reading/watching lately that you would recommend to others?
I love watching The Amazing Race. As a viewer, I get to see so many various cultures and traditions across the different countries that the Amazing Race encompasses. I am a very competitive person so I love to see the drive and determination in the teams in order to overcome the challenges and face their fears. 

Left: Dave Fink pictured here with his wife and daughters Scarlett, and Sabrina. 

Right: The family puppy, Cooper

About Helen

Helen Karlos joined Zeller in 2013 as a Property Manager and was promoted in 2017 to Vice President, Property Management. Helen directly oversees the day-to-day operations at Woodfield Preserve Office Center, two 325,000 square foot, Class A buildings in Schaumburg, IL. Her responsibilities include management of capital improvement construction projects, contract negotiation, financial reporting, and tenant relations. Woodfield Preserve has been designated a BOMA 360 Performance Building, is WELL Health and Safety Certified, received Fitwel 1 Star rating, and was the recipient of the 2023 Kingsley Excellence Tenant Satisfaction Award.

Prior to her current role, Helen served as the General Manager of 311 South Wacker Dr. She played an integral role in the success of the property through her leadership and oversight in tenant and capital improvement projects such as a 12,000 SF conference center, a 3,000 SF tenant lounge, a 7,600 SF fitness center, a new café and bar on the 46th floor sky lobby, and a secure bike room.

Helen is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with degrees in Political Science and Sociology. She also holds a MA in American Government from NIU. She is an active member of BOMA and CREN and serves as a member of the BOMA International Workforce Advocacy Committee. Interested in learning more? Check out her LinkedIn!

I take the most pride in being a part of the growth and development of my fellow colleagues. Through the years, I have had the honor of hiring and working with a diverse group of emerging leaders that joined our industry without really knowing or understanding exactly what it entails. During my time working alongside them, I have seen several individuals really develop a true love and appreciation for the work we do, and in turn, put in the time and effort to develop their skills and grow in their careers. Being even a small part of their professional journey and watching them continue to succeed is something I will always be proud of.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
Growing up the daughter of immigrants with limited traditional education, my parents always pushed us to do well in school because to them that was the path towards long term success. For many years, my father worked and saved everything he earned, allowing him to eventually purchase a small commercial building on the north side of Chicago and as children, my sisters and I would help him with various aspects of being a property owner. I remember going to the building as a child, and my dad would have us help him clean the common areas, watch him perform maintenance (I still vividly remember a hot summer day where he applied tar to the roof), and eventually type the leases that were used for new tenants. In many ways, I grew up in this industry and although I studied Political Science in college, property management was in my blood, so when it was time to focus on a career, I eventually gravitated to what I grew up learning. Although our world is a lot more sophisticated now then it was back then with my dad, the skills he taught me as a child have been critical to my career as an adult.

Helen Karlos pictured here with her husband and daughters at her daughters 1st birthday party.