Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame: Berkadia’s Aaron Abelson

Every year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts a new class into the Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Last year – despite the challenges it entailed – was no exception. Here’s a look at one of our newest Hall of Fame members, Aaron Abelson, executive director of Berkadia’s Chicago office.

Aaron Abelson has worked in the commercial real estate finance industry since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992 and receiving his Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School in 2002. In the seven years he was with Berkadia, he closed more than $ 600 million.

Abelson enjoys most of all the ability to connect with customers, listen to them and understand their needs in order to find the best possible financing solution.

“I always look forward to the opportunity to share with customers the various ideas and opportunities they may not have considered before,” said Abelson. “These options often turn out to be better for the customer in the long term.”

That’s not to say that he hasn’t encountered a number of challenges over the course of his career.

“The CRE industry is always changing,” said Abelson. “Going through the various cycles of the past 24 years while trying to be the best advocate for the client has been challenging, but most rewarding.”

For the past 20+ years, Abelson has arranged total credit production of more than $ 2.5 billion. Prior to joining Berkadia, he was Senior Vice President at Alliant Capital, LLC (ARES Commercial Real Estate) and Senior Vice President at HSBC Bank USA, where he led the Midwest’s loan production team with a focus on housing finance.

From 2000 to 2006, he headed the Chicago office for Arbor National Commercial Mortgage, a DUS lender to Fannie Mae. He previously worked for Baird & Warner Real Estate Capital, a Chicago mortgage company, for six years.

Some of the phrases that Abelson lives by in his professional career should never give up, his word is his bond and his reputation is everything. He believes this was the key to his success.

“These practices have driven me in the industry. I also think it’s valuable to remember that sometimes it’s not easy to get the “hard message” across, but it’s always the right thing to do, “Abelson said. “Taking a long-term view of both transactions and customer relationships is critical. This path of horror is a marathon, not a sprint! “

Abelson lives in the Chicago area with his wife and three sons.