The Heat is on… For Data Centers

October 25, 2023


Bank of America Tower – Conference Center
110 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago

Moderator

Speakers

Join NAIOP Chicago on Wednesday, October 25th for a discussion on one of the hottest industry sectors…data centers. We will hear from leaders from Brennan Investment Group, ComEd, Cushman & Wakefield and The Village of Elk Grove on the future of data centers in Chicago and beyond. Learn from the experts what is making the data center market tick!

Location:
Bank of America Tower – Conference Center
110 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL

Schedule of Events:
8:00 AM | Registration & Networking
8:30 AM | Program
9:30 AM | Adjourn

Registration Fees:
Members | $65
DL Members | $55
Non-Members | $85

Please note: Pre-registration for this event is now closed.  Please contact info@naiopchicago.org or call 773-472-3072, with any questions.

Matt Roan

Village Manager
The Village of Elk Grove

Matthew brings over 20 years of experience in local government management, development and public administration. He has been involved in numerous Village wide initiatives such as infrastructure improvements, economic development initiatives, customer service-driven programs and organizational culture.

As Village Manager, he oversees the daily operations of the Village including supervising all departmental operations, personnel, programs and services. Matthew is committed to excellence in customer service, fiscal discipline, integrity in local government and bringing economic development projects to fruition. Matthew is excited to be able to continue serving the community he works for and raises his family in.

Ed Sitar

Senior Manager of Economic Development
ComEd

As Senior Manager of Economic Development at ComEd, Ed oversees the company’s strategy and efforts to recruit and retain large business customers and grow jobs and investment in key industries across northern Illinois. Ed is a 29-year veteran of the company, where he has worked closely with development partners to leverage ComEd’s reliable, affordable, and clean energy services to secure major business investment wins for the region.

During his tenure with ComEd, Ed has been a part of the company’s competitive business attraction efforts, helping prospective customers to navigate a decision to expand or grow in Illinois amid a changing regulatory climate (prior to the industry’s deregulation in 1997, and on to Illinois’ nation-leading CEJA law).  He has also shaped commercial energy efficiency policies and programs to serve the needs of ComEd’s large customers and helped support development projects with commitments to create 250,000 jobs over the last decade.

Ed has a particular focus on growing the data center industry and was active in the successful passage of new incentive legislation in Illinois in 2019.  ComEd and its partners together successfully created over 250,000 new jobs in Northern Illinois since 2010. Ed serves on numerous corporate and economic development boards in the Chicago land area. Ed holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Development and a bachelor of science in Environmental Design, with a minor in Energy and Mineral Resources from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Alex Smith

Executive Vice Chair
Cushman & Wakefield

Alex is one of the DCA Group’s truly national players, crisscrossing the country every year for site selection, advisory, and transactional work for his mission critical clients. Alex joined the firm in 2000 and was immediately drawn into work servicing the telecommunications boom by representing tenants in the acquisition of mission critical data centers and telecom facilities. In 2020, 2019, 2016, 2013 and 2011, Alex was the top producing broker in Chicago. He has been ranked within the top 10 producing brokers for the entire company three times in the last 10 years. In 2019, he was named Executive Vice Chair.

Kevin Brennan

Co-Founder and Managing Principal
Brennan Investment Group

Kevin Brennan is a Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Brennan Investment Group.   In this capacity, he directs all investment, portfolio management, disposition, and development activity in the Midwest Region. In addition, Kevin is a member of Brennan Investment Group’s Investment Committee and its Executive Committee.

Kevin has over fifteen years of experience in the commercial real estate industry.  Prior to Brennan Investment Group, Kevin was at Prologis, where he played a key role in the acquisition and development of industrial properties across the Central Region of the United States.  During his career, Kevin has been involved in industrial real estate transactions totaling over $8 billion.

Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Recognized for his industry knowledge and leadership, he serves as a Board Member of the University of Wisconsin’s James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, a program that is consistently ranked among the best real estate programs in the world. Kevin also serves as an active member of NAIOP and SIOR.