BOMA/Chicago elects new officers, board members

Derrick Johnson

The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA/Chicago) announced that Derrick Johnson, senior vice president of Zeller, was elected president of the association effective immediately. Johnson was elected during the association’s virtual 2020 annual meeting held on November 19. Johnson succeeds Lance Knez, vice president of Hines, who completed his second term as president this year.  

“Lance’s leadership and knowledge were critical to guiding BOMA/Chicago and advancing the commercial real estate industry—especially in these difficult times,” said Farzin Parang, executive director of BOMA/Chicago. “His efforts not only benefitted our members, but improved the overall viability and vibrancy of Chicago, and we cannot thank Lance enough for his resounding dedication and contributions. As we move forward, I am excited for our association’s next chapter under Derrick’s leadership, and I have no doubt he will excel as the leading voice of our industry and passionately solidify our position as the lifeblood and economic driver of this great city.”

As president of BOMA/Chicago, Johnson will be responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the organization around key issues and initiatives, including property taxes, building codes, member education, energy management and sustainability, security and life safety, and diversity and inclusion, among others.

Johnson has been an active and integral member of BOMA/Chicago’s leadership since 2013. He previously served as board member, vice president and currently chairs BOMA/Chicago’s labor committee. As a senior vice president of Zeller, the 28-year commercial real estate industry veteran oversees the management of Zeller’s Chicago and Indiana properties. Johnson provides supervision and direction to assist property managers in making decisions at the various properties to ensure consistency of services and reporting throughout the region, which includes both owned properties and third-party management assignments.

“For almost the last three decades, commercial real estate has been an important part of my identity, and I am deeply humbled to be granted such an extraordinary opportunity to lead BOMA/Chicago and work on behalf of our amazing building and affiliate members,” said Johnson. “I have always loved BOMA/Chicago’s mission to advocate and provide critical resources and partnerships for our member buildings and affiliate members. As I look to the years ahead, now more than ever, it is important that the commercial real estate industry strives to not only overcome the challenges we face, but to seize every opportunity to reaffirm our key role in helping Chicago thrive.” 

BOMA/Chicago members also elected the association’s new vice president and treasurer, effective until December 2021. Phil Stafford, chief operating officer of Colliers International, was elected vice president and Nancy Capadona, portfolio manager at The Hearn Company, was elected treasurer.

Additionally, the following individuals were elected to the association’s board of directors for terms ending in December 2023: Patrick J. Caruso, president and CEO of L. J. Sheridan & Company; Michael R. Giese, executive director of GlenStar; Graham Grady, partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; Lance Knez, vice president of Hines; Neil Pendleton, senior managing director of CBRE; Lenny Sciascia, managing director, head of U.S. property management of Tishman Speyer and Chuck Wagener, president of Buck Management Group.

BOMA/Chicago also named Tamala Ballard, retail property manager of EQ Office, as the association’s inaugural emerging leader member, for a term ending in December 2021.

At its annual meeting, the association also thanked outgoing and long-time board members Kevin Purcell, former president of leasing and management services for MB Real Estate, and Tom Glavin, president of Glavin Security Specialists, for their tireless efforts and unique contributions to the industry. The association recently welcomed new board member Suzanne Hendrick, executive vice president and managing director of asset management for MBRE, to fill the unexpired term of Kevin Purcell.

BOMA/Chicago’s board of directors is comprised of 22 commercial real estate executives, who average more than 20 years of experience in the industry.