As senior vice president at Hillwood Investment Properties, Don Schoenheider is responsible for all of the firm’s development and investment activities for the Midwest’s major markets—Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee. Starting out as an industrial broker at Grubb and Ellis Company in the mid-80s, Schoenheider has years of industry experience and knowledge that he’ll be sharing at CIP‘s Transportation and Logistics Conference on Oct. 16.
And while he keeps busy in his roles at Hillwood, as a father, and a speaker at conferences, Schoenheider also plays a big role in his hometown of Lake Forest, Illinois— he is currently in his second term as Mayor.
“While it is truly a volunteer role, we have accomplished many great things in the community during the past two-and-a-half years that I have held office,” he said. “And I look at it as an opportunity to give back to my community while having the chance to meet and work with some of the most incredible people I could imagine.”
At the transportation and logistics conference, Schoenheider plans to focus on various areas, including the overall market dynamics on a macro level, current trends in the markets he represents, and even a look into the future, focusing on how long today’s market will remain strong and healthy.
One of many things he is most proud of from his many years in the business, is what he and his team have accomplished at Liberty.
“We began with a small portfolio and some land, and grew it to over 13MM square feet— the third largest institutional owner in Chicago, built an incredible team, and created a terrific brand in this market,” he said.
Schoenheider said he feels incredibly blessed to have found something he is passionate about and enjoys doing. For him, coming to work every day is a pleasure because he likes knowing that he can help Hillwood’s customers and their brokers by solving problems and helping them find solutions.
“I quite simply couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” he said.
Schoenheider also feels fortunate to have been associated with some of the best companies in the industry—Hillwood, Liberty Property Trust, and Trammell Crow Company. He even acquired an extensive amount of his development knowledge while completing single-tenant build-to-suits with his partner at Jones Development Company in Kansas City.
Success, to him, is something that takes time and patience. For those just entering the business, Schoenheider suggests focusing on your personal goals and what you’re putting in—He believes the successful individuals in the industry are great problem solvers.
First, he said, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s a marathon, and not a sprint.
“You must have patience in our business or you won’t survive,” he explained.
Secondly, he said, it is important to treat everyone with honesty, respect and integrity, because when it comes right down to it, he said your reputation is really all that you have.
“Never do anything to compromise it, no matter how small that might be,” he added.
Next, he explained to never let your “highs” be too high, or your “lows” be too low.
“You will have plenty of both, and how you handle each of them will dictate much of your success,” he said.
And lastly, which Schoenheider said is also the most important, is to strive to find balance in your life.
“Our business, like many others, can feel like it is 24/7, but find time to do other things in your life like spending quality time with your family, volunteering, or enjoying things you simply like to do” he explained. ‘That balance will make you both a real estate person and a better person overall.”
As Mayor of his community, Schoenheider finds this balance very rewarding. He said he looks at it as an opportunity to give back to his community while having the chance to meet and work with some of the most incredible people he could imagine.
When not at work or his two offices, Schoenheider enjoys spending time with his wife, Cecile, raising their two kids, and traveling with them—particularly to SW Florida during the long Chicago winters. He’s also a passionate golfer, avid reader, and a recreational tennis player.
