About
REjournals is the one-stop shop for everything in Midwestern and Texas commercial real estate.
An industry leader for decades, REjournals is the leading source for commercial real estate news, covering the intricacies of the sector from key influencers to the newest developments in America’s heartland and south.
We seek to provide a vast array of analysis, breaking news and insight for industry professionals with a variety of publications including Midwest Real Estate News, Illinois Real Estate Journal, Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Chicago Industrial Properties and REDNews in Texas. We’re publishing content daily online and through our email newsletters and social media, while continuing to publish top industry trends in our print products.
From our Minneapolis, St. Paul-based headquarters, REjournals hosts a variety of conferences and events throughout the year to celebrate, network and gain insight into the commercial real estate scene.
Jeff Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
952-885-0815
jeff.johnson@rejournals.com
Jeff Johnson has worked in the publishing industry for more than three decades. During this time, he has always been passionate about providing commercial real estate professionals the best news, information, educational events, conferences and networking events in the country. During his time in this business, Johnson has established himself as a leader not only in his company but with his peers in the commercial real estate community.
Todd Phillips
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer
612-889-9944
todd.phillips@rejournals.com
I have more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, law, accounting, and finance. I have been an owner / partner in more than $80 million in commercial real estate. I have also financed more than $100 million in real estate and business transactions. Prior to my current role, I was a CPA, attorney, investment banker, and real estate broker. Now I focus my time on teaching rather sitting in a classroom myself to keep up all those licenses. I have moderated and presented at dozens of events over the last 15 years. Everyday I look forward to helping people grow, learn, network and succeed in their commercial real estate careers. I got my education at William Mitchell College of Law and St. Cloud State University (B.S., Accounting). I was inducted into the academic honors societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma. I was also a professor of Accounting and Business Law at Minnesota School of Business for two years.
Mark Menzies
Senior Vice President, National Publisher
312-644-4610
menzies@rejournals.com
Mark Menzies is the national publisher at REjournals. He oversees the company’s print publications: Midwest Real Estate News, Chicago Industrial Properties, Illinois Real Estate Journal, Minnesota Real Estate Journal and REDNews.
Benton Mahaffey
Senior Vice President, Texas operations
713-661-6335
benton@rednews.com
Benton Mahaffey works with our Texas team supporting REDnews’ print, digital and networking products. He is the company “help desk,” trouble-shooting and answering questions about REjournals’ on-line customer relationship management tools. Mahaffey also works with various real estate state agencies across the nation, coordinating the company’s continuing education course accreditation process.
Ginger Wheless
Senior Marketing Director, Texas Operations
713-661-6350
ginger@rednews.com
The woman behind REDNews, Ginger Wheless does it all, from selling ads to managing editorial to coordinating staff. Wheless started REDNews in 1994, addressing a need in her market. The publication has now been a thriving part of the Texas CRE industry for more than 25 years.
Joni Margotta
Senior Vice President, Southwest Market Leader
469-569-0246
joni.margotta@rejournals.com
Joni has 15 years of commercial Real Estate experience and leads the Southwest Market Sales & Business Development efforts in Texas. Her expertise as a “connector” has positioned her as a trusted resource for aligning the right players with the right opportunities, which results in increasing revenue, growing market share, and pushing deals forward.
Joni is very active in Industry Associations including holding a Board Advisory position with ULI on the & Chairs the PR Communications Committee. She is also a member and active in TREC, NAIOP, Real Estate Council Greater Fort Worth & Native American Business Association (NABA).
In her free time, she is an active Yogi and enjoys beach vacations with her husband of 20 years.
Jay Kodytek
Senior Vice President
952-405-7781
jay.kodytek@rejournals.com
Jay Kodytek is a senior vice president of Real Estate Publishing Corporation and has worked with the company since 2004. He helps the company host more than 100 conferences each year for commercial real estate professionals across the central corridor of the United States. He is also involved with the production and advertising of our publications, Midwest Real Estate News, Illinois Real Estate Journal, Minnesota Real Estate Journal, REDNews and Chicago Industrial Properties
Ernie Abood
Vice President
312-644-7119
eabood@rejournals.com
As senior account executive for REjournals and as conference manager for Midwest Real Estate News’ conference series, Ernie Abood is responsible for all print and digital products produced within Illinois Real Estate Journal, Chicago Industrial Properties, Minnesota Real Estate Journal, REDNews and Midwest Real Estate News.
John Mickey
Vice President of Sales
312-644-6942
jmickey@rejournals.com
As vice president of sales for Real Estate Publishing Corporation, John Mickey enjoys working with clients to help them market their properties and businesses to the commercial real estate community through conference sponsorships and print and digital advertising. He is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, and lives with his wife Susan and dog Hilda in Highland Park, Illinois.
Frank Biondo
Vice President of Sales
312-644-6942
fbiondo@rejournals.com
Frank Biondo has worked successfully in the Commercial Real Estate industry for 13 years. His responsibilities are to create and launch conferences, as well as cross-sell into various products within the company.
Marianne Grierson
Senior Account Executive
312-644-7168
mgrierson@rejournals.com
Marianne Grierson joined REJournals in 2018 as a Senior Multimedia Account Executive. Previously, she worked as an account director for PPM selling print/digital advertisements in federal government and national sports publications. She also has an ad agency background through her decade of working with clients in promotional packaging.
Susan Mickey
Classified Manager
773-575-9030
smickey@rejournals.com
Susan Mickey manages the directory listings for all REjournals publications, including the Women In Real Estate issues for both Illinois Real Estate Journal and Midwest Real Estate News. Before working at REjournals, Mickey sold advertising for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine. She also worked for a photography studio and was a copywriter for Crate and Barrel.
Sarah Evans Carter
E-Marketing Director
713-661-6349
emarketing@rednews.com
Sarah Evans Carter has more than 20 years of experience in marketing for a variety of industries, including retail, energy and publications. Customer service tops her list of priorities, and she assists clients in sales, production and graphic design issues. She comes from a small town in southwest Louisiana, graduated from LSU-Baton Rouge and practiced her career in Houston, Texas.
Matt Baker
Managing Editor
312-644-7114
mbaker@rejournals.com
Matt Baker is the editor of Illinois Real Estate Journal and Chicago Industrial Properties. In the past, he was editor of Sustainable Chicago Magazine, covering the green building movement in Chicago.
Dan Rafter
Managing Editor
630-444-0477
drafter@rejournals.com
Dan Rafter is the editor of Midwest Real Estate News and Minnesota Real Estate Journal. He has covered commercial real estate for more than 20 years and was formerly editor of Metro Chicago Real Estate Magazine.
Alyssa Gawlinski
Senior Event Planner
312-644-2394
agawlinski@rejournals.com
Alyssa Gawlinski joined REjournals in 2017, and serves as the division’s circulation and events coordinator. Before joining the staff at REjournals, Gawlinski worked in marketing for a builder and developer. Gawlinski brings a strong background in marketing and event coordination to her position at REjournals.
Katie Bidinger
Event Planner
952-405-7782
katie.bidinger@rejournals.com
Katie Bidinger joined REjournals in 2019 as an Event Planner. She oversees all aspects of event planning and management in Minnesota and Texas. From managing continuing education credits to turning down the A/C at an event, she’s the one to call! Bidinger brings a strong background in project management and customer service to her position.
Andy Lund
Accounting
andy.lund@rejournals.com
Lives in Duluth MN with wife Stacy and our two children
B.S. Accounting – MN State University Moorhead
Loves to travel and ride motorcycles.