Contact Us - REJournals

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

952-405-7780

jeff.johnson@rejournals.com

Bio

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

Bio

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

Bio

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

Bio

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

Bio

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.

Tressa Mogas Barzilla

Vice President, Sales, Texas Operations
713-661-6300
tressa.barzilla@rejournals.com

Bio

Prior to joining REjournals, Barzilla served as director of business development for Montgomery Roth Architecture and Interior Design. Before that, she was multi-media specialist with Hearst Media in Houston.
Other experience includes roles as marketing director at the University of Houston Athletic Department and the national marketing director for the Landry Corporation. Barzilla has helped launch several magazines, most notably serving as senior account manger at HOUSTON magazine and Director of Advertising at ICON Magazine.
Barzilla received her BS in corporate communications, marketing and public relations from Texas State University – San Marcos.

Jay Kodytek

Senior Vice President

952-405-7781

jay.kodytek@rejournals.com

Bio

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, Midwest Conference Series Sales Director
773-919-8799
eabood@rejournals.com

Bio

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

Bio

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

248-670-2691

fbiondo@rejournals.com

Bio

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

Bio

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

Bio

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

Bio

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.

Dan Rafter

Managing Editor

630-444-0477

drafter@rejournals.com

Bio

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.

AJ LaTrace

Editor

alatrace@rejournals.com

Bio

AJ LaTrace is the editor of Chicago Industrial Properties and Illinois Real Estate Journal with REjournals. LaTrace, whose work has primarily focused on Chicago real estate, was previously the sole full-time editor of Curbed Chicago and a weekly contributor for Chicago magazine.

Alyssa Gawlinski

Managing Director, National Events & Marketing

312-644-2394

agawlinski@rejournals.com

Bio

Alyssa Gawlinski joined REjournals in 2017, and serves as the managing director of national events and marketing. She oversees all aspects of event planning, management, and marketing for the company’s annual calendar of 100+ events and growing. Gawlinski brings a strong background in event management and marketing to her position at REjournals.

Abby Lestin

Event Coordinator

713-661-6300

abby.lestin@rejournals.com

Bio

Abby Lestin brings to the table over 15 years of multi-faceted restaurant, catering, event, sales & marketing experience. Lestin has held tenure as an event sales manager at celebrated restaurants and venues across Houston, soliciting business, coordinating logistics and executing both large and smaller-scale events.
Lestin’s pursuit to bring new clients and ideas to the REDNews team is substantiated by her business development experience in addition to a desire to provide genuine hospitality and exceed expectations. Working for an acclaimed local business publication and in the special events field have strengthened her passion to prioritize and maintain her relationships with her clients. In her new role, Lestin will be coordinating turn-key events and generating sales leads in addition to implementing marketing goals and sponsor commitment fulfillment.

Andy Lund

Accounting

andy.lund@rejournals.com

Bio

Lives in Duluth MN with wife Stacy and our two children
B.S. Accounting – MN State University Moorhead
Loves to travel and ride motorcycles.