Chris Wood
Vice Chairman
Cushman & Wakefield
Chicago
Chris Wood knows how to close a deal. The numbers prove this: During his career of more than 36 years, Wood has executed corporate client transactions valued at more than $5 billion and ranging from 1,000 to 1.2 million square feet.
He’s also earned plenty of industry honors: He’s a two-time winner and five-time finalist of the NAIOP Chicago “Deal of the Year” award. In 2018, he ranked as Cushman & Wakefield’s top-ranked producing broker in the company’s Chicago market.
Before joining Cushman & Wakefield, Wood was vice president of leasing for the central United States with Equity Office Properties Trust. In this role, he was twice awarded the company’s National Lease Transaction of the Year award.
What’s especially fortunate is that Wood is not only a star in his field, but he also enjoys the work.
“The favorite aspects of the CRE industry for me include watching the development and success of the various people I have hired over the years and watching as they have gone on to have great careers making a big impact inside their own organizations, for their clients and in their communities,” Wood said. “I also absolutely love my work with clients from so many diverse industries. Learning about those client companies and what makes them unique in their specific industries and then working together to develop and execute real estate strategies that support their corporate vision never gets old.”
Wood credits much of his success in commercial real estate to the mentors who have guided him throughout his career. These mentors, he said, showed Wood how to evaluate opportunities, look for new ways to add value to clients and to always be looking out for the right people with whom to surround himself.
“They all taught me in their own individual way that the best client outcomes come from listening very carefully to a client’s needs and then bringing in alternative thoughts and ideas from colleagues until the best advice or strategies bubble to the top,” Wood said. “I have been very lucky over my career to have been involved in many significant client projects and not one of them has ever been completed without the valued advice, input and efforts of colleagues.”
This doesn’t mean that Wood hasn’t faced challenges. He points to the several market cycles that he’s worked through and macro challenges ranging from the Dot.com bubble to the global financial crisis of 2007 through 2009 and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
“The best companies and the best industry professionals watch, learn and develop new ways to add value to their clients,” Wood said, about overcoming challenges. “That means staying flexible and coachable and always being open to learning from your colleagues, competitors and clients.”
When not working, Wood and his family enjoy being active. This includes getaways to the family’s lake house to boat, fish, waterski or simply read a good book … all without the distractions of TV.
Wood also enjoys traveling to new places to learn about its history, people and their views on the world. Trekking in a US National Park or somewhere abroad to get “off the grid” and just slow down helps Wood recharge.
“We also enjoy supporting our friends, family and communities in any way we can to try to make a positive impact on the people and the places that mean so much to us,” Wood said.
