This December, Midwest Real Estate News published its second Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame issue. The issue highlights the career of the most successful industry professionals in the Midwest. We are also running several of these profiles on our Web site. Here is one example.
Hugh Williams Principal Avison Young — Chicago Rosemont, Ill.
During his real estate career, Hugh Williams has worked with a long list of impressive corporate clients. The reason for this is simple: These clients trust that Williams will provide them with the best customer service possible.
Williams, principal in the Rosemont, Ill., office of Avison Young, boasts that rare combination: He loves what he does, and he’s one of the best at what he does.
This is evident to Williams’ clients, who are fiercely loyal to this industry veteran. During his real estate career, Williams has worked with such big names as Dow Chemicals, ITT, Heidelberg USA, Abbot Land and Development, USAA Realty Company and Alchan/Pechiney Plastic Packaging.
Williams’ top service, combined with his market knowledge, skill and ability to craft the best deals for his clients, has helped the industry veteran earn several prestigious real estate awards. In 2009, Williams was a finalist for the NAIOP Suburban Office Transaction of the Year award, and in 2006 he was named a CoStar Power Broker.
In 2004, Williams notched the NAIOP Suburban Office Transaction of the Year award, and two years earlier he was named the Metro Chicago Industrial Broker of the Year.
Williams understands the value of teamwork. And he didn’t just learn this during his time at Avison Young or at his previous stop at Cushman & Wakefield. After graduating from Northwestern University with his master’s degree in database marketing in 1996, Williams played professional football in Europe, a career that relied heavily on teamwork.
In his current career, Williams applies many of the lessons he’s learned on the football field. Working as a team, he knows, is the best way to accomplish any task, big or small. This explains why Williams is so eager to volunteer his time to help mentor younger real estate professionals; it’s all part of building a successful team.
Outside of work, Williams has served as a leader in his community, too. He has volunteered his time with such organizations as the Big 10 Advisory Commission, Congo Square Theater, The Hope Institute Advisory, NAIOP Chicago, Posse Foundation Leadership Council and Project REAP Advisory.
