It is with great sadness that Oak Brook, Illinois-based The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc. announces the passing of co-founder, Director and Vice Chairman, G. Joseph Cosenza. Mr. Cosenza, who passed away December 25, 2024, at the age of 81, was also President of Inland Real Estate Acquisitions, LLC.
“Joe was a legendary deal maker in the commercial real estate industry, a trusted and valued partner, and a dear friend,” said Robert H. Baum, Inland Chairman, co-founder and General Counsel. “We will miss his enduring loyalty, high energy and passion, particularly when he was on the acquisition front fighting the good fight to acquire real estate on terms most favorable to Inland and our investors. And in the office, Joe displayed love, kindliness and humor that Inlanders will always remember. On behalf of the Inland Board and over 1,400 employees across the country, our thoughts and prayers are with the Cosenza family, and we extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to them during this difficult time.”
“Joe was an unwavering source of inspiration for us all,” said Tony Chereso, Inland CEO, President, and Board member. “He worked tirelessly on behalf of Inland and our investors. We will forever be grateful for his leadership and countless contributions to Inland’s success. Joe is a commercial real estate icon and a legendary dealmaker who, along with the other Inland founders, transformed the alternative real estate marketplace.”
In accordance with Inland’s succession plan, Inland’s acquisition operations are currently being jointly led by Matthew Tice and Mark Cosenza.
A native Chicagoan, Mr. Cosenza received his BA from Northeastern Illinois University and his MS from Northern Illinois University. From 1967 to 1968, Mr. Cosenza taught at the LaGrange School District, and from 1968 to 1972, he served as Assistant Principal and teacher in the Wheeling School District. While at Northeastern, he met and became life-long friends with the late Daniel L. Goodwin, who, along with Joe and fellow school-teachers Robert D. Parks and Mr. Baum, formed Inland in 1968. Together, they built one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate and finance groups. As head of acquisitions for Inland, Mr. Cosenza oversaw and consulted or negotiated the purchase of more than $55 billion of commercial real estate.
A proud, licensed real estate broker since Inland’s founding, Mr. Cosenza was an active member of various national and local real estate associations, including the National Association of REALTORS®, Illinois Association of REALTORS®, and Chicago Association of REALTORS®. Mr. Cosenza was also very active in banking and financial circles. He served as past Chairman of the Board of American National Bank of DuPage, and part owner of American National Bank of DuPage and Burbank State Bank, and he served on the Board of Directors of Continental Bank of Oakbrook Terrace. He was a past Chairman and a Director of Inland Bank & Trust, and a Director on the Board of Inland Bancorp, Inc.
For his many career accomplishments and impact upon the commercial real estate industry, Mr. Cosenza was lauded with numerous awards and recognitions, including the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Hall of Fame, and Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Illinois Real Estate Journals and CRE Connect industry publications.
