Each year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts new members into its Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. This year, we are running these profiles online throughout the year. Today, we look at the thriving career of Mark Dellonte, senior managing director with the Milwaukee office of Berkadia.
Mark Dellonte loves the art of the deal, the challenge of finding the best way to finance a project. For nearly three decades now, Dellonte, senior managing director in the Milwaukee office of Berkadia, has been working with his clients on this art, providing financing for multifamily housing and healthcare facilities across the country.
“I enjoy the collaboration with visionary developers and community leaders to help build viable, high-impact properties,” Dellonte said.
Dellonte’s passion for real estate started back when he was a teen. One of his first jobs was as a pipefitter in upstate New York, working on the construction of a nuclear power plant. This early experience instilled in Dellonte a love for construction and real state.
“My role today is a lot safer, but I still love the construction side of things,” Dellonte said. “Seeing something go from plans to a high-quality housing community that impacts people’s lives and the community that surrounds it is always exciting. There is a sense of pride with every completed deal.”
Dellonte joined Berkadia in 2019 to establish the company’s Milwaukee office. This office is now thriving. It has grown to six team members who specialize in multifamily housing, affordable/special needs housing and senior housing and healthcare.
Before joining Berkadia, Dellonte worked for Love Funding Corporation in St. Louis. In 2007, he became president of the company, where he helped it become one of the top FHA commercial lenders in the country, providing more than $3 billion in financing.
“Building great teams has been the key to my success,” Dellonte said. “It is possible to have fun doing difficult work when you are surrounded by great people. Business is personal to me. It always has been about the people I work with — colleagues and clients — working hard toward the same goals and sharing successes.”
When not working, Dellonte spends time with his family. His teen son keeps him busy with baseball, volleyball and skiing. Dellonte also likes to play golf, travel and, when he gets a moment, read.
