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Thursday, September 18, 2025 |
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Stephen Eckert, J.D., LL.M. now leads Plante Moran’s National Tax Office, where he directs a team of tax experts responsible for structuring M&A transactions, navigating complex federal tax issues and accounting method planning, engaging on tax controversy matters, and providing strategic insights on tax legislation and emerging trends. The NTO serves as the firm’s center for advanced technical tax knowledge and is instrumental in delivering innovative strategies to help clients improve their tax positions. |
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First Bank Chicago, one of the five largest privately held banks in Chicago, is pleased to welcome Andrew Brinkman as AVP Commercial Banking. In this role, Andrew will be responsible for underwriting and monitoring commercial and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, primarily for franchise relationships. Andrew comes to us from Byline Bank with over 10 years of commercial banking experience. |
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DHR Global announces the promotion of Heather Smith to Managing Partner, North America Board & CEO Practice. Based in Chicago, Smith has been a core member of the practice since 2016, advising clients globally on executive and board search, governance effectiveness, and leadership transitions. A recognized thought leader, she collaborates with prominent organizations, including the Aspen Institute and Harvard Business School, and is a frequent media contributor on governance and CEO succession. |
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Cullinan Properties, is proud to announce the appointment of Maria Pope Toliopoulos as its Chief Strategy Officer. Maria brings more than two decades of leadership experience in real estate strategy, leasing, and legal counsel, combined with a proven track record of driving growth for some of the nation’s most recognized companies. Maria’s vision and experience will play a vital role as Cullinan continues to expand its footprint and advance strategic growth initiatives. |
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Rich Linsenmann has been promoted to COO at Metropolitan Steel, bringing more than 40 years of expertise in construction, steel erection, and business development. Since joining MSI in 2016, he has led notable projects such as the Mile Long Bridge and the NICTD West Lake Corridor, while championing technology adoption, mentoring teams, and shaping a strong company culture. As COO, Rich will guide operational strategy, develop future leaders, and position MSI for continued growth and innovation. |
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Tracy Hoffmann was recently announced as Managing Partner and Director of Client Services at XXI Wealth in Chicago. With 30+ years of experience at firms including William Blair and Geneva Investment Management, Tracy leads XXI’s client service strategy. Her leadership, deep expertise, and client-first mindset elevate the firm’s personalized, high-touch approach. |
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Jordan has joined Benesch as a Senior Managing Associate in the firm's Executive Compensation & Benefits Practice Group. He focuses his practice on the executive compensation, benefits and employment-related aspects of corporate transactions. Jordan advises clients on mergers and acquisitions involving privately and publicly held companies, spin-offs and divestitures. Annie has joined Benesch as a Managing Associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. She advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, leveraged buyouts, and other strategic endeavors. |
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Cody has joined Benesch as a Managing Associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. With practicality, financial acumen, and a collaborative approach, Cody guides clients through mergers, acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and other complex corporate matters. Cody represents private equity firms, public and private companies, family offices, and more. Tasha has joined Benesch as a Managing Associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. Tasha focuses her practice on debt financing and commercial lending transactions. She represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as public and private corporate borrowers in a broad range of secured and unsecured debt transactions across the capital structure. |
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Patrick has joined Benesch as an Associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. Patrick is a trusted business advisor to private equity funds and their portfolio companies, guiding them through a broad range of complex corporate transactions, including platform acquisitions, add-ons, mergers, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and carveouts. Taylor has joined Benesch as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Practice Group. Formerly a patent engineer with a background in electrical and computer engineering, Taylor combines a passion for innovation with meticulous attention to detail, focusing her practice on patent prosecution to help clients protect their inventions and transform ideas into assets. |
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Marie has joined Benesch as an Associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. Marie provides strategic counsel to borrowers and lenders in financing transactions, including debt, project and equipment financing matters. She represents investment-grade companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, and borrowers in the leveraged loan market. |
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Franczek P.C. welcomes Ruchi Verma, former General Counsel for Chicago Public Schools, as a partner. Ruchi brings over 20 years of experience counseling clients on policy and board governance issues, strategy and operations, student privacy rights, and public and charter school compliance. She provides practical advice to create student-centered solutions. In her role at CPS, she advised on day-to-day operations and high-impact legal matters at the fourth-largest school district in the country. |
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Franczek P.C. welcomes David Braun and Brandon Wright as partners, launching the firm’s downstate office. The pair bring a combined four decades of experience representing hundreds of K-12 school districts throughout Illinois, with a concentration on schools outside Cook County from their base in Champaign, Illinois. David Braun serves as general counsel to dozens of school districts throughout the state, guiding them through complex issues regarding collective bargaining, arbitration, unfair labor practices, civil rights complaints, and student rights issues. Brandon Wright focuses on special education issues within schools, counseling districts as well as leading training sessions for administrators and teachers. |
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Bill Geary joins Parts Town Unlimited as CEO. He will lead the company’s strategic vision and overall operations, guiding its continued growth as an industry leader. Bill will focus on strengthening the company’s values-based culture, driving innovation, and expanding global reach while ensuring continued above market growth. With over 30 years of leadership experience, he will be instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives and exploring new opportunities to drive long-term success. |
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Glenn Chamberlin joins Parts Town Unlimited as CFO. He will play a pivotal role in guiding the company’s financial strategy and operational discipline as it advances its industry leadership and drives both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Glenn will help ensure the company’s financial success as it scales operations, enhances digital capabilities, and accelerates innovation. His expertise will be essential in identifying growth opportunities and maximizing performance. |
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PureAire Monitoring Systems, Inc, based in Lake Zurich, Illinois, is pleased to announce the promotion of Sam Dirks to President. Dirks has been with PureAire since 2018 and previously served as its Vice President of Operations. In his new role, Dirks will lead the PureAire team in its ongoing commitment to deliver the highest quality and most reliable gas detection solutions. PureAire founder Al Carrino, who has led the Company for 28 years, will continue as Chief Executive Officer. |
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Sarah Tunning has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at One Hope United, bringing years of experience leading programs, HR, and quality to strengthen services for children and families. Eva Penar has joined as Vice President of Government and External Affairs, recognized for not only telling powerful stories but also creating the systems and strategies that make lasting impact. Together, they bring vision and expertise to advance OHU’s mission. |
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Leslie Strauss joins Sikich as Vice President and Global Controller. A seasoned executive and CPA, Strauss brings over 30 years of experience in finance, accounting and operations. She’ll lead global accounting, reporting, audits and regulatory compliance, supporting the company's continued expansion and scalable financial infrastructure. Strauss holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and has led M&A integrations, ERP implementations and treasury functions. Patrick Whippo is promoted to Vice President, Finance. With over 20 years in global finance, he’s led P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, systems implementation and M&A due diligence. Whippo will continue supporting Sikich’s ongoing expansion and financial excellence. |
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VennPoint Real Estate is pleased to welcome Scott Levine as Chief Investment Officer. With over twenty years of experience in multifamily investments, capital markets, fundraising, and operations, Scott will help drive growth and guide strategy for VennPoint's multifamily acquisition, multifamily development, and preferred equity platforms, as well as VennPoint Communities, our recently launched property management company. |
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