Our Professionals

Essex agents average ten years of real estate experience and come from a variety of real estate backgrounds including law, accounting, finance, appraisal, and property management. This breadth of knowledge and experience benefits our clients by providing the necessary tools to anticipate and solve problems, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful transaction.

Douglas S. Imber

President

Douglas S. Imber is co-founder and President of Essex Realty Group, Inc. Mr. Imber has been involved in more than $500 million of investment real estate transactions throughout his 19 year career. His list of clients includes prominent firms such as BJB Partners, Citibank, ICM Properties, Metropolitan Rentals, and Belgravia Group, to name just a few.

Mr. Imber is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University and completed his Masters of Management from Northwestern University's J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, with concentrations in finance and real estate.

Mr. Imber was honored as Chicago's top multi-family broker in 2005 by the Chicago Association of Realtors Commercial Forum and was the Silver Award recipient in 2004, the first year the award was presented. He has been a guest speaker at numerous events regarding Chicago's investment real estate market.

Mr. Imber lives in Northbrook with his wife Lisa, a real estate attorney, and their twins, Jacob and Arielle.

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Managing Directors

James J. Darrow

Managing Director

James J. Darrow is a third generation investment real estate practitioner with in excess of $300,000,000 worth of closed real estate transactions to date. He has more than 15 years of investment real estate experience and has been with Essex since 1998. The son of a successful commercial real estate developer and investor Jim has followed in his family's long real estate tradition; he owns and actively manages investment properties in the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods in the City of Chicago. Consequently, Jim has been involved in real estate in one form or another his entire life. This depth of experience and knowledge are the greatest assets he contributes to his clients. Jim has worked with many of the most active and prominent Chicago investors, including ICM Properties, Acorn Management, Peak Properties, Banner Property Management, M. Fishman & Co. and Kass Management to name just a few.

Jim is a licensed real estate salesperson in the State of Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Joseph's College, majoring in Management and minoring in Political Science.

Jim lives in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood with his wife and children. Jim remains active with the Edgewater-Uptown Builders Association, Southport Neighbors Association and is the 2008 Vice-Chairman of the Chicago Association of Realtor's CommercialForum Committee.

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Douglas Fisher

Managing Director

Prior to joining Essex Realty Group in 2002, Doug was a Vice President with the Liberty Hampshire Company, LLC, a privately held investment firm specializing in Asset-Backed Securities and providing off-balance sheet funding to financial institutions. Previously, he was a Director in the Asset Backed Finance Division of the Capital Markets Group at The First National Bank of Chicago (now JPMorgan Chase).

Doug began his career at First Chicago in the Bank's Corporate Finance and Capital Markets Training Program and has participated in the origination and underwriting of over $20 billion in asset securitization transactions.

Doug received a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA in Finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Doug also received Series 7 Securities Licensing in 1996.

Doug has been active in the following community organizations: Edgewater-Uptown Builders Association (Membership Co-Chair), Rogers Park Builders Group, Celebration of Life for Children with Cancer (Vice President), Young Leadership of JUF (Past Treasurer), Real Estate Trade Division of JUF and Chicago's Partnership 2000.

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David B. Goss

Managing Director

David B. Goss has been involved in the real estate industry for close to 20 years. Prior to joining Essex, David was a private investor and consultant with 3D Ventures LLC. David has been involved in numerous acquisition and leasing transactions in the real estate sector during his career. He also served as a consultant to Wal-Mart Stores in connection with the disposition of surplus assets in the United States.

Prior to his time with 3D Ventures LLC, David was a Senior Partner with Syndicated Equities, a real estate investment and brokerage company where he was a tax consultant to property owners desiring to reduce tax exposure in connection with the acquisition and disposition of assets and was involved in transactions in excess of $200 million. He was also involved in the asset acquisition and syndication programs at Syndicated Equities.

Prior to Syndicated Equities, David was Vice President and General Counsel of Transco Inc. where he directed and oversaw all legal matters for the diversified transportation and utility services company.

Additionally, David was a Partner in the real estate department of Rudnick & Wolfe (now known as DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary LLP), a leading national law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

David holds a Jurist Doctor, Order of the Coif from the College of Law of the University of Illinois and an MBA and Bachelors of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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Matthew C. Welke

Managing Director

Matthew C. Welke joined Essex as a Managing Director in March 2004, focusing on multi-family brokerage throughout Chicago. The cornerstones of Matt's business plan are his integrity, commitment to his clients, and detailed market knowledge.

Prior to joining Essex, Matt was an Investment Associate with Marcus & Millichap, a Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company in Chicago. During his tenure there, Matt was recognized with multiple sales achievement awards. Matt has also been recognized multiple times by the Chicagoland Commercial Real Estate Forum as an award winner based on his sales achievements, his impact on the community, and his professionalism and ethics. Matt has enjoyed the personal level of service that he is able to provide clients via Essex's business philosophy.

Matt attended Purdue University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management with minors in Finance and Manufacturing Management.

Matt currently resides in Park Ridge with his wife Kristie, who teaches High School. He is also actively involved with the Edgewater Uptown Builders Association.

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Jim Barcelona

Managing Director

James R. Barcelona joined Essex Realty Group, Inc. in January 2006 as a Managing Director focused on representing clients with multi family assets throughout suburban Chicagoland. Prior to joining Essex, Jim participated in the brokerage of over $750 Million in multi-family investments during his six years at Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company.

Jim is a licensed real estate salesperson in the state of Illinois. He received his Business degree from The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, where he majored in Accounting.

Jim is a native of Hinsdale and currently lives in Chicago's River North neighborhood with his wife.

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Jon P. Morgan

Managing Director

Jon Morgan joined Essex Realty Group in 2004, focusing on multi-family brokerage throughout Chicago. Jon's entrepreneurial background enables him to assist clients in maximizing their investment real estate opportunities. His expertise includes multi-family, office, and retail assets.

Prior to joining Essex, Jon was the Managing Partner for a niche athletic apparel and marketing company located in Atlanta Georgia. Jon started his career as a Licensed Financial Specialist with Wachovia Bank, a diversified financial services company, and was responsible for providing a wide variety of investment and banking products.

Jon received his Bachelor of Finance degree from The Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University.

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Jacob H. Fenton

Managing Director

Jacob Fenton joined Essex Realty Group in 2004 and focuses on representing buyers and sellers of commercial real estate throughout Chicagoland. Between 2004 and 2007, Jacob helped to facilitate the closing of over 45 commercial properties totaling more than $250 million. His expertise includes multi-family, office and retail assets.

Prior to joining Essex, Jacob was the Vice President at Decorent, a full service web design firm specializing in marketing multi-family properties throughout the Chicago area. He began his career at Navigant Consulting, a litigation services firm, and focused on project management, e-Discovery, and securities fraud litigation.

Outside of the workplace, Jacob is involved with the Youth Leadership Division of the JUF and the Ross School of Business Alumni Association of Chicago, for which he serves as a Board member.

Jacob is licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson in Illinois and received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is currently working towards his MBA at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

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Directors

Chad G. Frahm 

Director

Chad G. Frahm joined Essex Realty Group in 2008, focusing on commercial real estate investment brokerage throughout suburban Chicagoland.

Prior to joining Essex, Chad worked for a real estate consulting firm located in Park Ridge, Illinois, advising clients in complex transactions related to corporate expansion and relocation projects. As a licensed attorney in Indiana, Chad has practiced in land use, zoning, and environmental law in both the public and private sectors. Before moving to Chicago, he served as the chief legal counsel to Indiana's Lieutenant Governor and the various state agencies reporting to the Lieutenant Governor.

Chad is partner in several real estate investments and business ventures in Indiana and Chicago - including a vacation lakefront resort and restaurant, each involving extensive property renovation. Chad brings his entrepreneurial experience and passion for real estate investment to every client relationship.

Chad received his law degree from Indiana University School of Law and his bachelor's degree from Purdue University, majoring in Agricultural Economics and minoring in International Studies. Chad is a licensed real estate salesperson in the state of Illinois.

Chad lives in Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood with his wife Jennifer, and their son John.

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