In the realm of real estate, the intersection of intention and execution is where strategic plans, market insights, financial considerations, and operational efforts merge to deliver successful outcomes. It involves translating the vision for a property, development project, or investment into actionable steps, navigating challenges, making informed decisions, and consistently executing tasks to achieve the desired results.
XROADS REAL ESTATE ADVISORS IS THAT INTERSECTION.
___________
At Xroads Real Estate Advisors, Inc., we blend entrepreneurial agility and vision with institutional expertise to deliver strategic, full-service commercial real estate solutions. We provide tailored services in asset management, property management, agency leasing, back-office accounting, and development ensuring every client receives a customized approach that aligns with their goals.
With a foundation built on authenticity, deep industry knowledge, and a results-driven mindset, our mission is to be a trusted partner for commercial real estate stakeholders. Leveraging our extensive experience in ownership, commercial real estate banking, and management, we focus on maximizing asset value, mitigating risk, and driving long-term success in the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate.
CORE
CAPABILITIES
Professional and innovative commercial property management focuses on delivering exceptional service, optimizing property performance, and adapting to industry advancements. By employing best practices, embracing technology, and staying proactive, property managers create value for property owners, enhance tenant experiences, and drive long-term success in the market.
Xroads’ team of property accountants are experts in the financial reporting of real estate properties. They play a crucial role in accurately recording and reporting financial transactions, maintaining compliance with accounting standards and regulations, and providing reliable financial insights to support effective decision-making for Ownership. Property accountants work closely with property managers, asset managers, investors, and other stakeholders to provide financial transparency, mitigate risks, and maximize the financial performance of real estate assets.
Real estate asset management involves analyzing and managing real estate investment assets to develop strategies that maximize returns while minimizing risk. It encompasses implementation and oversight of various activities and considerations aimed at optimizing the performance and value of the investment.
A Receivership in commercial real estate serves as a mechanism to protect the interests of creditors, property owners, and other stakeholders. It allows for the orderly management and disposition of distressed properties, with the goal of maximizing recovery for those involved while preserving the value of the asset. When appointed Receiver, we bring all of our expertise with us to stabilize the property, preserve assets, as well as financial management.
Xroads Advisors’ provides Owner Representation, Tenant Representation, and Investment Sales across all asset classes. Our approach to brokerage is old school – hitting the pavement and making the phone ring, which we do in concert with an individualized digital marketing campaign. We know the corners, intersections and buildings in our markets and are in tune to the ever-changing landscape that is commercial real estate. Regardless of which brokerage service we are engaged to provide, we will complete a thorough analysis of the market and design and execute the best strategy to achieve our client’s goal.
SEE OUR LISTINGS
REPRESENTATIVE PORTFOLIO
On bustling urban street corners to tranquil suburban settings, Xroads Advisors manages office, medical office, retail, and industrial properties across Chicagoland and in select markets nationally.
1255 S. State Street
14,000 square feet of urban ground floor retail.
Chicago, IL • 2016 - Present
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
LEASING
4201 Lake Cook Road
63,000 square feet of suburban medical and general office.
Northbrook, IL • 2010 - Present
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
LEASING
Sunset Grove Shopping Center
110,394 square foot grocery-anchored suburban shopping center.
Long Grove, IL • 2023 - Present
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
LEASING
Silver Cross Endoscopy
29,500 square feet of suburban medical office on the campus of Silver Cross Hospital.
New Lenox, IL • 2016 - Present
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
161 N. Clark
1.1 million square feet of office.
Chicago, IL • 2023 - Present
asset management
RECEIVERSHIP
300 S. Riverside
1.1 million square feet of office.
Chicago, IL • 2023 - Present
accounting
PEOPLE & CULTURE
Collaboration is essential for success in the commercial real estate industry. It requires effective communication, trust and a shared commitment to achieving common objectives, and it is one of Xroads Advisors’ driving tenets as we are constantly striving to make a difference for our clients.
Just like people and professions collaborate to design, finance, build, and lease a building, Xroads’ team collaborates with each other, and leverages each other’s strengths which leads to increased productivity, creative ideas, a sense of belonging and ownership of solutions. The professionals at Xroads Advisors bring diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas to the workplace. They are our ambassadors and together, we’ve built a foundation that fosters a culture of appreciation for our differences, a wealth of institutional knowledge in commercial real estate, and a true desire to be an asset for our clients.
leadership
Dave Tankersley, AVP Property
Management and Brokerage
Christine Simek, SVP Brokerage and Business Development
Donald Duppler, Senior Property Accountant
Vera Putro, VP, Property Management
& Brokerage
Joan Krueger, AVP Accounting
Wes Rehwoldt, SVP Director of Management
Allie Tapia, Property Manager
Sarah Fowler, Marketing & Office Coordinator; Christine Simek, SVP Brokerage and Business Development
Suzanne Hendrick
Chief Operating Officer
Suzanne joined Xroads in April 2024 as Executive Vice President and became its Chief Operating Officer in December 2024. She has over 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Most recently, she was Executive Vice President of Asset Services Operations at Transwestern where she guided Transwestern's Chicago portfolio. In this capacity, she was integral in directing challenging projects, supporting business development and strategy and delivering exceptional client service and returns.
Suzanne has thrived at multiple high-profile stops during her long career. From 2013 to 2022, Suzanne was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Asset Management for MB Real Estate (MBRE). She was responsible for overseeing the firm's property portfolio of at its peak 24 million square feet, acting as leader and mentor to the management teams, directing day-to-day operations of the group, as well as leading business development. Suzanne won major business during her tenure, including Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, 69 West Washington, 181 West Madison, One North Dearborn, One North LaSalle, 190 South LaSalle, 425 South Financial Place, Michigan Plaza (205 & 225 North Michigan) and the Chicago
Riverwalk.
Suzanne is a licensed Broker in the State of Illinois. She is an active member and serves on the Board of Directors for the Building Owners and Manager's Association/Chicago. She started her real estate career in accounting and was a Certified Public Accountant from 1987-1997.
Kirsten Bowersox
President
Kirsten joined Xroads in July 2013 as Chief Operating Officer and became President in December 2024. Her extensive background in commercial real estate spans over 30 years with more than 20 years working in various capacities for different financial institutions and private equity firms during which time she administered the servicing, credit and workout of more than $2 billion in commercial real estate. She has worked on the administration of complex financing structures, as well as large construction loans, and developed specialized servicing platforms and policies and procedures as business needs warranted. Immediately prior to Xroads, Kirsten was Vice President, Manager of Real Estate Dispositions for MB Financial Bank (now Fifth Third Bank), where she directed the day-to-day operations of the Bank’s Legacy and Loss Share portfolios of Other Real Estate Owned. This entailed the property and construction management, leasing and sales of more than $400 million of real estate across the country.
Kirsten is a licensed Managing Broker in the State of Illinois, a Certified Manager of Community Associations and an Illinois licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Producer.
Michael Nortman
Founder & CEO
Michael formed Xroads Advisors in 2006 as a fully integrated, boutique commercial real estate firm. He has over 25 years of executive-level experience in the real estate industry and has developed more than two million square feet of commercial properties, including more than 3000 multifamily units, with an enterprise value of over $1.5 Billion. His experience includes office, industrial, multifamily, retail public/private partnerships, affordable housing and rezoning on a national level.
Michael has a proven track record of successfully navigating complex real estate transactions and finding creative ways to bring people and real estate together. Prior to Xroads Advisors, he spent five years as a “road warrier” working for a national private developer focused on ground-up development of multifamily properties. He then spent five years developing retail and mixed-use projects as a principal with a Chicago-based development company.
Michael was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1997. He has served on various philanthropic and civic boards including the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce, The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and volunteers on various community boards.
Wes Rehwoldt
SVP Director of Management
Wes joined Xroads in 2010 and assisted in launching its third-party management platform utilizing his diverse skill set which includes maintenance/operations, property management and leasing. His experience spans multiple asset classes including office, retail and industrial and he also has experience with building indoor sports facilities and physical/rehabilitation center construction and renovation. In his current role as Director of Management, Wes oversees all property managers and their individual portfolios while managing a portfolio of his own. He has established a strong track record of meeting revenue, operating and marketing objectives. Wes has also been appointed as a Receiver and worked in this capacity for many local financial institutions. He has directed the management and operations of over 5 million square feet of commercial space in the greater Chicagoland area in his 35+ year career in commercial real estate.
Robert Haufe
VP Accounting
Robert joined Xroads in January 2020 and quickly became an integral part of the Accounting Team. He brings more than 30 years of experience in accounting with 15+ of those years in property accounting. His experience spans all asset classes with an emphasis on office and retail. He is a Yardi expert and is proficient in interpreting complicated lease structures and setting them up properly to ensure accurate financial reporting. His work ethic and quality has set a new standard for the Company. In addition to managing his portfolio, he is involved with training new accounting staff.
Kathy Garazin
Controller
Kathy joined Xroads Advisors in November 2023 as Controller. She earned her BS in Accounting Cum Laude from Saint Louis University and has an extensive background as an accomplished real estate executive having worked on both the lender and developer sides of commercial real estate for 30+ years, in the acquisition, disposition, construction, property management and loan closing & administration of commercial properties and loans.
