Jay Koziarz has had a life-long fascination with cities and tall buildings. Though he never attended architecture school, he has successfully found opportunities to align his career with his passion for design, development, and urban planning.
Before joining Taylor Johnson as a senior account manager in 2021, Jay worked as an editor for the publications Curbed and Urbanize Chicago, where he covered the local real estate landscape and reported on development and new additions to Chicago’s neighborhoods and skyline. Making the leap from journalism to a media relations company niched in real estate was a natural career progression. In his current role, he puts his expertise as a former reporter to work for Taylor Johnson’s clients as he crafts compelling pitches and written materials that tell the story of their work.
Jay graduated from DePaul University with a degree in history and started his post-graduation career with a stint working in a Chicago aldermanic ward office. There, he honed his skills in community engagement and mass communication and learned the ins and outs of the city’s byzantine zoning process. A North Shore native, Jay attended high school at Culver Academies in Indiana and serves as president of the school’s Chicago-area alumni club.
Jay resides in River North with his wife Danelle and their Goldendoodle, Ripley. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, curling, fly fishing, scuba diving, Broadway musicals, and racing old beat-up cars in the 24 Hours of Lemons series.
BEYOND THE BIO
With Taylor Johnson since: 2021.
Proudest TJ moment: Joining the TJ team, which was a substantial pivot from my previous work in journalism.
Three words that describe me are: Curious, offbeat, compassionate
When I was growing up I thought I’d be a: Paleontologist or a marine biologist
I never thought I’d be: An accountant
The best professional advice I received was: Don’t be afraid to say “yes” to new challenges and always ask others how you can help. It can go a long way, and people notice.
Favorite Chicago building: Chicago is home to world-famous skyscrapers (which I adore), but my favorite building is the oddball postmodern James R. Thompson Center design by Helmut Jahn. The Thompson Center and I were both born in 1985, and as a kid I loved the aesthetics of a giant spaceship touching down in the heart of the Loop.
Favorite Halloween costume: In third grade, my best friend and I dressed up as French mimes for Halloween. We committed fully to our roles and didn’t talk for the entire school day, much to our teacher’s chagrin.
Last good book I read: “Rocket Men” by Robert Kurson; a fascinating account of the Apollo 8 moon mission
On my playlist: Stephen Sondheim, classic rock, jazz, French disco
My favorite app: Among Us
What I like most about TJ: Our laser-like focus on real estate, development, and architecture. It’s such a fascinating field in which to work.
The worst job I ever had was: My least glamorous job was working as a barista in an affluent suburb. Some customers were rude and downright impossible to please, but it wasn’t all bad. I forged some amazing friendships that I still maintain today.
Most people don’t know that I: worked as a child actor and model growing up. My credits include print and television ads that ran in both local and national campaigns. My career abruptly ended at age six once I told my parents I that I didn’t like driving into the city for auditions every day and would rather have playdates with my friends. Unlike most stage parents, they honored my request and let me retire from the biz.
My guilty pleasure is: Sci-fi horror B movies