Founder of NAI Hiffman and Hiffman National recognized for 50-year career and impact on local business community
NAI Hiffman, the largest independent real estate services firm in the Midwest, today announced the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce honored Dennis Hiffman, founder and chairman of both NAI Hiffman and Hiffman National, with the newly created Inspiring Leader Award at a special luncheon ceremony at Gibsons in Oak Brook, Ill. The award is intended to recognize a business leader in the Oak Brook and Oakbrook area who has significantly impacted the community through commerce, volunteer and mentorship contributions.
More than 150 people attended the luncheon, including more than a dozen elected officials and 30 Hiffman employees. Chamber President and CEO David Carlin spoke about Denny Hiffman’s eclectic career and the impressive growth and expansion of NAI Hiffman and Hiffman National, enumerating the millions of square feet of development and transactions associated with him and the company since its founding in 2000. Hiffman is a 50-year veteran of the real estate brokerage business and has developed or acquired more than 16 million square feet of office, retail and industrial property in his career.
Oak Brook Village President Gopal Lalmalani extolled Hiffman’s commitment and contributions to the community through development projects and service to the Chamber. Lalmalani then shared a proclamation by the Village of Oak Brook recognizing Hiffman’s status and importance to the Village.
Hiffman CEO Dave Petersen remarked on Hiffman’s humility and measured leadership style, under which the Hiffman companies have grown to become the largest privately owned third-party leasing and management company in the Midwest.
After receiving the Inspiring Leader Award from Carlin and Chamber Board Chairman Finny Rajchel, Hiffman recognized nine longtime colleagues who have worked alongside him since before the 2000 founding of NAI Hiffman. In his brief remarks, he emphasized the importance of listening and learning to the implementation of successful leadership.
“It is an incredible honor to receive such a distinguished award from the Chamber and to be recognized by the Village,” he said. “I am proud to be part of such an incredible community and able to give back in meaningful ways. NAI Hiffman/Hiffman National is regularly recognized as a top workplace, something we work at continually. The greatest thing you can do as a leader is listen; if you listen, you’ll know exactly what you need to do.”
In recognition of the award, NAI Hiffman made a meaningful donation to the Wounded Warrior Project at Hiffman’s request. NAI Hiffman and the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce have committed to continuing the award for the next five years, with NAI Hiffman serving as sponsor, to encourage civic involvement and promote the local business community.
About Greater Oakbrook Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership connects companies to the pulse of business in the Chicago region and serves as an influential and effective advocate and marketer for businesses. They put the needs of businesses first by attracting new companies to the community and building new business opportunities for those companies and existing companies; working with key local, state, and federal government decisionmakers to address the financial, operational and other needs of local businesses and businesses seeking to locate here; identifying transportation, infrastructure and other community solutions that will attract and retain a talented local workforce; and developing new area attractions and marketing initiatives that will expand tourism and grow the local economy. For more information, visit obchamber.com.
About NAI Hiffman:
NAI Hiffman is one of the largest independent commercial real estate services firms in the US, with a primary focus on metropolitan Chicago, and part of the NAI Global network. We provide institutional and private leasing, property management, tenant representation, capital markets, project services, research, and marketing services for owners and occupiers of commercial real estate. To meet our clients’ growing needs outside of our exclusive NAI Hiffman territory, we launched Hiffman National, our dedicated property solutions division, which provides property management, project services, and property accounting services across the country. NAI Hiffman | Hiffman National is headquartered in suburban Chicago, with more than 250 employees strategically located throughout North America. For more information, please visit hiffman.com.
