Sperry Van Ness (SVN) | Chicago Commercial, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, has hired award-winning real estate veteran Deena Zimmerman as vice president. In her new role, Zimmerman will focus on tenant representation, specializing in locating high-quality sites for national operators, franchisees, and first-time entrepreneurs throughout Chicagoland, the Midwest, and the U.S. by taking advantage of the SVN national platform.

“Having an all-star like Deena join our team will only further enhance SVN’s reputation as one of the foremost experts in Chicago’s commercial real estate industry,” said Michael Thanasouras, managing director at SVN | Chicago Commercial. “With extensive experience representing both landlords and tenants, and a commitment to clients that is unmatched, Deena is known throughout the Chicago market for bringing a consistent, positive, upbeat attitude and an honest and straightforward approach to every transaction. Her negotiating skills and attention to detail have proven to be invaluable to all parties involved.”

With more than 10 years of industry experience, Zimmerman joins Sperry Van Ness from Jameson Commercial where she was a leading local tenant advisor. Previously, she was a top-producing agent at The Lord Companies, where she focused on property leasing and sales. Prior to her transition into commercial brokerage, she worked for a real estate trade publication, forming close relationships with downtown developers, banks, and brokerage firms.

“I am so pleased to join SVN | Chicago Commercial at a time when the firm is demonstrating such an impressive expansion in market share,” said Zimmerman. “With 44 percent year-over-year growth in revenue in 2014, the firm was recently named the highest revenue-grossing franchise out of 190 SVN offices. I’m proud to be aligned with a top brokerage firm, particularly one with an entrepreneurial culture that aligns with my professional values and allows me to serve my clients to the best of my ability.”

Zimmerman is a graduate of the 2014 class of the National Association of Realtors Leadership Academy. She is also an advisory member of Realtors to the Rescue, a member of the National Association of Realtors Finance Committee, Vice Chair of the NAR Reserves Investment Advisory Board, and an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

She has been actively involved in several women’s real estate organizations, including the Goldie B. Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative through Roosevelt University, and the Chicago Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors where she served as 2010-2011 President and was named their member of the year in 2012.

Zimmerman was the recipient of the National Association of Realtors National Commercial Award in 2012. Serving as Chair of Illinois Young Professionals Network (YPN), she led the group to earn the 2012 National Network of the Year award. She received the 2012 Realtor Achievement award by the Chicago Association of Realtors and is presently a member of its Board of Directors. In 2013, the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR) awarded her the Outstanding Service Award.

Deena earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Minnesota in 1997 and spends her spare time running races to raise funds and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer research.

Sperry Van Ness, LLC is a national full-service commercial real estate advisory firm located at 940 West Adams Street in downtown Chicago. 312.676.1866. For more information, please visit www.svnchicago.com.

About Sperry Van Ness International Corporation
Sperry Van Ness International Corporation (SVNIC), a commercial real estate brokerage franchisor headquartered in Boston, MA, is one of the industry’s most recognized brands based on the annual Lipsey Company Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brand Survey. With more than 190 locations in 225 markets, Sperry Van Ness® Commercial Real Estate Advisors provide sales, leasing, and property management services to more than 5,550 clients worldwide. SVN® Advisors also represent clients in auction services, charter schools, corporate real estate, distressed properties, golf & resort, hospitality, industrial, investment services, land, medical, multifamily, office, retail, and single tenant investments. All Sperry Van Ness® offices are independently owned and operated. For more information, visit www.svn.com.

Deena Zimmerman has joined Sperry Van Ness | Commercial Chicago as vice president.