Rising-star team leaders Louis Diaz and Joe Tyler Gerber drawn to Baird & Warner’s culture of integrity, transparency and local leadership

Baird & Warner, Chicagoland’s largest independent and locally owned real estate brokerage, today announced that the Gerber Diaz Group has joined its Highland Park office from Compass. Led by industry rising stars Louis Diaz and Joe Tyler Gerber, the six-person team exemplifies the next generation of North Shore real estate professionals, bringing a combined passion for accessibility, transparency and representation to their growing client base. In addition to Gerber and Diaz, their team includes Tova Goldberg, Lana Shapiro, Michael Sidor and Isaiah Raynal.

For Diaz and Gerber, the move to Baird & Warner represents a homecoming to independence and integrity. “We looked at every major brokerage,” said Diaz. “But there’s something special about Baird & Warner — it feels like home, and it feels like Chicago. It’s Chicagoland’s only significant, independent and homegrown brokerage still thriving and investing in cutting-edge AI tools and deep agent resources. Also, its people-first culture of independence matters not just for agents but for our clients and our communities.”

Diaz, who began his real estate career at @properties in 2020, later became Coldwell Banker’s youngest-ever vice president of strategic growth for the Northwest region before joining Compass. A Chicago-area native with experience in both construction and strategic leadership, Diaz is deeply involved in the community as a member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Lake County chapter and as a regular volunteer at the West Deerfield Food Pantry.

Gerber, a North Shore native whose father once managed Prudential’s local office there, found his path to real estate after working in education and multifamily development. He earned his brokerage license and went on to achieve more than $25 million in individual sales volume last year before partnering with Diaz, a longtime friend. An active member of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Illinois chapter, Gerber also volunteers for Planned Parenthood and WINGS.

As a proudly LGBTQ+- and Latino/Jewish-owned team, the members of the Gerber Diaz Group approach real estate with an emphasis on accessibility, equity and representation. The group has established a far-reaching international referral network spanning countries such as Italy, Ireland, Dubai, India and Mexico. As the team continues to grow, more agents are expected to join their ranks in the coming months.

For Diaz and Gerber, Baird & Warner’s independence and transparency were key to their decision to move. “At Compass, we saw firsthand what happens when a large company grows and evolves into something different than what you’re used to or comfortable with. When you break down our industry to its very core, it should always be about relationships and growing in a direction that aligns with your values,” said Diaz. “Being associated with a brand that grows with you is important — and taking an inventory of what matters most to you is paramount.”

Compass’ decision to close what it considered redundant North Shore offices didn’t align with the team’s vision for community-centric real estate. “While we appreciate everything Compass did for us and recognize the remarkable growth they have accomplished, our team’s business is uniquely personal and community-oriented,” added Gerber. “Having a brick-and-mortar office with deep ties to the community lends legitimacy to clients, fosters collaboration among agents and across teams, and provides a genuine touch point for engagement with the surrounding area. It’s what keeps real estate personal.”

Another factor that drew Diaz and Gerber to Baird & Warner was its local, accessible leadership. Unlike national brokerages guided by remote corporate teams, Baird & Warner’s management and marketing staff operate in Chicagoland and are immersed in the same communities its agents serve.

“We’re seeing the next generation of top-producing brokers embrace the values Baird & Warner has stood for throughout our 170-year history — prioritizing integrity over scale and relationships over revenue,” said David Bailey, senior vice president and general sales manager at Baird & Warner. “The Gerber Diaz Group’s move to Baird & Warner reflects how many of the area’s rising stars are seeking greater authenticity, transparency and control over their business.”

About Baird & Warner Real Estate, Inc.:
Established in 1855, family-owned Baird & Warner is Chicagoland’s largest independent real estate services company. The Baird & Warner brand has been synonymous with making real estate easier through experience, innovation and integrity for more than 170 years. Steve Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner, has been consistently recognized among the industry’s most influential leaders. Baird & Warner is a 10-time Chicago Tribune Top Workplace award winner, and with almost 2,700 broker associates and staff in 30 offices and comprehensive mortgage, title, insurance and relocation services, it ranks among the nation’s top real estate firms. Learn more at BairdWarner.com.