Member Spotlight: August 2015
Jeff Bennett
Each month, ICBR honors one of its members in a special Member Spotlight. This month, we recognize Jeff Bennett; McColly Bennett Commercial.
ICBR: Why are you an ICBR member? What do you look to gain out of your membership?
Bennett: I am an ICBR member for the networking, marketing and education opportunities. I hope to have access to Indiana’s Commercial Brokerage Community learning best practices.
ICBR: Describe a time you used an ICBR member benefit, and how it helped you or your company. 
Bennett: The ICBR continuing education opportunity at the annual conference has been a great assist to myself and our agents.
ICBR: What designations/awards/recognition have you received?
Bennett: Businessman of the Year, Alumni of the Year Bradley Bourbonnais High School, YMCA Service and Youth Award.
ICBR: How did you start your career in commercial real estate/development?
Bennett: I was coaching basketball at Kankakee Community College in 1983 when the Roper Corporation closed, leaving 4,000 persons unemployed and 2 million square feet of vacant industrial space. I managed 20 summer employees for a not-for-profit ownership group that was gifted a $1 million dollar square building. I was asked to stay on and begin lease working with a SIOR/CCIM.
ICBR: Do you have any mentors? If so, who? How has he/she inspired you?
Bennett: I was mentored by a SIOR, CCIM.
ICBR: What is the most important thing you have learned by working in commercial real estate?
Bennett: The importance of being a trusted real estate realtor is meeting the needs of buyers/tenants and being accountable to sellers/landlords.
ICBR: What is your current professional goal(s)?
Bennett: My professional goals are to complete my CCIM designation in 2016, and grow sales 10% a year for the next 5 years.
ICBR: What is your most recent accomplishment?
Bennett: Completed a $16 million dollar Section Housing 42 Tax Credit, 70 unit, Senior Project.
ICBR: Do you have any special skills, interests or hobbies?
Bennett: Local, with global reach networking with industry specialist. Special interests include raising 5 athletic daughters, now chasing around five grandsons and one granddaughter.