Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame: Berkadia’s Aaron Abelson

Each year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts a new class in its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Last year — despite the challenges it brought — was no exception. Here’s a look at one of our newest Hall of Fame members, Aaron Abelson, managing director with the Chicago office of Berkadia.

Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992 and receiving his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in 2002, Aaron Abelson has been involved in the commercial real estate finance industry. In the seven years he’s been with Berkadia, he has closed in excess of $600 million.

Abelson most enjoys the ability to connect with clients, listen to them and understand their needs to find the best possible financing solution.

“I always look forward to the opportunity to share with clients the different ideas and opportunities that they maybe haven’t considered before,” Abelson said. “Many times, these options prove to be better for the client in the long term.”

That isn’t to say that he hasn’t encountered his fair share of challenges over the course of his career.

“The CRE industry is constantly changing,” said Abelson. “Navigating the various cycles that it goes through over the last 24 years, while trying to be the best advocate for the client, has been challenging but is most rewarding.”

During the last 20-plus years, Abelson has arranged more than $2.5 billion in total loan production. Prior to joining…