Paul Zeller is Chairman and Founder of Zeller, and affiliates Zeller Realty Corporation, Zeller Management Corporation, Zeller Development Corporation and Zeller Investment Corporation. He combines an extensive background in commercial real estate development, finance, asset management and operations management, with substantial experience as an owner/investor/operator of commercial income property.  Paul is active in all aspects of Zeller’s business and leads a strong group of experienced professionals committed to his philosophy regarding investment, management and operations. Since inception, Zeller has invested in and/or managed a portfolio of over 20 million square feet of office and 568 ground up multifamily units compromising 52 properties and has delivered strong returns for its partners and co-inventors by providing best-in-class service to enhance value.  Currently, Zeller owns and manages a portfolio of nearly 10 million square feet valued at $2.5 billion.

Prior to founding Zeller, Paul was a General Partner/Stockholder in The John Buck Company and was involved in development of over four million sf of high-rise office property, and as a Founding Stockholder of Buck Investment Company, a hotel portfolio of over 1,200 rooms. Prior to that Paul was a Vice President of The First National Bank of Chicago.

Paul is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a BBA in Finance and a MS in Real Estate Development and Urban Land Economics under Professor James A. Graaskamp. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Chicago Booth and Northwestern University Schools of Business. Paul is a licensed real estate managing broker in Illinois and Indiana, a full member of The Urban Land Institute, The Land Economics Society Lambda Alpha International, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, past Chairman of the Board of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, past Board member of the Chicago International Film Festival, a Cornerstone Member of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and past Chairman of the Chicago Chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Christopher Baker is the CEO of Zeller and its affiliates, Zeller Realty Corporation, Zeller Management Corporation, Zeller Development Corporation and Zeller Investment Corporation. As CEO, Christopher leads the senior management team and is a driving force behind initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement within Zeller. He plays a pivotal role within the firm by spearheading and managing relationships with a wide array of institutional and private capital partners, lenders, and joint venture collaborators. His expertise lies in cultivating these connections to support Zeller’s strategic goals and initiatives.

Since joining Zeller in 2013, Christopher has held key positions including President of Zeller Realty Corporation and Director of Asset Management. In these roles, he has been deeply engaged in all aspects of the investment continuum from financing, equity sourcing and transaction structuring of acquisitions; through oversight of asset management and execution of the business plan; to disposition. He’s played a central role in shaping the overarching direction and management of the Zeller portfolio, while developing vital relationships with both debt and equity partners.

Prior to joining Zeller, Christopher worked for Ares Management as a Senior Associate in their Senior Debt Originations Group. He was an integral part of an originations team responsible for vetting potential debt and mezzanine transactions, underwriting, due diligence and closing on various debt transactions. Christopher was also an Associate Director in the Credit & Underwriting Group at Wrightwood Capital LLC, a middle market lender on value-add real estate transactions throughout the U.S. He was responsible for valuation, market research and due diligence process on Wrightwood’s equity, subordinated debt and senior structured debt investments. Christopher also served four years in the United States Air Force’s Space Program as a mission manager for the launch of military and NASA satellites.

Christopher is a graduate of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he earned a BA in Finance. He earned an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Christopher is an active member of Chicago Real Estate Private Equity (CREPE) and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM).

Steve Herron joined Zeller in 1996. As Principal, he oversees the property management of all Zeller properties, directing the property managers to ensure both consistency and unique tenant experiences at each building. He also works closely with Zeller’s financial teams overseeing operating budgets and support schedules for all properties.

Before his move to Principal, Steve was a Senior Property Manager at Zeller, handling physical operation and financial performance for properties in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to joining Zeller, Steve was a Property Manager with Heitman Properties, Ltd. managing a variety of properties in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market.

Steve is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he earned a BS in Business Administration. Steve is a past president of BOMA Greater Minneapolis and a member of IREM, NAIOP, the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Skyway Advisory Board.

Courtni Hughes-Bochenek joined Zeller  in 2014. As Senior Vice President, Head of People & Culture, Courtni oversees all aspects of human resources including recruiting, payroll and benefits programs, training and development, compliance, employee relations, optimizing employee engagement and human resource systems.  She supports nearly 200 employees for the Company’s national portfolio.

Prior to her role at Zeller, Courtni was a General Manager for Women’s Workout & Wellness where she was responsible for all club operations and HR matters including interviewing, hiring, training, payroll and scheduling.  In addition, Courtni was responsible for customer retention, networking and organizing customer events.

Courtni is a graduate of DePaul University, where she earned a BA in Human Resources.  She also holds a PHR designation from HRCI and is a Birkman Certified Consultant

Santiago Vazquez is a Principal of Zeller Realty Corporation and the cofounder and Managing Partner of Zeller Build to Rent (Zeller BTR), the firm’s dedicated build-to-rent investment and development platform. At Zeller BTR, he leads the platform’s overall strategy, investment activity, capital formation, and execution. The platform develops high-quality rental communities in high-growth, supply-constrained markets, combining institutional investment discipline with extensive residential development experience.

A 15-year Zeller veteran, Santiago plays a central role across the firm’s investment platform. His responsibilities include sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, raising equity and debt capital, structuring complex acquisitions and dispositions, and managing relationships with institutional and private investors. Santiago has has been instrumental in expanding Zeller’s network of limited partner investors and capital relationships.

Santiago is also the co-founder and Managing Principal of Lares Capital, Zeller’s residential investment and development platform in Mexico. Since its formation, Lares Capital and its development partners have pursued residential communities designed to provide high-quality, accessible housing for Mexico’s underserved middle class. Under Santiago’s leadership, the platform applies a disciplined investment, development, and risk-management framework throughout the project lifecycle.

Santiago holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Mark Vollbrecht joined Zeller in 1996 and currently serves as Principal, Market Leader for the Southeastern markets, and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. He holds the Managing Broker License for Zeller in the State of Georgia. Based in Atlanta, Mark oversees Zeller’s regional office portfolio, which includes 100 Peachtree, Resurgens Plaza, and Premier Plaza. He also championed the co-development of EMMI, a 325-unit luxury multifamily tower in Midtown Atlanta in partnership with JPXWorks and Manulife.

Throughout his tenure, Mark has been directly involved in property and note acquisitions, capital sourcing and structuring, property operations, leasing, and dispositions across multiple markets. Prior to opening Zeller’s Atlanta office in 2017, he served as Market Leader in both Chicago and Indianapolis. He has also acted as a Court Appointed Receiver on behalf of institutional clients at Zeller and his previous firm.

Mark is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a B.A. in Economics with honors coursework in Math, Chemistry, and English.

He is actively involved in the Atlanta community and commercial real estate industry, serving as a Board Member of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and on its Executive Committee, as well as on the Advisory Boards for Georgia Tech’s College of Design and Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts. Mark also serves on the Board and Development Committee of the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library Foundation and is a full member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and ULI Atlanta’s Livable Community Council.

Mark is passionate about the continued vitality of downtown Atlanta and volunteers with local groups dedicated to enhancing its livability and appeal.

Sam Zeller joined Zeller in 2013.  He serves as Chief Operating Officer of Zeller and coordinates the company’s growth into Multifamily in addition to managing the firm’s vertically integrated structure.

Sam began his career at Zeller as the Director of Design and was responsible for design assessment and product/market fit for all capital improvements and acquisitions, as well as the coordination and selection of construction and design teams. During that time, he was responsible for the concourse redevelopment for 401 North Michigan Avenue and led repositioning efforts at 311 South Wacker, Fifth Street Towers, LaSalle Plaza, Capital Center and Umpqua Bank Plaza. He has since pivoted into development beginning with Evo Union Park in the vibrant Fulton Market neighborhood of Chicago, and EMMI located in Midtown Atlanta. Sam is a licensed architect and, before joining Zeller, practiced with Goettsch Partners, John Ronan Architects and SOM, and taught architecture at Kansas State University and the University of Michigan.

Sam received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.