Management Team
Mike Zucker is a licensed Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker and graduated the University of Illinois in 1990. Starting in the basement of a multi-unit building on Chicago’s North Side Mike’s unique vision, leadership, and drive have helped establish Peak Properties as one of Chicago’s premier mid-sized real estate management firms. Since founding the company in 1998, Mike has overseen the management, development, and build-out of over 1,000 multi-unit buildings totaling over 15,000 units with over $750 million in total property values and condominium projects and new construction developments with over $350 million in total property value. From a commercial perspective he and his team have managed multiple land deals, industrial, retail, and office properties with a combined value of over $250 million dollars. He oversees the day to day operations of Peak Properties which manages over 7,000 residential units, 1.5mm square feet of office, commercial, and industrial property, and a team of over 200 employees and independent contractors. Assets under management exceeds 2 Billion dollars.. From a Receiver / REO position Mike has worked throughout the Midwest in Illinois, St. Louis, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin for banks, note holders, and the general Court system. To date Mike has been a receiver for more than 750 separate matters. Mike has publicly spoken at multiple conventions on behalf of Marcus and Millichap, Chicagoland Apartment Association, DePaul University, and Information Management Network. Mike’s commitment to the core values of integrity, reliability, and customer service offers Peak Properties’ clients the peace of mind of knowing the management team watching over their property has the right priorities in mind. Mike has further distinguished himself and Peak Properties with his ability to offer guidance with respect to project feasibility and cost management. The bottom line is no one will work harder or smarter for a client than Mike or the team at Peak. Mike lives in the Northern Suburbs of Chicago, with his wife, Franny, and their three children, Easton, Luke, and Liv. Mike is deeply committed to community service and generously volunteers his time and resources to the following organizations: Any organization that supports Diabetes research (Mike is a parent of a child with Type 1 Diabetes), Young Real Estate Professionals, The Garfield Park Boxing Club, One Step Up (a camp for pediatric cancer patients), The United States Holocaust Museum, TOPS and XS Tennis, tennis programs for kids in low income neighborhoods, and The Evanston High School Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball Teams. Interview: Mike Zucker
Adam Keyser is the Director of Operations at Peak Properties and joined the company in February of 2012. Adam graduated from Indiana University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and immediately started down a path to pursue his interest in real estate. From the redevelopment of former U.S. military base properties, to the development of single and multi-tenant commercial/retail properties, to the redevelopment and management of multi-tenant residential properties, his career has always been rooted in real estate. Adam prides himself in the experience and knowledge he has gained in working with larger institutional equity and debt organizations, on one end of the spectrum, to smaller and medium sized development and management firms where the entrepreneurial spirit is very much a part of the company culture and strategy. He has held positions involving detailed financial, legal and physical due diligence and transactional execution, to positions that focus on overall operations and strategic decision-making. Adam utilizes his depth of experience, his attention to detail and his commitment to excellence to support and collaborate with the management team, ensuring the growth and future success of Peak Properties. Adam is married and has two children which keeps him pretty busy, and spends much of his pre-dawn free time pedaling to his heart’s content. Most of his charitable activities include volunteering and fundraising for causes that affect close friends and family, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, scleroderma and dementia.
Rebeccah Biser joined Peak Properties as Controller in 2013. In this position, Beccah is responsible for ensuring that all property management activity and financial activity are in line, that all numbers are sent out accurately, and that owners understand their building by building finances. By auditing the accuracy of financial reporting, Beccah helps Peak Properties meet its clients and investors expectations. Driven by efficiency, she works to help keep the company’s operations streamlined and is excited by new challenges and rapidly changing technology. Prior to joining Peak Properties, Beccah worked at Eaton, a fortune 100 company in their financial leadership development program and holds her degree in accounting management from the University of Wisconsin. When not handling the financials of Peak Properties, you can find her catching a Broadway show or yoga class after enjoying brunch at one of Chicago’s many world class restaurants.
Handling business with honesty and respect has always been an essential part of a day’s work for Claudia Herlo. As Peak Properties Office Manager, she is responsible for managing its employees, handling the corporate bookkeeping and oversight of the department, payroll and benefits, business strategy, and management of the office itself. For the last 22 years, her loyalty has helped the company grow from a small team of 5 to nearly 100. She enjoys the challenges of a busy work environment, and strives to keep the company and tenants on the same page regarding policies and procedures. When not keeping Peak’s office running smoothly Claudia enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and cooking delicious meals.
Maggie Zach is always finding ways to celebrate the tremendous diversity around her and make the most of her people. As the Chief People Officer at Peak Properties, Maggie develops the company’s personnel and culture, creates its policies, procedures, protocols, and oversees its training and development. Proudly, Maggie has witnessed Peak Properties team double in size every few years while remaining a true family oriented and tight knit organization. Maggie has been with Peak Properties since 2010, and she knows that the secret to success is remaining fluid and organic, always trying to improve and reinvent oneself while staying true to their roots. When not handling the many needs of the business, Maggie enjoys the calm of the suburbs with her friends and family, and focusing on living an active healthy lifestyle.
Cory graduated Indiana University in 2007 and joined Peak Properties during the midst of the recession in June 2010. During this time, he was able hit the ground running managing a wide range of portfolios; Receivership / REO portfolios for third-party clients, distressed assets, as well as effectively and efficiently managing over 500+ properties for privately owned clients. As Associate Director of Property Management, Cory oversees all management operations by collaborating with his property management team, offering proactive advice, support, and guidance while implementing strategic goals, solutions, and objectives to ensure we are maximizing our client’s investments. Cory’s precise attention to detail, innovative outlook, and his passion to continuously evolve are qualities that shape our team to exceed all expectations of both owners and residents.
As the Director of Property Management for Peak, Luke Markewych is responsible for the oversight of Peak’s high-rise portfolio as well as a few mid-rise and market rate clients in Chicagoland area. Luke is skilled at working with third party property owners, assessing and managing property operations to maximize ROI, property acquisitions and renovations, strategic planning, and leadership. Prior to joining Peak in 2022, Luke was a Regional Manager for the Habitat Company where he was responsible for all property management operations for a 2,000 unit portfolio. He also worked for Pangea Real Estate and Foresite Realty Partners as a regional manager in Indianapolis and Baltimore. Luke studied history and criminal justice at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and enjoys spending time with his family in his free time.
Shane Rachman, Director of Leasing, manages Peak Realty Chicago which is responsible for marketing, leasing strategy and rental conversions. Shane joined Peak Properties in February 2014 after working for 3 years in technical sales and product development for a leading manufacturer and distributor of medical devices. Known as an action-oriented, visionary-thinker with a passion for sales and marketing, Shane brings a hard work ethic, level headed, go-getter attitude to Peak. His core values of communication, innovation, honesty and resilience serve him well as he dedicates himself to growing the business, developing his team and providing excellent customer service. Shane earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa with a minor in Economics. He holds a leasing license and enjoys playing soccer, spending time with friends and family, scuba diving all over the world, and aspires to do more volunteer work within his community and with the Peak team.
