NEED OFFICE SPACE? CLICK HERE! COVID-19 RESOURCES development maintenance request capital and investments more contact OUR TEAM Expertise & Dedication Since 1984… First Midwest Group has been developing commercial and residential real estate properties since 1984. Since then, First Midwest Group has developed thousands of acres of land from unused, empty plots, into homes, business opportunities, jobs, and new sources of revenue for the community. As a regional leader in real estate development, we pride ourselves in our local expertise and white-glove service; we help you from start to finish, from touring an office space to marketing on your pylon sign. Get in touch If you are looking to lease an single office space, a restaurant, or retail space, we have it all. Give us a call to schedule a tour or a consultation. INQUIRE ABOUT A PROPERTY ▸ Meet Our Leadership Founder and CEO FOUNDER AND CEO Sunil Puri Mr. Sunil Puri was born in Bombay [Mumbai], India and emigrated to the United States in 1979. Mr. Puri’s entrepreneurial, volunteer, and charitable work has been a driving force in the Midwest, and specifically the Northern Illinois region. In 1984, Mr. Puri founded First Rockford [now Midwest] Group – a vertically integrated real estate developer, investor, property manager, and holding company for a diverse array of investments including: · MedMar: one of the first Cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, now part of Cresco Labs Inc., one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in the world · Road Ranger: one of the largest networks of Truck Stops in the Midwest, with a now nationwide footprint, since sold · Over 3.2 million square feet of retail, office, and industrial space · 11 high-end multi-family residential properties · Over 10,000 single-family lots across the Midwest · Over 100 outside investments across private equity, venture capital, and more across geographies including China, Mexico, Pan-Africa, SE Asia, and the United States Mr. Puri has long valued education and received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Rockford College in 1982. Throughout his career as CEO and President of First Midwest Group, Mr. Puri attended several prestigious executive education programs, including: London Business School (2000), Harvard Business School (2002-2012), and the University of Chicago. He was also the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Rockford University (2013). Mr. Puri’s previous local board affiliations include RAVE, RAEDC, the Operating and Finance Committee of RPS205, and Rockford University. Nationally, Mr. Puri is part of YPO/WPO, ICSC, and was appointed by President Obama in 2010 to be part of the White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Mr. Puri’s philanthropic activities include: the Perryville Path, the Puri School of Business, the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza, and many more. MORE ON MR. PURI Leasing DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT Bharat Puri Mr. Bharat Puri has been with First Midwest Group since 1998. His responsibilities include marketing and leasing First Midwest Group’s office and industrial properties, and evaluating the acquisition and disposition of income-producing assets. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Rockford University and served as a senior commercial credit analyst with First of America Bank in Chicago prior to joining First Midwest Group. Mr. Puri is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and is currently a board member of Rockford Area Economic Development Council. In October 2007, Mr. Puri completed Harvard Business School’s Executive Real Estate program and during that same time began serving a two-year term on the Financial Advisory Committee of the Rockford Park District. COMMERCIAL LEASING MANAGER Mike Capriola Mr. Mike Capriola has more than 20 years experience in real estate development. He has been heavily involved in the successful marketing, leasing and sale of many major retail projects. Mr. Capriola represents dozens of regional and national tenants in site selection, property evaluation, and acquisition. Mr. Capriola provides consulting services including tenant mix strategies, target marketing, tenant analysis, architectural review, and construction phase supervision. Operations CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Robinson Mr. Mark Robinson came to First Midwest Group in 2020, bringing more than 30 years of experience in real estate, aviation, government contracting, and more. Mr. Robinson graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a bachelors in Risk Management and received his JD/MBA at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Legal CORPORATE COUNSEL Marvin Keys Mr. Keys has been with First Midwest Group since 2004 and provides counsel on the full range of legal matters stemming from First Midwest Group’s real estate development and leasing activities. Prior to joining First Midwest Group, Mr. Keys was an attorney with Diamond & LeSueur, P.C. in McHenry, Illinois, where he specialized in land use and zoning, municipal, commercial and residential real estate development and contract negotiations. Mr. Keys also was City Attorney for the Villages of Prairie Grove and Port Barrington. A graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, where he obtained a J.D., and from Florida Southern College, where he earned a B.A., Mr. Keys was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois in November, 1998. Mr. Keys currently serves on the Golden Apple Foundation’s Puri Family Outstanding Principal Award and Investing In Excellence: Assistant Principal Development Program selection committee. CORPORATE COUNSEL Marc Strauss Mr. Marc Strauss began his employment with First Midwest Group in 2001 as General Counsel where, in addition to having charge of the legal department, he oversaw construction, maintenance, lease administration, and company investments for over a decade. After five years in private practice in Sycamore, IL, Mr. Strauss returned to First Midwest Group’s legal team. He has a total of over 30 years of legal experience. Strauss is also a residential and commercial real estate managing broker. Strauss graduated from Northwestern University where he earned Juris Doctor, MBA, and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Outside Investments DIRECTOR OF OUTSIDE INVESTMENTS Arti Shah Ms. Arti Shah grew up in Rockford and moved to Chicago to pursue higher education. Ms. Shah earned her Bachelors from DePaul University and went on to earn her MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Ms. Shah’s 10+ year career spans in Healthcare administration, finance, and consulting. Prior to her employment with First Midwest Group, she worked in Financial Valuation for 4 years at Deloitte and 2 years in Healthcare Consulting at Chartis Group. Finance CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Doug Beale Mr. Beale first joined First Midwest Group in 1998 and since that time has been involved with establishing and overseeing the accounting and financial operations of all of the company’s projects. Previously, he spent several years as a senior accountant with Wilcop, Shelton & Strakeljahn, CPAs. A graduate of Augustana College, Mr. Beale is a certified public accountant. He has served on the Board of Directors of RAMP (Regional Access and Mobilization Project) and is currently Treasurer of the Rockford Chariots Wheelchair Athletic Association. He is also the Midwest Representative of the Championship Division Committee of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Serving the Midwest since 1984 home | about | properties | related businesses | contact (815) 229-3000 | info@FirstMidwestGroup.com 6801 Spring Creek Rd. Rockford, IL 61114 First Midwest Group is one of the Midwest’s leading commercial real estate developers. First Midwest Group provides communities with full-service real estate and retail development, property management, and hospitality projects. © 2021 FIRST MIDWEST GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.