Whittaker Associates: Giving Information Meaning">Whittaker

By Jim Bruckbauer

Jim Bruckbauer, Account Manager

Jim will mine his skills in strategic planning and his knowledge of current business trends as the latest addition to the Whittaker Associates team. He will direct a variety of projects as our Account Manager.

A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Jim plans to undertake a Master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Economic Development and Urban Planning.  While at Grand Valley, he served on the Executive Board of the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization and is currently an Alumni Advisor to the group.

Jim is passionate about the economic vitality of West Michigan and has forged relationships with many community and business leaders while working with the City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Office. He is also involved with Neighborhood Ventures, a non-profit focusing on the revitalization of the business districts of Grand Rapids.

In his spare time, he enjoys live music, traveling, camping, hiking, and running.

By Mario O’Connell

Maria recently began work for Whittaker Associates in September. As a part-time research analyst, her responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, and speaking to key representatives of target companies in order to predict movement.

When she is not working at Whittaker Associates, Maria is involved in an array of other activities. She is a volunteer leader for Young Life, occasionally substitute teaches for Holland Christian Schools, tutors Spanish, and is an avid member of Hope College’s Pew Society.

Maria moved to Holland in 2004 to begin undergraduate work at Hope College. She is passionate about traveling, people, and Spanish. During her career as a student, Maria did AIDS education work in South Africa, and studied for four months in southern Spain. She is currently completing her final semester at Hope College, graduating in December with a degree in Communication and Spanish.

Dennis Burnside has recently joined Whittaker Associates as President of its Real Estate Advisory Services Group. In his role Dennis will be focusing on developing relationships and providing services to the real estate service community, institutional owners, developers and investors. Additionally, Dennis will provide a specific suite of services to end-users of real estate. Dennis will also work closely with Whittaker’s corporate and economic development clients.

Dennis has over 25 years of experience in the real estate services industry, having held senior positions with Grubb & Ellis, Colliers International and Equis. Much of his career has been spent representing corporate real estate clients and institutional and regional developers. He has experience representing clients throughout North America and internationally.

Dennis sees the Whittaker Associates platform as a unique opportunity to serve a broad and diversified client base.

“Whether we are supporting the client in the process of a relocation, expansion or disposition, identifying lead tenants for a new development, or supporting the property-specific marketing efforts of a brokerage firm, Whittaker is uniquely positioned to have a positive financial impact on the result of the assignment,” according to Burnside.

Dennis is a resident of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and will split his time between Shaker Heights and Holland, Michigan, headquarters of Whittaker Associates.

Burnside has been an active member of various professional organizations, including CORENET, NAIOP, IREM, and BOMA. Additionally, he is a trustee of the Cleveland Zoological Society, North Coast Community Homes, and the Cleve

David Chang May 7, 1982 – November 19, 2005

I am very sorry to report that David Chang passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2005, after a strong fight against stomach cancer.

David was born in Grand Rapids, MI, and raised in Beijing, China. He came back to Grand Rapids at 18 years old and graduated from Davenport University. David joined the staff of Whittaker Associates in April of 2005. He is survived by his mother and father; paternal grandparents, and many uncles, aunts and cousins in China. David will be buried with services in Beijing, China.

David taught us about courage, suffering, compassion and the importance of following our passion. He will be missed.

Back Row: (Left to Right) Dean Whittaker, Pete Julius, Megan Jewell, Joel Burgess, Maryjane Miedema, Cory Koch – Front Row (Left to Right) Jami Miedema, Tammy Hart

We were in great company with our friends and clients as we enjoyed lunch during the IEDC convention in Chicago on Tuesday. For those of us who were able to go sailing aboard the 77-foot schooner, “The Red Witch,” it was an afternoon that we won’t soon forget, and we could not have asked for more beautiful weather. Thank you to all who were able to attend.