Starting as a salesman in the firm (formerly The Commercial Real Estate Group) in 1988 after working for a commercial general contractor following college, Joe learned the commercial real estate business literally from the "ground up". In 1994 Joe started an affiliate company, J.M. Perry Development Corp., which developed smaller commercial and industrial build-to-suits as well as market-rate multi-family residential subdivisions. This led to a very specialized segment of the multi-family development business with the advent of the use of Federal Tax Credits to develop affordable senior housing developments around the Midwest. Since the first project in 1995, this entity has developed nearly $60 million in affordable senior housing projects and remains a leader in the market today.

During this time, Joe maintained a real estate license and continued to perform brokerage services. In 2000, Joe purchased the real estate brokerage firm from his father and, merging the company with his development firm, renamed the new entity Perry Group, Ltd., and expanded from approximately $15 million in annual sales in 1999 to over $120 million in 2005.

Member, Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame

Joe was inducted into the University of Illinois at Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2004. The Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, the oldest and most prestigious program honoring Chicago-area entrepreneurs.

Additionally, Joe has completed over 60 hours of graduate level commercial and investment real estate curriculum through the nationally acclaimed Commercial-Investment Real Estate Institute.

Professional Affiliations and Civic Organizations

Joe is an active member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). SIOR members are considered the most skilled, ethical, and respected industry practitioners with only 1,900 active members worldwide and 107 members in the State of Illinois achieving such designation.

Other active Professional Memberships include: