Built on the bedrock of enduring value.
- Since inception, JBC has made principal investments in assets comprising more than $8 billion of gross value.
- We have made and acquired, developed, or redeveloped over 47 million square feet of office, residential, and mixed-use properties.
- Through it all, we’ve built an unmatched reputation for exceptional quality, returns, and experiences.
Founded in 1981, The John Buck Company enjoys an enviable reputation as a premier, vertically integrated real estate company.
But long before our remarkable track record of success began, the values that shaped the company passed from father to son on the Texas panhandle.
As a depression-era farmer, Maynard Ramsey Buck taught a simple truth: if you buy the best you can afford and maintain it well, it will provide a lifetime of value. That lesson permeates every square foot of real estate developed or managed by the John Buck Company.
The company evolved from the developer that transformed Chicago’s Wacker Drive and River North to an international development, investment, and asset management firm that produces superior returns for our fund investors and capital partners. In turn, JBC utilized its operating platform to provide world-class property management, development, and construction services that continue to deliver enduring value to clients.
Because John Buck wouldn’t have it any other way.
John A. Buck II
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
John A. Buck II founded The John Buck Company in 1981 and currently serves as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Buck is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the firm and its resources. Mr. Buck also leads JBC’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.
Throughout his career, Mr. Buck has served the community through numerous civic boards and committees. In addition to The John Buck Company Foundation, which focuses on at-risk children and families within the Chicago metro area, Mr. Buck has served on the Metropolitan Planning Council; The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago; The Lyric Opera; San Miguel Schools; and The Big Shoulders Fund.
Mr. Buck received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, a JD from the University of Texas Law School, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business and Finance.
Corporate Board
Jeanne Lazar
Principal | Chief Operating & Financial Officer
Jeanne Lazar serves as Principal, Chief Operating & Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Investment Committee of The John Buck Company. Her primary responsibilities include development and implementation of the Company’s strategic vision and oversight of the Firm’s day-to-day activities. Her direct areas of responsibility comprise management of the Investments, Reporting and Support Services teams, portfolio management, asset management and investor relations.
Prior to her current position with JBC, Jeanne was Chief Financial Officer for Westwood Financial in Los Angeles, CA. Jeanne reported to the Co-Chief Executive Officers with responsibility of all financial reporting matters, tax and audit compliance, budgeting and forecasting, policy and procedure development, treasury management and lender compliance, information technology and Human Resources. Jeanne was a Member of the Company’s Management and Investment Committees. Prior to her role with Westwood Financial, Jeanne also held the position of Chief Financial Officer with Topa Management Company in Los Angeles, Chief Accounting Officer at MPG Office Trust, Inc. and Senior Vice President of Irvine Company in Newport Beach, CA.
Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at University of Illinois, Chicago.
Jeff Johnson
Principal of Development & Construction
Jeff Johnson serves as Principal of Development & Construction for The John Buck Company. In addition to his primary responsibility of leading and managing the Development & Construction division of the firm, he is also involved in these specific areas: new business development, entitlement review and coordination, project team selection, construction contract assembly and approval, pre-construction subcontractor scope reviews and award evaluation, and project oversight throughout all phases of development.
Prior to joining JBC, Jeff worked for Driehaus Enterprise Management. As Vice President of Project Development, Jeff directed the leadership, development, and management of a 17 property, $150 million global real estate portfolio. Prior to Driehaus Enterprise Management, he held various roles with Jones Lang LaSalle, Goettsch Partners, and the Architectural Network. Jeff has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry in Project Management, Architecture, and Facility Operations.
Jeff earned his Master of Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest.
Matthew Berry
Managing Director of Investments
Matt Berry is a Managing Director of the Investment Group, leading venture formation and capital markets activities for the firm. His responsibilities including sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and closing equity and debt for JBC’s platform-level initiatives, single-asset partnerships, and comingled investment vehicles; developing advantageous investment and capital organization structures; and participating in various forms of investor reporting and communication. Matt’s focus on, and experience with, complex capital structures and institutional participants is critical to creating mutually beneficial arrangements between and among JBC and its co-sponsors, lenders, JV partners, and other potential stakeholders.
Since joining JBC, Matt has led the capitalization of JBC Fund VI, JBC’s most recent $82-million comingled GP co-invest vehicle; sourced and capitalized a $115 million separate account development assignment in West Hollywood, CA; and led the capitalization of Uptown 4611, JBC’s most recent $70 million multifamily project in Chicago.
Prior to joining The John Buck Company, Matt practiced law at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, where he focused on complex commercial real estate transactions. While at Skadden, Matt was responsible for closing more than $5 billion in purchases, sales, partnership investments, and borrower-side loan transactions for the world’s largest REITs, institutional LPs, and sovereign wealth funds.
Matt earned a B.S. from Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Science and a J.D. from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law.
Charles Wagener
Principal | President of Property Management
Charles Wagener serves as Principal and President of Property Management and Member of the Board of Directors and Investment Committee of The John Buck Company. His primary responsibility is to direct all JBC owned and third-party property management functions in the office and residential property portfolios. Charles leads portfolio-wide initiatives on increasing customer engagement and satisfaction, revenue improvement, service enhancements, and cost containment with a strategic focus on technology and system solutions. His career focus on building teams and organizational capabilities continues and will remain a key element in all portfolio-wide performance maximization efforts.
Prior to his current position with JBC, Charles served as Executive Vice President of Property Management & Leasing for Lillibridge Healthcare Services. Charles directed leasing and management performance for the internally operated property portfolio consisting of more than 12 million SF in 250 MOBs in a diverse 24 state nationwide territory. Before his career with Lillibridge, he held regional or national leadership positions with Metropolis Investment Holdings, Equity Office Properties Trust (EOP), Hines, and The John Buck Company, where he started his asset enhancement focused career and enjoyed a 9-year tenure.
Charles earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin, a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, and a Master of Science in Real Estate Appraisal and Investment Analysis from the University of Wisconsin.
Sherri Davis
Principal | Chief Administrative Officer | Board Secretary
Mrs. Davis is Chief Administrative Officer of The John Buck Company and serves as Assistant to the Chairman. Mrs. Davis has been with the firm for 29 years and her duties include overseeing human resources, policy, legal, and the administrative staff. Mrs. Davis also serves on the Compensation Committee and performs a variety of executive-level duties for John Buck in order to assist him in the scope, diversity, and complexity of all operations of the firm. Mrs. Davis also acts as an internal and external liaison for the firm, coordinating and overseeing numerous activities in support of the company’s portfolio. Mrs. Davis is actively involved in JBC’s Civic Involvement Committee and serves as Officer-in-Charge of the Annual Spring Fling event. Mrs. Davis attended the University of Houston.