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.

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.