News Archive
Alumni Reveal Insights About Careers in Real Estate
11/30/2018
A panel of IU McKinney alumni who have built successful careers in real estate talked to students about their experiences during a “Leadership Lunch” program at the law school on November 8.
The discussion was moderated by James M. Barkley, ’77 and Michael W. Wells, ’79, who both serve on the IU McKinney Law Board of Visitors.
Barkley currently serves as General Counsel of Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, Inc., an S&P 100 company and the largest retail real estate company in the world. Wells serves as President of REI Investments, Inc. and the manager of REI Real Estate Services, LLC, and has been involved in a number of significant real estate projects, including the JW Marriott Hotel, Marriott Place, Circle City Mall, Wellpoint Operation Center, Emmis Communications Headquarters and the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel, all in downtown Indianapolis.
Panelists included:
- Dana S. Grimes, ’11, Associate General Counsel of Thompson Thrift Development
- Steven H. Henke, ’77, founder, Henke Development Group
- Martha Hoover, ’80, owner of a group of restaurants in the Indianapolis area, including Cafes Patachou
- Tadd M. Miller, ’06, cofounder and CEO of Milhaus.
Henke, who has developed many successful office buildings and commercial and residential developments, including The Club at Chatham Hills, a new 900-plus acre Pete Dye golf community in Westfield and the 400-acre Grand Park Sports Complex, said he uses his law degree “every, single day.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Hoover, who noted that her law degree gave her “tremendous credibility out of the gate,” in the restaurant business, and continues to give “a remarkable perspective on problems.”
Miller discussed the challenges of the multi-family housing industry, while Grimes encouraged law students with her own story of passing the Indiana bar exam while balancing the needs of a newborn.
The real estate panel was part of the Development Office’s “Leadership Lunch” series, where accomplished alumni return to McKinney Law to share details about their career paths.
