Paul Barker

Founding Broker, Barker Group
Baird & Warner

Before he began his real estate career, Paul Barker served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 15 years, rising quickly to the rank of staff sergeant. During his career, Barker was deployed overseas seven times, including two combat deployments to Iraq, where he advised and trained the newly formed Iraqi Army.  His awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Marine Corps Achievement Medals, six Good Conduct Medals and a Presidential Unit Commendation, among many other significant honors.

In 2013, he retired from the armed services. “After I got married, I realized I didn’t want to leave my wife and children at home during combat deployments,” he says.  “I retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after moving to Chicago. After buying an investment property with my brother, I knew real estate was the career I wanted to be involved in.”

Now, four years into his career, Barker has hired a staff and started The Barker Group at Baird & Warner, which serves buyers and sellers throughout Chicagoland — with a focus on neighborhoods such as Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Lincoln Park and Lake View. “For my first three years in the business, I have doubled my sales volume every year. I am on pace to do so again in 2017,” he explains. “I know I’ve hired the right people and put in-depth systems and processes in place that allow us to run smoothly and efficiently.”

As a member of the Marine Corps League and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Barker supports a variety of military causes, including Homes for Our Troops and the Wounded Warrior Project. When asked about what drives him to succeed every day, he gives all credit to his family. “I wouldn’t be the father I am, nor a success in my business, if it were not for my wonderful wife, Erin,” he says. “My happy family is my proudest accomplishment.”