Combining his extensive background in insurance and financial services with his personal experience as a landlord and property investor, Gregg Hughes brings his nuanced perspective to the real estate industry. “I pride myself on running a solid business enterprise,” says Hughes, a broker and team lead for the Hughes Group at Baird & Warner. An Accredited Buyer’s Representative and Real Estate Negotiation Expert, Hughes specializes in residential and commercial markets from the South Loop up to Andersonville and Elmhurst.

Process-driven and analytical, Hughes holds himself and his team members to a high standard of customer service, enforcing a “work hard and play hard” mentality. “I like to keep it simple, and we should have fun working together,” he says of the client experience, adding that one benefit of having a team is being able to delegate many facets of his business so he has time to build connections with his buyers and sellers. “We get to know each other and come to an agreement early on about the best strategies for moving forward.”

This year, Hughes was one of the five brokers selected to represent the NEMA building, affording him the opportunity to learn about everything from pre-construction to occupancy. He’s earned the title of Rising Star from Chicago Real Producers magazine and built a client base composed primarily of referrals and pre-established relationships.

Hughes is a member of the Chicago Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. As a trained mediator, he has volunteered with district and circuit courts on alternative dispute resolution initiatives. Over the last 23 years, he has served on the boards of multiple nonprofits dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect.

Hughes plays baseball and hockey and recently celebrated becoming a grandfather. “Nothing is better than that!” he says.