Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
At 74, John Buck is retaking the reins of his namesake development and investment firm after a four-year stint away from managing day-to-day operations as chairman.
The John Buck Company, historically a ground-up developer, announced Thursday it will emphasize adding value to existing properties it buys, and that Buck will be back as CEO. Richard Lindsay is leaving the firm to pursue other interests, the statement said.
The firm has built or owned several iconic Chicago buildings, including the Leo Burnett Building, which it built and opened in 1989, and 333 South Wabash Avenue, the bright red, 45-story office tower formerly named for its previous anchor tenant, CNA Insurance.
During this cycle, several leadership changes followed. Among them were president Blake Johnson, who left for CBRE in 2015 and John’s son Jack Buck, who left in 2012 to start his own firm, Free Market Ventures.
The firm raised $71.5 million for its sixth fund in December. [Crain’s] — Scott Klocksin