Our Illinois Market

Gorman & Company expanded into Illinois with its first project in 2004, a historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the former Moline High School into affordable housing.

The renovation of the Moline High School Apartments project, was a collaborative partnership with the City of Moline, Illinois. This project introduced and expanded Gorman’s corporate values and integrated platform including development, architecture, construction, and property management across the border, south of our corporate office in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Please see the photos below for a few examples of our Illinois investments that exceed $149M and have helped solve multiple communities’ affordable housing and workforce needs.

Meet Our Illinois Team
Jane Addams Park Apartments, Rockford, IL

Jane Addams Park Apartments
Total Development Cost: $8,197,328

Jane Addams Park Apartments is a supportive housing development focused on physically and mentally disabled individuals. It is constructed on a park-like site near downtown Rockford. The development is a partnership with the Rockford Housing Authority and includes a 38-unit, state of the art, supportive housing facility focused on physically and mentally disabled individuals.

The remainder of the Jane Addams site includes features such as community garden plots, walking paths, and a playground. Click for Rental Options.

Jane Addams Park Apartments, Rockford, IL

Jane Addams Park Apartments:
Total Development Cost: $8,197,328

The site consists of a variety of buildings, one 16-unit building anchors the corner and houses the common space as well. The remaining 22 units are made up of 7 two or four-unit buildings built in a way to resemble single family homes.

These buildings are designed to fit the historic nature of the neighborhood. Amenities include a community room, reading room, technology room, health care room, consulting offices, exercise room, and storage units. Click for Rental Options.

The Grove at Keith Creek, Rockford, IL

The Grove at Keith Creek
Total Development Cost: $16,051,645

The Grove at Keith Creek consists of new construction of 49 units of family housing on a vacant infill lot in a mixed-use neighborhood on Rockford’s east side. The project is a mixed-income community comprised primarily of replacement housing for the first phase of the redevelopment of Fairgrounds Valley public housing project converted to Project Based Rental Assistance units under HUD’s RAD program. The project includes 19 two-bedroom units and 30 three-bedroom units. These units include a percentage designated as permanent supportive housing for households with physical or mental disabilities at incomes below 30% AMI. Click for Rental Options.

Rockford Embassy Suites “Amerock”, Rockford, IL

Rockford Embassy Suites “Amerock”, Rockford, IL
Total Development Cost: $67,330,763

Embassy Suites Rockford Hotel and Conference center is a project that transformed the dilapidated former Amerock factory into the four-star, 160-room Hilton Embassy Suites and Rockford Conference Center. In addition, to the 13-story historic building renovation, there is 233,000 square feet of retail space. The development is located in the downtown area of Rockford, Illinois.  Click for More Information.

Rockford Embassy Suites “Amerock”, Rockford, IL

Rockford Embassy Suites “Amerock”, Rockford, IL
Total Development Cost: $67,330,763

Demand for the project was influenced by regional demographic and economic characteristics including commuting patterns, neighborhood revitalization, expansion of employers, retail linkage, and the strength of the Rockford Metropolitan area and Illinois economy. The hotel and conference center complex offers multiple restaurants, lounges, a game room, and an indoor pool. The complex also includes a patio lounge on the 12th floor with private meeting rooms and a spectacular city view. Next to the property is an adjacent park that provides space for outdoor events. Click for More Information.

The Illinois Market in Detail

Over the past two decades, within Illinois, Gorman & Company partnerships include new construction and historic preservation properties, developed with public housing authorities, nonprofits, and more.

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Ron Clewer

Illinois Market President

Meet Ron

Ron Clewer joined Gorman & Company after collaborating on several projects with the organization as the CEO of Rockford Housing Authority. Ron has more than 20 years of leadership experience and over 20 years of multi-use real estate development and asset management experience.

Ron has been instrumental in developing creative community-building initiatives across the Midwest. He brings a vision and “can do” attitude to his work with a determination to merge the best practices for both private and public sectors to develop affordable housing that addresses the social determinants of health. His passion lies in quality: design, services, and environments. Ron earned his degree in Business Administration from Benedictine University and holds an Executive Leadership certificate through a partnership between the University of Michigan and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.

Matt Burback
Development Project Manager

Matt specializes in underwriting Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects and managing them to successful closings. He oversees development activities, secures entitlements, and collaborates with stakeholders to ensure financial viability and project progress. With prior experience at CBRE and an affordable multifamily development firm, Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Duane Buscher
Senior Financial Analyst

Duane, Senior Financial Analyst, focuses on underwriting LIHTC projects. He works with Market Presidents & Construction Accounting at all stages of development to evaluate feasibility and conduct proforma analysis.

He previously worked as an Underwriter for the Missouri Housing Development Commission. He holds a BA in Psychology and a master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas.

Amberlee Ohlsen
Development Coordinator

As a Gorman Development Coordinator, Amberlee Ohlsen supports Gorman’s Illinois team in a range of capacities including funding applications and financial closings. Prior to joining Gorman, Amberlee was a Sr. Project Coordinator on a real estate team for a large molecular diagnostics company in Madison, WI. She has a degree in Integrative Health Sciences and is currently enrolled in the CAPM Program through PMI.

Rachel Snethen
Director of Development Operations

Rachel oversees development & marketing along with the EB-5 Regional Center. She provides training, mentorship, quality assurance, and best practice implementation. She manages efforts between funding partners through closing, construction, and stabilization.

Rachel has an MBA & B.S. in Management & Business from Franklin University and Associate Degree in Real Estate from Madison College.