Marty Cerny’s current career segment is real estate, which began in 2002. High points include:

 

• Asset Manager of a mid-sized real estate firm, with condominium development and sales of $800MM and the management of 700 rental units.
   

• Traditional brokerage experience as an associate of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, including both commercial/multi-family and residential transactions.
   

• Active in several real estate membership and social services organizations; public speaking.

 

Experience affords Cerny a vital, thorough understanding of the private-sector landlord community, a key constituency in the creation and development of Housing Plus – now as a Not-For-Profit.  Along with a number of participating building owners, he has created new affordable housing, including new fully ADA-compliant units.

 

Similarly vital in his role as President is that Cerny also brings to Housing Plus a deep understanding of the Housing Crisis, the impediments to Fair Housing, and housing issues facing people with disabilities.  He is a past member of the Board of Directors of Trilogy, Inc., a provider of services to people with serious mental illness.  He has maintained a working relationship with Trilogy while also developing associations with other social services organizations and agencies, among them Access Living, the Illinois Department of Aging, and the Illinois Department of Mental Health.

 

Likewise crucial in advancing Housing Plus is the continued relationship development and productive experiences with both elected officials and public administrators.  For example, Cerny’s work is greatly favored by two Chicago City Council Committees, also both key constituencies; Committees on Housing and Real Estate, and on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.

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(Please also see the Housing Plus Board of Directors and the Housing Plus Advisory Board.)

 

By attracting the interests and resources of elements of the public, private, and non-profit sectors, a significant network of support has been cultivated and it continues to push forward the goals of Housing Plus.

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Despite its demonstrable benefits for individuals and families, neighborhoods, landlords, and public officials, the approval process for Housing Plus projects still has its snags.  As a primary objective, Cerny has helped author language for new legislation, which is currently moving toward ratification by Chicago’s City Council, aimed to streamline the process and increase participation within the private-sector landlord community.    

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Before entering the real estate industry, Cerny had 20+ years’ experience consulting in the field of organizational and staff development within Fortune 300 companies, including 11 as President of Core Performance Co. 

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The interpersonal skills honed in his time as a consultant help him communicate and navigate across constituencies -- non-profits, for-profits, advocacy groups, and elected officials and other public administrators.

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Cerny’s first career segment, after college, was in the sports field, where he worked for Miami Dolphins, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, and boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.  He was also an active leader in community sports, coaching, and recreation administration.

 

St. Thomas University                  
M.S. Human Resource Management                                                                             

Miami Gardens, Florida