Our Team
The corporate culture at Focus is one of uncompromising integrity and honesty. We believe that in order to be successful in this field, Focus must follow through on our promises, do right by our customers, and deliver a product that exceeds expectations. By doing business this way for well over fifteen years, Focus now enjoys a strong reputation for success and satisfaction among municipalities, lending institutions, vendors, clients, and our homeowners.
Our owner and President, Tim Anderson has over 30 years experience in design, construction, development, and management of commercial and residential projects. Anderson is also the President, sole shareholder, and sole director of the Focus Companies. Anderson believes that with Focus’ standards of high-quality design, low-impact construction, and overall attention to detail, his company doesn’t just build structures; it creates places – places for life, for business and for the public.
Tim Anderson -President and CEO
Tim Anderson is President and Owner of Focus Development, Inc. and its subsidiaries. In 1979, he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and later became a registered architect in the State of Illinois in 1982. During his career, Anderson has been involved in numerous successful development projects with a wide range of responsibilities. While working at FCL & Associates, Inc. (1977-1983), he served as project architect for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Center. Following that, he became a senior associate and partner at Fujikawa Johnson & Associates, Inc. (1983-1987), serving as project manager for several successful building projects. His skill and experience then brought him to Optima, Inc. (1987- 1993) as executive vice president. Overseeing all operations of the company, Anderson honed his talents in every aspect of real estate development including financing, construction management, equity syndication, property management and marketing. During his tenure, Optima, Inc. constructed many notable large-scale residential and mixed-use projects. Deciding to use his expertise and business acumen to develop his own corporation, Anderson established Focus Development in 1993. Since its inception, Focus has grown approximately 30% per year with revenues over $100 million - an impressive rate of progress Anderson plans to maintain into the future. Focus has also grown in capability, most recently completing a 25-story high rise mixed-use community - the tallest residential building in downtown Evanston to date.
Call Tim at 847.441.0474 ext. 34.
Justin Pelej - Director of Design and Development
Justin Pelej is Director of Design and Development at Focus Development, Inc. He joined Focus Development in 2005 to manage the leasing and construction of the retail component of the Sherman Plaza project in Evanston, IL. Since the completion of Sherman Plaza, Pelej has been responsible for the acquisition, entitlement, leasing, and design of all future projects at Focus Development, Inc. These projects range from high-rise residential projects to complex mixed-use infill developments. Prior to joining Focus Development, Inc Pelej worked for six years as a commercial architect in Milwaukee, WI. As an architect, he specialized in financial institutions and retail centers with a niche for urban infill site planning. Pelej received a Bachelors of Science of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and a Masters of Project Management at Keller Graduate School of Management. In addition, Pelej is an active member in the Chicago chapter of the Urban Land Institute. As indicated by experience and education, Pelej prides himself in his ability to appreciate quality design while still understanding the programmatic and financial realities of the real estate industry.
Call Justin at 847.441.0474 ext. 39
Wade Giorno -Vice President, Director of Construction Focus Construction, Inc.
Wade Giorno is the Vice President, Director of Construction at Focus Construction, Inc. He is a registered Architect in the State of Illinois and a 1993 graduate of the Illinois Institute of technology with a Bachelor of Architecture. Over the past 15 years, Giorno has gained valuable experience working at all levels of construction in roles including Assistant Superintendent, Customer Care Manager, Finish/Rough/ and Lead Superintendent. After spending 8 years in the field managing on-site construction, he moved into a Project Management role. As a Project Manager he worked with consultants to design projects, assembled construction documents, partnered with local municipalities to secure project approvals and permits, worked with subcontractors through the assembly of scopes of work, bidding, and awarding subcontracts, and also managed on site Superintendents. After 5 years as a Project Manager with Focus, Giorno was promoted to Vice President, Director of Construction, where he now oversees the entire construction department at Focus Development. He establishes construction standards and procedures, oversees project budgets, and manages the Project Managers and overall construction staff. His training as an Architect coupled with his experience in construction gives Giorno a unique set of skills to bring to any project.
Call Wade at 847.441.0474 ext. 20
Anita Olsen -Director, Focus Realty Services, Inc.
Anita has more than 20 years experience in sales & marketing, with the last ten years spent specifically working in the new home market in the Chicago area. She has earned much recognition including being named Sales Executive of the Year in 2005 by the Homebuilder’s Association of Greater Chicagoland and is a licensed Real Estate Broker. As the Director of Focus Realty Services, she created an effective branding campaign for Focus by establishing a consistent image in every area including the website, sales office design, model merchandising, advertising, signage and collateral. She had developed our in-house market research abilities because she firmly believes a deep understanding of both product and audience is necessary in order to acquire a larger share of the market. Olsen intuitively understands that the customer’s total satisfaction is largely determined by the interaction they have with each member of the sales and construction team. She has implemented sales training with a strong focus on relationship building and a customer satisfaction survey program that tracks the customer’s experience at critical points along the way. The results have been measurable with an increase of satisfaction scores as well as referral sales. Olsen’s vision and leadership combined with her commitment to meeting the customer’s needs are what makes it possible for Focus to promise and deliver an exceptional customer experience each and every time.
Call Anita at 847.441.0474 ext. 18
Amy Pritchard -Treasurer and Controller
Amy Pritchard is the Treasurer and Controller at Focus Development, Inc. She joined Focus development in 2004, bringing 20 years of experience in real estate development and management of commercial and residential properties. She is a key member of our acquisition, development and disposition team, dealing with the attorneys during the due diligence periods, structuring deals with lenders, and facilitating smooth closings. Pritchard is responsible for all aspects of accounting and financial reporting practices for the Company and its affiliated entities. Pritchard’s vast experience in the industry allowed Focus to analyze projects more effectively and to provide lenders with the most accurate financial reports so they can better analyze Focus. Most recently, Pritchard spearheaded the Company’s software conversion, which created easier management of each project’s finances, and enabled better financial and management reporting to affiliated lenders and investors.
Call Amy at 847.441.0474 ext. 19
