CHICAGO - (October 20, 2026)
National full-service real estate firm Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, today announced James Hayes, chief financial officer for the Chicago-based company, was appointed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to serve as a member of the state’s Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees. Once confirmed by the state Senate, Hayes will join the 15-member board in providing fiduciary oversight and strategic direction for one of the largest public pension systems in the United States, with assets and investments totaling more than $85 billion.
“When the president of the board of trustees reached out about joining, I welcomed the opportunity to contribute my experience,” said Hayes. “In particular, I believe my investment knowledge will be beneficial to the board.”
Hayes joined Draper and Kramer in 2017 and has played a key role in the significant transformation and growth of the company, including the consolidation of its real estate holdings into a $1.2 billion real estate equity fund, DK Fund, LP.
Before joining Draper and Kramer, Hayes began his career with the audit practice of Arthur Andersen LLC, then took a role as controller and treasurer of Prism Mortgage Company, which became one of the top 25 mortgage originators in the United States. After a successful initial public offering, the company was acquired by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). He continued with RBC, focused on U.S.-based mergers and acquisitions.
Hayes holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University.
About Draper and Kramer, Incorporated
Founded in 1893, Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, is a trusted financial and property services provider with a deep commitment to people, excellence, service and integrity spanning more than 125 years. Family-owned and one of the leading privately held real estate services firms in the U.S., Draper and Kramer is headquartered in Chicago with a national reach and broad offering of services. The company’s decades-long heritage has evolved over the years to meet the needs of its clients and today spans expertise in residential and commercial development, acquisition, property management and leasing; and debt and equity financing for commercial properties. Draper and Kramer provides a single source of real estate-related counsel to a diverse group of real estate investors across the U.S. including corporations; private and institutional owners and users of real estate; government agencies; and foundations. For more information, visit www.draperandkramer.com.
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Editors:
For more information, contact Vanessa Irving, [email protected], (312) 267-4531.
