Leadership
JACK DiNARDO
MANAGING PRINCIPAL
Jack DiNardo is a seasoned real estate professional with over 12 years of experience in development, acquisition, and advisory services. His work spans industrial, medical office, and multifamily asset classes. He brings deep expertise in capital markets, site selection, and project execution, with a strong track record of sourcing and structuring complex debt and equity solutions for a wide range of real estate investments.
Previously, Jack served as Managing Director at Peerless Development, where he led the firm’s industrial and medical office verticals and directed capital markets strategy for the firm’s $200+ million multifamily and student housing portfolios. Earlier in his career, Jack held leadership roles at MedProperties Group, CBRE, and Cushman & Wakefield, where he developed expertise in development underwriting, entitlements, site selection, and economic incentive negotiations for projects totaling nearly $1 billion in capital investment.
Education:
- Northwestern University – B.A. Political Science – Evanston, IL – 2011
- Northwestern University – M.A. Liberal Studies – Evanston, IL – 2013
LARRY DiNARDO
PRINCIPAL
Larry manages contracts and other legal and administrative matters for 8th Street Partners development projects, acquisitions and dispositions. Larry has been involved in both real estate management and investment for a number of years. Prior to joining 8th Street Partners, Larry was a Partner at Jones Day where he led the firm’s global Labor and Employment Practice. While at Jones Day he tried more than 35 cases to verdict before juries around the United States and handled an equal number of cases before federal and state appellate courts, including an unanimous victory before The United States Supreme Court.
Education:
- University of Notre Dame – B.A. Government – South Bend, IN – 1971
- University of Notre Dame – J.D. – South Bend, IN – 1974
PARTNERS
DEAN W. KELLEY
PRESIDENT, ABBOTT LAND & INVESTMENT
Dean oversees operations of Abbott Land & Investment and manages all aspects of real estate for Abbott Land and its affiliated entities. In 1990, Dean started working for Abbott Land & Investment Corp. At Abbott Land, Dean has been involved in the master planning and developing of more than 1,500 acres of land and the construction of more than 5 million square feet of commercial buildings. Dean began his career in Chicago Illinois as a Commercial Banker at Harris Trust & Savings Bank. He worked in various roles at Harris from 1984 to 1990. Dean received a Master’s in Management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Northwestern University.
BEN WEISHAAR
PRESIDENT, WBS Equities
Ben manages developments and acquisitions for Abbott Land and WBS Equities. Prior to joining, Ben spent four years as a public accountant, most recently with Ernst & Young, LLP. At Ernst & Young, Ben served multiple manufacturing and transportation clients, both public and private. He focused on analyzing companies’ financial statements, accounting strategies, estimates and processes. At WBS Equities and Abbott Land, Ben is responsible for underwriting, project management and investor relations. Ben earned his Master of Accountancy and B.S. in Business, Accountancy from Miami University.
NICK PAPANICHOLAS Jr.
CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, Nicholas Family of Companies
Nick Jr. is responsible for all development, construction, financing, acquisition, and management activity for Nicholas Family of Companies. Nick provides the guiding vision for the organization while lending strategic input and supporting the execution of the company’s business plan.
CHRIS COLEMAN
PRESIDENT, Nicholas Family of Companies
Chris is responsible for all of Nicholas Family of Companies’ lines of business. His responsibilities include development oversight, fostering new debt and equity relationships, and implementing the company’s overall strategic plan.