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William Bennett
William Michael Bennett

MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY; REAL ESTATE PROGRAM
Lecturer of Real Estate

Print Overview
William Michael Bennett is a Principal and founder of Iconic Development LLC, an Evanston, IL based real estate investment and development firm that focuses on niche apartments.  His expertise is in the underwriting, fundraising, development, and operation of real estate ventures, which include student housing and seniors housing.  Mr. Bennett has led multiple experiential learning courses in which Kellogg MBA student teams partner with leading real estate companies to provide solutions to sophisticated real estate issues. These projects include maximizing the return on equity of a private equity fund holdings through operational improvements, creating the strategy for launching a structured finance product to enter the healthcare real estate market, creating an investment strategy based upon quantitative research to launch a new Industrial real estate fund, alternative investment manager selection and alpha calculation on a risk-adjusted basis, international real estate investing, Olympic Village development, and historic tax credit development.

Mr. Bennett received his bachelor of science degree in engineering from Purdue University, a master of science in engineering management from Northwestern University, and his MBA from the Kellogg School.

Areas of Expertise
Fundraising
New Product Development
Risk Management
Print Vita
 
Print Research
Cases
Akason, Denise, William Bennett and Louis Merlini. 2009. Financial and Environmental Impact Analysis of Sustainable Retrofitting. Case 5-409-752.
Abstract
Akason, Denise, William Bennett and Franco Famularo. 2011. Hotel Perennial. Case 5-410-757.
Abstract

 
Print Teaching
Full-Time / Part-Time MBA
Booth-Kellogg Challenge Lab (REAL-450-0)
The Challenge is a practicum for students interested in applying and enhancing skills in real estate market research, financial analysis, and operations. In this course, students apply classroom concepts to real estate assets in which they analyze data to research opportunities, value assets, and recommend investment, development, and operating strategies. Working in a group, students utilize and expand upon core courses in real estate finance and investments. The project, pre-approved by the faculty instructors, will touch many aspects of real estate finance and management.

Real Estate Lab (REAL-916-0)

This course counts toward the following majors: Real Estate.

Real Estate Lab is an experiential learning course that allows Kellogg students the opportunity to participate in a quarter-long project, working in a research and advisory role on a real estate project for a sponsor firm or organization. Participants will be exposed to a project related to an investment, development, public policy, or another real estate question. The course will begin with a faculty-led primer followed by a kickoff meeting with the sponsor. The students will hold weekly team meetings, attend a mid-quarter progress meeting with the sponsor, and deliver a final paper, presentation and Q&A opportunity for the sponsor. Course registration is by application only. The faculty member makes the final selection of students for the project team. The faculty member for sections of Real Estate Lab that address questions of real estate investment, development, or operations is William Bennett; the faculty member for sections of Real Estate Lab that address questions of public policy with an impact on the real estate industry is Therese McGuire. Note: This course may not be dropped after the first week of the quarter.

For those students taking sections of the course taught by William Bennett, it is recommended, but not required, that students have taken Real Estate Finance and Investments (FINC 454) or gain permission from the professor. For those students taking sections of the course taught by Therese McGuire, it is recommended, but not required, that students have taken at least one economics-based course (for example, MECN 430, SEEK 470, or SEEK 480) or gain permission from the professor.



Real Estate Entrepreneurship (REAL-925-0)
This course focuses on creating a framework for successful real estate entrepreneurship through applying theory, analytical tools, and cross-disciplinary training. Topics include creating an investment thesis, sourcing opportunities, investment valuation and underwriting, performing due diligence, legal issues, transaction structuring, risk analysis, fundraising, closing transactions, and asset management