President – John Sessa

Mr. Sessa (John) graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College, majoring in Spanish and International Business. He also received a Masters in International Business with a focus in Global Finance. Currently, John is studying at Argosy University earning his Doctorate of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business and Global Finance.  While his studies involve finance, his focus is in project management.  He worked as the head of in-house PR and marketing for Rock & Republic. There John was an integral part of the company’s very successful, global marketing launch of their Jeans and accessories.  He also owned and operated his own successful cantina in Phoenix, Arizona. This cantina was voted number one locale in Phoenix two years in a row. John continued his working experience by joining Elite International Partners, a Venture Capital firm with global projects. There he took a very active role as a business and marketing analyst working directly with the founder of the company.  John worked in a variety of industries including Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Real Estate Development and Biotech. For three years, he operated as the Controller for Eco Ventures Group, Inc., a renewable energy company focused on producing alternative forms of energy to service the growing global demand.  John learned much about the renewable energy and green space during his tenure there.  He currently owns and operates his own business development consulting company. He has 10 years' experience in developing policy and marketing procedures according to defined business frameworks.

 

Vice President – Jon P. Morgan

Jon Morgan is a co-founding Principal of Interra Realty. He is focused on the disposition and acquisition of multi-family, office, and retail assets of all classes. Jon has also cultivated a niche representing a variety of financial institutions ranging from Fifth Third Bank, Harris Bank, MB Financial Bank, US Bank, PNC Bank and Park Federal Savings to name a few in the disposition of REO assets, shortsales, and mortage collateralized note sales. Jon’s entrepreneurial background enables him to assist clients in maximizing their investment real estate opportunities. His expertise includes multi-family, office, and retail assets of all classes. In 2008, Jon was named the Top New Investment Sales Broker by the Chicago Association of Realtors Commercial Forum, and was featured in the Wall Street Journal. Prior to Interra Realty, Jon Morgan was a managing director at a local real estate brokerage company where he focused on Investment property sales throughout Chicagoland. Jon started his career as a Licensed Financial Specialist with Wachovia Bank, a diversified financial services company, and was responsible for providing a wide variety of investment and banking products. Jon is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Illinois and received his Bachelor of Finance degree from The Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University.

 

Strategic Planning Committee Chair - Joseph D. Dixon

Mr. Joseph D. Dixon (Joe) served in the United States Marine Corps as a combat engineer, from 2008 to 2011.  While serving, Joe was in charge of the maintenance and inventory of a multitude of high valued equipment for his unit out of Yuma, Arizona (Marine Corps Air Station Yuma). Joe was also in charge of his platoon’s embarkation procedures. These operational procedures where key to gathering and transporting much needed equipment oversees, helping support deployed marines in Afghanistan.  As a veteran, Joe has valuable experience transitioning from the military to the civilian sector. Joe can relate to many veterans looking for a viable career option after the military. Joe is also continuing his education at DePaul University where he will be working towards his masters in Operations management in the upcoming year.  His extensive experience in military operations and management will serve as an invaluable resource during the developmental and executionary stages of Organics of Chicago.

 

Strategic Planning Committee Member - David B. Goss

Mr. Goss (David) has been involved in the real estate industry for over 25 years. Prior to co-founding Interra Realty LLC, David distinguished himself as a commercial broker and advisor representing property owners, banks, hedge funds, investment funds and individual purchasers. David has been involved in numerous acquisition and leasing transactions in the real estate sector during his career. He also served as a consultant to Wal-Mart Stores in connection with the disposition of surplus assets in the United States. David was a Senior Partner with Syndicated Equities, a real estate investment and brokerage company where he was a tax consultant to property owners desiring to reduce tax exposure in connection with the acquisition and disposition of assets and was involved in transactions in excess of $200 million. He was also involved in the asset acquisition and syndication programs at Syndicated Equities. Prior to Syndicated Equities, David was Vice President and General Counsel of Transco Inc. where he directed and oversaw all legal matters for the diversified transportation and utility services company. David started his career as an attorney in the real estate department of Rudnick & Wolfe (now known as DLA Piper), a leading national law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and was a partner in the firm at the time of his resignation. David holds a Jurist Doctor, Order of the Coif from the College of Law of the University of Illinois and an MBA and Bachelors of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a licensed Real Estate Managing Broker in the State of Illinois.

 

Strategic Planning Committee Member - Matt Lithgow

Matt is a senior at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, double majoring in Geography and International Studies with a concentration in Environmental Issues. In particular, he is interested in the way that climate change and environmental degradation will affect not only the natural environment, but also political, social, and economic factors related to migration, political strife, and resource use and security. These components align extremely well with Organics of Chicago’s mission, as food security amidst a changing climate will be of the utmost importance to many Chicago residents that already face large challenges obtaining fresh produce. Many of Matt’s supplemental interests such as renewable energy and sustainability also match well with Organics’ goal of converting most of its facility to wind, solar, and geothermal energy and growing crops in the most efficient, year-round way possible. Matt’s future plans include applying to graduate school for a MA or PhD in Geography or a related field as well as an overly ambitious project to become fluent in four languages in the next four years (English, Spanish, German, and Hungarian). Additionally, Matt is an avid guitar and bass player and a music enthusiast ranging from classic rock to 90’s alternative to modern punk and hardcore.

 

Strategic Planning Committee Member - Tali Laifer

Bio Coming Soon

 

Marketing Committee Member - Cody VandeZande

Cody is graduating from the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago this fall with his bachelors degree in fine arts for Illustration and Design. With skills in the Adobe programs, his passion for illustrating and painting, and his skills in creating eye catching marketing material, he makes a great addition to the Organics team. Cody current owns and operates his own marketing and design company, where he specializes in custom web design, event marketing materials and planning. He also has a passion for plants and gardening and loves to be connected with nature which reflects in his style and subject matter with the majority of his work.