Steve Schimmel: Leading with Integrity, Curiosity, and Heart

Steve didn’t plan to work in property management—he simply found himself in it at the right time. After earning degrees in aviation and business, he was preparing for a career as a pilot when the job market shifted. A friend introduced him to an opportunity in property management, and what started as a short-term role quickly became a long-term fit. 

“Property management is so diverse—the people you meet, the projects you work on, the problem-solving—it’s never the same two days in a row,” Steve said. “It keeps my role fresh. I’m always learning, and I get to work on everything from assets and developments to acquisitions and dispositions.” 

That curiosity and adaptability have carried him through every stage of his career, including one of the toughest challenges in recent memory. During the pandemic, Steve was running a company and navigating through uncertainty, remote work, and shifting priorities. “We made it through without cutting staff or salaries—and we stayed profitable,” he said. “It was hard, but incredibly rewarding.” 

At the same time, he was serving as President of IREM Chicago, leading more than 600 members through a complete restructuring of how the organization operated. “We had to rethink how to engage members and keep things running smoothly,” he said. “It taught me a lot about leadership and creativity under pressure.” 

Since joining The Missner Group, Steve has continued to make an impact through both his leadership and his ability to manage complex projects. One of his favorites was a capital improvement at an older property that required coordinating multiple trades while the tenant continued to occupy the space. “It was a challenge to balance construction with tenant operations,” he said, “but the project was a success, and it positioned the building for a strong market sale. It was a win for everyone involved.” 

Steve approaches his work with what he calls an “ownership mentality.” “I try to look at everything—buildings, budgets, relationships—with the same care as if I owned it myself,” he said. “You want people to walk through a property and immediately recognize that it’s been well maintained by a strong team.” 

That mindset extends beyond operations. He brings a management perspective to TMG’s acquisition and disposition decisions and is an active member of the company’s Charity Committee, where he helped launch The Missner Group’s involvement with the Lurie Children’s Hospital Walk. “We’ve raised significant funds and, more importantly, given our time to causes that matter,” he said. 

What Steve values most about The Missner Group is the trust within its leadership structure. “Ownership gives us the latitude to do our jobs,” he said. “There’s a high level of trust across the team, which allows us to make decisions and move efficiently.” 

He applies that same trust-based approach with his own team. “I try to lead by example,” he said. “If I’m consistent and doing what’s expected of me every day, people can see what that standard looks like.” 

Outside of work, Steve finds balance through family and time outdoors. “My family and being outside are what drive me,” he said. “If I’m on the water or in the mountains, that’s where I feel most grounded.” He admits that balance takes work. “I’m naturally someone who likes to stay busy, but I try to protect time for family and make those moments non-negotiable.” 

When asked who inspires him most, he doesn’t hesitate. “My wife,” he said. “She’s incredibly smart and the kindest person I know. She handles a lot of hard things with strength and grace—it’s hard not to be inspired by that.” 

Steve also gives back beyond TMG, serving as a Trustee at his church, a Regional Vice President for IREM for the 2026-2027 years, and as a member of the board of directors for Juniper Table, a leadership nonprofit based in South Africa.  In 2026, he and his family plan to travel to South Africa & Eswatini to visit the organization. 

As The Missner Group celebrates its 80th year, Steve reflects on what it means to contribute to that legacy. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come,” he said. “The Missner family story is at the heart of this company, and being part of its continued success means a lot to me.”