Brian Hoffman
Vice Chairman & CFO
Red Seal Homes

Brian Hoffman was born in Highland Park, Illinois in 1966. In 1989, Mr. Hoffman graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in International Relations with concentrations in Middle East politics and post World War II Japan’s Economy.

Hoffman’s early exposure to real estate and construction included stints as a laborer, concrete worker, and apprentice bricklayer. After college, he worked in accounting and finance with a major New Orleans-based development and holding group (the Santopadre Companies), starting as a financial analyst and eventually becoming Comptroller of its franchising company, Tastee Donuts, Inc. While in New Orleans Mr. Hoffman qualified and served as an expert witness in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court—Eastern District of Louisiana (The Honorable Judge Kingsmill).

As Vice-Chairman and CFO Mr. Hoffman is responsible for Red Seal’s market strategy and targeted land acquisitions. He oversees the firm’s sales and financing efforts, having arranged equity and debt facilities to accommodate in excess of one billion dollars in new construction and development. Over the past 21 years within the Chicago area Mr. Hoffman has been involved in the development, construction or property management of properties as diverse as the $270,000,000 redevelopment of Fort Sheridan and the restoration of the historic Admiral’s Row at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago.

Given Red Seal’s in-fill focus, much of Mr. Hoffman’s work has concerned the redevelopment of environmentally impacted former industrial sites in in-fill locations in established communities. From the removal of the land-fill at Fort Sheridan, to the clean-up of contaminants at the former General Fire Extinguisher factory in Northbrook, IL and the redevelopment of 2 former Rail Yards in Chicago, Mr. Hoffman has developed an expertise in dealing with the development of environmentally impacted sites.

With the recent distress in the real estate market, Mr. Hoffman and Red Seal have been deeply involved in the Receivership, management, turnaround and completion of dozens of projects throughout the greater Chicago area. Recent and current clients include PNC Bank, First American Bank, First Midwest Bank and Wintrust Financial. Successful Receivership assignments include the mixed use development at 2300 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL, The Skokie Theater in Skokie, IL and The Timber Trails Subdivision in Western Springs, IL.

Active in his community and civic life, Mr. Hoffman has served as vice-chairman of the Business and Economic Development Commission of the City of Highland Park. He also recently completed a 5 year term as a director of the Solomon Schechter Day Schools of Metropolitan Chicago; and is a past president of Green Acres Country Club in Northbrook. Mr. Hoffman and his wife continue to be involved in various community and philanthropic pursuits.