AJ Thoma III, CCIM, SIOR
201 W Springfield Ave.
11th Floor
Champaign, IL 61820
Experience at a Glance
$350M+ Commercial Transactions Closed
17+ Years Commercial Brokerage Experience
Top 2% Worldwide – Coldwell Banker Commercial (6 Consecutive Years)
#10 Worldwide – 2025 Gross Commission Income
CCIM + SIOR – Dual Office & Industrial Specialist
Serving 15+ Central Illinois Markets
Professional Profile
AJ Thoma III, CCIM, SIOR is Executive Vice President of Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty and one of Central Illinois’ leading commercial real estate advisors. Since beginning his brokerage career in 2009, AJ has completed more than $350 million in commercial sales and leasing transactions, representing investors, developers, corporations, landlords, tenants, and owner-users throughout Central and East-Central Illinois.
Serving markets within approximately a 90-mile radius of Champaign-Urbana, including but not limited to: Bloomington-Normal, Decatur, Danville, Charleston/Mattoon, Paris, and numerous surrounding communities. AJ specializes in industrial, office, investment, and commercial land properties. His services include investment sales, landlord representation, tenant representation, acquisition and disposition consulting, site selection, development consulting, lease negotiations, and strategic long term real estate planning.
Clients rely on AJ not simply to facilitate transactions, but to help them make informed business decisions. Drawing on his background in economics, advanced investment analysis, and nearly two decades of market experience, he develops customized real estate strategies designed to maximize asset value, reduce occupancy costs, and support long-term business and investment objectives. Whether representing a private investor acquiring a single property, a manufacturer expanding operations, or an institutional owner repositioning a complex asset, AJ approaches every assignment with a focus on data-driven analysis, responsiveness, and long-term relationships. AJ is a fiduciary above anything else for his clients.
AJ is among a select group of commercial real estate professionals worldwide to hold both the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation and the SIOR Office & Industrial Specialist Designation (DUAL), credentials widely recognized as the highest standards of expertise within the commercial real estate industry. These designations reflect advanced proficiency in financial analysis, investment strategy, complex negotiations, and office and industrial brokerage.
AJ’s commitment to delivering exceptional results has earned consistent recognition among the industry’s top performers. In 2025, he ranked as Coldwell Banker Commercial’s #10 Top Grossing Broker Internationally and has been recognized as the firm’s Top Broker in Illinois for four consecutive years. He has also been a member of the CBC 1906 Club (Top 2% Worldwide) for six consecutive years and has received the company’s prestigious Circle of Distinction award multiple times, including Platinum recognition from 2022 through 2025.
Beyond brokerage, AJ is deeply committed to advancing both the commercial real estate profession and the Central Illinois business community. He serves/served in leadership roles within SIOR and Rotary International, mentors emerging commercial brokers, and actively participates in organizations focused on economic development and community improvement. His philosophy is simple: successful commercial real estate is built on trusted relationships, thoughtful analysis, and delivering measurable value long after the transaction closes.
AJ earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he developed the analytical foundation that continues to shape his approach to commercial real estate today. Growing up in a commercial real estate family and participating in his first site selection project in 1998 sparked a passion for the industry that continues to drive his career.
Outside the office, AJ enjoys spending time with his wife, Michelle, golfing, cooking, gardening, fishing, hunting, boating, and taking advantage of everything the outdoors has to offer.
Select Representative Transactions*
| Client | Market | Property Type | Size | Representation |
| Ryder Integrated Logistics | Decatur | Distribution BTS | 635,400 SF | Tenant |
| Rivian | Normal | Distribution BTS | 1,000,000 SF | Tenant |
| Rivian | Normal | Warehouse | 102,564 SF | Tenant |
| M | H | Champaign | Office | 18,475 SF | Tenant |
| Hyundai | Champaign | Manufacturing BTS | 120,000 SF | Landlord |
| Amazon | Champaign | Distribution BTS | 82,540 SF | Landlord |
| Compeer Financial | Bloomington | Office – Corporate HQ | 35,400 SF | Seller |
| Rainbow Ag | Champaign | Distribution | 182,084 SF | Seller |
| Starfire Industries | Champaign | Manufacturing/R&D | 194,380 SF | Seller |
| Country Financial | Bloomington | Office – Corporate HQ | 392,535 SF | Seller |
*The transactions above represent a sample of assignments completed throughout Central and East-Central Illinois and are not a comprehensive list.
Education & Professional Credentials
- Designation, SIOR- Office & Industrial Specialist (Dual), 2024
- Designation, SIOR- Industrial Specialist, 2021
- Designation, CCIM Institute, 2014
- B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009
- Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty, Intern, 2008 – 2009
- Rho Epsilon, Student Real Estate Association UIUC, Member, 2007 – 2009
- Illinois Real Estate Broker Licensee, 2007
Memberships
- SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, 2021 – Present), Chicago Chapter
- CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member, 2014 – Present), Chicago Chapter
- ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers, 2009 -Present)
- NAR (National Association of Realtors, 2014 – Present)
- IAR (Illinois Association of Realtors, 2014 – Present)
- SIOR, Young Professionals Group (Chair)
- Champaign West Rotary (Major Donor)
- Champaign West Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow 8x)
- Champaign West Rotary (Past Board Member, President-2023 – 2024)
- United Way ECL (Emerging Community Leaders)
- Champaign Parks Foundation – (Former Board Member/Former Chair)
- Champaign County EDC Business Growth Committee (Past Committee Member)
- World Famous Lawn Rangers
Honors and Achievements
- 2025 Coldwell Banker Commercial #10 Top Grossing Broker Internationally
- 2024 Coldwell Banker Commercial Big Hearted Award
- 2022 – 2025 CBC Corporate Circle of Distinction Individual Award (Platinum)
- 2020 – 2025 CBC 1906 Club (Top 2% Worldwide in Gross Commission Earned)
- 2022 – 2025 CBC Corporate Top Broker in the State of Illinois
- 2019 – 2025 CBC Devonshire Realty – Top Broker
- 2023 – News Gazette Forty Under 40 Recipient
- 2023 – Connect CRE’s Top Broker Award (Chicago/Midwest)
- 2020 – 2021 CBC Corporate Circle of Distinction Individual Award (Gold)
- 2019 CBC Corporate Circle of Distinction Individual Award (Silver)
- 2014 & 2018 CBC Corporate Circle of Distinction Individual Award (Bronze)
- 2013 – 2014, 2016 CBC Devonshire Thomas E Harrington Award Circle of Distinction
- 2011 CBC Devonshire Realty Most Improved Broker
Partial Client List
| Amazon | State Farm | Lineage Logistics |
| Rivian | Country Financial | Clarkson Soy Products |
| ADM | Compeer Financial | Compass Group USA, Inc. |
| Hyundai | The Atkins Group | Wesco International, Inc. |
| Dart | Region’s Bank | Ameren Illinois |
| Patterson Dental | Busey Bank | Rush Trucking |
Recommendations
“We have worked with AJ Thoma on a number of sales and leases. AJ has worked meticulously through each transaction: negotiations, documentation and closing. His efforts to conclude post-closing escrow requirements on our most recent transaction have been well beyond the scope of our experience with other brokers.”
-Michael Mervis, Mervis (Google Review)
“In late July, 2014, I had the opportunity to work with A.J. Thoma, III, in starting the process of selling a commercial property I owned in Mahomet at 419 E. Main. Without going into detail, A.J. did a market analysis on the property that aided me in the subsequent sale which I accomplished on my own.
A.J.’s analysis was very professionally prepared, thoughtfully presented and I felt, very accurate. He was very prompt in its delivery and followed up in a timely fashion.
His performance reflected positively on himself and your organization.”
-Paul M. Gilligan
“AJ Thoma is an insightful, responsive and attentive young broker. With his Midwest work ethic, he is a solid communicator and diligent agent. His positive yet blunt approach to the marketplace is appreciated. At his current pace of professional growth, we foresee a solid future in real estate for AJ.”
-Mark Dixon, The Atkins Group
“Tim Harrington introduced me to AJ shortly after I purchased an office building with several vacancies and said he was the right broker for the job. Quickly I realized that Tim was right in his choice. Within a few short months, most of my vacancies were filled with quality tenants. Impressed with his work, I hired him to lease my newly constructed office building that had been on the market for a few years at that time. Within 1.5 years he was able to secure tenants for the remaining 60% of unfinished space. I would highly recommend AJ for any realm of Commercial Real Estate. “
-Tom Frasca, Frasca International
“AJ Thoma is a true professional. He has: an excellent understanding of the overall commercial real estate market dynamics, a strong ability with numbers, the drive to get tasks done lightning fast, and the personal skills and follow through to gain strong loyalty from his buyers and listing clients. I would strongly recommend him for all of your commercial real estate needs.”
-John W Flora, Flora Gems
“AJ helped me to find offices spaces on two occasions for my practice. He is persistent, thorough, and is able to tune in to what his clients are looking for in a space. During the process of finding an office space, I appreciated AJ’s swift responses to my inquiries. I very much look forward to working with AJ again in the future.”
– Kathleen El Koury, Insight Therapy, LLC
“I started working with AJ in late 2013 on a video gaming café concept that I wanted to roll out in several communities in Central Illinois. Over the last 2 years I have come to appreciate all the hard work and market knowledge he displays in essentially all communities of Downstate Illinois. We have looked into 20+ communities and have been successful in securing locations in several of those communities. I have worked with a few different brokers since being in Illinois and AJ is my go to broker because I know he will get the job done. “
-Fred Jansen, Dotty’s Café/Izzy’s Pizza
“I have had numerous business dealings with AJ over several years and would recommend him highly for any commercial real estate brokerage services.”
-Stuart Broeren, Broeren Russo Builders, Inc.
“The Beck Family used Coldwell Banker and AJ Thoma III, CCIM for a recent large building and tower transaction in Springfield, Illinois. Their attention to detail and hard work helped the project become very profitable. This is not my first rodeo with AJ and I will use him again and again when the opportunity is there. I would wholeheartedly recommend AJ as your next commercial realtor.”
-Matt Beck, Barbeck Communications
“AJ was a great partner to work with on getting our property taken care of. He was always very good about keeping everyone in the loop, super responsive and very knowledgeable. We look forward to our continued partnership with him, it has been great.”
-David Parr Jr., Parr Financial (Google Review)
“If I could give more stars, I would! AJ is truly the best in the business. He was constantly on top of our needs (and there were many!) He was accommodating, timely, and professional. I was surprised at how well he handled me (I can be over thorough and that usually comes off as annoying) but he did such a great job making me feel calm through our process. To be honest, this is the first time I have ever written a review, but I felt compelled to express how much of a great experience we had with AJ!”
-Callie Poeta, Poeta Training Center (Google Review)
“AJ was great to work with – simple and straight forward throughout the entire process! I would highly recommend him!”
-Wendi Langstaff, Prep Freeze Cook (Google Review)
“AJ has been great to work with. I’d highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy/sell/lease commercial properties in central Illinois. He has a lot of knowledge about properties, area trends, and the markets to help determine good fit and functionality.”
-Dan Shunk, Two Men and a Truck (Google Review)
“AJ Thoma has been wonderful to work with in helping me evaluate the local commercial real estate market. He has been very responsive, available, and willing to educate me about commercial leases. Highly recommended.”
-Heath Grote (Google Review)