Congratulations to Our 2026 Gold Circle Award Winners!
The Gold Circle Award recognizes individual excellence within our professional community across six categories: building engineer, emerging leader, janitorial, property management, security professionals, and, new this year, DEI leader.
Affiliate Member of the Year
Robert Collins
Crescent Cleaning Company
Robert Collins is the Executive Vice President of Crescent Cleaning Company and a leader in commercial cleaning and facilities services with more than 30 years of experience. He has directed large-scale operations across museums, medical office buildings, laboratories, office towers, and universities, at one point supporting more than 30 million square feet and a workforce of 1,500 employees across multiple states. Known for building high-performing teams and strong operational systems, Bob has elevated service standards in complex, high-demand environments.
Since joining Crescent in 2015, Bob has helped drive significant company growth, expanding the team from about 100 to 500 full-time employees while modernizing training, safety, and service operations. He advanced the company’s comprehensive green-cleaning platform and supported their expansion into the life sciences sector by developing rigorous cleaning protocols. A dedicated mentor, Bob champions internal advancement and leadership development, strengthening both his organization and the industry.
Emerging Leader of the Year
Zachary Thomas
Perform Properties | Willis Tower
Zachary Thomas is the Assistant Property Manager at Willis Tower. Since beginning his career at one of the nation’s most iconic commercial properties, he has built expertise in tenant engagement, operational excellence, sustainability, and social impact — advancing both the tenant experience and DEI efforts within the building and across the industry.
Zachary serves on the BOMA/Chicago Foundation Board as the Emerging Leader Director and is an active member of the Emerging Leaders Committee. He also chairs the Pride Parade Subcommittee and serves as a Diversity Ambassador, connecting with students to inspire the next generation of commercial real estate professionals. In 2024, Zachary was awarded the Ollie Scholarship and is on track to earn his RPA designation early this year.
Security Professional of the Year
Abe Jamal
Titan Security Group
Abe Jamal is a seasoned corporate security leader with nearly 20 years of experience in physical security systems, emergency management, enterprise risk mitigation, and building technology leadership. Guided by a “business-first, security-second” philosophy, he creates environments that are not only safe, but efficient, tenant-focused, and operationally strong.
His career spans roles in fraud investigations, executive protection, and hospitality with organizations including the Chicago Housing Authority, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marriott International, and the Chicago White Sox — experience that shaped his ability to balance service, safety, and high-profile operations.
As Director of Security at 110 N. Wacker, Abe oversaw all security and life-safety programs and led building technology and IT functions in partnership with CBRE and ownership. He recently modernized the building systems by transitioning to a cloud-based environment, removing legacy VPN dependencies, and implementing secure remote access across access control, video surveillance, and fire-life-safety platforms.
Building Engineer of the Year
Tim Sullivan
CBRE | Evanston Labs, 400 N Aberdeen, 1375 W Fulton, and Hyde Park Labs
As Portfolio Chief Engineer for CBRE’s Fulton Labs life science portfolio, Tim Sullivan oversees four properties, supporting active construction, tenant buildouts, and complex lab environments. He previously revamped preventive maintenance programs and managed $2.5 million in capital improvements at a major medical facility, showcasing his strength in budgeting, project management, and operations.
Tim played a key role in 1375 Fulton earning the 2024 International BOMA TOBY Award (Life Science) and has led mechanical sections of multiple TOBY applications. His buildings hold LEED Gold, WELL Health-Safety, Energy Star, and WiredScore Platinum certifications, reflecting his focus on sustainability and occupant wellbeing.
From 2023–2025, Tim helped deliver more than 180,000 square feet of life science R&D space to nine tenants. He also supported the openings of Hyde Park Labs and Evanston Labs, leading system commissioning, training, and operational setup to ensure long-term performance.
Janitorial Professional of the Year
Malgorzata (Maggie) Rychtarczyk
Hines | Harvard Maintenance
Malgorzata (Maggie) Rychtarczyk has over 31 years of experience in commercial cleaning and facility services, demonstrating exceptional leadership and operational expertise. She began her career in 1994 and quickly advanced from a floater to leading teams across multiple properties, transforming tenant satisfaction and building performance.
At River Point, Maggie manages a team of 31 across more than 1 million square feet, overseeing cleaning, construction support, inspections, and special projects. Her team supports frequent tenant events, from weekly gatherings to press conferences with state officials, handling setups, breakdowns, and deep cleaning with precision.
Sustainability and wellness are central to her operations. River Point holds LEED Platinum certification, is a TOBY finalist, and has earned BOMA 360 and WELL Building Standard recognition. Maggie’s janitorial program uses exclusively LEED-certified products and implements eco-friendly practices, including sustainable snow removal and lobby mats, ensuring a healthier, safer environment for tenants and visitors.
She also leads care of the 1.5-acre park, public elevators, plaza, and sections of the Chicago Riverwalk, while overseeing construction cleaning and weekend special projects. Through her hands-on leadership, operational excellence, and commitment to tenant satisfaction and sustainability, Maggie has elevated janitorial service standards and created a culture of pride and reliability across River Point.
DEI Leader of the Year
Bridgette Battle
JLL
During Bridgette’s 20 years of commercial real estate experience, she has made a significant impact advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the industry.
At BOMA/Chicago, she serves as President of the BOMA/Chicago Foundation and Chair of the Diversity Committee, while also volunteering with the Pride Parade and serving on the Events and Nominating Committees. Under her leadership, the Diversity Committee has strengthened the industry’s talent pipeline through career days, the Ambassador Program, Financial Empowerment courses, a partnership with National Louis University, and the apprenticeship program.
Beyond BOMA/Chicago, Bridgette was a local ambassador for Hines’ Black Employee Advancement Network (BEAN). At CREW Chicago, she chairs both the DEI and CREW Careers Committees, leading collaborations with organizations including Off the Street Club, BUILD Chicago, and Hispanic in Commercial Real Estate, launching CREW’s first LGBTQ+ Pride event, and creating programs that connect underrepresented communities to opportunities in commercial real estate.
Bridgette’s leadership continues to create access, opportunity, and meaningful pathways into the industry while helping build a more inclusive future for our industry.
Property Management Professional of the Year
Caroline Foulk
CBRE | 1375 W Fulton and Hyde Park Labs
As General Manager of 1375 West Fulton and Hyde Park Labs, Caroline has led award-winning operations. She restructured the 1375 West Fulton TOBY application, guiding it to international recognition in the inaugural Life Sciences category, and established Hyde Park Labs’ operational program, launching a tenant resource app and implementing robust safety and hazardous material protocols—now CBRE national standards. She has overseen complex tenant renovations, MEP and structural reviews, and inspections from EH&S, insurance, CBRE global leadership, and local authorities.
A committed mentor and DEI advocate, Caroline has served as a BOMA/Chicago Diversity Ambassador since 2019, participates in high school career days, serves on the BOMA Scholarship Committee, and supports emerging leaders through mentoring and award guidance. At CBRE, she contributes to employee recognition, industry awards, and market-wide professional training.
Through her operational excellence, safety leadership, mentorship, and DEI impact, Caroline has set a new standard for life science property management, advancing the industry and supporting the next generation of commercial real estate professionals.