"I'd been on my own for 12 years, and over that time, people had approached me to join them," Vida comments. "I wanted a relationship with a national firm, yet keep a degree of independence. When Sperry approached me, I saw that could happen."

Vida, a real estate veteran of 30 years, specializes in retail property sales, including shopping centers and net leased buildings in Northern Michigan, as well as office and multifamily properties. In addition to founding his own company in 1993, Vida has also been president and principal of Mid-America Asset Management Inc. in Oakbrook Terrace, IL where he helped develop that company's property management organization.

Vida is a member of several industry organizations including International Council of Shopping Centers and is former commissioner of the Village Center Rehabilitation Council of Barrington.

Vida tells GlobeSt.com that his appointment allows Sperry to expand its presence in Michigan, which is part of the company's overall Midwest expansion plan. "There is no national representation by a commercial broker in Northern Michigan," he adds. "Commercial work in the area might be done by one or two individuals from a residential brokerage firm, but that's about it."

From his point of view, Vida notes that Sperry's backing gives him additional clout. "When going out there, I'd get 'Rick is a great guy, but a one-man operation,'" he says. "I'm still in the first month of my hire, but I've made a couple of presentations to banks, and I can tell from their reaction that this has struck a positive nerve with them."