CHICAGO—The Building Owners and Managers Association ofChicago has just elected T.J. Brookover,regional manager for AmTrust Realty Corp. inChicago, its new president. Along with a group of new officers,Brookover was elected at the association's recent 2014 AnnualMeeting held at the Ritz Carlton Chicago. Hesucceeds George Kohl, chief operating officer ofSterling Bay Companies, who just completed histwo-year term.

“George's leadership and industry knowledge played an integralrole in elevating BOMA/Chicago and Chicago's commercial real estateindustry during his tenure as president,” says MichaelCornicelli, executive vice president of BOMA/Chicago. “Wethank George for his tireless dedication and contributions.”

Brookover tells GlobeSt.com that his main job as president ofthe trade association will be to continuously ask “how can we helpcontain costs?” A recent report by MBRE found thatthese average combined tax and operating expenses have already hita six-year high of $14.24 per square-foot, an increase of 3.7%since 2012. Class A expenses hit $16.67 and classes B and C were at$11.88. “We are monitoring both of those closely.”