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.

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