Alumni Spotlight: James Hennessey ’97 and Marc Zahr ’97

We caught up with Hennessey and Zahr—whose investors now include the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund—who reflected on their journey from Ramblers to titans of Chicago business.   

James Hennessey (JH): After graduating from Indiana University with a B.S. in accounting and fiance, I began working in public accounting. From there I moved to New York to work with another Loyola guy, Marc Zahr ’97, at a real estate firm. Marc and I left that firm in 2009 and started our own business, Oak Street Real Estate Capital. I’ve been the comanaging partner and CFO of that business ever since.

 

Marc Zahr (MZ): After graduating from the University of Dayton with a B.A. in communications, I worked at the Chicago Board of Trade as a futures fixed income trader and then went on to work at Merrill Lynch. In early 2007, I moved to New York to work at a private equity real estate firm. A short while after I started there, I got my buddy Jim Hennessey ’97 a job there as well. In late 2009, I left with Jim and moved back to Chicago, and we started our own private equity real estate firm. I have been the CEO and the comanaging partner ever since.

 

JH: Loyola is where I learned that hard work creates good outcomes. That realization has been with me ever since, and I attribute all my success to it.

 

MZ: I believe that my experience at Loyola has had a lot to do with any success that I have had. I believe that it’s all about the people. The friendships that I developed at Loyola are so special and unique, and I truly feel blessed and proud to call them my best friends to this day.

 

JH: I think financial success provides the opportunity to help other people. I try to do that daily—provide more value to others than I can ever expect to get in return.

 

MZ: I try to live that way every day. In our busy lives, I think it is easier said than done, but I try to put others’ needs ahead of my own and help people when I feel that I can add value. In short, I feel better about myself when I have helped someone without any expectation in return.

 

JH: Coach Heidkamp was my history teacher freshman year. Prior to that class I had never studied for a test. I was inspired to study for the first time and the result was an “A.” The feedback I got from my parents and Coach Heidkamp was a difference maker. Coach Seitz was my sophomore football coach. I remember he mentioned in a drill one time that he was happy with my toughness. That made a difference. Coach Miller was my wrestling coach. I don’t think I was ready for the mental side of wrestling, but I remember my time in the wrestling room fondly. Coach Koto was another football coach that had an impact. Again, just positive feedback on my play. These were all people I wanted to make proud.

 

MZ: I had so many great teachers that really cared. One that comes to mind is Father Hurd. I was definitely a knucklehead, but I felt like he always made a point of having me know that I was capable of doing whatever I wanted if I applied myself. Amazingly enough, I also have very fond memories of Dean Maziarka. Maybe because I spent so much time in his office or JUG. I remember him saying to me at graduation that he never thought this day would come. I’m almost positive he was kidding.

 

JH:I have a family, and I’m teaching my kids the lessons I learned at Loyola. I look forward to growing my business and our team and helping our staff get outside their comfort zone. I also love exercising and training jiu jitsu.

 

MZ: Spending time with my family and friends and continuing to grow my business in a way that makes me happy and proud. I won’t bore you with the details.

Learn more about Hennessey and Zahr here.