Associate Spotlight: Mike Robinson – Shifting Direction from Accounting to Development

From the start of his career, Mike Robinson has looked for ways to align his strengths with meaningful work. What began as an accounting degree “to create as many opportunities as possible” quickly evolved into a path that blended financial skill, market insight and a growing appetite for real estate.

Over his career, Mike has become a trusted voice in industrial development across Chicago, Michigan, northwest Indiana and southeast Wisconsin. His route into the field wasn’t linear, but every turn sharpened his understanding of how deals take shape and how successful teams operate.

Where the Journey Began

Coming out of Illinois State with an accounting degree, Mike assumed he’d end up at a public accounting firm. But an interview with CenterPoint Properties, an industrial developer, opened his eyes to a world far more dynamic than public accounting. “I was introduced to deal making, creating value and growing portfolios and the strategizing and problem solving required to do it well. It was tantalizing, and it was a world I wanted to be in,” he said.

After a couple of years in accounting with CenterPoint, he jumped at the chance to move into underwriting and financing, eventually expanding into leasing and acquisitions and relocating to Milwaukee to oversee a five-million-square-foot portfolio.

That period – which also included earning his MBA at Marquette University while working full time – became a pivotal stretch in his career journey. In 2011 he joined DCT Industrial, where his combined financial and deal experience fueled his desire to be responsible for development projects from concept to completion.

Finding His True North

When DCT was acquired in 2018, Mike saw an opportunity to pursue that all-in development position he’d been progressing toward. Industry colleagues pointed him our way, and after a conversation with Mike Yungerman, Executive Vice President & General Manager, he knew he’d reached his desired destination.

“Opus gives you the runway,” he said. “You’re trusted to take something all the way, and supported the whole time. That combination is rare.”

Stepping into a full development role reinforced just how expansive development is –requiring patience, structure and the ability to navigate challenges that don’t always show up on spreadsheets. Mike credits the team and culture for helping him grow into the work. “You have to be accountable from start to finish. That’s how I work.”

To our benefit and that of our clients, Mike brings notable strengths to every project – strengths that are shaped by his decades in the market: reliability, creative deal structuring and a deep understanding of how local dynamics influence outcomes.

The Work That Drives Him

Among his many development projects, the 66-acre Tollway Corporate Center in North Aurora, IL, stands out. Built on a former golf course and assembled from two sellers, the project required solving a long-standing access challenge and navigating early COVID delays.

The complexity made the project memorable – as did the chance to take his son golfing on the unmaintained course before construction. “He was disappointed when we destroyed the golf course and started construction,” Mike said. “But I think he understood the value Opus was creating.”

Projects like that reinforce for Mike why he gravitated toward development in the first place: they bring together analysis, vision and long-term impact.

Outside the office, most of his time is spent with his wife Marcie and their two teenagers. He’s also an avid Chicago sports fan, loyal to the Cubs, Bears and Bulls even “when it’s painful.” That steadfastness, he jokes, has taught him resilience and patience – qualities that serve him well in development and in the stands.

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Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more associate spotlights.