AJ Thoma III
Executive Vice President, Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty
Champaign, IL 61820
Specializing Commercial Real Estate in Central Illinois
Phone (217) 403-3425
Specializing Commercial Real Estate in Central Illinois
Specialties
Investment Sales Broker, Landlord Rep (Full Service), Landlord Rep (Industrial), Tenant Rep, Tenant Rep (Full Service), Tenant Rep (Industrial)
Property Types
Industrial, Land, Office, Retail, Sports & Entertainment, Multifamily
Markets
Peoria, Springfield
Bio
Experience at a Glance
$350M+ Commercial Transactions Closed
17+ Years Commercial Brokerage Experience
Top 2% Worldwide – Coldwell Banker Commercial (6 Consecutive Years)
#10 Worldwide CBC – 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.
Select Representative Transactions*
Client Market Property Type Size Representation
Ryder Integrated Logistics Decatur Distribution BTS 635,400 SF Tenant
Rivian Normal Distribution BTS 1,000,000 SF Tenant
Rivian Normal Warehouse 102,564 SF Tenant
M | H Champaign Office 18,475 SF Tenant
Hyundai Champaign Manufacturing BTS 120,000 SF Landlord
Amazon Champaign Distribution BTS 82,540 SF Landlord
Compeer Financial Bloomington Office – Corporate HQ 35,400 SF Seller
Rainbow Ag Champaign Distribution 182,084 SF Seller
Starfire Industries Champaign Manufacturing/R&D 194,380 SF Seller
Country Financial Bloomington Office – Corporate HQ 392,535 SF Seller
*The transactions above represent a sample of assignments completed throughout Central and East-Central Illinois and are not a comprehensive list.
Education & Professional Credentials
Designation,
Education
Affiliations
