Jim Bieri
Jim BieriPrincipal
Jim Bieri founded Bieri Company in 1976 in order to help both retail landlords and tenants successfully reach their real estate goals and is now a principal of Stokas Bieri Real Estate.

Mr. Bieri earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. Mr. Bieri has provided a variety of services from business expansion planning to project leasing for some of the world’s most renowned retailers.

He holds the designations of International Council of Shopping Centers Senior Certified Leasing
Specialist and Certified Retail Real Estate Professional (CRRP), and is a member of various professional, educational and
civic organizations including the Urban Land Institute. He has served as Co-Chair of the Detroit Land Institute District
Council and has served on the Board of Directors of the
Detroit Athletic Club. Mr. Bieri also has served as Detroit
Athletic Club Secretary and is a member of the Country
Club of Detroit.

He is a frequent speaker at retail real estate events and is often quoted in various retail and business publications.

Jim Stokas
Jim StokasPrincipal
Jim Stokas formed Stokas Realty Advisors in 2001 to bring clients impeccable service framed by the highest level of integrity. He has over 43 years of retail brokerage experience and continues to develop strategic partnerships with national retailers, covering expansion, relocation and disposition strategies in the state of Michigan.

Jim Stokas’ career as a retail broker began with Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate, Los Angeles in 1980. Jim was Vice President of the CB Richard Ellis Los Angeles in 1990, where he was transferred to the CB Richard Ellis Southfield, Michigan office to shore up the Michigan retail department, and acted as Senior Vice President of retail and assumed retail mentorship responsibilities. In 1999, he was recruited and joined Trammell Crow’s Detroit Retail Division as Senior Vice President. Jim is a native of City of Detroit.

With the formation of Stokas Realty Advisors in 2001, and being the founder of X Team Retail Advisors, Jim continues to be active in retail real estate, negotiating deals for marquis retailers and developing site strategies for locations in the Detroit Metro MSA and outstate Michigan. He is recognized as a top retail broker nationally by his peers and clients.

Alex Bieri
Alex BieriLeasing Representative
Alex Bieri began his real estate career in 2004. He has aided many local, regional, and national retailers with their site selection strategy and execution. He has also been a leasing representative for many notable Metro Detroit projects. Over time he has gained comprehensive experience in dealmaking and has grown to be a valuable leader and mentor at Stokas Bieri Real Estate.

Mr. Bieri graduated from Purdue University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. Upon graduation from Purdue, Alex lived in Chicago and worked at the printing giant RR Donnelley.

Mr. Bieri is a licensed Real Estate Associate Broker in Michigan. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Center (ICSC) and is currently the ICSC Michigan Membership Chairman and is a past Michigan State Next Generation Chair. Alex is a member of the Real Estate Answer Forum and X Team Retail Advisors. Alex is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club. He enjoys running, playing golf and handball.

Josh Zeid
Josh ZeidAssociate Broker
Josh Zeid joined Stokas Bieri Real Estate in early 2021, and primarily focuses on the sale and leasing of retail and medical properties throughout Metro Detroit. He started his brokerage career in commercial real estate working at Signature Associates and has since helped clients grow and expand their businesses, including Detroit Barber Shop, Lucky Detroit, Art of Dermatology, Profound Orthodontics, and many others.

Mr. Zeid saves clients time and money by applying his knowledge of relationship management strategies, negotiation techniques, and property and construction management acumen within all facets of the real estate industry, creating a true comprehensive understanding of the commercial real estate industry.

Mr. Zeid graduated from Western Michigan University in 2011 with a degree in marketing, and double minors in psychology and imaging. He is a member of many local and national groups and is PAC certified through BOMI International. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his wife Emily and daughters Hailey and Nora Leigh.

Sean Von Schwarz
Sean Von SchwarzLeasing Representative
Sean von Schwarz joined Stokas Bieri in 2016 as a Leasing Agent. He came to Stokas Bieri from The Butler Burgher Group where he worked as a commercial real estate appraiser. Since joining the team he has aided Pet Valu, Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market, and SVS Vision in providing site selection and evaluation.

Mr. von Schwarz graduated from the University of Michigan in 1995 with a B.S. in economics and concentration in money and banking. He has been working in real estate finance, development, and management for over 20 years.

Mr. von Schwarz is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and has been involved with the Urban Land Institute. In his spare time he enjoys golfing and tennis. Sean is married to his wife Angela and they have one child Meghan.

Stan Ames
Stan AmesGeneral Counsel
Stanley Ames joined Bieri Company in 1994 as General Counsel. He became a named member of Bieri Company legal department, Bieri & Ames, performing legal services for the firm’s retail clients.

Upon graduating cum laude from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1987, Mr. Ames worked at the law firm of Schwartz, Kelm, Warren & Rubenstein. During his five years there, Mr. Ames worked primarily in the real estate division, concentrating on commercial leasing and general business law. A majority of his time was spent negotiating leases for The Limited, Inc., The Art Works, Art Explosion and The Steak Escape, as well as other regional retailers.

Mr. Ames is a licensed Real Estate Broker and a member of the Michigan Bar Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Tracy Gogola
Tracy GogolaController/Leasing Rep
Tracy Gogola joined Stokas Bieri Real Estate in March 2001, applying her knowledge of business management and commercial real estate to her role as office manager, where her current role as client manager/leasing representative, she has worked with the following retail clients: Menchies, Get Nuts, Invicta, Zingara, Citizen Watch, TCC Wireless, IO Metro, Ghurka; as well as managing the daily activities of the office.

While working she earned an associate’s degree in business management from Macomb Community College in 2000. Mrs. Gogola has a great understanding of the intricate workings of the business. Mrs. Gogola is a licensed Real Estate Agent in the State of Michigan. She is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. Mrs. Gogola is also a licensed Esthetician in the State of Michigan.

Loralei Byatt
Loralei ByattMarketing Director
Loralei Byatt is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a master’s degree in art. She has 20 plus years of experience in print advertising. She joined the Stokas Bieri team as Marketing Director in 2021. Loralei handles the leasing/tenant rep division’s marketing efforts with mapping, web design, demography, and brochure design. She also does social media and marketing campaigns for the company. Her passion and knowledge for creating aesthetically pleasing visual communications makes her a valuable member of the Stokas Bieri team.

In addition to her position with Stokas Bieri Real Estate, Ms. Byatt is a multidisciplinary artist who exhibits extensively in the Detroit area as well as nationally.

 Theresa LaFever
Theresa LaFeverAdministrator
Theresa is a former teacher who discovered her passion for real estate as an investor. Since 2014, she has built a dynamic career in the industry, serving as an agent, sales director, and team administrator. Drawing on her teaching background, Theresa enjoys educating clients about the intricacies of the buying, selling and leasing process, ensuring they feel confident and informed every step of the way.

Her enthusiasm extends beyond client interactions—she thrives on managing the behind-the-scenes details that keep transactions running smoothly. Theresa’s interest in real estate began early, inspired by her father’s involvement in the field through his auto parts and gas station businesses, as well as rental properties. This early exposure laid the foundation for her successful real estate journey.