Our Team - Stokas Bieri Real Estate

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 designation of International Council of Shopping Centers Senior Certified Leasing Specialist, 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.

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.

Alex AiutoLeasing Representative

Alex is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in December of 2021. Alex served as an intern with Stokas Bieri from September 2020 until August 2021. In this role he assisted agents with their daily tasks, promoted and expanded social media platforms for the company, and helped put together marketing plans for properties. As of February 2022, Alex is now a full time Commercial Retail Real Estate Leasing & Sales Representative in our office and is licensed through the state of Michigan.

At Western he held various leadership roles within a several campus organizations. Outside of work, Alex coaches travel and high school varsity baseball in the state of Michigan as he has a passion for giving back to the community’s youth and their development through the game.

Jim StokasPrincipal

Jim Stokas formed Stokas Realty Advisors in 2001 in an effort to bring clients impeccable service framed by the highest level of integrity. He has over 34 years of retail brokerage experience and continues to develop strategic planning for retailers regionally, covering both expansion and disposition models.

Jim Stokas’ career as a retail broker began with Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate, Los Angeles in 1980. Jim was Senior Vice President of the CB Richard Ellis Los Angeles in 1990, where he was transferred to the CB Richard Ellis Southfield, Michigan office in an effort to shore up the Michigan retail department, where he 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 Detroit.

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

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.

Nanette WisemanParalegal

Nanette Wiseman joined Stokas Bieri in September 2011. Nanette assists with the review, analysis, preparation and interpretation of various legal documents, including commercial leases and accompanying documents.

Nanette graduated from Madonna University with a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies and a minor in Business Administration in June 1996. Upon graduating, Nanette worked in the corporate legal department of Comerica Bank primarily focusing on corporate loan document review and preparation. Since that time, Nanette has worked consistently in the commercial, residential and corporate real estate industry.

Nanette has three (3) children that keep her busy with their sports and extracurricular activities. She loves to golf, travel and doing anything outdoors.

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.

Alex BieriLeasing Representative

Alex Bieri began his real estate career in 2004. He has aided SVS Vision, Planet Fitness, Tittle Boxing, Jos A Bank, Yankee Candle, Art Van Furniture, Great Gatherings, Zoup Fresh Soup, True Value Hardware and many other retailers with their site selection strategy and execution. He has also been a leasing representative for many notable Metro Detroit projects including The Village at Bloomfield, Tech Plaza, Gateway Marketplace, GM Renaissance Center, The Ellington, Kercheval Place and Westborn Mall.

Mr. Bieri graduated from Purdue University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. Upon graduation from Purdue, he worked at RR Donnelley, covering over 200 catalog/retail customers.

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 Idea Exchange Co-Chairman and is a past Michigan State Next Generation Chair. Alex is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, enjoys running, golf and handball.

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.

Josh ZeidAssociate Broker

Josh Zeid joined Stokas Bieri Real Estate in 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 in early 2017 working at Signature Associates and specializes in full-service landlord and tenant representation. Mr. Zeid utilizes his background in construction management, property management, and advisory services through his brokerage experience along with being raised in the business through his family’s real estate development company. As a result, Mr. Zeid has helped clients grow and expand their businesses, including Detroit Barber Shop, Art of Dermatology, Osteopathic Healthcare Associates, Keego Harbor Urgent Care, Planned Furniture Promotions, and others.

His top priority is to save clients time and money, leveraging his market knowledge and expertise for the purchase, sale, and/or leasing of commercial real estate. 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 BOMI International, International Council of Shopping Centers and has been involved with the Urban Land Institute. He is licensed in Michigan, and is PAC certified through BOMI International. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his wife Emily and daughter Hailey.