Joel Burgess
Associate
Industrial Brokerage
Background & Experience
Joel D. Burgess joined NAI Wisinski of West Michigan in 2020 as an Industrial Specialist. To date, Joel has represented corporations such as Window Worlds of West Michigan, Ziggi’s Coffee, Boyd Corporation, Newhof Construction, and Star Shine Pro Cleaning in their real estate transactions.
Since 2008, Joel, as Principal of Ernest Lorraine Associates (ELA), has assisted economic development organizations, private enterprise, public utility companies, and government agencies worldwide to identify and attract business opportunities and investment – working across four continents. Joel has conducted promotion initiatives in the United States, Australia, Mexico, Singapore, Finland, Germany, France, Portugal, Switzerland, South Korea, Israel, Austria, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Prior to corporate life, Joel ran a chainsaw for the US Forest Service as a member of the Midewin Hotshots (elite wildland firefighting crew) based in Wilmington, Illinois. Joel & his crew were awarded the USDA Emergency Response Chief’s Award in relation to 9/11.
Joel enjoys international family travel, coaching, cutting against the grain, lying about his weight, and watching Big Bash (Cricket) – remarkably he has already lived out his bucket list, but for participating in a demolition derby.
Joel graduated from Hunter College University of New York in Manhattan (Masters of Urban Planning) preceded by an undergraduate degree from Concordia University in Orange County California (BA Business Management Administration). He & his wife, Alesha, reside in Middleville and have 6 farm-hands (or children) – Gabriela, Audrianna, Xander, Dakota, Asher, & Eden Alayne-Marie.
When asked why he likes working at NAI, Joel said he enjoys trying to sort out solutions for clients and the work-life balance.
Education
- Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI
- Concordia University, Irvine, CA
- Masters of Urban Planning, Hunter College, New York, NY