President & CEO, Bradford Companies
Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award
2015
Bio:
Steven M. Pagnotta '74,'76, a Chicago-based retail developer, relied on his business expertise, his understanding of the Chicago economy, and his ability to identify professionals with integrity and tenacity when he established Bradford Real Estate Companies in 1987, during one of the most difficult real estate markets in history.
Twenty seven years later, Bradford Real Estate has become one of Chicago’s most successful firms dedicated solely to large scale retail projects and has the distinction of developing more big box retail stores than any other Chicago developer. The company has built more than sixty structures, primarily in the Chicago area with individual projects in Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio.
Pagnotta earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture from University of Detroit. After graduating, he moved to Chicago and worked as an architect for seven years at two different firms. He eventually moved to a large national real estate development company, where he gained the experience and knowledge of regional retail centers that led to his founding of Bradford Real Estate Companies, where he is currently president & CEO.
Pagnotta and his wife, Beth (Jevitz) ’74, who also graduated from University of Detroit, are strong supporters of education and philanthropy. He currently serves on the Board of Advisers to the UDM School of Architecture. The Pagnottas are the parents of two sons and a daughter.
Distinguished graduate of the School of Architecture Steven Pagnotta was honored with the Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award on April 17, 2015.
Citation:
Recognized for his business expertise, architectural background and knowledge of retail development, Steven Bradford has led his firm, Bradford Companies, to become one of Chicago’s most successful companies dedicated solely to large scale retail projects.
With foresight, dedication and an entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Bradford Real Estate in 1987. Through the years and under his leadership, the firm has built more than sixty retail projects and earned the distinction of developing more big box retail stores than any other Chicago developer.
He is respected by his peers for his professionalism and ingenuity, and admired for his success during some of the most difficult real estate markets in history.
As a strong supporter of education and philanthropy, he credits his University of Detroit experience with instilling a commitment to serving others through knowledge and outreach. He is currently a member of the Board of Advisors of the UDM School of Architecture.