Our Team

Chris Horney

Managing Director

Chris Horney joined Murphy Real Estate Services in 2013 and currently serves as the division’s Managing Director. Chris brings a breadth of real estate and finance experience to the role that includes real estate/asset investment analysis, as well as development execution on a number of assets. Chris leads the development team by analyzing and underwriting commercial real estate development and acquisition opportunities and is actively involved in the execution of all development projects.

John T. Murphy

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Recognized as one of the leading real estate experts in Chicago for his development, advisory and management skills, Mr. Murphy has been on the real estate scene since 1989. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Asset Management, LLC, he develops corporate opportunities, advances company initiatives and serves as a principal and advisor to institutional clients.


Steve Steinberg

Managing Director

Steve brings expertise in hotel operations, sales and marketing/revenue generation, financial analysis, and physical asset maintenance and more.  He oversees the hotel projects (post-construction) for Murphy Asset Management, LLC, and provides liaison services between ownership groups and hotel management companies.

Dave Ariola

Managing Director

Dave is an expert at executing every phase of large, complex development projects including raising equity, master planning, entitlements, and design and construction management.  He has personally provided the leadership on over $2 billion worth of projects in most product types including hi-rise, industrial, multi-family, hospitality, community, office, and historic rehabs primarily located on complex urban sites.


Bryan Li

Acquisitions Associate

Bryan is a Acquisitions Associate with Murphy Real Estate Services, responsible for deal analysis and underwriting, investor reporting, project management, drafting investment memorandums, and financial analysis.

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Deirdre Clein

Development Associate

Deirdre oversees the project management of Murphy Real Estate Service’s development branch, including renovation and new construction projects in the hospitality, mixed-use, and residential sectors.

Ben Udell

Development Analyst

Ben Udell is a Development Analyst with Murphy Real Estate Services, where he is responsible for deal analysis and underwriting, investor reporting, project management, drafting investment memorandums, and financial analysis.