Ezequiel “Zeke” Flores
Ezequiel “Zeke” Flores is the CEO of Flying Retail one of the largest real estate concessionaire’s at O’Hare and Midway Airports. Zeke specializes in attracting strong national retail brands and partners to airports and has built a portfolio that includes retailers Brooks Brothers, Brookstone, America’s Dog, Green Market and Brighton which have created over 50 full-time jobs. Zeke also oversees operations of all existing concessions at the airport and is looking to expand into additional airports. Zeke grew up on the Southwest Side of Chicago and is a first-generation college student. After graduating from DePaul University, Zeke went to work for Arthur Andersen and, later, Sara Lee where he oversaw projects in 14 countries before striking out on his own. Committed to giving back, Zeke sits on the Illinois State Board of Investment, is the Chairman of the Board of Corazón A Corazón, sits on the DePaul University Board of Trustees and serves on the Steering Committee for the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition. Zeke was named to the 40 Under 40 by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Zeke has many fond memories of his record 10 different Mentorships and fondly speaks of his day with Camille Julmy (formerly of U.S. Equities Realty and now Vice Chairman of CBRE) which was spent on Michigan Avenue learning the history of many of the most prominent retailers on the street which Camille and his firm had brokered and how Camille’s business relationships had developed into personal relationships which Camille credited with making complicated transactions less challenging. Zeke often thinks of that day with Camille and strives to build personal relationships with all he interacts with by bringing honesty and integrity into his workplace.
Flying Concessions is a Latino-owned entrepreneurial real estate consulting firm that places an emphasis on civic, corporate and aviation industry relationships. By providing a comprehensive range of real estate advisory, planning and management services, Flying Concessions helps aviation professionals in active capital, entitlement processing, joint ventures, as well as horizontal and vertical development in various markets around the country.
