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Albert C. Hanna, B.B.A., J.D., M.B.A.

Albert C. Hanna, B.B.A., J.D., M.B.A. PhotoAlbert C. Hanna, B.B.A., J.D., M.B.A.
BiographyBorn in 1930 and raised in Wisconsin. Since returning from military service in Korea, Mr. Hanna has lived in the Lincoln Park community of Chicago for the past 57 years. He has been in commercial mortgage banking since 1960. Between 1960 and 1982, Mr. Hanna was a Senior Officer and Director of Percy Wilson Mortgage and Finance Corp., during which he was the President of its subsidiary company handling acquired real estate for about ten years. In 1982 he was President and Founder of Mid-North Financial Services, Inc., a $1.4 billion commercial mortgage banking servicing firm that merged in 2004 with Draper and Kramer, a then 110 year old diversified real estate company. Since 1998 and on a pro bono basis, he has challenged the Chicago's "unconstitutional, discriminatory, and exclusionary" downzoning and landmarking practices with lawsuits, which he is winning. Mr. Hanna is a seasoned mountain climber having climbed the seven highest peaks on the seven continents and the "oldest" (in 2000 at the age of 70), to have almost reached the 29,036 ft. summit of Mount Everest, missing the peak by only 300 vertical feet.) In 2002, Mr. Hanna was honored by the Boy Scouts of America as a distinguished Eagle Scout, plus 2 Silver Palms and Quartermaster Sea Scout (the first such award presented to any Scout in the Wausau, Wisconsin Council's 86 year history.) In 2003 he was inducted by the 130 year old, then 12,000 member Chicago Association of Realtors into their Hall of Fame, the first and only mortgage banker to be so honored. In 1997 he was honored as Illinois Banker of the Year. All lawsuits have been pursued in the name of property rights, racial equality, housing justice, and increasing the inventory of fair and affordable housing locational opportunities for the poor and minorities. Furthermore, a City of Chicago Council Resolution, adopted September 4, 2003, honored Mr. Hanna as "a visionary, leader of great entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishment who has demonstrated an enviable record of professional achievement and civic leadership."
IndustryReal Estate Finance, Mortgage Banking, Defaults and Workouts
ExpertiseActive 30+ years in Pro-Bono litigation: Litigation pertaining to the protection of property rights and housing justice
Current OrganizationSelf-Employed
Type of OrganizationSelf employed Pro-Bono litigation involving personal lawsuits against the City of Chicago; Retired December, 2014 after a 72 year working career
Major ProductFighting against Chicago's discriminatory zoning practices and procedures
Area of DistributionNational
University/DegreeB.B.A., J.D., M.B.A., University of Wisconsin
BornJuly 13, 1930
Honors & AwardsDistinguished Eagle Scout (2002), two Silver Palms and Quartermaster Sea Scout; Inducted in the Chicago Association of Realtors Hall of Fame, 2003; Illinois Mortgage Banker of the Year, 1997; Silver Beaver Award-highest honor bestowed by Boy Scouts of America; Man of the Year, Chicago Mortgage Bankers Association, 1997
Published WorksOver 40 articles related to real estate economics and development and their impact on city finances
AffiliationsCivic Federation; Boy Scouts of America; Hanna Venture Base Foundation and Al and Chris Hanna Eagle Scout Foundation and Civic Federation; Military: Air Force Reserves, United States Army (active duty Korea)
Hobbies & SportsSkiing, tennis, mountain climbing (has climbed the Seven Summits but missed the Everest Summit by 300 vertical feet)
Career AccomplishmentsDonated a gift of $3 million bringing total donations to over $5.5 million to the Samoset Council, Boy Scouts of America, a donation which will extend outreach to underserved youth as well as fund college scholarships for local Eagle Scouts; First Mortgage Banker to be formally recognized as a visionary leader by the City of Chicago Council Resolution.
Work History55 years in mortgage banking; 23 years at Percy Wilson Mortgage and Finance Corp, including 10 years as President responsible for acquired properties, and 22 years as Founder and President of Mid North Financial, which merged with Draper and Kramer in 2004
ChildrenBrock, Jeff, Berit
SpouseDeceased (married 55 years)
MarriedMay 1958
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