BALTIMORE (August 10, 2007) - Chesapeake Real Estate Group, LLC has announced that Geoffrey Lilja has joined the firm as a Partner.

Mr. Lilja will oversee the development of major industrial projects for Chesapeake in the region.

"Geoff's broad knowledge of the mid-Atlantic industrial markets and transactional expertise enhances our ability to identify and execute large industrial developments," said Jim Lighthizer, a Chesapeake Principal.

Chesapeake has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2005 by Doug Schmidt and Jim Lighthizer. Along with numerous office, retail and industrial projects, the company's most notable project is the 9-building, 1.5-million-square-foot industrial park at Baltimore Crossroads @95 in White Marsh.

"We have been fortunate to attract seasoned professionals to our team from the beginning," said Doug Schmidt, Principal. "Geoff's skills are a significant addition to our company's capabilities."

Mr. Lilja was part of the team that opened Opus' mid-Atlantic office in 1995. As director of its Baltimore industrial program, he developed over 7 million square feet of industrial and retail projects, from central New Jersey and the Leigh Valley, to Richmond, Virginia. The largest local project was the 9-building, 1.6-million-square-foot Arundel Crossing Business Park in Odenton, which was completed in 2004.

Mr. Schmidt continued, "I am excited to work with him, not only to spearhead Chesapeake's growth in new markets, but also to expand and deepen our development coverage in the Corridor."

Chesapeake Real Estate Group, LLC is a full-service commercial brokerage, construction and development company headquartered in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The firm is currently involved in over 3 million sq. ft. of industrial, office and retail development projects which are completed, planned or under construction.