Professional Information 

Michael S. Bender is the founder and one of the principals of Bender Companies, a family of companies that includes Bender Commercial Real Estate Services, Bender Midwest Properties (a full-service property management company), and Bender Realtors (a residential brokerage company). Through his nearly 40 years of experience in the industry, Michael has extensive expertise involving the acquisition, financing, development, and leasing of millions of square feet of all types of commercial real estate.

Professional Experience

As a Dallas native, Michael attended and graduated from the nearby Texas Christian University in 1981 with a BBA in business. During his time as a Horned Frog, he began his career with one of the largest commercial real estate firms in Texas, Henry S. Miller Company, where he continued after graduation. For the next ten years in Dallas, Michael continued to learn from some of the best in the industry at both Swearingen Company and Shannon Corporate Real Estate Services until the Bender family moved to Sioux Falls in 1992.

Following the move, Michael used his decade of experience in the Dallas commercial real estate economy to found Bender Commercial Real Estate Services where he has played a role in shaping the Sioux Falls economy for over 25 years. With an average yearly sales volume of approximately $40 million and north of $1 billion of sales and lease transactions over his career, Michael has been spotlighted as one of the “Top Ten Leaders” in Sioux Falls by the Sioux Falls Business Journal. He was also the first broker in South Dakota to attain the designation of SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors), an achievement only 1.5% of commercial brokers in the United States reach.

Professional Affiliations

• SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) 
• CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) 
• Creator of and presenter at BCRES’ annual Market Outlook as a macroeconomic expert, 1997-Present
• Licensed South Dakota Real Estate Broker 

Education

Texas Christian University, Bachelor of Business Administration in business

Personal Information 

Michael has been married to his wife, Jean, for 37 years and they have three adult children, Matthew, Mason, and Grace. 

Community Involvement

Michael has been involved in many Sioux Falls community activities and boards as well as national organizations, including:

• SIOR Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter: 1996-Present; Chair: 2003-2004
• DakotaCare Board of Directors Chair: 2016-Present
• South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry Board of Directors: 2017-Present
• Dow Rummel Board of Directors: 2019-Present
• Avera Heart Hospital Board of Directors: 2014-2019
• South Dakota Ellsworth Authority Board: 2011-2019
• Avera McKennan Hospital Board of Trustees: 2008-2018; Chair: 2014-2016
• First National Bank in Sioux Falls Community Board of Directors: 2010-2018
• Sioux Falls Rotary West Member, Paul Harris Fellow: 1995-2015
• Forward Sioux Falls Joint Venture Management Committee: 2011-2012
• Zoological Society of Sioux Falls Board of Directors: 1994-2011
• Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors: 2004-2011; Chair: 2010-2011
• Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Appeals Committee: 2002-2010
• Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Council: 2004-2008
• Habitat for Humanity of Sioux Falls Board of Directors: 1999-2005; Chair: 2004-2005
• SIOR National Council of Presidents: 2003-2005
• South Dakota Symphony Board of Directors: 2002-2003
• Christ Community Ministries Board of Directors: 1996-2000
• Crimestoppers of Sioux Falls Board of Directors: 1993-1998; Chair: 1998
• Leadership Sioux Falls, Class of 1994