CHICAGO — Jeffrey J. Counsell has merged Global Food Properties with Cresa, a Chicago-based commercial real estate firm focused on finding office and manufacturing spaces for businesses.

By merging Global Food Properties with Cresa, Cresa will now have a food, ingredient, and nutrition manufacturing and R&D practice group, which will be led by Counsell as its principal.

Counsell co-founded Global Food Properties in 2015 as a boutique real estate brokerage firm focused on food production and food distribution facilities.

Before co-founding Global Food Properties, he was with such companies as CBRE and Trammell Crow Co.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the Cresa team,” said Greg Schementi, president at Cresa. “With his addition, we are adding expertise in this dynamic sector of our business and amplifying our commitment to enriching our offerings in industry sectors that require extensive subject matter knowledge.”

Cresa also has named Adam Ratajski as its vice president. As vice president, he will track data and market availability, business development, and deal execution.

Ratajski was most recently market driver at Global Food Properties.