J. Michael “Mike” Mooney, the founder and chairman emeritus of Brookfield-based real estate investment company MLG Capital and the founder of MLG Commercial and MLG Development, and a major leader in the Wisconsin commercial real estate industry and the Milwaukee-area business community, died recently at the age of 83.

“Mike was a great partner and friend,” said Tim Wallen, principal and CEO of MLG Capital. “He loved people and he loved MLG. He personified making a difference while making a living. He had a huge impact on commercial real estate in the state of Wisconsin and at MLG. He was always a champion of creating great culture within an organization. We will all try to emulate that great culture for decades to come in Mike’s honor.”

Mooney founded MLG in 1987. MLG Commercial was acquired by New York-based commercial real estate advisory and services firm Newmark Group in 2019. That ended MLG’s involvement in commercial real estate brokerage, but Mooney continued to provide leadership for the MLG Capital commercial real estate investment business.

During his career, Mooney served on numerous industry boards and held leadership positions. He was a co-founder, past-president, and longtime director of NAIOP-WI, a board member of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, director of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association, and served as a member of NAI Global’s Worldwide Leadership Board, including two terms as chairman.

During his lengthy commercial real estate career, Mooney’s clients included Quad/Graphics, Harley-Davidson, Gardetto’s, Champion International, Green Giant Foods, CrownZellerbach Paper and Allen-Bradley, among others.

“His passion for brokerage, development, relationships, and people helped shape decades of meaningful work in commercial real estate,” MLG Capital said in a statement. “For those who knew him, Mike was far more than a business leader. He was a partner, friend, mentor, storyteller, and steady presence whose big smile, warm heart, and love for people helped define what it meant to be part of the MLG family. He loved sharing the MLG story, especially with new employees, and he personified the belief in making a difference while making a living. Over more than five decades in real estate, Mike earned the respect of peers across Wisconsin and beyond, mentored many professionals, and left a legacy rooted in integrity, care, accountability, and genuine relationships. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him.”

In 2010, Mooney and former lieutenant governor, state senator and state assembly member Margaret Farrow, led the merger of the Waukesha County Chamber and Waukesha County Action Network to create the Waukesha County Business Alliance.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association awarded Mooney with the 2025 Frederick C. Pearce Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of economic development in the state. During his time as a WEDA board member, Mooney was instrumental in shaping legislative policies related to tax incremental financing.

Mooney was also an active supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  

In 2022 and 2025, Mooney was named a “living legend” as part of BizTimes Media’s Wisconsin 275 list of the state’s most influential business leaders.

A memorial gathering for Mooney will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield. Celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m.