2021 NextGen

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Annikki Geers.

Name: Annikki Lehtinen
Title: Account Manager
Email: a.lehtinen@henricksen.com
Phone: 608.282.5123

As an Account Executive at Henricksen, Annikki works with clients primarily in corporate and education markets, bringing to life their goals and visions for interior spaces through creative furniture solutions. Though no longer a practicing designer, her Interior Design education from Madison College allows me to discover and solve clients’ needs in a creative and thoughtful way.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: What I like most about commercial real estate is the profound impact that one person can have on the lives of others, just through identifying an appropriate space and amenities. There are few things more rewarding than knowing that, each day, your actions and solutions have positively influenced the lives of others.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: Take pride in what you do, and always stay humble.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them” Albert Einstein.

Q: What do you hope to get out of your CARW membership?
A: What I hope to get out of my membership with CARW is to meet others who wake up every day excited to solve problems, find solutions, and ultimately help others through the unique tools, resources, and perspective that each one of us can offer.

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Nick Zurich.

Name: Nick Zurich
Title: Broker
Email: nzurich@barrycre.com
Phone: 414.272.6723

While the world of real estate was not Nick’s initial chosen career path, he always knew he wanted to be involved in commercial real estate.  His upbringing was his education beginning with his grandfather, who built houses in the Milwaukee area decades ago. It continued with his father who has been involved in commercial real estate for 50 years and who assumed the duties of the properties his grandfather had acquired. As a result of their influence, involvement, and support, he learned many aspects of commercial real estate throughout those years.

See how he answered some of our questions:

Q. What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A. The freedom, which in turn, allows me the ability to become the best professional I can be.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A. “Take nothing personally.”

Q. What is your favorite quote?
A. “What we do in life, echoes in eternity.”

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. Brookfield, WI

Q. What was cool when you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A. I thought punk bands would have a longer lifespan, I’m a fan of Blink-182…

Q. Favorite thing about Wisconsin?
A. The people.

Q. What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A. Las Vegas, NV.

Q. Which projects are you involved in/most excited about?
A. I just listed a large piece of land just outside of Madison, which could be a major contributor to growing the area.

Q. If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
A. Elon Musk has one of the most intriguing personalities that I’ve recently found.

Q. What made you choose commercial real estate?
A. My family has been involved in it, beginning with my grandfather many decades ago…it’s somewhat of a tradition I’d like to carry.

Q. What is a goal you would like to accomplish within your commercial real estate career?
A. Own, operate and maintain my own commercial real estate property.

Q. What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A. Extreme network growth.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with other members?
A. Starting my CRE career after having a prior career for over 10 years, this is the most-interesting industry of which I’m aware. It’s so important to network with EVERYONE, whether they’re potential clients, competitors, and/or everything in between!

CARW NextGenners heard from three of our banking leaders on June 9, 2021, IN-PERSON! Thanks to Adam Newman (Landmark Credit Union), Ivan Gamboa (Altius Building Company), and Brian Schwartz (Innovative Construction Solutions). The discussion was moderated by Alissa Peeters (Tri-City National Bank).  Our panelists discussed mergers, appraisal vs. cashflow value, being creative with deals, and finding quality staffing.  Panelists commented that their respective banks are shifting focus to industrial and multi-family deals.

Some of the best take-aways pertained to personal development and included:

• Be inquisitive
• Be positive
• Prepare for potential outcomes as early as possible
• Look at all the risks
• Find a mentor that best suits you
• Mentorship is driven by the mentee; come prepared and ready for a discussion with your mentor
• “Attitude is everything” – Stephen McGuire

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Jake Wilson.

Name: Jake Wilson
Title: Commercial Account Executive
Email: jake.wilson@ctt.com
Phone: 262.796.9651

Jake Wilson is a Commercial Account Executive for Chicago Title. In this role, he focuses on building and maintaining relationships with developers, lenders, brokers and attorneys in the greater Milwaukee area. Prior to joining Chicago Title, Jake worked for a startup manufacturing company, and a CRE brokerage firm. Jake attended UWM with a marketing degree and real estate certificate. Jake is active in the Cystic Fibrosis community and is a program member of active real estate groups. See how Jake answered some of our questions:

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: By far the people in the industry and making a difference in the community.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: Have a good plan and a lot of patience.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing” – Ron Swanson

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Menomonee Falls

Q: What was cool when you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A: MTV / TRL… RIP

Q: Favorite thing about wisconsin?
A: The summers.

Q: What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A: France

Q: Which projects are you involved in/most excited about?
A: Unfortunately, the one I’m the most excited about I’m not allowed to talk about. There are two new major apartment projects we’re working on right now though.

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
A: Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Q: What made you choose commercial real estate?
A: Jeff Rymaszewski at UWM convinced me (and a good portion of the Milwaukee commercial real estate community) to go into commercial real estate.

Q: What is a goal you would like to accomplish within your commercial real estate career?
A: No different than anyone else, be the best in the space that I’m in.

Q: What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A: Long-lasting relationships with peers that will grow with me throughout the course of my career.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with other members?
A: I’m just very thankful to be in this industry with an organization like CARW.

 

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Kelly Sullivan.

Name: Kelly Sullivan
Title: Business Development
Email: kellys@gardnerbuilders.com
Phone: 414.553.3663

Kelly Sullivan is a team member at Gardner Builders. She focuses on business strategy, development, and client relations in the commercial construction industry. Her primary role covers the greater Milwaukee market, but also extends to the other Gardner culture hubs in Minneapolis, Duluth, and Gardner’s US Division. Kelly graduated from The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a bachelor’s in business and a minor in design arts. After spending time in commercial interiors, Kelly joined Gardner Builders in July of 2020. Holding various roles during her membership at CARW has allowed her to continue growing her knowledge and understanding of the symbiotic relationships throughout the organization between job types/functions.

See how she answered some of our questions:

Q.  What is your favorite quote?
A. ‘Shavings make a pile’ I say it almost every day. In this industry, the smallest project done right can turn into a long-term client relationship that leads to further work. Never underestimate the power of a simple request or order.

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. Richfield, WI

Q. What was cool when you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A. Jeans under dresses (Kelly Clarkson). Super low rise jeans with flared bottoms (XTina). Ties over tshirts (Avril Lavigne). Velour tracksuits (Paris Hilton) I’m sure all of these trends will find their way back to us eventually. **Insert cringe**

Q. Favorite thing about Wisconsin?
A. Honestly – my entire family and extended family live here and they’re what keep us here – we certainly aren’t here for the snow!

Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with other members?
A. I will never say no to getting coffee and am always open to finding ways to help another person make a connection if I can.

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Matt Riesterer.

Name: Matt Riesterer
Title: Asset Manager
Email: mriesterer@luthergrp.com
Phone: (262) 352-2638

Matt Riesterer is from Germantown, WI. He attended Germantown High School and went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in Real Estate & Urban Land Economics. He interned in many different facets of real estate including property management, lending, and development. The summer before his senior year he interned with Luther Group, and after graduating in May of 2020, he began working for the company full time. He is currently an Asset Manager responsible for managing our portfolio of assets in addition to, assisting with the sourcing of new projects.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: The fact that every deal is unique and requires creativity and diverse strategies to get them across the finish line. I also greatly value the many relationships built along the way.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are usually right.”

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Germantown, WI

Q: What was cool you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A: Crocs- depending on who you ask.

Q: What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A: The Wisconsin Northwoods

Q: What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A: I hope to build lasting relationships and learn from some of the best in the industry.

CARW NextGenners heard from several of our construction partners on May 5, 2021. Thanks to Joe Jursenas (BRIOHN Builders), Scott Drees (Altius Building Company), and Brian Schwartz (Innovative Construction Solutions). The discussion was led by Cody Ziegler (Cushman & Wakefield | BOERKE Company).  Many of the questions focused on construction costs, impacts of COVID and supply chain.  Across the board, there was agreement that the increase in material costs would be here to stay – at least for a while due to supply/demand issues.  Many suggested that the cost of labor, while tight, has remained flat.  Panelists commented on how they view the industry identifying that ‘there is no consistency’ – get used to being flexible.

Some of the best take-aways pertained to personal development and included:

• Take as much opportunity that you can – ask for more
• Develop relationships and make valuable connections – these are lifetime contacts for your business
• Put people together to get deals done – even if you are not involved
• Be patient  – but be ready – because when success comes – it comes quickly
• See your role as adding value
• Don’t get caught up on mistakes – see those mistakes as learning opportunities
• Don’t feed the monster of self-doubt
• Be your own brand – don’t identify with your company – you will move around
• Be authentic
• Focus on communication
• Retain the customers that you want
• Benchmark to ourselves (Wisconsin/Milwaukee) rather than other States/Cities
• You are always on – real estate is a 24/7 business
• Seek input from diverse perspectives to pressure-test your ideas

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Sarah Koenekamp.

Name: Sarah Koenekamp
Title: Production Analyst
Email: skoenekamp@boerke.com
Phone: 651.528.9188

Sarah Koenekamp joined Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke in 2020 as a production analyst with the investment team. In her current role, she focuses on deal progression on behalf of the investment sales team which includes interacting with clients, providing market research on subject properties and markets, as well as content creation including offering memorandums, proposals, and opinions of value. She is dedicated to continually moving transactions forward, which has led to her recently obtaining her Commercial Real Estate License.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: I love that commercial real estate is constantly evolving. As consumers change how and where they work and shop, we have to change the way we do our jobs to meet those needs. That leads to new challenges and us continually educating ourselves to keep up with those evolutions.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: Everyone you meet brings something you can learn if you are just open to it.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad ones. – Mark Twain

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Land of 10,000 lakes and the Minnesota Vikings.

Q: What was cool you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A: MySpace

Q: What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A: Nashville, Tennessee. It is such a vibrant place with live music, songwriting talent, and incredible food to experience on every visit.

Q: What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A: I’m hoping to continue learning about the changing commercial landscape through the lunch and learns and speakers, and grow my network through their social and professional events.

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We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Julia Howe.

Name: Julia Howe 
Title: Associate Broker
Email: julia.howe@am.jll.com
Phone: 414-294-9616

Julia Howe is an Associate Broker with JLL and a member of the Office Tenant Representation Team. Julia’s responsibilities consist of solving complex business problems through real estate strategy. Whether that means working to lower occupancy costs & increase space efficiency, expanding, or managing a portfolio across the country, Julia works alongside office users to create long-term growth.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: It’s certainly never boring.  What you thought you knew yesterday just changed today.  I’m a curious person and there is always more to learn in this industry.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: What got you here won’t get you there.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Fortune favors the bold.”

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Home of the Hawkeyes – Iowa City, IA!

Q: What was cool when you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A: Gauchos & low rise jeans.

Q: What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A: Burlington, Vermont in the US
Tortola or Florence, Italy abroad

Q: What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A:  I want to connect with peers in the industry and learn, learn, learn.  I am always seeking good advice.

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Kemp Collings.

Name: Kemp Collings
Title: Investment Associate
Email: kcollings@founders3.com
Phone: 414.708.8405

Kemp has over five years of commercial real estate experience and joined the Founders 3 investment sales team in 2020. Prior to joining Founders 3, he worked as a senior analyst on the office investment sales team at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) in Chicago. Prior to JLL, Kemp spent five years working overseas for The Related Companies and the American Chamber of Commerce in China. While working for Related, Kemp spent three years on their capital markets team and was primarily responsible for raising private capital for US development projects. Kemp is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Finance and a minor in Mandarin Chinese.

See how he answered a few questions:

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: I enjoy commercial real estate because it’s a relationship-based business and very entrepreneurial.

• • Every day is different.
  • There are always multiple ways to approach every challenge and opportunity.
  • You are constantly interacting with others, building relationships, and making friends.

Q: What is a goal you would like to accomplish within your commercial real estate career?
A: My goal is to be the best possible advice to our clients. When you put your client’s interests first, all other personal goals I have for my career should organically fall into place.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: View your mistakes as valuable learning experiences and never make the same mistake twice.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was originally born in Appleton, WI, and moved to Milwaukee, WI at a young age where I grew up. I am very fortunate to call Wisconsin home.

Q: Favorite thing about Wisconsin?
A: My favorite thing about Wisconsin is the people.

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Keith Byron-Turner.

Name: Keith Byron-Turner
Title: Associate Advisor
Email: turner.keith.b@gmail.com
Phone: 414.573.3484

Keith holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. He is also an active student candidate in Associate in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) through Milwaukee LISC and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). Keith Turner joined SVN | Hintze Commercial Real Estate in July of 2020. Prior to SVN Hintze, Keith was with Premier Point Realty where he closed over $3M in transactions and invested in single and multi-family investment properties building a portfolio of 17 units valued at over $1M. Keith has returned to Premier Point Realty. He has also owned Turner Investment Group for over 2 years.

See how he answered a few questions:

Q: What do you enjoy most about Commercial Real Estate?
A: The impact it has on a community that creates more sustainability and livelihood.

Q: Which projects are you most involved with or most excited about? 
A: The Historic Patterson Place Project, they are redeveloping the former Carlton Elementary school and converting it into 30 apartments and 18 rent-to-own townhouses. The community impact for the area is going to have such an impact 3, 4, 5 years down the line.

Q: What goal would you like to accomplish in Commercial Real Estate? 
A: It goes back to my vision. Any neighborhood that I touch or invest in, is better because of my being there. Whether it be as small as a house or helping to create jobs within an area. I want to leave an area better than I found it.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Milwaukee, WI, born and raised.

Q: What was cool then and but not cool now? 
A: Mixed CD’s, I remember downloading 18 songs

Q: What is your favorite place to visit?
A: Mexico.

Q: Best advice you have ever received?
A: Operate out of your values and your passion. If you do something because you believe in it and it brings you passion and it ignites you. You never really work.

 

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Dana Leland.

Name: Dana Leland
Title: Director of Workplace Strategy
Email: dleland@brothersinteriors.com
Phone: 414.520.0572

Dana majored in Engineering and Studio Art at Dartmouth College and always wanted a profession where she could be both creative and technical. She started her career at Eaton Corporation in a leadership development program—taking her from her hometown of Baltimore to Milwaukee. She fell in love with the small-town feel in a big city and 12 years later she is still here! In her time at Eaton, she had the opportunity to work as a design engineer, field application engineer, project manager, and product manager. She also completed her MBA at Marquette University during this time.

Q. What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A. The aspect of commercial real estate that I enjoy the most is that a successful project brings together experts from multiple industries. The fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment means I am always learning and meeting new people.

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. My first job in engineering took me to Milwaukee and I never left!

Q. Favorite thing about Wisconsin?
A. Wisconsin is the perfect blend of a small-town feel but with big-city amenities. And I love the incredible Lakefront!

Q. What made you choose commercial real estate?
A. I studied engineering, art, and business and wanted to find a role that offered creative, technical, and strategic elements. It is hard to find a field that brings these worlds together, but Commercial Real Estate does that and more!

Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with other members?
A. I love making new connections and am always open to meeting for coffee and a walk so does not hesitate to reach out to me for a quick break from the office and some fresh air.

 

 

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Amanda Busche.

Name: Amanda Busche
Title: Real Estate and Business Development
Email: abusche@vjscs.com
Phone: 262.446.6464

Amanda Busche is a Real Estate and Business Development Associate at VJS Construction Services and VJS Development Group, LLC. Amanda helps clients from start to finish- acquiring property, managing assets, and ensuring property is ready for project completion as a benefit to VJS clients. For the VJS Construction team, Amanda strategizes with internal marketing and stakeholders to grow the business both internally and externally. Amanda prides herself on her ability to organize large tasks and data sets and develop unique solutions to everyday problems.

See how she answered a few questions:

Q. What is your favorite quote?
A. “Good timber does not grow with ease, the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.”

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. Dodgeville, WI

Q. What was cool when you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A. I grew up in the ’90s, so a lot has cycled back: Perler beads, scrunchies, mom jeans, slap bracelets, layered look – but I hope the colored windbreakers that made noise when you walk aren’t planning to make a comeback.

Q. Favorite thing about Wisconsin?
A. I love Fall in Wisconsin, and that you can get lost in a small city to get away from the chaos.

Q. What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A. Banff, Alberta

Q. Which project are you involved in/most excited about?
A. St. Augustine Preparatory Academy

Q. If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
A. Gary Vaynerchuck – he is motivational and refreshingly honest.

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Steven Rosandich.

Name: Steven Rosandich
Title: Financial Controller
Email: srosandich@renterswarehouse.com
Phone: 414.856.7789

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I studied Economics and am currently pursuing my MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.  I joined Renters Warehouse in 2017 as the Financial Controller where I manage a $75 million residential and multifamily portfolio. In the last three years, I have worked alongside the team to grow the Company four-fold between acquisitions and client servicing and look forward to contributing to future growth through syndications. I am also personally invested in real estate across the Greater Milwaukee area and believe in the market’s strengths for future real estate projects.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: I enjoy the people! Everyone has a different goal with real estate, so it is fun to learn how others are creative in this space. Commercial real estate is the perfect medium for communicating and collaborating to help others hit their goals. It can be anything from providing financial gain to helping a business gets its start. The opportunities are endless.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: Add value to everyone and everything you do. When you help others achieve their goals, you get closer to achieving your own.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A:” “There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.” This is like the glass is half full perspective. If you can learn something out of a bad situation, it can only help give perspective for the future.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Oak Creek, WI with a big family of seven boys. I still remember driving past the old Delphi building before it was redeveloped into the vibrant Drexel Town Square! I’m excited about the lakefront development and the future of the city.

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
A: I would love to have lunch with Arnold Schwarzenegger. I find his story fascinating. He is an immigrant who dominated bodybuilding, started his own businesses, became an actor, and entered politics. With a resume that packed, I know there’d be many lessons learned spending some time with him.

Q: What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A: I am looking to create lasting relationships with my peers. I think it’s important to connect with the rising talent of Milwaukee Real Estate and to be associated with the future of the city. With how collaborative real estate is, it’s easier to make things happen with people you know and like. I want to be a cheerleader for their successes and hope they can be one for mine.

We will be featuring one of the CARW NextGen participants.  There are 24 commercial real estate professionals involved in the program – each with their unique story to share and individual motivation for involvement.  This week’s featured NextGen’R is Sara Bentley.

Name: Sara Bentley
Title: Account Executive
Email: sbentley@forwardspace.com
Phone: 515.441.3239

Sara joined the Forward Space team in November 2019 after a year and a half in the CRE industry. As an account executive, Sara creates a seamless process for clients from start to finish encompassing: specification, budget analysis, design refinement, and installation of furniture. She specializes in developing long-lasting customer relationships and helping those customers create inspiring working and learning environments in the corporate, education, and healthcare markets.

See how she answered a few questions:

Q: What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A: I enjoy the people and the opportunity to be involved in the development of the incredible city of Milwaukee.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A: Always think big, give it everything you have, and stay humble

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. – Marv Levy

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Ames, IA

Q: What was cool you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A: Let me get back to you, I’m still growing up

Q: What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A: The beach or the lake. Anywhere I can surf, wakeboard, or water ski.

Q: What do you hope to get out of your membership with CARW?
A:  I hope to network with some awesome people, make new friends, and learn from the best in the industry.