Record Crowd of Badgers and Friends Attend Biennial Reunion
by David Walsh, WREAA Social Media Intern
From September 13-15, over 500 alumni and friends of the UW-Madison Real Estate program converged on Madison to attend the 2018 Biennial Wisconsin Real Estate Reunion and Conference. Together we heard from industry leaders, presented awards, got an update on the UW Real Estate program, saw old friends, met new ones, and pushed ourselves to consider this year’s theme, “Where are We Now? Continued Growth or Reaching Peak.”

Returning to the newly renovated Memorial Union, this year's reunion was full of great events, generously made possible by sponsors and the hard work of many individuals, including the conference co-chairs Katie Johnson Bergen and Michael Zelin. Following are a few highlights of the event, but certainly not all. We hope that if you attended, you enjoyed your time and found it valuable. If you couldn’t join us this year, we hope to see you at our next conference, the Trends Conference, in Chicago on September 25 and 26, 2019!
A Message from WREAA President Jim Roemer
An E xciting and Promise-filled Time
The WREAA Board of Directors continues to work hard on exciting initiatives that will advance the Real Estate Program at UW Madison and the WREAA. Learn about the new and innovative programs that are energizing the Real Estate Program and the Wisconsin Real Estate network in Jim’s update. 
Michael Shannon Receives the Wisconsin Award
Michael S. Shannon, Chairman of KSL Capital Partners, LLC was presented with the Wisconsin Award at the Alumni Luncheon during the 2018 Biennial Wisconsin Real Estate Conference. The award recognizes the successes and contributions of an individual or firm to the real estate process. Each recipient has demonstrated an ability to successfully integrate both a business and social ethic within the real estate process. Following the presentation of the award, Michael spoke about his decades of business experience beginning on campus in Madison. His knack for publicity generated attention for the Theta Chi Ski for Cancer event, which Michael chaired as an undergrad. He used case studies of projects his firm has completed to pass on lessons to attendees, including the value of partnerships within communities. Congratulations to Michael!
Wisconsin Connection Fund
Deals of the Year Presented at Alumni Banquet
Dan Lessor (MBA 2010) of Mortenson Development (left) accepts the 2016 Deal of the Year Award on behalf of Nate Gundrum (MBA 2006) and Chuck Murphy (MS 1987), who could not attend. Also pictured (right) is Tony Carlson (BBA 2005) of Grandbridge Real Estate Caital, and Mark Hammond ( MBA 2012) of MSP, who accepted the 2017 Deal of the Year Award on behalf of Milo Pinkerton (MS 1979).
Since 1997, the Wisconsin Connection Fund has been the beneficiary of donations made by UW alumni and friends who are involved in real estate transactions with one another. The Wisconsin Connection Fund proceeds are used to directly impact the UW Real Estate Program through funding of WREAA student internship positions, scholarships, and student field trips, as well as new initiatives undertaken by the Real Estate Program.

The 2016 Deal of the Year Award was presented to Nate Gundrum (MBA 2006), Director of Development with Mortenson Development, Inc. and Chuck Murphy (MS 1987), Senior Vice President - Acquisitions/Asset Management for InterPark. Their Wisconsin Connection Fund donation commemorated a deal in which Mortenson Development purchased a 23,000 SF site from InterPark in downtown Minneapolis. Formerly a surface parking lot, Mortenson transformed this location into the AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown, Marriott's new lifestyle brand. This $51 million, 245-key hotel represents the 10th AC Hotel in the United States and the first in the State of Minnesota.

Anthony Carlson (BBA 2005) and Milo Pinkerton (MS 1979), received the 2017 Deal of the Year Award . Tony, who is with Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, originated the permanent refinance of New Berlin Senior Apartments, a 145-unit apartment property located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The apartment property is owned and managed by Milo, who is the President of MSP Real Estate Inc.

Congratulations to all recipients!

To learn more about making a donation to the fund, visit the WREAA website or call the WREAA Office at 262-746-9030.
Recent Graduate Mentorship Program to Launch
The WREAA will launch a Recent Graduate Mentoring program in 2019. The program is geared to help recent UW real estate graduates (2013-2018) make connections within the Wisconsin Network and build relationships with senior level WREAA members.

The innovative program will allow recent graduate mentees to pair themselves with alumni mentors who are seasoned professionals based on industry segment. The mentee will subsequently meet with one or more mentors throughout the span of the year-long program. Mentors should have 7-10+ years of industry experience and be willing to commit to at least 3-4 one-hour sessions in a 12-month period. 

“An alumni mentorship program focused on helping recent graduates gain traction in the industry is unique among real estate programs.” says WREAA’s Executive Director, Chris Dicks. “This new program is another way in which WREAA can fulfill its mission to promote the image and standing of the UW-Madison Real Estate program and enhance career and business opportunities for its graduates.  We will be relying on the commitment of seasoned UW real estate alumni to help us provide this opportunity to our newest alumni members.”

WREAA is now recruiting mentors and will open program enrollment to mentees in December. The full program will launch in mid-January.  Email the WREAA office to volunteer as a mentor. Watch for more information in WREAA’s social media and upcoming newsletters.
Last week, Social Media Intern David Walsh spoke with Badger alumnus Malcolm Sina (MS 1979) about his career in real estate, and specifically his experience founding a development firm. Malcolm is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Sina Companies, a real estate development firm focused on the niche market of healthcare properties. Sina Companies has developed projects in more than 30 states, and has also been involved with commercial office, retail, and hotel projects. Malcolm and David discussed entrepreneurial challenges Malcolm has faced, advice for those who may wish to start their own firm and other interesting topics. Read the full interview at the WREAA Network Blog !
Thank You Biennial Wisconsin Real Estate Conference Sponsors!
Gold Corporate Partners
Silver Corporate Partner
Event Sponsors
Patron Sponsors
WREAA Welcomes Incoming MBA and GREM Students

Alumni, Faculty and WREAA Executive Director Chris Dicks, gathered at Cento in Madison to welcome incoming MBA and GREM students. The Welcome Dinner, sponsored by WREAA, gave the new students the chance to mingle with faculty, meet alumni and hear about the WREAA.  
30th Anniversary Edition of
Graaskamp on Real Estate Available
A 30th anniversary special edition of Graaskamp on Real Estate has been released. The latest edition made its debut at the recent Biennial Wisconsin Real Estate Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. To purchase a copy of what is still considered to be one of the best books on real estate ever written, go to graaskamponrealestate.com . The book's editor has generously agreed to donate 30% of the proceeds from book sales to the UW Graaskamp Center for Real Estate.

About the Editor:
Stephen P. Jarchow is a media and real estate investor. He has been involved in the production and/or distribution of over 250 motion pictures and 22 television series. He has been a partner in over 200 real estate ventures. Mr. Jarchow received a BBA, MS and JD all with Honors from the University of Wisconsin. He is a CPA and a member of the Wisconsin and Texas Bar Associations.
Upcoming Events
October 11, 2018
Minneapolis Welcome Event for Real Estate Club Fall Trip

October 11, 2018
Northern California Fall Happy Hour

October 25, 2018
Eastern Wisconsin - Tour of WorkLofts and Networking Reception

October 17, 2018
Denver - Project Tours of The Source Hotel, Zeppelin Station & Networking Reception

September 25-26, 2018
Wisconsin Real Estate Trends Conference, Chicago, Illinois

Around the Regions
Northern California Tees Up at
TPC Harding Park
Illinois Tours Largest Redevelopment Project in the U.S.
WREAA Career Hub
Post your job positions and internships on the WREAA Career Hub ! Posting is free to employers so recommend this fantastic resource to your colleagues. Looking for a new position? Sign up to receive immediate notification of new positions by signing in at the WREAA website and clicking on the Career Hub link. Once there, select "Subscribe" from the line of options across the top. 
A Sampling of Career Opportunities
Analyst / Associate
Chicago, Illinois

Senior Vice President
Atlanta, Georgia
   
Real Estate Advisor
Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Assistant Asset Manager - Manufactured Housing
San Diego, California
Structured Financial Analyst  
Dallas Texas

Financial Analyst
Chicago, Illinois 
 
Paralegal - Real Estate
Madison, Wisconsin

Customer Account Manager III, Multifamily
Washington, DC
Names in the News
Timothy P. Runde receives the Appraisal Institutes Outstanding Service Award
WREAA member Timothy P. Runde , MAI, LEED AP (MS 1988), of San Francisco, received the Outstanding Service Award during the Appraisal Institute's Annual Conference in August in Nashville, Tennessee. The Outstanding Service Award is presented to an Appraisal Institute professional who contributed ideas, service hours and dedication to ensure a program or effort is implemented at either the chapter, region, national or international level; is instrumental in the success of the program or effort, which must be far enough along to measure and provide proof of success; and the program or effort must be beneficial to chapters, regions or national or international professionals. Congratulations to Timothy!
Dr. Elaine Worzala Receives the IRES Founders Recognition Globe
Elaine Worzala (Ph.D. 1992), a founder and past president of the International Real Estate Society (IRES), was honored by the organization with the traveling IRES Founders recognition globe during the European Real Estate Society meeting in Reading, England in July. In 2019 Elaine will travel to both the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society meeting and the American Real Estate Society for continued recognition. Congrats Elaine!
Patrick Lawton (MBA 1986) has joined Johnson Bank as Senior Vice President – Wisconsin Manager in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and can be reached at plawton@johnsonbank.com .
 
John Lerdahl (BBA 2015) has moved from Saint Louis Park, Minnesota to Oregon, Wisconsin and has joined Gorman and Company as their Development Coordinator. Contact John at jlerdahl@gormanusa.com .

Phillip Cathlina (BBA 1992) has joined Greystone & Company as Director in Chicago, Illinois. Phillip can be reached at Phillip.Cathlina@Greyco.com .

To have your announcement included in the next newsletter, email Jane Miller .
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