About Cardinal Capital Management » Our People » Bios
Bios
Erich Schwenker — President
Erich has been involved in real estate management for over 30 years, with the bulk of his professional time spent managing diverse real estate portfolios on behalf of Fortune 500 Investment companies. Specific to affordable housing, Erich has worked at all levels of that industry with emphasis on property and asset management. As President of Cardinal, Erich leads the development team, oversees the company business operations, directs asset management activity, and seeks new client relationships for Cardinal. Erich has particular interest in special needs housing.
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414-727-9902 |  |
eschwenker@cardinalcapital.us |  |
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Dan O'Connell — Vice President
Dan has been involved in the development and management of real estate for 29 years. His expertise is in the areas of acquisition, financing and development. Dan has achieved national acclaim for his work with HUD's Affordable Housing Programs. As Vice President, Dan heads the acquisition team, identifying appropriate apartment communities in need of preservation, performing the feasibility work, negotiating and handling complex financial transactions. Dan has a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Finance.
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608-663-6390 | |
doconnell@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Asset Management
Carol Keen, CPM® — Asset Manager
Carol has been involved in the affordable housing industry for 18 years. Carol has experience working with various affordable housing programs such as Section 8 tenant based and project based assistance, Section 202 and 811 programs, LIPHRA and Affordable Housing Tax Credits. She has held positions in asset management and underwriting for several years. Carol worked closely with the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. portfolio in 1998 while working as a portfolio development officer at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Carol also served as the executive director of ARC Housing in Milwaukee, a non-profit housing organization serving persons with developmental disabilities. Carol has worked with the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. portfolio since 2001 at Bank One Trust and joined Astar's asset management team at its inception in 2002. Carol has a Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Carol received the designation of Certified Property Manager from the Institute of Real Estate Management in 2007. Carol serves on the board of directors for Wisconsin Initiative for Sustainable Housing.
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414-727-9902 | |
ckeen@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Chris Geiger, CPM® — Asset Manager
Chris has been involved in real estate for over 20 years. A career that started as a licensed real estate broker evolved into property management. Chris served over 125 trust and estate clients for JPMorgan/Chase throughout the state of Wisconsin. Management duties included property development, lease and offer negotiations, and property updates and rehabilitation. Chris joined Astar Capital in February, 2006 as an asset manager for approximately 1,000 affordable housing units held in the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. portfolio. Overseeing annual and capital improvement budgets, soliciting grants for project improvements and maintaining property manager contacts, have helped Chris gain a new perspective in this field. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and has recently earned the designation of Certified Occupancy Specialist.
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414-727-9902 | |
cgeiger@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Joe Thomae, CPM® — Asset Manager
Joe manages our long range tech vision, keeping Cardinal Capital on the cutting edge of cloud computing and mobile anywhere/anytime access to information. He is also Cardinal Capital's Webmaster.
Joe has been involved with real estate ownership and management for 20 years. He has managed Section 42, Section 8 and a wide variety of market rate properties. He has extensive experience with financially and physically distressed property. He helped lead the rehabilitation of the states largest condominium community.
Joe earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from U. W. Milwaukee in 1987 and is a licensed Real Estate Broker.
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414-727-9902 | |
jthomae@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Judy Leiterman, CPM® — Asset Manager
Judy monitors performance of apartment communities in the Astar portfolio, and assists in the development of housing for special needs populations.Judy has worked in the housing field for the past 33 years. She worked in market rate housing for a group of Madison investors until 1981, and then joined WHEDA as a Management Analyst. Since then Judy has held positions of progressive responsibility at a variety of for-profit and non-profit management companies, including Boston Financial, Heartland Properties, Inc., and Franciscan Ministries.Judy earned her Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management in 1985. She served as President of the Madison Chapter of IREM in 1988; and Milwaukee Chapter President in 2002. Judy received a Fair Housing Award in 1994 from the Dane County Fair Housing Council for her work in training and promoting fair housing issues in the community.
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414-727-9902 | |
judyleiterman@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Acquisitions & Underwriting
Becky Margenau — Accountant/Financial Analyst [pic]
Becky has over eleven years of affordable housing experience. She has worked at Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). During her tenure at WHEDA, Becky participated in many special projects in the multifamily asset management area. She also participated in WHEDA's initial Risk team. During her years at PHFA, Becky served as a Multifamily Analyst and Staff Auditor. She has served as the Director of Finance and Administration for a nonprofit advocacy organization and was responsible for all aspects of the accounting process.Becky performs project feasibility and due diligence analysis for new acquisitions. Becky has a B.A in Accounting.
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608-663-6390 | |
bmargenau@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Rhonda Orosz — Financial Specialist
Rhonda has over sixteen years of finance, accounting and management experience in investor relations in the affordable housing industry. Prior to joining Astar, Rhonda has held positions of progressive responsibility at Heartland Properties, Inc. (HPI), a former Alliant Energy Holding Company's subsidiary. During her tenure at HPI she was a key liaison with internal and external investors and provided valuable accounting, finance and budgeting experience in Section 42 properties. She also maintained supervisory responsibility for the accounting staff.As a Financial Specialist at Cardinal, Rhonda performs project feasibility and due diligence analysis for new acquisitions. She participates in the acquisitions and underwriting functions by providing financial analysis and support in the review and evaluation of candidate properties. Upon approval to purchase the candidate property, she assists legal counsel during the due diligence review. Additionally, Rhonda provides primary support in our tax credit applications/developments, provides funding oversight during rehabilitation and coordinates investor requirements.Rhonda has a B.S. in Accounting and has passed all four parts of the CPA exam.
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608-663-6390 | |
rorosz@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Dan Kroetz — Acquisitions Manager
Dan has been involved in Real Estate acquisitions, management, and development since 2000. Prior to joining Cardinal, Dan oversaw real estate management and acquisitions for an investment portfolio held by the Nordic Group of Companies. As Acquisitions Manager at Cardinal, Dan is responsible for identifying potential acquisitions, performing project feasibility and due diligence, as well as negotiations with sellers and third parties. Dan holds a BBA degree in Finance and Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a licensed real estate broker.
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608-663-6390 | |
dkroetz@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Property Management
Bob McCormick — Senior Property Manager
Bob has worked in affordable housing management in multiple capacities since 2000. Immediately before joining our staff, he was employed at the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee as a housing manager. He has experience in many aspects of property management including intake, leasing, and site management. In addition he has worked with the Section 8 Tenant Based Voucher Program.Bob joined Cardinal Capital Management in June, 2006, as Senior Property Manager. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Property Management section.Bob holds a MS degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a BS degree in Communication from Arizona State University.
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414-395-4982 | |
bmccormick@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Kendra Morgan — Senior Accounting Manager
Kendra joined Cardinal Capital Management in late 2007. She has a BBA in Accounting, and is a member of the Institute of Management of Accountants. She is responsible for the day-to-day functions in accounting, is involved in the month-end process, budgeting and forecasting, and account analysis. In the past she has worked for non-profit organizations, service, and manufacturing industries.
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414-395-4984 | |
kmorgan@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Philip Aggen — Compliance Supervisor
Phil joined Cardinal Capital Management (CCM) in February of 2007. His primary duties are to ensure that properties managed by CCM meet HUD and WHEDA, and RD regulatory requirements. Phil has managed affordable housing since 1995 specializing in Section 202/8 projects for people with physical disabilities. Phil has experience in all areas of property management and is certified by the National Center for Housing Management as an Occupancy Specialist, a Manager of Housing, and a Tax Credit Specialist. Phil has recently completed the Spectrum training for Rural Development 515 properties.Prior to managing affordable housing, Phil held supervisory and direct service positions in several social service agencies. Phil has a B.A. degree in psychology from UW-Oshkosh and an M.S. degree in Education from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.
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414-395-4987 | |
paggen@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Katie Voss — Housing Consultant [pic]
I am deaf, ever since birth, and grew up with deaf parents and four deaf sisters. My parents operated a Wisconsin dairy farm for over 50 years. I mainstreamed at schools in Madison, Wisconsin, attended Columbus High School and graduated without interpreters. It was the biggest challenge I ever experienced.After achieving an Associates Degree in Child Development, I discovered it was impossible to find a job in that field in the rural area where I lived, so I went to work for a small insurance company. I started with typing then I gradually climbed up the ladder to be a Vice President of Finance.After relocating to Milwaukee, I landed a job with Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. as a Housing Consultant. After completing the IREM Course 101 in Residential Management, I worked on the development of Water Tower View in Greenfield, WI. I now work with deaf advocacy groups in other states who are working to develop similar housing in their communities.In my spare time, I teach American Sign Language I, II and III. I have been involved with American Sign Language Teacher Association as a Vice President for two terms and now I am on the committee for ASLTA workshops. I am involved with Wisconsin Association of the Deaf as a secretary. For the past 7 years, I have been on the committee for ASL weekend. I have been involved with the Deaf Mentor program for more than 5 years.
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414-937-5903 | |
kvoss@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Charlotte Kinney — Special Needs Housing Assistant
Charlotte joined Cardinal Capital Management in March of 2008. She is hard of hearing, and graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in Economics, and she recently finished Grantmanship Training this summer to help with our grant writing. Fluent in ASL, she helps out with our special needs housing, and can easily be reached on her VP at 866-939-8494 to answer questions about Apache ASL Trails, and Water Tower View.
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414-727-9902 | |
ckinney@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Construction
Mark Klann — Director of Construction and Capital Improvements; Capital Needs Assessment Provider Project Bid Information
Mark has been in the real estate and construction business for 25 years. He has owned a general contracting business since 1983 with his principal client Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company for whom he performed a wide range of inspections, repairs and general contracting services throughout the State of Wisconsin. As a Construction Manager, Mark’s experience and knowledge in the residential and multi-family construction field has proven invaluable in all the variety of projects that (CCM) Cardinal Capital Management has completed. He is involved from the initial design, throughout the construction to the substantial completion process on all CCM projects and assigns and oversees all Project Managers. He has also completed a Get Green Get Certified Course and is certified as a green built builder. As a Facilities Asset Manager, Mark directs and/or oversees all capital improvements and monitors compliance with state and municipal building inspections and fire protection. He inspects and assesses the physical needs of all apartment communities in the Cardinal and Astar portfolio bi-annually while working with insurance groups on Risk Management. As a WHEDA and Rural Development approved Capital Needs Assessment provider, Mark has successfully completed about 35 capital need assessments per year for the last five years which are a requirement for possible acquisition, and grant or Tax Credit applications. He has completed REAC Training from HUD and has completed pre-REAC inspections when requested.
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414-727-9902 | |
mklann@cardinalcapital.us | |
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John Noonan — Manager of Special Projects
John joined CCM in 2007 to oversee day to day maintenance at Cardinal managed properties. In addition to his continuing responsibility for training and technical development of site based staff, John works in a number of other areas for Cardinal. As one of only two people in Wisconsin certified by HUD to perform REAC inspections, he plays a key role in ensuring continued superior performance at Cardinal properties. He also consults with other companies and properties requiring technical assistance with REAC matters. As Manager of Special Projects, John concentrates on development of systems to increase operational efficiencies across the portfolio. Projects include establishing operating manuals for all properties and establishing a secure network for central administration of site based computers.John has over 25 years of experience in building maintenance and repair, including work experience as a home improvement contractor, site maintenance technician and facilities manager. Property types have ranged from single family homes to luxury high-rise complexes to 120,000 sq. ft. office/industrial complexes. Certifications received include welding and lock smithing, as well as a Certificate in Project Management awarded in 2006 from Cardinal Stritch University.
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414-395-4981 | |
jnoonan@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Gary Wendt — Project Manager
Gary draws on over 30-years of construction management experience having worked with several large size commercial general contractors to large size residential builders/developers. Familiar with both hard bid and design-build methods of project management, Gary has a wide range of construction experience and project types, from educational, religious, office, medical, retail, industrial, residential, condominium, and mixed-use. He has been involved in all aspects of the construction process, from estimator, project engineer, job-site superintendent, project manager, to division construction manager. Gary works especially well with project teams guiding the project team in developing a project from concept, schematic drawings, preliminary budgets, final construction documents, and final hard bidding that encompass the owner’s needs, quality, budget, and schedule requirements. His hands-on style ensures close attention to every project detail, from the daily office coordination to the on-site construction operations. He is 1977 graduate from UW-Stout with a BS degree in Industrial Technology, Building Construction Management. Gary has also served as a Construction Arbitrator on the Construction Arbitration Board with the Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee from 2003 – 2009.
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414-727-9902 | |
gwendt@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Patrick Ciha — Project Manager
With over 25 years of construction experience Patrick brings to Cardinal Capital Management a vast knowledge of the construction field. As an experienced craftsman he has hands on experience in the residential, multifamily and commercial areas of the field. He owned and operated a design build construction firm for over 16 years, specializing in home remodeling and spec home design / build. He grew his company from a one man contractor into a 12 member design build firm. Client projects ranged from minor maintenance repairs and bathroom remodeling on homes to providing complete construction of, and start up of a food packaging facility in Wisconsin. With his crew he averaged over 200 completed projects per year. Patrick manages the budgets associated with capital improvements for our projects. He also solicits subcontractor estimates as well as providing Project Management to complete these improvements.
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414-727-9902 | |
pciha@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Ryan McRae — Project Manager
Ryan joined Cardinal Capital in March of 2008. As Assistant Asset Manager, Ryan helps research potential acquisitions, update website content, inspect and assess property conditions and assists in updating and maintaining property information and records. Ryan is a Certified Green Built Homes Verifier. As such, Ryan inspects and reviews new construction in single and multifamily buildings as well as remodeling projects and evaluates whether they meet sustainable building and energy standards. This process involves conducting site visits, and reviewing plans, checklists and other submittals that are supplied by builders or remodelers. Ryan holds an Associates Degree in Real Estate and is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson.
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414-727-9902 | |
rmcrae@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Accounting
Shannon Brown — Controller
Shannon has a solid background of finance and accounting, with over twelve years of experience as Controller in the hospitality industry for various hotels, resorts and conference centers, achieving the top industry designations of CHAE and CHTP. In addition, Shannon has over ten years experience in real estate development and construction accounting.As Controller, Shannon is responsible for all aspects of the accounting process, from corporate accounting to the project portfolio financial reporting. She reviews monthly project accounting and prepares the consolidated financial reports. Shannon creates budgeting policy and oversees all auditing and tax work required by ownership entities.
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608-663-6390 | |
sbrown@cardinalcapital.us | |
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Shannon Dougherty — Financial Analyst
Shannon comes to Cardinal Capital Management after working at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for over twenty years. While at WHEDA, she was an accounting manager, asset manager in the Tax Credit Program, and more recently, an asset manager with a portfolio of WHEDA-financed and HUD Contract Section 8 project-based developments.Shannon's primary responsibilities include analyzing financial information submitted on a project level and working with management agents on submitting information accurately and in conformance with company policies.Shannon has degrees in both Accounting and Business with an emphasis in Finance and holds a C.P.A. license in Wisconsin. She has received training and has earned other certifications as they relate to fair housing, federally subsidized housing programs, and housing quality standards.
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608-663-6390 | |
sdougherty@cardinalcapital.us | |
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