Join WREAA in Madison in September!
Alumni and friends will meet up during the 2018 Biennial Wisconsin Real Estate Conference and Reunion which will feature both past favorites and exciting new events. This year's Biennial offerings include golf at University Ridge, a lakeside opening reception and banquet at the Edgewater Hotel, and a series of speakers and panels on cutting-edge topics. Attendees of the alumni banquet will enjoy a performance by renown mentalist Oz Pearlman (featured on America's Got Talent) and take part in the debut of the Banquet After Party, to be held lakeside on the Edgewater's Plaza. Mark your calendars today and plan to meet WREAA in Madison on September 13-15, 2018! Contact Mandy Kaegy for more information about showcasing your company with a Biennial Sponsorship.
UW MBA's Place 2nd in Prestigious UNC-Chapel Hill Challenge
Congratulations to the UW student team that placed second in in the UNC-Chapel Hill Real Estate Challenge last week. Led by advisor Arif Qureshi, the UW-Madison group was among sixteen formidable teams from the top MBA programs in the United States and Europe invited to participate. The UNC-Chapel Hill Challenge Team (shown above from L to R) includes Luke Voss (MBA 2018), Nick Brown (MBA 2018), John Bezouska (MBA 2018) and Nick Mussatti (MBA 2018).

Renew Your Membership Today!
Please continue your support of the Wisconsin Real Estate Program, and involvement in the leading alumni network of commercial real estate professionals! Visit our website or email the WREAA Office for help in renewing your 2018 membership.
Minnesota Alumni Contribute to the Wisconsin Connection Fund
Dan Levitt (MS 1987), Anders Pesavento (BBA 2005), Andrew Twito (BBA 2008), and Isaac Accola (BBA 2016) of Ryan Companies teamed up with Tony Carlson (BBA 2005) and Ben Fazendin from Grandbridge Real Estate Capital for the permanent refinance of the Grain Belt Building and 610 Zane Medical Office building in the Minneapolis MSA. The refinance proceeds were used to take out short term debt and lock in the long term non-recourse rate. In celebration of the successful closing, the alumni from Ryan Companies and Grandbridge are pleased to make a donation to the UW Connection Fund. On Wisconsin!
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  the WREAA student ambassador position, scholarships, and student field trips, as well as new initiatives undertaken by the Real Estate Program. To learn more about making a donation to the fund, visit the WREAA website or call the WREAA Office at 262-746-9030.

WREAA is pleased to welcome David Walsh (BBA Dec. 2018) as WREAA's new Social Media Ambassador. David will keep alumni up to date on student and real estate club activities along with working on content for the "WREAA Network Blog". The Social Media Ambassador position is funded through the generous donations of alumni and friends to the Wisconsin Connection Fund. To learn more about the fund and how you can directly impact the UW Real Estate Program, visit the Wisconsin Connection Fund  webpage . To learn more about David, visit the  Student Ambassador page  on the WREAA website. Congratulations to David!

Upcoming Events
February 21, 2018
Southern California Office Development Tour and Lunch

February 22, 2018
Washington D.C. Badgers Basketball Happy Hour

March 1, 2018
Eastern Wisconsin Meet N' Greet with Dr. Mark Eppli

March 20, 2018
Graaskamp on the Road Event in Dallas, Texas

September 13-15, 2018
Biennial Wisconsin Real Estate Reunion and Conference, Madison, Wisconsin.
In addition to providing alumni and affiliate members with numerous networking, business development, and professional development opportunities, the WREAA also provides financial resources for student scholarships for the UW Madison Real Estate Program.  Generous donations made to the alumni association by dedicated alumni and friends make possible the allocation of funding for these scholarships. WREAA was able to provide nearly $40,000 in student scholarships in 2017. Students are encouraged to apply for WREAA's 2018 scholarship opportunities. Up to five scholarships are available to UW Real Estate students for the 2018-2019 academic year. It is not possible to apply for these scholarships through the UW Real Estate Program scholarship process. Applications are available on the WREAA website and must be submitted directly to the WREAA office   

Congrats to Our Newest Alumni!

Congratulations to the December 2018 graduates! Twenty-eight students received their Real Estate degrees on December 17. WREAA sponsored a Graduation Dinner, attended by students and faculty, on December 11th at Nitty Gritty in Madison to welcome the new alumni to the Wisconsin Network.
 
Wanted:
Summer Internship Opportunities!
Students at UW Madison have already begun exploring internship opportunities for the summer of 2018. It is easy to post an internship opportunity in the WREAA Career Hub - no login required! Share this valuable resource with your colleagues!

Sampling of Career Opportunities
Senior Analyst
Atlanta, Georgia  

Assistant Investment Officer
Seattle, Washington 

Broker Analyst/Intern
Madison, Wisconsin
Analyst
San Francisco, California

Senior Analyst
Bethesda, Maryland

Debt Analyst, Real Estate Investments
Chicago, Illinois 
 
Share Your Passion for the Program!

Competition for the best and brightest MBA students has never been greater. The Real Estate Department is actively seeking MBA candidates, and needs your help! What can you do? Download the recruitment flyer from the Real Estate Department for more information.


Names in the News
Raythan Pillai (BBA 2017) has joined JLL as a Market Research Analyst in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Get in touch with Raythan at [email protected] .

Mark Eisenmann (BBA 2000) has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance for Landmark Healthcare Facilities, LLC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mark's previous title was Chief Financial Officer. Reach out to Mark at [email protected] .

Brian Mullins (BBA 2003) was promoted from Assistant Counsel to Senior Counsel for InvenTrust Properties Corp. in Downers Grove, Illinois. Brian's email address is [email protected] .

Andrew Brainard (MBA 2011) was recently promoted from Senior Associate to Assistant Vice President for Welltower, Inc.  Andrew recently relocated from London, UK to Beverly Hills, California. You may get in touch with Andrew at [email protected] .

Allen Hill (BS 1979) is working for Frauenshuh Commercial Real Estate in Minneapolis, Minnesota as Senior Vice President. Allen's previous employer, BTO Development, LLC merged with Frauenshuh Commercial Real Estate. Allen can be reached at [email protected] .

Ken Strom (BBA 2005) has been promoted from Vice President to Vice President - Milwaukee Team Lead for TCF Commercial Real Estate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Contact Ken at [email protected] .

We'd like to hear from you.  Please email Jane Miller to have your news included in the next newsletter.