Real Estate Solutions Solutions to help you steward your real estate resources.

Real Estate Solutions (RES)
understands the unique nature and requirements associated with
religious-owned assets.

The team has over 40 years of experience in serving churches and not-for-profit organizations with their real estate and financial needs.

LCEF believes that “ministry should dictate real estate” and not the other way around, and so the RES team was formed to work alongside the people or organizations it serves to help them develop and/or execute the best strategy to support their ministry objectives.

Whether working with an individual church, organization or district, this team becomes an extension of that ministry to help them best steward their entrusted assets. We understand that every dollar saved goes toward building the Kingdom, and we take our role and responsibility in the process very seriously.

WHEN TO CONTACT US

  • You are considering purchasing real estate.
  • You are considering selling real estate.
  • You would like to strategically discuss your portfolio.
  • You have been approached by a developer.
  • You would like to expand ministry through your real estate assets.
  • You are pondering a construction project.
  • You have extensive deferred maintenance.
  • You are considering the opportunity for senior housing.

Property Analysis | Strategy Sessions | Highest and Best-Use Analysis

Many congregations or districts have a need to simply talk through a specific opportunity, challenge or strategic initiative. The RES team is here to listen and help you put action behind the ideas. With dedicated research analysts and industry professionals, we are strategically positioned to think through any unique challenges you may be facing and develop solutions to navigate through the options.

Construction Management | Planning & Design | Permitting & Entitlements

The RES team aims to understand the vision for any project before ever turning the first shovel of dirt. It has been an honor to partner with organizations that are positively impacting our communities, and we are proud to have developed over one million square feet of global ministry centers, school campuses and not-for profit headquarters. From conceptualization and design to construction and turnover, our experienced team guides the entire project.

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Thomas joined Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) this year leading the Real Estate division. Prior to joining LCEF, Thomas was Vice President of the Real Estate division at AbleLight, Inc. (formally Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Inc). During the last three years at AbleLight, Inc., Campbell built a real estate team that managed the existing real estate portfolio and created an integrated housing initiative across the US.

Prior to AbleLight, Inc., Thomas was the principal executive at Campbell Corporation. During his 27 years at Camp-bell Corporation, Thomas developed, constructed, managed and owned a real estate portfolio including multifamily, seniors housing and hotels throughout the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Not only has Thomas applied his real estate development expertise on his own behalf, but he has used his real-life experiences to consult with hundreds of for profit and non-profit organizations as a real estate owner’s representative, managing the development and construction of diverse real estate projects throughout the United States and the world. For over twenty years, Thomas has been leveraging key development tools such as TIF, tax-exempt bonds, LIHTC, RD 515 and others. Thomas has successfully completed real estate projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars in the residential, commercial, hospitality and industrial real estate segments.

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Andy joined LCEF in May 2023. Andy has been practicing architecture for over 12 years and has served clients in most all target markets within the field. One of Andy’s many career-related passions is urban design and community-based projects, where he is able to accomplish projects by leading and working with teams to comprehensive, realistic and efficient solutions. Andy will continue to serve in an architectural role on LCEF projects when needed as a project designer and project manager.

Andy will also continue to grow his knowledge-base in the field of Commercial Realty, where he is able to leverage critical thinking combined with design to accomplish projects with unique scope solutions and various capital stacks.

Andy received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Ball State University, College of Architecture and Planning and is pursuing his remaining examinations to accomplish architectural licensure.

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Josh joined Lutheran Church Extension Fund in October 2023 as a member of the Real Estate Solutions team. He has been actively involved in the commercial real estate market of Southern California for over 12 years where he began his career as a commercial real estate broker specializing in multifamily properties and infill development sites. He is passionate to see the reuse and repurpose of real estate to address the shortage of housing, in particular the state of California where he has spent his entire life.

Josh will continue to use his consultative and advisory approach, while also looking to grow and expand his knowledge as a commercial real estate professional.

Josh graduated from the University of California Irvine with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Economics and a Minor in Management. He also received a Certificate in Real Estate Finance, Investments, and Development from the University of San Diego Division of Professional and Continuing Education.

Jonathan Ward Sr Director Real Estate Solutions at LCEF

Jonathan joined LCEF in December of 2023. He is a real estate development professional with nearly 25 years of experience from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee from many sides of the table in both the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

He has closed financing on over $250 million in new development financing specializing in urban redevelopment with a wealth of experience in alternative financing including: Historic, New Market and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, grants, leveraged loans, and tax-increment financing. He has developed both urban and suburban mixed-use retail and multifamily development.

He has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University.  He studied city planning and architecture, in Barcelona, Spain, and served as a Lauble Fellow in Community & Economic Development at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.

Jonathan and his wife Kaethe have six children and reside in the Milwaukee area where they attend Our Savior Lutheran Church in Whitefish Bay.

Dorothy Geisz CROP

Dorothy brings seven years of team support in various capacities, including four years with a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation, and three years of non-profit work.

In previous roles, Dorothy has worked significantly on assisting the development and support of cross-functional teams. She is using her career experiences by assisting in the streamlining of processes and providing project management support to the Real Estate Solutions team.

Dorothy is excited to support Real Estate Solutions projects and help identify opportunities to provide the best service to those LCEF serves.