Michael B. Elliott - Principal

Michael Elliott "Mike" has over fifteen years of diversified national Real Estate experience with over $2-billlion in activity, with expertise in: 1031 Exchange expert, Tenant-In-Common investment structuring, Start-up, Acquisitions, Asset Management, Redevelopment, Development, REIT/Fund Development, Investment, Teaching and Real Estate Appraisal and Brokerage.

As a principal in Real Estate Asset Advisors, Mike oversees the companies operations as a real estate asset management company involved in TIC restructuring, 1031 exchanges, REO management and third party investment oversight.

As a principal at JWT Capital, LLC Mike is involved in the acquisitions, development and management of a vast array of commercial and residential projects. The company has been involved in several office, retail, restaurant and hospitality developments throughout Montana. Mike is also the Managing Director of Grubb & Ellis|Montana Commercial, LLC (a subsidiary of JWT Capital, LLC). Grubb & Ellis|Montana Commercial, LLC is an affiliate of Grubb & Ellis, an internationally recognized commercial real estate brokerage, consulting and property services firm. Mike oversees the operations for the state of Montana including an office in Bozeman and Kalispell.

Additionally, Mike was an Adjunct Professor in the University of Denver’s Real Estate and Construction Management program where he taught Real Estate Financial Analysis using Argus Software to the Undergraduate, Graduate and Executive Graduate programs.

As Co-founder of Requity Real Estate Group, LLC Mike was involved in investing, advising, developing and consulting on retail, industrial, office and multi-family real estate projects across the country with a focus in Denver, Phoenix and Southern California.

As a Principal of Western Asset Development, LLC he was involved with third party investments and development, created a Private Placement Realty Fund and assisted in the start-up of non-traded REIT’s, 1031 UPREIT programs,1031 syndications and customized investment programs.

As Acquisitions Officer for Triple Net Properties, LLC, a national real estate investment 1031 company and a private REIT, he assisted the company in acquiring properties nationally and managed all aspects of due diligence and preparation of investment packages. While with Triple Net Properties he also served as the Asset Manager for over $225M of office, retail and industrial properties.

While serving as Senior Financial Analyst for Kennedy Associates Real Estate Counsel, Inc. he coordinated over $1-Billion dollars of industrial, retail and office real estate budgeting in addition to property valuation, property performance analysis, appraisal review and real estate portfolio analysis.

Mike helped introduce a software application for the real estate appraisal industry as a development manager for Valuation Research Corporation called ValueCheck. This program is a computer assisted mass appraisal system using multiple regression analysis which is used for accurate real estate valuation, analysis and real estate tax protesting. At the time, this software made the company the most technically advanced in the industry.

Mike has served on various associations and committee’s including: Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of University of Denver’s Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management, NAIOP Membership committee, and Denver Metro Commercial Association of Realtors.

Mike received his Masters in Real Estate and Construction Management and his BS in Business Administration from the University of Denver. He is a licensed Real Estate Appraiser in Colorado and Real Estate Broker for Colorado, South Dakota and Montana.

Julie Raether

As a property manager she helps maintain tenant retention, ensures owners/clients are receiving maximum income for properties, helps monitor and process property collections and payables, prepares budgets and resolves tenant complaints. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Accredited Commercial Manager accreditation through IREM.

Prior to joining Grubb Ellis, Julie was employed by Target Corporation’s Real Estate Existing Store Team in Minneapolis, MN. Within the Real Estate – Existing Store division she drafted estoppels, helped with New Store closing deals, reviewed tenant requests and sign requests from new developers or existing tenants to ensure that they abided by the Declarations or Reciprocal Easement Agreements (REA).

Julie has a B.S. in Real Estate Studies and a B.A. in Leadership and Management from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She is a licensed Real Estate Property Manager in Montana and also holds her Montana and Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson license.

Joseph D. Cobb

Joseph Cobb “Joe” started in commercial real estate 1999 where he assisted acquisition groups in purchasing restaurant and hotel properties across the United States. In 2002, Joe relocated back to Bozeman to practice Commercial and Investment brokering full-time.

Joe’s diverse background spans virtually every aspect of the real estate profession. Most recently, while expanding into Grubb & Ellis | Montana Commercial to meet the needs of the firm's growing client base, he’s been concentrating on brokering Retail, Office, Multi-family, Hospitality, Development transactions as well as tenant/buyer representation and consulting services from a pool of local and national entrepreneurial clients.

Additionally, Joe’s has a background in Business Brokering & Advisory Services helping business owners and entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses and franchises. He’s consulted and advised clients with conducting Business Valuations, providing Business Financing & SBA Funding Solutions, Exit Strategies, Franchise Resales, Business Plan Services and Networking of Business Intermediaries.

As a Co-founder, and Senior Business Consultant for a new division in American Express’s Tax and Business Services, he was involved with streamlining existing operations, turn-around of unprofitable functions, creations of new concepts, follow-through on development direction, property site selection and analysis of comprehensive development plans for hotels, restaurants and resort properties. He’s conducted Concept and Emerging Future Trend Consultations for retail & hospitality clients. His primary function was Project Management oversight for organizing, setting-up and launching business concepts paying careful attention to operation’s efficiency and profitability for all types of hospitality and retail businesses.

As a Senior Consultant & Project Manager with the Hospitality Development Group, the company was involved in retail, restaurant and hospitality development projects throughout United States and Eastern Europe. Joe conducted Valuation Studies, Operational Evaluations and Reviews, Repositioning Analysis, Market Feasibility Studies and Strategic Development Plans. He has managed projects by implementing design and architecture plans for new and renovated projects as well setting up operational systems, managing schedules, controlled sourcing and maintain scope of project while minimizing risk. Customizing proprietary systems, processes and control methods for new or existing businesses was also one of his primary functions.

Joe received his Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University. He is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Montana, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and a Big Brother volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County.

Ryan W. Springer

Ryan has a diversified leadership background ranging from the Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer (Major) to corporate experience as the Production Controller of a 1.5 million square foot import warehouse for Target Corporation to small business startup and ownership. Additionally, Ryan has experience in developing Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties. Ryan has served on various civic associations and boards promoting economic development at the local level.

Sean A. Thompson

Sean Thompson is a licensed real estate salesperson with Grubb & Ellis | Montana Commercial, LLC. Sean has over 15 years of experience in small business start up and management. He has opened and operated several retail and restaurant businesses in Montana and Idaho and most recently worked for JWT Development Companies of Bozeman, MT as their Controller overseeing the finances and developing administrative infrastructure and support of over 10 companies. With his extensive understanding and knowledge of small businesses, Sean has an expansive knowledge of regulatory and compliance issues, and excellent analytical skills to improve the financial condition of a company and is extremely knowledgeable of accounting policies and procedures.

His background in commercial and business finance has allowed him to implement and monitor internal controls of multiple retail, restaurant and hotel property businesses simultaneously. His well-disciplined ability to implement key ratio uses to evaluate production and development efficiencies in one or more businesses coupled with organizing work groups in real estate efforts to maximize benefits and problem solve issues have allowed him to provide clients with a unique perspective to their needs as well as convey complex information in easily understood formats.

Sean holds a B.S. in Business Management and Finance from The University of Montana, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Coeur d’ Alene Downtown Association in Coeur d’ Alene, ID.