Staff

Principal

George Sherman
George Sherman has planned and delivered multi- and single-family housing for nearly 30 years. As principal in developing more than 5,000 rental units and more than 1,000 for-sale housing units, the total value of properties for which he has been responsible exceeds $1 billion. Mr. Sherman earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 1976 and an MBA in 1977 from the University of Minnesota.

Legal

Susan Fauver
Susan Fauver is a Minnesota State Chair of the American Bar Association's Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law.  Joining Sherman Associates in 2001, Sue focuses on real estate development with an emphasis in affordable housing finance. Past experiences include practice in the United States Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel and partnership in Minneapolis' Faegre & Benson LLP.  Sue received her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1988.
 
Anne Stephenson
Anne Stephenson joined Sherman Associates in May of 2008.  Anne focuses on residential and commercial real estate development.  Prior to joining Sherman Associates, she practiced law at Best & Flanagan, LLP.  Anne received her Bachelor of Arts from Miami University of Ohio and her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.
 
Lisa Merk
Lisa Merk came to Sherman Associates in 2006 with nearly 20 years of commercial, asset-based leasing and lending experience. Lisa’s previous work history includes Vice President of Administration for Allegiance Financial Group, Inc. in St. Paul, Minn., and Portfolio manager for the Technology Group of Cargill Leasing Corporation in Minnetonka, Minn.

Development and Project Management

Ryan Sailer
Ryan Sailer joined Sherman Associates in 2006 after served as Real Estate Manager for a Twin Cities based national general contractor/developer. He has broad experience in project finance, site acquisition, site development, and project management. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.

Jackie Nickolaus
Jackie Nickolaus has a 10-year history of downtown redevelopment practice, including long-term planning and project implementation. Before joining Sherman Associates in 2005, she was an Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Des Moines. Jackie earned a University of Iowa Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Arts from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Elizabeth Flannery
Elizabeth Flannery has more than 16 years of experience in multifamily real estate development and management. She has worked on residential and mix-used projects in multiple states.  She joined Sherman Associates in December of 2003.  Previous employers include CommonBond Communities and the National Equity Fund, where she specialized in affordable assisted living and supportive housing projects throughout the U.S. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.

Residential Sales and Marketing

Brad Goering
Brad Goering joined Sherman Associates in May 2006 to manage the residential sales division.  His more than 25 years of sales/marketing and division management experience includes employment with three of Minnesota's largest residential real estate development companies. In addition to a Minnesota, California and Wisconsin Real Estate license, Brad has earned numerous industry designations and graduated from a four-year building trade's apprenticeship program in 1984.

Residential Property Management

Richard W. Hutsell
Richard Hutsell oversees Sherman Associates largest department with assets in excess of $700 million and a staff of over 100 located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.  Richard has over 25 years of experience in affordable, investment and commercial property management, most recently as CommonBond Communities’ Vice  President of Property Management and Vice President of CommonBond Investment Corporation.  While there, Richard developed and managed a nationally recognized model for affordable housing.  Richard is a licensed Real Estate Broker. 

Pam Schmidt
Pam Schmidt helps to assist in the daily operations of residential property management.  With over 20 years of experience in the field of property management, Pam has held Director level positions at several nationally recognized Minneapolis based property management companies.  Formerly, Pam was Director of Property Management at CommonBond Communities, Vice-President of Property Management at Welsh Companies and Operations Manager of The Shelard Group.  She has extensive experience in the supervision of a variety of property types that include conventional, new construction lease-ups, and affordable tax-credit communities.

Shiva Anderson
Shiva Anderson is recognized as one of the country's most highly regarded compliance professionals with several designations and certifications to her credit.  Previously with CommonBond Communities, she developed an essential model for the management of site compliance with local and federal affordable housing regulations.  With nearly 20 years experience in the compliance field, Shiva has directed Sherman Associates compliance department operations since September 2009.

Commercial Leasing and Property Management

Rob Kost
Rob Kost has leased or sold more than 3 million square feet of commercial space over his 25-year career. Joining Sherman Associates in July of 2005, Rob, a past NorthMarq and Frauenshuh Companies employee, serves on the CCIM Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter and the St. Joseph's School of Music boards. Rob earned a bachelor's degree from St. John's University and completed the Executive Real Estate Program through Harvard Business School.

Debra Goodman
Debra Goodman joined Sherman Associates in 2009 with more than 17 years of commercial property management and leasing experience with mixed-use properties. Debra’s work history includes General Manager/Asset Manager of the Northstar Center/Minnesota Center with Trizec Properties. She currently serves on the board of directors for Greater Minneapolis Building Owners & Managers Association. Debra earned an accounting degree from the University of Minnesota - Crookston.

Construction Management

Richard Kiemen
Richard Kiemen has more than 25 years' experience in general contracting and project management. Working with Sherman Associates since 2005, he has been involved with multi-family, residential, public and private construction projects throughout the Midwest. Richard received a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering a holds a Minnesota residential contractor's license.

Accounting

Larry Kelly
Larry Kelly has more than 20 years experience in real estate development and property management. Prior to joining Sherman Associates, he was the Controller for John. B. Goodman Limited Partnership, a developer of senior housing projects. Larry earned a double major in Accounting and Economics from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Certified General Accountants.

Deanna Somvong
Deanna Somvong has worked in corporate accounting with a focus on financial reporting, internal controls and Sarbanes Oxley documentation, and in public accounting with a focus on real estate audits. With more than 10 years of experience Deanna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from the University of St. Thomas and is a member of the Minnesota Society of CPAs.

Hotel operations

Adam Herbranson, aloft Minneapolis
Adam Herbranson has more than 17 years of hotel experience starting with Sheraton ITT, Canada and later joining Hilton as Executive Housekeeper for Double Tree Hotels in Bloomington and St. Louis Park. His extensive work experience also includes work with Embassy Suites in Bloomington and Minneapolis as Assistant General Manager, then becoming General Manager of Comfort Suites Minneapolis.

Troy Whelan, aloft Minneapolis
Troy Whelan has worked in the Minneapolis hotel market for over 12 years.  Prior to joining Sherman Associates, Troy held Director of Operations and Sales and Marketing Director positions with the Marriot Residence Inn City Center and the Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton.  In addition to this experience, Tory has over 10 years of experience in individual condominium management and leasing.  Troy holds a Minnesota MLS license, is a Meet Minneapolis CVB member, and a member of the Warehouse Business District Association.

Karen Pionk, Sheraton Duluth Hotel
Karen Pionk joined Sherman Associates in March of 2007. She has more than 15 years of industry experience. Karen serves on the Visit Duluth Board and is a member of Skyline Rotary Club. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, she holds a degree in Marketing and Advertising from the College of St. Mary.