Kraus-Anderson Realty & Development bolsters growth opportunities with leadership promotions
January 16, 2023
To support the company’s aggressive real estate growth strategy, Kraus-Anderson Realty & Development Company today announced it has promoted Kirsten Walstien to vice president of investment management at KA Realty, John Dreher to development manager at KA Development and Chris Olson to property manager at KA Realty.
“As our company grows, we’re evolving our capabilities to redevelop and strengthen our KA portfolio of legacy properties, refine our ala carte real estate development services and further pursue third-party development opportunities,” said Pete Diessner, president of KA Realty & Development. “We are proud to promote these leaders who have demonstrated strong expertise as well a steadfast commitment to KA’s values.”
Kirsten Walstien, Vice President of Investment Management
Walstien joined KA in 2018, most recently serving as director of investment management. As vice president, Walstien will focus on KA’s real estate portfolio, leading its investment performance reporting and projections. She also will play a leading role in managing the company’s assets, evaluating real estate investing and transactions, and overseeing the tools and analytics that guide the company’s business decisions. In addition, she will play a significant role in managing the relationships across the KA family of companies. Walstien graduated from St. Olaf College and is on the board of Summit Academy, OIC and the East Town Business Partnership.
John Dreher, Development Manager
Dreher joined KA Development in June 2022 as an investment analyst. In his new role, Dreher will be engaged in the entire development process, including identifying development opportunities, and with financial analysis, design, financing, construction and sale. He also will assist in developing KA’s investment strategies and project concepts, and will work with the Investment Management team to secure, close and manage project debt. In addition, he will collaborate with the construction, financing, design and engineering teams, as well as government agencies, community groups and granting agencies. Dreher received an M.S. in Real Estate from the University of Wisconsin School of Business, Madison, and B.S. from the University of Minnesota.
Chris Olson, Property Manager
In addition, KA Realty also has promoted 20-year industry veteran Chris Olson to property manager. He joined the company in 2021 as assistant property manager. Olson manages the daily operation of seven property buildings. He is a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Minneapolis’ Emerging Leaders Council.
KA Realty & Development manages in excess of 5 million square feet of commercial property, including more than 650,000 square feet of current and recent multi-family housing and mixed-use developments.
The company has completed several recent Minnesota housing successes, including Moda on Raymond, a 220 market-rate apartment building and mixed-use development in St. Paul; HQ Apartments, a 17-story, 306-unit residential tower in Minneapolis; Chamberlain apartments, a 6-building, 316-unit mixed income and affordable housing complex in Richfield; The Larking, a $100 million, 16-story residential tower in Minneapolis; and 590 Park, a 92-unit upscale apartment building in St. Paul.
About KA Realty & Development
Kraus-Anderson Realty & Development Company is part of the Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson family of operations, including integrated construction management, real estate management and development, insurance and financial services. The company is a comprehensive real estate services provider with expertise in site selection, master planning, land and building acquisition, financing, facilitation of municipal processes and entitlements, portfolio and property management and leasing. It leases and manages in excess of 5 million square feet of commercial property, including office, industrial and retail shopping centers; maintaining an occupancy level of more than 90 percent.