August 23, 2019

Waukee Commons

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Waukee Commons, LLC

Waukee, IA  – Development

Located near the intersection of Hickman Road and Warrior Lane, in Waukee, a western suburb of Des Moines, this project features 160 multi-family units, 64 townhome-style units with attached double garages and 96 one-and two-story townhome units with private entrances. At the center of the property is an outdoor pool, playground, dog park, and clubhouse with fitness center. Waukee Commons was developed by Signature Companies.

159 Units
Investment Year: 2018
Capital Investment: $4,500,000
todd@ernstcapitalgroup.com
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August 31, 2018

Todd Ernst

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Todd M. Ernst

Todd is the President and Founder of Ernst Capital. He runs the firm’s asset management business and assists with business development, due diligence and deal structuring.

Prior to founding the firm, he was a Program Management Director at Freddie Mac in McLean, VA. His department helped monitor and evaluate project investments totaling between $400 million and $500 million annually. He was also a business consultant at Accenture for nine years, based out of their Washington, DC and Reston, VA offices. At Accenture, he helped clients improve business capabilities by making process changes and implementing better uses of technology. He also managed several projects and helped clients evaluate new business opportunities. Some of these clients included: the U.S. Navy, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Dell, MCI WorldCom, and Cable & Wireless.

Todd holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland and is a licensed Securities Principal, Investment Advisor and Real Estate Broker Associate. He has served on several regional non-profit boards including the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Forward Sioux Falls and the Okoboji Foundation. He is also a member of the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Club and has volunteered with several other community organizations.

todd@ernstcapitalgroup.com
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August 31, 2018

Nick Gates

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Nick A. Gates

Nick is a Partner with Ernst Capital and heads the firm’s due diligence review process. He also assists with regulatory compliance, deal structuring and management of our investment partnerships.

Prior to joining Ernst Capital, Nick graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Business from Dakota Wesleyan University. Nick is an alumnus of Leadership Sioux Falls, Class of 2014 and is a licensed Securities Principal, Financial and Operations Principal, Investment Advisor, and Real Estate Broker.

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August 31, 2018

Chris Daugaard

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Chris J. Daugaard

Chris is a Partner with Ernst Capital and heads the firm’s investment sales and regulatory compliance operations, along with leading the firm’s marketing, communications, and investor relations. Chris joined the team in 2014 and is a licensed Securities Principal and Real Estate Broker Associate.

Prior to joining Ernst Capital, Chris worked in analysis and business development roles for Raven Industries, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, and the Enterprise Institute.

Chris holds a B.S. in Political Science from South Dakota State University with Honors College distinction. He also studied transportation and urban planning at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. Chris serves on the board of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Startup Sioux Falls, the Downtown Sioux Falls Development Council, and chairs the Advisory Board for Jobs for America’s Graduates – South Dakota. He is a member of Downtown Rotary, the South Dakota Investment Society, and is a graduate of Leadership South Dakota. 

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August 31, 2018

Karla Jackson

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Karla A. Jackson

Karla is a Vice President with Ernst Capital where she runs our commercial real estate brokerage, helps identify new investment opportunities, supervises real estate transactions, and assists with investor relations. She has over twenty years of experience in the financial services industry in various roles. Prior to joining Ernst Capital in 2012, Karla was with Waddell & Reed, and LPL Financial.

Karla is a licensed Securities Representative, Investment Advisor and Real Estate Broker.

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August 31, 2018

Casey Crabtree

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Casey Crabtree

Casey is Vice President of Business Development with Ernst Capital, building investor relations and the firm’s marketing and communications efforts. Casey is a graduate of Northern State University, where he was also a four-year member of the football team and graduated from the Leadership South Dakota program in 2017. Prior to joining Ernst Capital, Casey was the Director of Economic Development for Heartland Energy where he led the economic development programs including energy incentives and revolving loan funds to facilitate community and job growth in the region.

Casey is serving his third term in the South Dakota State Senate. He is chairman of the Senate Commerce and Energy committee and a member on Taxation. He has previously served as both Majority Leader and Majority Whip, chair of the Senate State Affairs committee, a member of the Executive Board and interim studies on workforce housing and property tax reduction efforts.

Outside of the office Casey and his wife, Ashley, live near Madison with their two boys, where they enjoy sporting events and spending time outdoors.

Casey joined the firm in 2026 and is pursuing his securities license.

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August 31, 2018

Emily Claar

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Emily A. Claar

Emily is a Senior Associate with Ernst Capital where she assists with marketing activities, human resources, accounting, data collection, analysis, investor relations, and asset management.

Emily is a graduate of The University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Business Management in Human Resources.

Outside of the office Emily and her husband, Paul, stay (sometimes too) busy with their two young children. 

Emily joined the Firm in 2013 and brings with her a background in finance and human resources. Emily is also a licensed Securities Representative.

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August 31, 2018

Kody Henning

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Kody Henning, CPA

Kody is a Senior Associate with Ernst Capital where he assists with asset management of the investment properties.

Prior to joining Ernst Capital in 2020, Kody worked in accounting and financial analysis roles in the healthcare and insurance industries. Most recently, Kody worked on accounting for mergers and acquisitions for Sanford Health.

Kody is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. Kody is a licensed Securities Representative.

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May 25, 2018

Tami Broekemeier

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Tami Broekemeier

Tami is an Associate with Ernst Capital where she assists with investor relations, data collection, and clerical support for the office.

Tami is a native of Corn Husker country and attended Northeast Technical Community College where she earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice. In 2002, Tami and her husband Greg settled in Sioux Falls. Together, they have four children and three grandchildren. She enjoys the great outdoors whether biking, hiking, kayaking, trap shooting, archery or just sitting still. To pass the time she also enjoys reading, puzzles, board/card games and spending time with her family and friends.

Tami joined the firm in 2021 and brings with her many years of administrative assistant experience.

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August 31, 2017

Luke Bunkers

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Luke Bunkers

Luke is an Associate with Ernst Capital where he assists with analysis, data verification, financial models, and regulatory compliance. Luke is a graduate of The University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Finance.

Outside the office, Luke splits his time between the golf course, the gym, and training for his next race — with Sundays reserved for church and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Luke joined the firm in 2022. Luke is a licensed Securities Representative, Investment Advisor, and Financial & Operations Principal.

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