Tailwind Group is focused on building and sustaining unique, amenity-rich developments. We strive to create a setting where property values exceed market trends and people understand the true meaning of community.
Ownership Group
Since its inception, Tailwind Group has been led by its four founding partners: Kyle Smith, Reggie Reed, Michael Sather, and Landon Smith. Their leadership and guidance have helped grow the company exponentially. Each partner brings extensive investment, finance, and asset management experience to the team, as well as a broad network of industry and financial relationships. Most important, the four partners share an entrepreneurial vision. Their foresight in identifying purpose-built student housing as an emerging trend in the southern Minnesota real estate market has undoubtedly led to one of Tailwind Group’s greatest strengths: deep-seated experience in a relatively new asset class.
Kyle Smith
Kyle’s strategic vision has been vital to the success and continued growth of Tailwind Group. He spends much of his time generating new business opportunities in both the student housing and commercial sectors and is responsible for establishing Tailwind’s investment partners. Kyle’s ability to strengthen and develop positive community relationships is an invaluable quality and his unique perspective and insight provides the company with a solid direction from which it can deliver a first class product while achieving sustainable results.
Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Minnesota State University, Kyle has not only been active in real estate development, but his business experience also includes aviation, health & fitness franchising and the food service industry. This entrepreneurial prowess and diversity is an essential element in Tailwind Group’s success and provides the organization with a proven and trusted leader.
Kyle enjoys spending time with his family and attending sporting events when he’s not in the office.
Kyle Smith
Founding Principal
Reggie Reed
Reggie serves as the principal facilitator of Tailwind Group’s daily operations, the vast majority of which he helped to standardize when co-building the company from scratch. He continues to fine-tune the processes that enable Tailwind Group to recreate its success in student housing markets around the country. Reggie also oversees the regional management and development of Tailwind Group’s corporate staff, customer relations, and facilities management.
A former pilot and airline training specialist, his background lies in crew resource management and standardization best practices. His experience in getting from point A to point B safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively became the basis for Tailwind Group’s approach to property management. Reggie’s expertise in operating guidelines and procedures, along with his ability to foster productive teams, has been pivotal in achieving growth that exceeded forecasts by more than 250%.
Reggie began his real estate career in 2002 with the acquisition of several investment properties located throughout southern Minnesota. His 16-year career in aviation saw him rise from first officer to captain to a member of the airline’s training department. Reggie is a licensed real estate salesperson in Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and economics from Minnesota State University.
When he’s not in the office, Reggie enjoys spending time with his family, snow skiing, watching Iowa Hawkeye sports and flying.
Reggie Reed
Founding Principal
Michael Sather
Michael oversees all the company’s assets under management in addition to all financial aspects of Tailwind Group. His day-to-day activities include reviewing project-level operating and construction budgets, full-scale project underwriting, five-year cash flow planning, and cultivating relationships with banking and capital partners.
In addition, Michael is heavily involved in the initial stages of all Tailwind Group projects. His ability to complement a project’s vision with creative finance models ensures a strong real estate investment for Tailwind Group’s equity partners. Michael’s meticulous yet forward-thinking approach is driven by his dedication to developing properties that benefit tenants, investors, and communities.
Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, insurance, and real estate from St. Cloud State University. Prior to founding Tailwind Group, he was a leader in the southern Minnesota banking industry, working first as a commercial loan officer and then as a loan portfolio reviewer. His primary focus was on underwriting and analyzing real estate projects on behalf of the bank. In 2005, Michael served as a core founding member of the de novo Bridgewater Bank, which successfully completed an IPO in 2018. Having spent nearly a decade in such a highly regulated industry, he brings valuable expertise and perspective to Tailwind Group.
In his free time he enjoys spending time with family, watching his kids sporting events and traveling with his family. Michael also finds time to relax on the water fishing and enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Michael Sather
Founding Principal
Landon Smith
Landon has been instrumental in the development of Tailwind Group’s innovative leasing and marketing strategies. His roles include strategically structuring leasing contracts and managing pre-leasing activities, securing new deals, and evaluating new markets. He also leads Tailwind Group’s customer acquisition strategies.
Having worked with college students for more than 15 years, Landon has a deep-seated understanding of Tailwind Group’s customer base. He spends much of his time out in the field, growing relationships within student housing communities. Landon’s insight has been critical to Tailwind Group’s ability to successfully anticipate market trends and capitalize on the critical pre-leasing period. His dynamic and hands-on approach to advertising and marketing delivers fresh concepts that engage Tailwind Group’s target audience.
Landon graduated from Minnesota State University, with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He is a licensed real estate broker in Minnesota.
Outside of the office, Landon enjoys spending time with family and attending sporting events.
Landon Smith
Founding Principal
Senior Management Team
Lane Gravley
Joined Tailwind: October 2020
College: Crown College
Major: Business Management with a minor in Business Ethics
As the President, Lane guides and oversees all departments in the organization to ensure the mission and vision of Tailwind Group is being carried out. Whether it’s team building, organizational structure, business communication, P & L management, supporting culture development, or helping prepare the company for significant growth, his leadership continues to improve the foundation that has been built over the past 15 years.
In his free time, Lane loves sports of all sorts. He would much rather participate than watch and enjoys cycling, pickleball, and basketball the most. He is a tortured Minnesota sports fan, but insists our world series wins were not that long ago. Lane is most proud of his large family and enjoys active time with them whenever possible.
Lane Gravley
President
Brandon Smith
Joined Tailwind: September 2014
College: Northwestern College
Major: Business Management & Finance
Brandon oversees the general operations and development of Tailwind Group. On the operations side, he leads a team of 100+ employees that are responsible for the management, leasing, and maintenance of all assets in Tailwind Group’s student housing portfolio. He also focuses on making the entire operation of the organization more efficient and scalable as Tailwind Group continues to grow. On the development side, Brandon uses his sales and project management background and expertise to provide key feedback when analyzing new opportunities in a market; whether a turn-key acquisition, major renovation, or ground-up construction opportunity.
Brandon is an avid Minnesota sports fan, which is the cause of most of his stress. To de-stress, he enjoys hanging out with his wife and friends, golfing, hiking, obsessing about his lawn, and trying to grill the perfect steak.
Brandon Smith
Vice President, Operations & Development
Krystal Pierce
Joined Tailwind: September 2019
College: University of South Carolina and William Mitchell College of Law
Major: Political Science and Law Degree
Krystal is responsible for overseeing all legal matters, activities, and relationships within the organization. These legal matters include all real estate transaction activity (acquisitions, dispositions, refinances), execution of letters of intent, purchase agreements and leases, and handling of all tenant-related legal matters. All legal activity leading up to a transaction is spearheaded by Krystal; including due diligence, review of loan and construction agreements, title work, settlement statements, and other closing documents. Krystal also plays a prominent role with Tailwind Group’s investors, managing both relationships and capital contributions.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, fishing, camping, and doing everything sports related with her family. She is active at her children’s school, where she is the legal counsel for the PTO and a junior achievement instructor. She is also active in the children’s ministry at her church.
Krystal Pierce
Vice President, Legal & Administration
Andy Hanson
Joined Tailwind: November 2020
College: University of North Dakota (UND)
Major: Bachelors in Accounting
Andy is responsible for leading the various accounting teams across the organization. These teams handle all accounting functions for our student housing portfolio, commercial properties, and corporate entities. Andy and his team oversee and manage all transactions related to the general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, financial reports, and required bank reporting and audits.
Andy is a huge fan of going to live concerts and sporting events, even when those sporting events don’t go well, as many Minnesotan’s can relate to! He also enjoys getting out in nature by backpacking and summit hiking, as well as getting out and biking. His favorite ride every year is the MS 150.
Andy Hanson
Vice President, Accounting
Operations
Colleen Lewter
Joined Tailwind: April 2017
College: Michigan State University
Major: Interior Design
Colleen oversees the operations and is responsible for the overall success of the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio student housing properties.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, as well as other family and friends. She’s a die hard Spartan fan, enjoys playing or watching just about every sport, traveling, and loves putting her creative talents to work with special projects.
Colleen Lewter
Regional Property Manager
Kory Theil
Joined Tailwind: February 2019
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato / Northern State University / Lakeland University
Major: MS – Educational Leadership / BA in Spanish and Business Administration
On September 1, 2020, Kory will be responsible for the overall success of four student housing properties and their associated site staff in Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Currently he is the Property Manager of The Quarters Iowa City and previously was the Property Manager at The Quarters Rochester.
He spends his free time with his two dogs and siblings. He enjoys watching sports, attending Iowa Hawkeye wrestling matches, and supporting local breweries.
Kory Theil
Regional Property Manager
Devan Schaly-Brumbaugh
Joined Tailwind: December 2019
College: University of Kansas
Major: Communications, Business and Leadership
Devan joined Tailwind Group as a Property Manager for T-H-E Griff and then was promoted to Corporate Leasing Manager. In her current role, she provides oversight and support for leasing efforts across all of Tailwind’s properties – both remotely and by traveling to the sites. She also assists with leasing and marketing strategies, sales training, and works closely with the company’s Leasing Managers.
When she’s not traveling all over for work, she takes spin classes, cheers on Kansas basketball, visits National Parks with her husband and sings in a community choir. Fun fact: She has traveled to more than 15 university markets across the country.
Devan Schaly-Brumbaugh
Corporate Leasing Manager
Emily Adams
Joined Tailwind: June 2018
College: University of Northern Iowa
Major: Criminology
As the Operations Specialist at Tailwind Group, Emily travels to sites that have positions that need to be filled or need temporary help and provides assistance for as long as is needed. She was the Property Manager in Cedar Falls prior to accepting this new role.
In her free time she likes to travel and explore new places.
Emily Adams
Operations Specialist
Farrah Nelson
Joined Tailwind: July 2019
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Marketing with a minor in Business Administration
As the Digital Marketing Manager, Farrah handles the social media and online marketing strategies for Tailwind Group with a heavy focus on the student housing market.
When she’s not in the office she enjoys spending time with her family, playing in a bean bag league, volunteering, catching up on the latest Netflix series, spending time up north, watching her son play hockey, and hanging out with friends.
Farrah Nelson
Digital Marketing Manager
Bryce Andrews
Joined Tailwind: January 2017
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Graphic Design with a minor in Art History
As Digital Design Manager at Tailwind Group, Bryce handles all the graphic and branding strategies for digital and printed materials. He’s also Tailwind Group’s photographer for all student housing, retail and office properties.
In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and binge watching Netflix. He’s very passionate about the sport of wrestling, as he’s the assistant coach for the Mankato West High School.
Bryce Andrews
Digital Design Manager
Nicole Mueller
Joined Tailwind: July 2020
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Bachelor of Fine Arts – Graphic Design
As the Digital Design Specialist at Tailwind Group, Nicole assists with all the graphic design needs, both digital and printed materials. She works with all of our property and leasing managers to help create advertisements for the entire Tailwind portfolio.
In her free time, she is also a dance teacher at Dance Express Mankato and enjoys creating custom projects with her Cricut, portrait photography, and spending time with family and friends.
Nicole Mueller
Digital Design Specialist
David Hughes
Joined Tailwind: June 2012
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Business Management
David manages the daily operations of the Administration Department. His team develops and maintains information systems to support all areas of the company.
In his free time he enjoys cycling, competitive volleyball with his coworkers, and all things outdoors. But the best part of his day is spending time with his wife and two boys.
David Hughes
Director of Information Technology
Logan Suko
Joined Tailwind: July 2014
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Communication Studies with a minor in Communication Disorders
Logan provides assistance to internal users with technological issues and monitors software and equipment for optimal performance.
In his free time he travels as much as possible, tries new restaurants and breweries, goes hiking and camping, hunting out west, and being unrealistically hopeful about the Minnesota Vikings.
Logan Suko
IT Technician
Accounting
Madeline Smith
Joined Tailwind: March 2013
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: General Finance with a minor in Business Administration
Madeline manages the financials for the properties located in Ohio, Michigan, South Dakota, and Indiana. She also works closely on new development projects where she manages the construction loan and distribution.
In her free time Madeline enjoys long walks outside with her husband and her dog, Nala. She also enjoys traveling to Wisconsin to see her family, playing recreational volleyball with friends, spending quality time with her 5 nephews, and long vacations to get away and explore.
Madeline Smith
Senior Property Accountant
Michael Kaufman
Joined Tailwind: March 2021
College: Century Community College and The University of MN – Twin Cities
Major: Accounting
Michael manages the financials for the commercial properties. He also works on new construction projects and new acquisitions as they present themselves.
In his free time, he is a high school, college, and men’s amateur baseball umpire. He also officiates high school football and wrestling in the fall and winter. When not officiating, he likes spending time with his wife and supporting their 4 kids – oldest son goes to school at Chicago Loyola University, oldest daughter is a member of the security forces in the USAF stationed overseas, younger daughter is a junior in high school, and younger son is a sophomore in high school.
Michael Kaufman
Senior Property Accountant
Zach Kaufenberg
Joined Tailwind: October 2020
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Accounting (Masters & Bachelors); Minor in Business Administration
Zach’s job duties revolve around managing the financials of various student properties located in Minnesota and South Dakota. He also does daily cash reconciliations for these properties and gets involved with the related accounts payable functions on a day to day basis.
Outside of work he enjoys spending time with friends and family. He loves to ride his four-wheeler in the river bottom and loves to watch Minnesota sports (Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Wild). He also enjoys listening to country radio and attending live concerts.
Zach Kaufenberg
Property Accountant
Timothy Hlas
Joined Tailwind: February 2021
College: Winona State University; Metropolition State University
Major: Business Administration
Tim’s job duties revolve around managing the financials for five student housing properties in Minnesota, Iowa, Wyoming and Michigan.
Tim likes to spend time with his wife Joan, son Andrew, and dog Winnie. He enjoys taking camping trips, home brewing beer, watching sports, and traveling when possible.
Timothy Hlas
Property Accountant
Chad Friedrichs
Joined Tailwind: February 2021
College: South Central College
Major: Accounting
Chad is the property accountant for 5 Tailwind properties in Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Minnesota. He handles cash reconciliation, accounts payable, budgeting, month end reporting, and property analysis for those five properties.
Outside of work, he loves spending time outdoors. He’s an avid bowhunter and enjoys the challenge of trying to outwit the finely honed instincts of a whitetail deer or turkey. He enjoys the peace and solitude in a canoe when he camps and paddles in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. And he loves spending time with his wife and children, especially trips to their favorite family vacation spot, Walt Disney World.
Chad Friedrichs
Property Accountant
Kate Walters
Joined Tailwind: December 2020
College: Minnesota State University Mankato
Major: Finance and Minor in Business Administration
As the Accounting Manager, Kate helps with everything from paying vendors and handling payroll to closing the books on time for the Corporate entities, Residential and Commercial. She is also the hiring manager for the accounting department.
In her free time she likes to spend time with her 3 kids and husband. They enjoy being outside on the water, at sporting events, and on the golf course.
Kate Walters
Accounting Manager
Legal & Administration
Whitney Dickinson
Joined Tailwind: October 2019
College: Buena Vista University – Storm Lake, IA
Major: Bachelor of Arts – Communication; Master of Arts – Organizational Leadership
Whitney manages the company training program. This includes the management, design, development, and coordination of all training curriculum for both new hires and recurrent training purposes.
In her free-time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Austin, and golden retriever, Dakota. You will most likely find her playing with Dakota, curled up with a good book, watching the Maverick football team (her husband is the Defensive Line Coach), attempting to learn modern day calligraphy, or hanging out with family & friends!
Whitney Dickinson
Training Coordinator
Miranda Koeck-Johnston
Joined Tailwind: July 2015
College: South Central / Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Dental, Sociology, Corrections
Miranda serves as a link between management and employees. She assists with planning and coordinating of administrative functions for Tailwind Group. She oversees all HR functions including benefits and compensation, employee relations, conflict resolution, recruitment, onboarding and retention as well as payroll preparation.
Miranda spends most of her time away from work attending her two younger son’s sporting events or getting them from one event to another. In the summer she enjoys gardening and getting her hands dirty with one creative project or another. You can often find her with her nose in a book or spending time with friends and family. Her favorite sport to watch is football, but her favorite sport to participate in, is shopping!! – That’s a sport right???
Miranda Koeck-Johnston
HR Assistant
Kristin Moorhouse
Joined Tailwind: June 2016
College: South Central College
Major: Accounting
Kristin is the Executive Assistant for our Legal & Administration department.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She loves to travel, attending sporting events, and hanging out with friends.
Kristin Moorhouse
Executive Assistant
Janine Zimmerman
Joined Tailwind: December 2014
College: Northern Michigan University and University of MN Carlson School of Management
Major: Education/Business Accounting
As Executive Assistant to Michael Sather, Janine’s duties primarily include managing investor accounts and maintaining the investor website.
In her spare time she enjoys traveling, hiking, craft beer and good food. She also manages concessions for Rockford High School activities and various youth sports organizations.
Janine Zimmerman
Executive Assistant
Finance
Betsy Dornfeld
Joined Tailwind: May 2011
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Corporate Finance
Betsy reviews property performance to evaluate status and opportunities across Tailwind Group’s entire portfolio.
In her free time she enjoys vacationing, hanging out with her dog Stella, watching Friends reruns, and she’s passionate about fitness and health.
Betsy Dornfeld
Asset Manager
Nick Sheak
Joined Tailwind: September 2020
College: Gustavus Adolphus College | St. Peter, MN
Major: Accounting
As a Financial Analyst, Nick provides portfolio analysis surrounding the current residential and commercial portfolio, while also providing support for residential acquisition opportunities and ground-up development projects, prompting Nick to analyze complex business opportunities and issues to provide actionable insights into current and future investments and influence decision making.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, running, smoking meats, and supporting local restaurants and breweries.
Nick Sheak
Financial Analyst
Commercial
Kelly Mayo
Joined Tailwind: September 2013
College: Metro State University
Major: Criminal Justice
Kelly is responsible for Tailwind Group’s commercial property portfolio. He manages the day-to-day operations of the retail and office building properties. This includes coordinating and supervision of property maintenance, capital improvements, tenant improvements, collecting rents, tenant relations, annual operating budgets, financial reporting and maximizing the overall property Net Operating Income.
His passions outside of work are family, friends, and fishing.
Kelly Mayo
Senior Commercial Property Manager