Name/Title/Company: Mike Testa / Ogden & Company, Inc.

Briefly tell us what you do, and length of time in the CRE industry: I have been in the industry for 8 years; I started in residential property management before transitioning to commercial, then to brokerage, and then to development. In my current role, I touch all facets of the industry and work with both new and existing clients to manage the needs of their real estate investment portfolio. My role requires me to leverage the experience of our internal teams to help clients with all stages of the real estate lifecycle, from acquisition to disposition, including leasing, management, capital improvements, and debt structure.

Which NAIOP committee are you involved in?: I am a Co-Chair of the Programs Committee and Member of the Public Policy Committee.

Which project or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?: I'm really proud of the collection of awards that has amassed on my desk, particularly my IREM Nation 30-Under-30 award that I won when I was 24 years old and only 2 years into the industry, and very honored by the NAIOP Principal of the Year award and Developing Leader All-Star recognitions I've received over the past 4 years. I am extremely proud to have just completed my CCIM coursework and application, and am excited to take my exam in April. 

How are you involved or how would you like to be more involved in NAIOP Wisconsin?: I've been really involved with the Programs Committee since I joined NAIOP about five years ago, and I've been the Co-Chair for two. I've also been a member of the Public Policy Committee since I joined. I really enjoy spending my time between the two committees and enjoy having a strong involvement in planning and executing events as well as having a say on the PP Committee. 

How do you hope to contribute to your NAIOP committee and what do you hope to get in return?: I am excited for the opportunity to continue leading the Programs Committee with Adam this year and to refresh our strategy moving forward so that we can provide more engaging, thought-provoking, and informational events without increasing our workload.

Tell us about your family: I grew up in Illinois and moved to Wisconsin in 2011 to attend Marquette University, and then never left. I am the oldest of three siblings, I have both a younger brother and a younger sister who are almost as good as me at everything and who are almost as good looking. Almost. I live in West Allis with my two (sometimes one, my mom stole one) dogs, Bennett and Iggy.

What is your favorite quote?: "Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way."

Favorite foods at Summerfest and State Fair?: Anything deep fried that shouldn't be. No fat, no flavor, baby!

What's your favorite vacation destination?: Costa Rica is my favorite vacation I've ever been on, but I love going to my family's home in Ft. Myers, Florida that we've had since I was a kid. I love going down there because we're familiar with everything and can truly relax, there's no stress of being in a strange place.

What are your hobbies?: I'm a competitive waterskier - I travel all over the country for 3-event waterskiing and compete annually in the national championship tournament. I also do a bit of show skiing for the Muskego Waterbugs.

What is the best Halloween costume you have ever worn?: My friends and I have a tradition of waterskiing on halloween, regardless of weather. Two years ago (maybe 3?) we had a crazy snow storm and I just happened to have a penguin costume handy. There are photos of me waterskiing in the snow in a penguin costume, it was probably one of my favorites.