Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities
BEAR Development
Bear Development provides innovative solutions to complicated real estate developments. Since 1986, the company has been involved with the acquisition and development of residential, multifamily, hospitality, retail, office and industrial projects. The firm currently owns and manages real estate in 14 states.
Construction Management Associates
Founded in 1991, Construction Management Associates, Inc. (CMA) is a General Contractor that focuses on both Commercial and Multi Family Construction. Our talented team of professionals has completed projects throughout Wisconsin and across the U.S. including tenant buildouts, multi-story hotels and multifamily communities that consist of both market rate and affordable housing.
BEAR Property Management
A proven leader since 1989, Bear Property Management understands and services the growing need for reliable, professional property management of residential and commercial properties along with association management. Our professional and trained staff is always on top of the latest market trends.
About Bear Real Estate Group
With roots dating back to 1924, Bear Real Estate Group has been committed to the tradition of providing innovative solutions to build better communities. Bear has evolved from a small, boutique brokerage firm to a sophisticated, vertically integrated real estate organization spanning over eighteen states. Our fully integrated, skilled operating companies specialize in real estate Development, Brokerage, Construction and Property Management.
Leveraging our rich history, experience and the most talented professionals in the industry, Bear strives to uphold genuine corporate citizenship through high quality real estate projects. Bear Real Estate Group is committed to creating long-term value for all stakeholders in the communities where we live, work and serve.
Core Values
• Be a Team Player
• Have No Ego
• Be Passionate
• Always Find Another Way
Our Leadership Team
Stephen Mills
Chairman of the Board
Marti Mills
President – BEAR Property Management & Board Member
S.R. Mills
Chief Executive Officer
Jonah Hetland
Chief Operating Officer
Luke Porath
Chief Financial Officer
John Hotvedt
Vice President – General Counsel
Adam Templer
Vice President of Development
Dan Clark
Senior Vice President of Operations/
President of Property & Portfolio Management
Stephen Mills
Chairman of the Board
A real estate consultant and entrepreneur, Steve Mills has spent over 30 years advising clients in real estate related matters. His daily activities include real estate consulting, brokerage, and development. Along with partners and stockholders, he also owns and operates companies in the fields of construction and property management.
Steve graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in administration. As a Certified Commercial Investment Member of the National Association of Realtors, he has demonstrated expertise in real estate investment analysis, taxation, and property investment. This designation is bestowed on a limited number of individuals and certifies his knowledge and expertise in the real estate investment field.
Marti Mills
President of Bear Property Management & Board Member
As the President of Bear Property Management, Marti oversees many facets of management for single family homes, multi-family residential units, commercial office and retail suites, condo association management, home owner association management, and bank OREO portfolios. Marti provides the finest quality of management and leasing, which produces a return on investment for each owner.
Marti graduated from University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a teaching certificate. For five years, she taught elementary school in Kenosha, WI. She became an owner/partner in single family homes and multi-unit residential buildings, which ultimately spurred the establishment of Bear Property Management, Inc. in 1989.
S.R. Mills
Chief Executive Officer
S.R. Mills is the Chief Executive Officer and a principal of Bear Real Estate Group. The Bear Real Estate Group family of companies includes Bear Development, Bear Commercial, Bear Property Management, Bear Homes and Construction Management Associates “CMA”. Each company plays a pivotal role in the acquisition, development, construction and management of residential, industrial, commercial and master planned communities. Bear’s footprint of active projects and real estate holdings extends to over 20 states with offices in Chicago, IL, Jackson, WY, Madison, WI and Kenosha, WI.
S.R. joined the Bear Real Estate Group in 2002. Prior to his career with Bear, he worked with several technology companies in northern California. He earned his Bachelor’s in Finance, Investment and Real Estate from St. Cloud State University and his Master’s in Real Estate from Roosevelt University. S.R. holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation, is a past Wisconsin CCIM Board of Director and an active member of the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation.
Jonah Hetland
Chief Operations Officer
Jonah Hetland is the Chief Operating Officer of the Bear Real Estate Group which includes Bear Development, Bear Property Management, Construction Management Associates, Inc. (CMA), Bear Homes, LLC and Bear Realty, Inc. Jonah has an extensive background in Real Estate Development, Residential and Commercial Construction as well as Land Use Planning related matters. Jonah holds General Contractor Licenses in several states including Wisconsin, Florida, Illinois and Iowa.
Jonah joined the Bear Real Estate Group of companies in 2007 and has been involved in various capacities on all sides of Real Estate including development, construction, management and brokerage throughout his tenure. Prior to his work at the Bear Real Estate Group, Jonah spent six years in the public sector while working for the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development as a Land Use Planner. While working there Jonah worked with various commercial and residential developers on civil engineering related issues along with various stages of entitlement approvals.
Jonah earned his Bachelor’ degree in 2001 from the University of Wisconsin. Jonah has sat on numerous boards over the years and is also a past member of the Planning Commission for the Village of Silver Lake, WI.
John Hotvedt
Vice President – General Counsel
As Vice President and General Counsel for Bear Real Estate Group, John Hotvedt has an extensive background in real estate development, acquisition and leasing dispositions. John provides leadership, oversees efforts related to acquisition, lease and sale of Bear’s commercial, retail and residential properties, and partners with the development team on zoning and land use matters.
John earned his bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University in 1997 and graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2001. Before joining the team in 2017, John served as outside counsel to Bear. He has played a pivotal role in our organization’s acquisition and sale transactions over the previous 10 years and brings a working knowledge of Bear’s assets and operations to the team.
Adam Templer
Vice President of Development
Adam Templer is the Vice President of Development for Bear Real Estate Group, specializing in housing developments utilizing low-income housing tax credits, HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (“RAD”) program, and historic tax credits. He is responsible for sourcing new opportunities and monitoring each project from inception, to completion and beyond.
Adam received his BBA in Accounting and Master of Accountancy degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a licensed CPA in the state of Wisconsin, and a member of the AICPA and WICPA. Prior to joining Bear, Adam spent time at a “Big 4” and national accounting firm, focusing on clients in the real estate industry. A later transition to a consulting role developed Adam’s expertise in equity and debt structuring, soft funding, and collaborations with public housing authorities.
Luke Porath
Chief Financial Officer
Luke Porath is the Chief Financial Officer of the Bear Real Estate Group which includes Bear Development, Bear Property Management, Construction Management Associates, Inc. (CMA), Bear Homes, LLC and Bear Realty, Inc. Luke has extensive experience in real estate development, financial modeling and underwriting, capital markets, and complex deal structures. Luke joined the Bear Real Estate Group of companies in 2025. Prior to joining the Bear Real Estate Group, Luke spent fourteen years at Continental Properties Company, Inc most recently as Vice President of Finance. While working there Luke successfully sourced and closed over $7 billion in transactions including construction loans, property acquisitions & dispositions, refinances, and portfolio credit facilities. Luke earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and MBA from James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at the Wisconsin School of Business.
John Reinhart
Vice President of Finance
John Reinhart is Vice President of Finance for Bear Development, Bear Homes and CMA. He has a notable background in real estate development and accounting, including tax, audit and consulting. John’s career began with Bear Real Estate Group in 2012. He worked with two commercial real estate developers in Milwaukee, WI prior to his on-boarding and spent nine years in public accounting before venturing into real estate development.
John is a certified public accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin, with a previous license in Illinois. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Mr. Reinhart serves on the Public Policy Committee of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants and volunteers teaching financial literacy with Make a Difference Wisconsin.
Dan Clark
Senior Vice President of Operations/President of Property & Portfolio Management
Dan Clark is Vice President of Property & Portfolio Management for Bear Real Estate Group and Bear Property Management. He brings over 30 years of real estate experience in the oversight of national portfolios of affordable and Class A/ B garden-style, mid-rise and high-rise residential developments. Prior to joining Bear Real Estate Group, he led asset and operation teams representing large, national real estate organizations with institutional, high wealth and syndicated investments. Dan is responsible for managing the strategic plan for the asset, commercial, compliance, facilities and residential management teams to support continued growth and profitability of the property and portfolio management division.
Dan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo School of Business. He is a Rental Assistance Demonstration PBV Specialist and previously held active Housing Compliance Professional designations and real estate sales or associate broker licensing in Arizona, New Mexico and California. Dan currently serves on Midwest Affordable Housing Management Association’s Board of Trustees, is a Project Management Institute Member and a panel speaker for National Housing & Rehabilitation Association.
of Acres Developed
of Units Managed
of Homes Sold
The Bear Real Estate Group is a family-owned company with roots dating back to 1924 . . .
Gallery
Layton Square Apartments - Cudahy, WI
Novation Senior Commons - Madison, WI
Homewood Suites - Milwaukee, WI
Hampton Inn & Suites - Kenosha, WI
BEAR Homes - Kenosha, WI
The Mariner - St. Francis, WI
Locations
Corporate Office
4011 80th St.
Kenosha, WI 53142
Regional Offices
CHICAGO, IL
40 Lake St.
Oak Park, IL 60302
JACKSON HOLE, WY
856 W. Snow King Dr.
Jackson, WY 83001
MADISON, WI
Pending Address
Madison, WI 53703
MILWAUKEE, WI
309 N Water St., Ste 235,
Milwaukee, WI 53233