
Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

Real Estate Solutions
to Build Better Communities

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.
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.
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.
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
John Hotvedt
Vice President of Real Estate Portfolio
Adam Templer
Vice President of Development
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 Development, Bear Commercial, Bear Homes and Construction Management Associates (CMA). Each company plays a pivotal role in the acquisition, development and construction of commercial projects and master planned residential communities.
S.R. joined the Bear Family of companies in 2002. Prior to his career with Bear, he worked with several technology companies in northern California. S.R. earned his bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance and investment from St. Cloud State University and his master’s in real estate from Roosevelt University. He also holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation and serves on the Wisconsin CCIM Board of Directors.
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 of Real Estate Portfolio
As Vice President of the Real Estate Portfolio 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.
Michael Bowe
Vice President of Shared Services
Michael Bowe, Vice President of Shared Services, has been a member of the Bear team since February 2016 and offers an extensive background in the construction industry. Most recently, Michael worked for Magill Construction, a general contractor, for over fifteen years. He was responsible for all financial aspects of the company. Michael also has controller experience from an earth moving and grading company, where he was employed for almost four years.
The start of Michael’s career in public accounting began at Reilly, Penner & Benton, CPA’s S.C. He worked his way up to senior accountant and earned his CPA status. His work ethic can also be supported by his 5-year employment with Waste Management, during which he quickly climbed the ranks. With years of construction industry involvement and years of experience in accounting, along with laborer skills, Michael is an asset to Bear Real Estate Group.
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.
Joshua Manske
Controller
Josh Manske is the Controller of Bear Real Estate Group which includes Bear Development, Bear Property Management, Construction Management Associates (CMA), Bear Homes, and BREG Services. Josh has an extensive background working in real estate and private investment companies. Josh joined the Bear Real Estate Group in July 2020 and is responsible for accounting, reporting, tax and compliance functions of the business. Josh works with corresponding operational leaders to support growth initiatives across the Company.
Prior to working with the Bear Real Estate Group, Josh spent time working in public accounting as well as private real estate and investment companies. He received his BBA from Carroll College in Finance and Accounting. Josh is a certified public accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin. He also holds leadership positions with several local not-for-profit groups promoting causes important to him.