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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: MATT KESMODEL, CONTINUED ...continued from page 1
You have been with CREA for a very long time and specifically working in the construction group for a very long time, but you have an interesting background. Tell us a little about your career prior to and then also at CREA. I worked for family businesses until I graduated from law school. Afterwards, I clerked for two judges and practiced law for a couple of years. I became interested in construction and spent time working for a custom home builder, a design/ build contractor specializing in refrigerated distribution facilities, the construction arm of a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in commercial, healthcare and industrial properties, a LIHTC developer and a community action agency. I came to CREA in 2010. I started in Construction Management, explored opportunities in both Asset Management and Credit & Underwriting before returning to Construction Management (which I consider home). You used to be located in the Indianapolis office for a long time and relocated to Florida where you now work remotely. How do you manage to stay connected to your team from a distance? Staying connected is essential. Like others at CREA, I rely on Outlook, Teams, CREANet, CREAWeb and my
you aren’t visiting our properties and reviewing construction draws?
iPhone to stay in the loop. CREA’s IT department does a great job of helping me stay connected. The COVID pandemic affected a lot of industries in a lot of ways. The construction industry was especially affected causing delays and increased costs. How has CREA fared through the pandemic as it relates to the construction phase of the portfolio? CREA’s development partners have been instrumental and successful in procuring placed-in-service extensions and additional credits as needed to weather COVID. CREA continues to navigate through the initial/lingering impacts of COVID which include the following: • Construction stoppages and pauses (early-stage shelter-in- place orders) • Reduced productivity due to pandemic-driven protocols and conditions (jobsite mitigation measures) • Manpower shortages • Manufacturing and supply chain issues (initially numerous basic building materials but now primarily electrical components, especially switchgears)
Nothing too exciting. I spend most of my free time with my wife, family and friends. I enjoy exploring Florida, fishing, hiking, grilling, dining and herding our two cats. The balance of my time is spent trying to avoid the heat during most months in Florida. We installed a pool last year which definitely helps.
The Kesmodel cats in their natural habitat.
I am sure you see A LOT while doing construction site visits and meeting with contractors. What’s one of your favorite stories? Construction site visits are generally run-of-the-mill. Asset Management site visits are a different story. I was once invited to have dinner with a resident at a property in Michigan (not sure the state is important, but it might add some flavor). My favorite memories are of meeting residents that are appreciative of their homes and residents that are working towards acquiring their own home.
• Increased
costs
due
to
manufacturing,
transportation
and availability issues
Tell us a little about yourself personally and what you do when
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