SOUTHFIELD, Mich., August 20, 2025 — Commercial real estate services firm Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR), an affiliate of the public accounting and business advisory firm Plante Moran, is pleased to announce 20 promotions for 2025. With more than 140 staff spanning eight states, PMR has guided clients across the public and private sectors through millions of square feet of real estate transactions, $1 billion in investment real estate transactions, and more than $6 billion in active construction program oversight.
“Our team continues to set the standard for what it means to lead with purpose,” said Bill Lichwalla, president and CEO of PMR. “These individuals represent the depth and diversity that define our firm — spanning the breadth of services we provide. The exceptional talent we’re cultivating lets us deliver more sophisticated, strategic solutions that help clients reach their milestones and unlock the full potential of their real estate.”
Partners
Nicole Blocker and Brian Smith have been promoted to partner.
“Nicole and Brian are outstanding leaders whose continued growth reflects the values and vision of our practice,” said Bill Lichwalla, president and CEO of PMR. “Their dedication, integrity, and impact exemplify the kind of leadership that drives our firm forward and strengthens the service we provide to our clients and teams.”
Based in Southfield, Blocker plays a key leadership role in PMR’s public sector practice, where she helps guide complex capital projects from early planning through execution.
Smith is also based in Southfield and plays a strategic role in PMR’s internal operations, where he leads legal advisory, operational strategy, and enterprise risk management efforts that support both top-line growth and bottom-line performance.
Learn more about Blocker and Smith’s promotions to partner here.
Principals
Jake Austermann has been promoted to principal.
With more than 10 years of commercial real estate experience, Austermann is a leader in the real estate development advisory practice. He helps clients with planning real estate development projects, including underwriting, financing, and economic development incentives. Based in the Denver office, he has helped clients secure over $1 billion in incentives, including leading efforts on Ford Motor Company’s Renaissance Zone and Olympia Development of Michigan’s District Detroit project. Austermann received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad School of Business.
Senior Vice Presidents
Marc Alexa, Jeff Caligiuri, Rick Erickson, Rob Kakoczki, Ryan Kulhanek, and Kristin Mixon have been promoted to senior vice president.
Alexa, a project manager serving public sector clients from the Southfield office, has more than 20 years of experience managing large-scale K-12, higher education, senior living, and infrastructure projects. He has led efforts on major initiatives such as Little Caesars Arena and current bond programs for Grand Rapids Public Schools, Lansing School District, and Harbor Springs Public Schools. Alexa holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in construction management from Eastern Michigan University and has completed the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) Safety Certification.
Based in the Grand Rapids office, Caligiuri is a project manager with more than 20 years of experience in program management across retail, commercial, multifamily, and institutional sectors. He provides fully integrated owner’s representation and real estate services, helping clients navigate complex construction projects with a focus on client-first service and efficient problem-solving. Caligiuri holds a bachelor’s degree in building construction management from Michigan State University.
With more than 28 years of experience in the design and construction field, Erickson — who is based in the Southfield office — supports clients across commercial, retail, industrial, K-12, higher education, residential, and hospitality sectors. He specializes in project planning, construction oversight, and owner representation, drawing on a career that spans roles from draftsman to architect to program manager. Erickson holds a Master of Architecture degree from Lawrence Technological University, is a registered architect, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Located in the Southfield office, Kakoczki is a project manager with more than 24 years of experience in the K-12, higher education, healthcare, government, commercial, and industrial sectors. He is currently overseeing major bond programs for several Michigan school districts and municipalities, including Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, Redford Union School District, Van Buren Public Schools, and Van Buren Charter Township. He specializes in managing projects from inception through final move-in, building strong client relationships throughout the process. Kakoczki holds a degree in construction science and management from Western Michigan University.
Kulhanek, a member of the real estate investment advisory team in the Chicago Riverside Plaza office, assists clients in the evaluation and management of their real estate assets. His background in cash flow analysis, asset management, financial modeling, and market research provides clients with a comprehensive view of their portfolios and supports informed investment decisions. Kulhanek received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marquette University with concentrations in real estate and finance. He is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Illinois.
Serving clients across Michigan from the Southfield office, Mixon supports planning and implementation for large-scale development programs and planning initiatives. She recently led the School Finance Research Foundation’s (SFRF’s) Statewide Facilities Study, identifying facility needs across more than 550 public school districts across Michigan. Mixon is currently helping Gun Lake Tribe develop a master plan for its 1,800-acre development corridor. Mixon earned her Master of Business Administration and Real Estate Development Certificate from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She is a U.S. Army veteran and is an active member of CREW Detroit.
Vice Presidents
Jon Depew, Cody Derrer, Dustin DiNicola, David Goldman, Sean Grisan, Anna Sklut, and Bryan Wilkie have been promoted to vice president.
With nine years of architectural and program management experience, DePew — who is based in the Southfield office — supports clients with preconstruction services that guide the development and implementation of strategic capital plans. He specializes in stakeholder coordination, feasibility planning, and early-phase project development, helping clients align their goals with practical execution strategies. He is a licensed Architect in the state of Michigan and holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University.
Based in the Southfield office, Derrer supports corporate clients with real estate procurement, due diligence coordination, and project management services. He brings a wealth of knowledge to every client engagement from his background in tenant representation, leasing, acquisitions, and development feasibility. Derrer earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Adrian College.
Located in Southfield, DiNicola helps clients identify challenges and opportunities early in the planning process and implements solutions that deliver long-term value. He is currently providing planning and program management services to Henry Ford Health, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA). His recent work includes supporting garage construction at Henry Ford Health’s Destination Grand, offering planning and funding consultation for CFSEM, and managing over $570 million in capital improvements for DRCFA over a three-year span. With 10 years of experience in the construction industry—including large-scale design/build projects and multimillion-dollar portfolios—he brings deep expertise to every engagement. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Goldman serves the program management team out of the Southfield office, bringing 18 years of construction and development experience to every engagement. He leads clients through schedule development, budget tracking, bidding processes, design and construction oversight, and facility assessments. Working across both public sector and corporate projects, Goldman has supported initiatives for Bloomfield Hills Schools, Birmingham Public Schools, and national medical office programs. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Located in Southfield, Grisan leads clients through the planning and execution of complex real estate and construction programs, specializing in funding strategies, governance frameworks, and operational processes that drive program success. He currently manages the School Finance Research Foundation’s Statewide Energy Efficiency Audit, evaluating energy savings across more than 550 Michigan school districts, and oversees governance and reporting for over $800 million in capital programs with the Flint Genesee Economic Alliance (FGEA) and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA). Grisan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Northwood University.
Sklut supports religious communities through visioning, formation, and strategic planning that align with mission sustainability and community life. Based in the Southfield office, clients benefit from more than a decade of leadership in faith-based education and ministry, including her tenure at St. Agnes Academy in Houston and her work with the Dominican Family of Houston. Sklut holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame.
Based in the Southfield office, Wilkie serves as an owner’s representative for complex capital projects. His clients benefit from his 11 years of experience in project management, estimating, and field supervision for major automotive and industrial clients, including Ford, Toyota, and Stellantis. Wilkie holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Michigan State University and is certified in Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM), Lean Construction (CM-Lean), and is a Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC).
Senior Consultants
Laura Boryn, RJ Moran, and Ava Wisniewski have been promoted to senior consultant, and Shannon Momot has been promoted to senior project cost accountant.
Boryn, a member of PMR’s program management team based out of Southfield, supports public sector clients with move management services, helping coordinate smooth transitions into newly built or renovated spaces. She has more than 10 years of experience in construction and program management, including roles in project engineering and commercial estimating. Boryn earned her bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Michigan State University. She holds an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification and is an active member of CREW Detroit.
Based in Southfield, Momot serves as a project cost accountant on PMR’s program management team, supporting K-12 and higher education clients with budgeting, cash flow management, and financial reporting. Her clients benefit from 30 years of accounting experience and her deep understanding of project financial systems and processes. Momot holds a degree in accounting from Baker College.
Located in Southfield, Moran advises clients on commercial leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, and long-term real estate strategy. He has experience serving a wide range of organizations — from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies — and has cultivated the ability to manage stakeholders and align real estate decisions with strategic goals. Moran holds a degree from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and is a licensed real estate professional in Michigan.
Wisniewski is a member of PMR’s real estate development advisory group based in Southfield. In her role, she supports clients with financial feasibility analysis, highest and best use studies, and transaction management. Wisniewski earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied real estate, urban land economics, and finance. She is a former president of the Women in Real Estate (WIRE) group and an active member of the Wisconsin School of Business alumni network.
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About Plante Moran Realpoint
As a full-service real estate advisor, Plante Moran Realpoint is built different. The firm’s comprehensive, end-to-end, industry-specific specialization spans clients’ real estate needs, from consulting and transactions to capital projects and development advisory. Its team has guided clients across the public and private sectors through millions of square feet of real estate transactions and $1 billion in investment real estate transactions. It is currently acting as an owner’s representative for more than $6 billion in active construction projects. With Plante Moran Realpoint, clients make well-informed real estate decisions, achieve their milestones, and flourish in great spaces. Realize what it means to be built different at pmrealpoint.com.
