It is almost certainly true, as Ken Talle says, that kids in elementary school or junior high don’t usually say, “I want to be a rental property manager” when they talk about their futures. Talle certainly didn’t. So it was not a lifelong grand plan that lay the groundwork for his success at founding and managing Thies & Talle Management, Inc., a rental property business that today includes over 6,000 apartment units on 113 properties throughout the Midwest.

Instead, Talle says, “You do what’s fun and what seems to make sense. Then things change, so you look around and say, ‘OK, this is reality. What I used to do doesn’t make sense; what does make sense now? Where do I go from here?’ It’s a kaleidoscope that keeps changing.”

The kaleidescope of his own life began in south Minneapolis, where he grew up in what he calls “middle middle middle class.” With no particular expectations, he went to the University of Minnesota, where he was captivated by an eye-opening intellectual climate that he had never before experienced. He majored in history because he loved it, then went on to the University of Chicago for a law degree because it seemed practical. Back in Minneapolis, he joined the trust department at what was then First National Bank.

“[In the liberal arts] You are exposed to different disciplines and challenged in intellectual ways that are with you forever,” Talle says. “In a sense it frees up the mind; the problem with the human condition is that we put restrictions on ourselves when we limit ourselves to a particular background or experience. The intellectual tradition of the liberal arts is to try to knock down those limitations.”

And there he discovered that a history major could be very intriguing with real estate investment. Actually, it wasn’t so much about real estate, where changes in tax codes and federal housing programs had created a boom time for rental property investors in the early 1970s. Instead, it was about putting puzzle pieces together. In his job at First National—and at a subsequent job at Piper Jaffrey—Talle found he enjoyed figuring out and creating transactions that could satisfy investors, lenders, developers, and tenants.

He was so intrigued in fact, that he wanted to do it on his own. “The lure of doing my own thing was compelling,” he says. And that was how he and broker David Thies decided to create their own business—first financing and developing apartment properties and later buying and managing rental units. Thirty-five years later, Talle continues to be energized by a focus that goes well beyond the specifics of real estate.

“My business is in problem solving,” he says, “whether it’s the problem of a lender who’s making a loan; the problem of resident who needs a place to live and who has criteria about location, price, and design; or the problem of a low-income person who needs to find housing and has essentially been shut out of the market. So we’re constantly attempting to understand customers, suppliers, lenders, and government agencies.”

It doesn’t seem at all unusual to Talle that a successful entrepreneur can be someone whose intellectual focus is the liberal arts, where, he says, “You are exposed to different disciplines and challenged in intellectual ways that are with you forever. In a sense it frees up the mind; the problem with the human condition is that we put restrictions on ourselves when we limit ourselves to a particular background or experience. The intellectual tradition of the liberal arts is to try to knock down those limitations.”

In other words, to create a kaleidescope.

What he says:

“I’ve had the opportunity to create something that is emotionally very fulfilling. I get to have a direct impact on the quality of life of this small city.”

“Do what is intellectually stimulating and emotionally fulfilling…and that probably means trying many different things. Let yourself go in different directions.”

“Do what you enjoy because that’s what you’re going to be best at. If you open yourself to possibilities and experiences, strange things will happen.”

Janet (Jan) Talle has been with Thies & Talle Management since 1990. She worked as a Compliance Specialist, Property Manager and Regional Property Manager before being named General Manager in 1997 and Vice President in 1998. Jan is a member of MHA, IREM and is Thies & Talle Management’s Responsible Broker for Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Laura oversees asset management functions and pursues new development projects that provide catalyst, in-fill housing. In her asset management role, Laura monitors investor services and owner objectives including refinances, dispositions, and affordable housing program changes. In her development role, Laura initiates niche housing development opportunities while revitalizing the existing housing portfolio. Laura also directs philanthropic activities including partnerships with social service providers to open housing to more diverse residents.

Laura has had operational and consulting roles in housing policy, property operations, and asset management throughout her career. She has worked in both property and corporate roles at Thies and Talle; led the business process group at the nation’s largest affordable housing manager, Winn Management; and consulted with public and nonprofit housing organizations at Abt Associates and Viva Consulting in Boston.

Laura has a B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Master's Degree from M.I.T. in Housing and Economic Policy.

Pam has been with Thies & Talle Management since 1986. As Controller, Pam is responsible for the day-to-day accounting functions for all properties and supervises Staff Accountants to ensure the accounts payable processing, cash management reconciliation and financial statements are completed accurately. Pam manages the HR/Payroll Manager to ensure timely processing of payroll and coordinates with external accountants to complete annual audits.

Adam Meinholz has been with Thies & Talle Management since September 2014. While at Thies & Talle Management, Adam has held the roles of Marketing & Training Coordinator and Director of Marketing. Adam started his career in Property Management in 2010. Prior to working at Thies & Talle, Adam worked as a Market Rate Leasing & Property Manager in Madison, WI. Adam holds the designation of Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) and is a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a B.S. in Finance.

Kent Mortimer has worked at Thies & Talle Management since 1997. Before becoming the Director of Compliance, he was a Regional Property Manager for properties in the Twin Cities and central Minnesota. Kent leads the Thies & Talle compliance team, assists Regional Property Managers with our HUD and USDA Rural Development properties in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Michigan, manages our Section 8 contracts and Rural Development rental assistance programs and prepares property budgets. In recent years, Kent has helped to obtain financing for several major renovation projects at our HUD and USDA Rural Development properties. He is very excited about the major improvements now in progress at these properties. Kent also serves as the Section 504 coordinator for Thies & Talle’s properties.

Ralph has been with Thies & Talle Management since 1986. As Director of Capital Projects, Ralph is responsible for determining the long term capital needs of assets as well as planning and budgeting for proposed projects. Ralph also coordinates with contractors and inspectors during all stages of project development to ensure projects are being done on time, on budget and functioning as expected. Interested in becoming part of our vendor network? Check out www.thiestalleprojects.com.

Carole Hydukovich has been with Thies & Talle Management since 1987. She started with the company as a Leasing Agent and has worked her way up to Regional Property Manager. Carole holds mutiple designations which include Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), S.T.A.R., Certified Occupancy Manager Section 42 (COM42) and her Real Estate Broker's license.

Carole has overseen multiple building renovations and currently manages a multi-state portfolio which includes a team of 2 Regional Property Managers.

Mary Johnson joined Thies and Talle in 2003 as a Regional Property Manager. Prior to this Mary had a career in the Real Estate industry which included sales and leasing for residential and commercial properties, management of investment property for limited partnerships, leasing and strategic marketing for troubled and start-up assisted living communities and district manager for a Midwest based group of Assisted Living-Alzheimer communities.

Mary holds two professional designations: Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) and Certified Occupancy Manager 42 (COM42) and is a candidate for IREM’s CPM designation. Currently Mary oversees an affordable-market rate portfolio plus a team of three Regional Property Managers.

“The task of maximizing asset potential…people (residents and staff) and property in a constantly changing market place is a daily challenge and what I enjoy most about this profession.”

Kim Nutzman joined Thies and Talle Management in 1985. Kim started as a caretaker and moved up to Property Manager which she held for 19 years. Kim has been a Regional Property Manager for Thies and Talle since 2004. Kim currently oversees approximately 1,400 affordable and market rate units in both MN and SD. Kim holds several designations including; Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), Certified Assisted Housing Manager (CAHM), Spectrum Training Award Recipient (STAR), and also holds a MN Real Estate license.

Jeff joined Thies & Talle in July of 2019 as a Senior Regional Property Manager. He graduated from Drake University before starting a career in Real Estate sales from 1995-2019. He also owned a Real Estate Brokerage and Property Management company from 2012-2019 specializing in Single Family Homes, Condos and Townhomes.

Jeff currently holds the designation of Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) and has his Real Estate Broker’s license.

He previously worked for Thies & Talle in 1994 at Cutters Grove Apartments in Anoka, MN as a Leasing Specialist and Maintenance Technician.

Currently Jeff oversees the affordable-market rate portfolio in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He also oversees a Regional Property Manager and their Minnesota portfolio.

Jennifer has been with Thies and Talle Management, Inc. since December of 2012. Jennifer started as the Property Manager of Elk Ridge Manor and Woodview Apartments and was promoted to Regional Property Manager in December of 2014.

Kristy Marken began her career with Thies & Talle Management in 2007 as the Property Manager of multiple Market Rate and Section 8 properties in Duluth, MN. She left in 2014 to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and graduated in 2017 with an emphasis in Water Resources. Following a few years of experience in the engineering industry, she returned to Thies & Talle Management in 2020 as a Regional Property Manager. Her MN and MI portfolio includes Market Rate and Section 8 properties.

Marja Nelson has been with Thies and Talle Management since 2008. She began as a Leasing Agent before being promoted to Property Manager in 2009 and then to Regional Manager in 2013. Her central MN and ND portfolio includes Market Rate, Rural Development and Section 8 properties. Marja holds the professional designation of Certified Occupancy Specialist.

David has been with Thies and Talle since October 2016. Before being promoted to Business Systems Manager, David held an accounting role for the company. While still being responsible for accounting, David is also responsible for financial and operations reporting, administration of the ERP and accounting systems, and various other projects. David graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2009 with a BA in Psychology, and graduated from Metropolitan State University in 2013 with a BS in Accounting.

My name is Emily Cheesebrow and I am the Resident Support Specialist for Thies and Talle Management. I am excited to share with you our Resident Support Program. My mission is to assist in connecting residents to organizations that enhance their housing experience and connection to the greater community.

I graduated from Augsburg College with a BA in Communication with an emphasis in Urban Studies. My previous experience has been both in the Social Services and the Property Management field. I spent several years as an On Call Child Advocate with Ramsey County HouseCalls. At the same time, I began as a Leasing Specialist and was promoted to a Property Manager within Thies and Talle Management. My experiences have led me to this exciting opportunity to enhance your housing experience.

In my role at Thies and Talle as the Resident Support Specialist, I am excited to work with residents and our network of resources to promote housing success, improve access to community services and be a point of contact for ideas that create community in our larger neighborhood. The resources and services that I provide vary from help with emergency assistance to pay rent, to learning about the homework clubs in your area, or help with a job search. Since the program began, I have assisted in Head Start enrollment, worked with Wilderness Inquiry to host a canoe trip for resident families, and have facilitated assistance for residents working through difficult situations.

Gretchen has been with Thies and Talle Management since 2007 and oversees the Human Resources department and payroll functions, including benefits, for all employees. Prior to joining Thies and Talle, Gretchen worked in the Accounting and Payroll department at a manufacturing corporation for 11 years.

Originally from Chicago, Gretchen made her home in Minnesota in 1984 to attend school at Winona State University, where she studied Finance and Business. In 2012, Gretchen received the MADACS award for Best Corporate Support Staff.

Rick Haefner has been with Thies and Talle Management since 2001 servicing all computer systems and hardware for 113 properties. He graduated from Minneapolis' Dunwoody Institute and has been working in the computer and networking industry since 1986.

Rick is a member of the MSUCUG (Microsoft Unified Communications User Group) and the MNSPUG (Minnesota SharePoint User Group).

Shannon has been with Thies and Talle Management since 2011. She started as a Leasing Specialist at Plymouth Ponds, was promoted to Property Manager at Sterling Ponds in June 2014 and was most recently promoted to Marketing & Training Coordinator in October 2018. Shannon also received the MADACS award for Community Manager in 2016.

Before joining Thies and Talle Management, Shannon worked for another property management company for 9 years. She attended Minnesota School of Business where she obtained an AAS in Veterinary Technology.