RCG Ventures LLC

RCG Ventures, LLC (“RCG”) is a privately funded real estate investment group that acquires and develops commercial real estate in the United States. The company’s primary focus is multi-tenant, anchored shopping centers with the potential for long-term ownership. In addition, the company selectively enters into joint ventures with institutional partners.

Founded in November of 2003, RCG has steadily grown its portfolio through direct and joint venture investments. It is the combination of significant capital resources and operational expertise that gives RCG a competitive advantage in the industry. Over the past twenty years, RCG has acquired a total of 190 properties in 30 states, representing total Invested Capital of over $1.5 billion.

In 2018, RCG was named the 50th largest retail owner in the United States. RCG’s most recent fund raise was completed in January 2022 and will allow RCG to acquire approximately $350 million of assets over the next several years.

The RCG Team

At RCG Ventures, our highly skilled senior management team has over 165 years of combined retail real estate experience. As a fully-integrated real estate company, our team is comprised of individuals that specialize in the acquisition, development, leasing, management, marketing, and financing of multi-tenant commercial real estate.

Our diversified experience in conjunction with our in-depth local market knowledge and long-standing industry relationships provide RCG a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our continued growth and success reflects the efforts of an exceptional team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals, guided by a proactive and hands-on management style.

Michael Klump, Founder and Chairman

Michael A. Klump, Founder & Chairman of RCG Ventures (“RCG”), has over 33 years of experience in commercial real estate. Mr. Klump co-founded RCG in 2003 and has been actively involved in all aspects of formulating and executing the strategic plans of the company while leading investment and capital markets activities. In 1993, Mr. Klump co-founded Equity Investment Group (“EIG”), a leading private REIT focused on the neighborhood shopping center market. Mr. Klump served as Vice-Chairman, President and Chief Investment Officer of EIG which acquired 125 properties between 1993 and 2003 representing approximately 15 million square feet of GLA across 31 states. Additionally, Mr. Klump founded Highland Equity Group (“HEG”) in 2002, which acquired 40 properties. In 2002, Mr. Klump directed the sale of 58 of EIG’s centers to publicly traded New Plan Excel Realty Trust (NYSE: NXPL), predecessor company to Brixmor Property Group (NYSE: BRX). Since then, an additional 66 EIG and 40 HEG properties have been sold to other third-party buyers.

In 2003, Mr. Klump founded Argonne Capital Group (“Argonne”), a private investment firm, where Mr. Klump serves as Founder & Chairman. Argonne focuses on the acquisition of multi-unit operating companies, many of which have real estate components. Since inception, Argonne has invested over $2.1 billion of equity capital, with the current portfolio generating approximately $1.8 billion in annual sales and employing over 15,000 people across various companies.

Mr. Klump’s earlier experience included all phases of real estate development, acquisition, leasing and financing with Leo Eisenberg & Company and real estate principal investing with MAK Investments, Inc.

B.A. – University of Colorado

Wilkes Graham, President

Mr. Graham joined RCG in January 2018 and currently serves as its President. In this role, Mr. Graham is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of RCG, implementing RCG’s corporate strategy, executing the firm’s growth capital strategy, and overseeing cash flow management and forecasting of both the corporate and investments side of the business. Mr. Graham previously served as Chief Financial Officer and is a member of the Company’s Executive Team and the Investment Committee.

Prior to joining RCG Ventures, Mr. Graham was CFO at Wheeler REIT (NASDAQ: WHLR). While at Wheeler, he oversaw corporate finance, accounting, investor relations and capital and financing strategies. During his time there, he led capital raising efforts, overhauled the company’s internal budgeting and forecasting processes, doubled cash flow via revenue enhancing and cost containment initiatives, and worked closely with the Board of Directors in crafting and executing a growth and financing strategy that maximized returns for the Company’s shareholders.

Previously, Mr. Graham spent 16 years in the real estate financial services industry raising over $3 Billion of capital for and advising executives of publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trusts at Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, FBR Capital Markets & Co., and Raymond James & Associates.

Mr. Graham is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

B.S. – University of North Carolina

M.B.A. – University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Randy Garfinkle, Chief Investment Officer

Mr. Garfinkle joined RCG in December 2012 and currently serves as its Chief Investment Officer. In this role, he focuses on executing the company’s investment strategies and optimizing portfolio performance. Mr. Garfinkle is a member of the Company’s Executive Team and Investment Committee which approves all new investments.

Mr. Garfinkle previously served as Chief Operating Officer as well as SVP – Director of Investments where he directed transaction activities totaling over $2B and oversaw day-to-day portfolio operations. Prior to joining RCG, Mr. Garfinkle worked as Vice President – Asset Manager in the Special Assets division of TD Bank, practiced law in the Real Estate and Commercial Development Group at Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein and directed acquisition, asset management and legal activities for the west coast office of Zapolski + Rudd.

Mr. Garfinkle is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) as well as the State Bar of South Carolina and California

B.S. – University of Colorado

J.D. – Santa Clara University School of Law

Brett Lesley, Senior Vice President - Leasing

Brett Lesley joined RCG in November of 2010 and currently serves as Senior Vice President Leasing. In this role, he oversees a team of leasing professionals in the day-to-day leasing of the RCG portfolio as well as manages the Company’s National Accounts around the country. He is responsible for developing relationships with retailers, understanding both new and existing retailer needs, conducting in-depth portfolio reviews and tenant retention within the existing portfolio.

Prior to joining RCG, Mr. Lesley was the Vice President of Leasing for Madison Retail (“Madison”), a retail development company based out of Atlanta, Georgia. In his role, Mr. Lesley supervised a staff of leasing agents and was also responsible for leasing anchored retail projects throughout the Southeast. Prior to joining Madison, Mr. Lesley held various leasing positions with The Sembler Company, Thomas Enterprises, as well as Equity One. Mr. Lesley is proficient at lease negotiation and execution with virtually all types of tenants and has been responsible for leasing approximately 30 million square feet of projects during his career.

Mr. Lesley is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

B.A. – University of Mississippi

Mike Sladich, Vice President of Acquisitions – Midwest & N.E. Regions

Mike Sladich oversees acquisitions within the Midwest and Northeast Regions for RCG Ventures. Prior to joining RCG, Mr. Sladich was a Regional Managing Director for Northmarq, formerly Stan Johnson Company, where he completed over $2 billion in net lease investment sales during his tenure. Sladich led the Southeast region as well as one of the largest producing teams for the firm’s commercial business. Mr. Sladich graduated from Linfield University in McMinnville, OR with a B.S. In Finance and was also a member of the football team.

Frank Meyrath, VP of Dispositions

Frank Meyrath overseas and directs all dispositions nationwide for the company. Mr. Meyrath joined RCG Ventures in 2017 and has successfully closed over $250 million in transactions.

Prior to joining RCG, Mr. Meyrath worked in both banking and real estate investments.

BBA – University of Georgia

MBA – University of Michigan-Dearborn

Wesley Padgett, Acquisitions - Southern Region

Wesley Padgett oversees acquisitions within the Southern Region for RCG Ventures, LLC.

Mr. Padgett joined RCG in 2012 as a Development Manager and was involved in developing ground-up and redeveloping big box retail projects. In August of 2014, Mr. Padgett became a Senior Development Manager and was involved sourcing and completing development projects totaling over 475,000 SF.

Prior to joining RCG, Mr. Padgett worked as a project manager for J.E. Dunn Construction Company.

B.A. in Building Science Auburn University

Address: 3060 Peachtree Rd NW, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

Phone: +1 404 816 5454
FAX: +1 404 816 5445