LISTEN TO THE Event Speakers
Ralph Reahard
Founder, RPM-Richmond Metro
Ralph Reahard
Founder, RPM-Richmond Metro
A University of Richmond graduate, Ralph became a “double Spider,” graduating from University of Richmond Robins School of Business with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
The RPM Richmond Metro office has been a successful since inception. The first seven years of operations Real Property Management: Richmond Metro was ranked in the top 10% for organic growth and earned Gold Status in the President’s Cup Circle, an award given to less than 5% of franchise stores.
In 2019 Ralph’s management firm, RPM Richmond Metro was named the Franchise of the Year. They beat out 335 other stores and were recognized by their peers as the best run Real Property Management office in the country. In 2020 RPM Richmond Metro was named to the Inc. 5000 list, a national list of the fastest growing private companies in America, his firm ranked #2514.
From 2012 to 2021 Ralph has grown his portfolio from 9 doors to a total of 286 units, 55 single family homes and 231 apartment units. In 2021 he opened a new property management company in Staunton, VA and added 25,000 square feet of office space. Current assets under ownership are valued north of $50mm and monthly rental income is now over $300,000. He is proud to say that 15 years later, door #1 is still in the portfolio and still cash-flow positive!
Ali Semir
James River Housing Partner
Ali Semir
James River Housing Partner
Ali Semir, CCIM, MRICS, is an experienced real estate broker and commercial real estate owner / operator. Most recently, Ali founded James River Housing Partners and James River Investment Partners (collectively, “James River”), focused on the development and ownership of multifamily apartment and condo buildings in Washington, DC; Richmond, VA; Staunton, VA and Macon, GA. Ali has led James River as a syndication platform and asset management company to deliver over $400,000 in partnership distributions across 250 multifamily units located in eight properties and three states. Through existing deals, Ali will grow James River to control 300 units and over $50 million in assets under management.
Ali’s experience in multifamily loan underwriting includes Capital One Multifamily Finance, Lument Real Estate Capital, Walker & Dunlop, and Freddie Mac. In these roles, he underwrote over $2 billion of Fannie and Freddie loans across multiple multifamily niches including student housing and Mobile Home communities.
Jennings Smith
My First Million In Multifamily
Jennings Smith
My First Million In Multifamily
Jennings Smith brings decades of life experience to
- Residential Builder of custom homes - Solo Operator
- Bought his first rental property when he was 30-2013
- Joined a franchise and expanded with partners throughout the state of SC
- Partnered to start a property management company in 2018
- Bought first multifamily in 2019
- Exited building franchise and property management in 2020 to go into real estate investing full time
Jennings realized the power of cash flowing real estate early on, and decided to educate himself on how to grow that business, not with single family homes, but by going after multifamily properties. He studied for years to learn the industry, taking multiple courses online.
He landed his first apartment deal in 2019 with a JV partnership. From there it grew until he has a portfolio of 500+ units so far. His passion is creating time freedom in his life so that he can focus on leaving a legacy for future generations.
Yeadon Smith
Live Oak Capital
Yeadon Smith
Live Oak Capital
Yeadon was born in Texas, but his family moved home to Summerville, SC when he was eight years old. He was homeschooled from 3rd grade all the way through highschool, then moved out west to El Paso TX to work at an orphanage in Mexico for a year doing ministry work. When he moved home to Summerville 11 years later, it was with his wife and two children to consider a call to full time pastoral ministry.
He discerned that he was not called to the pastorate, and launched a career in real estate. At the same time he started his real estate career, the family of four grew to a family of six! Yeadon was one of the top producing real estate agents in his market while he was active in the residential transaction side of real estate. But the transactional nature of the business was burning him out. Yeadon partnered with his cousin, Jennings to build a property management company in 2018. From there, he quickly saw the potential of apartment investing and multifamily syndication.
In 2019 he found his first apartment deal and syndicated it with his partner, Jennings. After the first deal, the possibilities exploded. He focused on operations and efficiency and grew assets under management from $1mil to $30mil over the next 18 months.