We’re a neighborhood centric development company that believes in creating projects around community engagement & consensus building.
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We were founded in 2013 by Michael Kenner, a Nashville native and tireless advocate for urban neighborhoods and equitable development. Since then, our team has grown and is now made up of leaders who each bring their unique areas of expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to elevate Nashville’s built environment.
Michael Kenner founded MiKen in 2012, when he returned to his hometown of Nashville from Seattle, where he worked as a realtor following his service in the U.S. Military. He has since developed over 200 units within Nashville’s urban core and come to be considered a tireless advocate and expert on affordable housing policy in Middle Tennessee. In 2015, he received the Nashville Civic Design Center’s prestigious “Friend of Public Space Award” for his work with TURBO (Tactical Urbanism Organizers) and promotion of walkability in the urban core. Michael has given countless presentations to neighborhoods, organizations, and colleagues about equitable redevelopment. He works to advocate politically on a local and national level through his work with the city’s Nashville Next initiative and the Urban Land Institute.
Andrew Newby is a real estate finance professional and licensed real estate broker in Tennessee and Georgia. He has worked in multiple roles in the development and multifamily industry, including time at Citi Community Capital and Freddie Mac's Multifamily Division. He earned his Master of Real Estate Development degree from the University of Maryland and undergraduate from the University of Georgia. Interests in missing middle development, historic preservation, and affordable housing are all fulfilled through his work with the company.
John Sawicki is a Project Manager with over 10 years of construction experience in the energy, automotive, and chemical manufacturing industries. John graduated in 2009 from University of Michigan’s College of Engineering with a B.S.E. in Civil & Environmental Engineering and concentration in Construction Engineering & Management. John has a Professional Engineering License in civil engineering, as well as years of field experience in construction as a project manager and engineer.
Heather Hughes graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2014 with a BS in Business Analytics and a collateral in Marketing. After 4 years of heading up marketing for 30+ local restaurant locations across Middle Tennessee, she came on board with MiKen and has been learning the ropes in all things development ever since.
AWARDS
ULI EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT (2021)
Treaty Oaks Master Plan
ULI EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT (2018)
Phoenix on 51st
ULI EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT (2020)
Treaty Oaks Cottages - Runner Up
NASHVILLE EMERGING LEADER AWARDS (2020)
Winner - Michael Kenner