Chris Kennelly
Share a bit about your background and what led you to your role at Trekk Properties.
I was able to raise, beg, and borrow money in my mid-20s to purchase and renovate a duplex in St. Paul, MN. This experience led me to pursue a career in real estate, culminating in my current role as Owner of Trekk Properties.
What’s your favorite part about working with our clients or within the communities we serve?
I love finding solutions. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been finding a space for a growing business, a new apartment for a tenant, and seeing new projects being built in our thriving communities.
What’s a fun fact about you that might surprise your colleagues or clients?
I spent a year and a half traveling and working across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. I worked on a sailboat for two months in Papua New Guinea and lived out of a station wagon in New Zealand for three months. It was an amazing experience!
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of Trekk Properties?
We are a growth-oriented company that operates using Traction/EOS. We will continue to grow our business and properties under management, along with developing leaders in the communities we serve. Our ten-year target is 1,000,000 lives impacted through developing 500 community leaders.
Katie Gittins
Share a bit about your background and what led you to your role at Trekk Properties.
I was hired by Chris Kennelly to take on the role of Operations Manager for his companies. I was interested in the position as I was looking for a role that would allow me to impact local communities. Much of my prior experience was with global non-profit companies, working for an international risk association and a student exchange organization. When considering a new position, finding an employer driven by more than just profit was essential. Chris has an ability to drive positive change that is inspirational.
My experience working with small non-profits and as a partner in a small tax firm allowed me to wear many hats, gaining knowledge about IT, Marketing, Finance, Project Management, etc. Learning the keys to maximizing results with minimal resources for business growth directly translated to my new position. Trekk Properties is currently where I focus most of my day, but I enjoy working on the other areas of Chris’s full-circle real estate vision.
What’s your favorite part about working with our clients or within the communities we serve?
The ability to positively impact my community is motivating and rewarding. I also enjoy helping to create opportunities for employee growth, bringing business to local vendors, being a trusted local partner for owners/investors, and providing a ‘home’ for our community members.
What’s a fun fact about you that might surprise your colleagues or clients?
I love the outdoors – being in nature is where I find peace. Our family of four has traveled to the boundary waters every year since our youngest was three. We enjoy the challenges of portaging and carrying packs weighing about 90 pounds, and last year, we paddled to the Canadian border. We dehydrate all our own food and eat like kings! We enjoy exploring and spending time as a family away from everyone and everything. It is a very special time.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of Trekk Properties?
My goal for Trekk Properties is to provide opportunities for employment, housing for residents, a trusted partner for owners/investors, and the ability to give back to community non-profits. Ultimately, I want to foster positive change in the community where my family and I reside.
Chris Ekern
Share a bit about your background and what led you to your role at Trekk Properties.
I’ve been part of the G&H Properties/Trekk Properties team since 2012, leading our commercial property and asset management efforts. My journey here began after over a decade at CBRE in Minneapolis, where I managed a diverse portfolio that included office and industrial properties. This experience gave me a solid foundation in handling various asset classes, such as retail, HOA, multi-family, and hospitality.
Settling in Northfield with my family has allowed me to stay connected to the community, where I enjoy golfing, fishing, and volunteering with local organizations like the Northfield Hockey Association and YMCA. My role at Trekk Properties allows me to leverage my broad experience in real estate, contributing to the management and performance of over 25 buildings, ensuring they not only meet but exceed our clients’ expectations.
What’s your favorite part about working with our clients or within the communities we serve?
I feel very fortunate to live and work in the same community. In many instances, friends have become tenants, and tenants have become friends. It gives you a sense of satisfaction and pride to play a small part in the success of certain small businesses in town or helping people find a place to call home.
What’s a fun fact about you that might surprise your colleagues or clients?
A fun fact about me is that I’m not only an avid golfer and fisherman but also my family’s biggest fan. I passionately support my kids in their sports endeavors, especially cheering them on at golf tournaments and hockey games. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing them succeed and share in the sports we all love!
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of Trekk Properties?
I’m looking forward to continuing to grow with this company. I strongly believe in our core values and do my best to carry them through in my daily work. Establishing solid relationships with tenants and owners is very rewarding, especially knowing they trust they’re always treated with respect and honesty.
Jenni Flobeck
Share a bit about your background and what led you to your role at Trekk Properties.
I entered the real estate industry in 2003, starting at a company in Minneapolis roughly the size of Trekk Properties. When that company was acquired by a larger management firm, I remained through the transition but realized I wanted to get back to my roots. After several discussions with Chris Kennelly, an opportunity emerged to head the Community Management Pillar at Trekk Properties. Returning to my hometown of Faribault has been incredibly fulfilling. I truly enjoy helping the company grow, especially knowing we positively impact the communities I love.
What’s your favorite part about working with our clients or within the communities we serve?
Gaining the trust and respect of clients has been both a challenge and a highlight for me. I was thrilled to successfully implement significant changes in business practices, which enhanced the operational efficiency of the associations managed by Trekk Properties. Getting to know each community to understand their unique needs and gain their trust has been especially rewarding.
I enjoy participating in local Chamber events in Northfield and Faribault, strengthening our community ties. Volunteering for initiatives like Earth Day clean-ups and supporting local organizations such as the Laura Baker Association fosters goodwill and enhances our communities’ living spaces.
What’s a fun fact about you that might surprise your colleagues or clients?
When I was five, my dad entered my name in a raffle for a little three-wheeler from a local grocery store in Faribault, and I won! Of course, my dad had to purchase his own ATV, creating countless memories of trips to the cabin and inspiring my lifelong love for the outdoors.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of Trekk Properties?
My goal is to reintegrate myself back into our communities and build a foundation of trust for both owners and tenants. In our business, we are entrusted with our clients’ homes, so I want to ensure they know we have their best interests at heart. I want our communities to see Trekk Properties as the area’s most dependable, collaborative, and community-driven management company.
Christine Jensen
Share a bit about your background and what led you to your role at Trekk Properties.
I joined G&H Properties, now Trekk Properties, in 2020, bringing with me 17 years of experience in property management. My move here during the height of the pandemic was driven by my desire to find a company where I could contribute to grow and develop a team that shared my passion for creating community. After meeting with Chris and his team, I immediately felt this was the perfect place for me. Their vision aligned with my goals, and I knew I could make a meaningful impact here.
What’s your favorite part about working with our clients or within the communities we serve?
My favorite part about working with our clients and within the communities we serve is truly the opportunity to create and nurture community, no matter the size or scope of the project. I take great joy in building lasting relationships with tenants, vendors, and owners, and I enjoy solving challenging projects that bring us closer together. My focus is always on making a positive difference, so that everyone—owners, residents, and my team—feels satisfied and successful.
I am deeply committed to listening to clients’ wants and needs to secure the best outcomes in every interaction. You can count on me every step of the way. I also like fostering professional growth and developing leaders within our community. Actively engaging in local events like Northfield’s Night to Unite, participating in Chamber Events, and hosting gatherings at our properties like 5th St Lots and Koester Court exemplify our commitment to creating vibrant, connected communities.
What’s a fun fact about you that might surprise your colleagues or clients?
One fun fact about me is my deep passion for turtles, snorkeling, and all things water. My fascination with turtles started on my first trip to Maui in 2009, sparking not just an interest but a commitment to their conservation. Since then, I’ve become an avid supporter of The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, and I actively engage in turtle advocacy efforts.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of Trekk Properties?
Looking ahead, my goals for the future with Trekk Properties are centered on growth and community enhancement. I want to create job opportunities that challenge individuals to develop and pursue long-term careers within the communities we serve. Additionally, I’m committed to providing safe, comfortable homes that contribute to the well-being of our residents. Ensuring the profitability and success of our owners is also a top priority.
I have the privilege of working with amazing people—employees, owners, and residents alike—each with their own unique vision for the future. My mission is to support each one in turning their vision into reality, positively impacting every life we touch.