The Empire Group
The Empire Group, a group of affiliated companies, has been in business for over 40 years as a real estate investor and developer of quality and innovative residential and commercial projects. Its founder, Richard Felker, along with Geoffrey Jacobs, a principal in the group, take pride in what they do. By adhering to a three-point philosophy of integrity, quality, and commitment they have led their organization to great achievements and success. Since its inception in Wisconsin and through its current developments in Arizona, Empire has acquired or developed more than 100 properties in over 35 communities with a combined value in excess of $1 billion. Many of these projects have received local and national recognition for design and project excellence, including awards from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, Builders Magazine and the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.
Real Estate Specialization
| Multifamily |
| Retail |
| Residential Income |
Investment Type
| Acquisition/Fee Simple |
Investment Style
| Value-add |
| Development |
RICHARD FELKER
Richard Felker began his business career in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he owned and operated furniture/appliance stores. After 10 years or so, in the early 1970s, he moved into the real estate development business in Wisconsin, and for the last 27 years he has focused on real estate developments in the Phoenix metropolitan area. During his 40 years of real estate experience, Mr. Felker has developed over 100 projects valued at over $1 Billion. Those projects have included more than 1,845 apartment units; 128 apartment units converted to condominiums; 835 condominium units, 5,110 single family lots (consisting of lots sold to builders; custom lots sold to upscale buyers and single family/townhouse homes) and more than a dozen retail/commercial/office projects. His vision, ability to recognize current and future trends, extensive contacts with lenders, brokers and municipal and community leaders and his wealth of experience in all phases of residential and commercial development, financing, construction, and property management, combined with his ability to assemble and lead great teams, have all helped create the success of his investment/development entities, collectively known as The Empire Group. These accomplishments have led him to be the recipient of nine National Awards for Excellence for his projects, including recognition for Design and Excellence by the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, Professional Builder Magazine and the National Association of Realtors; Builders Magazine “Best in the West” Award, and the MAME Award.
MICHAEL WOOLF
Michael Woolf has been a lawyer in Arizona since 1974. He was an undergraduate of Arizona State University where he graduated with honors in 1971 with a business degree. In 1974 he graduated from Arizona State University Law School, cum laude. Before being employed by The Empire Group as in-house counsel in 2006, Michael was a shareholder in the Phoenix law firm of O’Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson, Killingsworth, Westover and Beshears, PA and an owning shareholder in the Phoenix law firm of Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre and Friedlander, PA. During his professional career, Michael has been a transactional lawyer with an emphasis on documenting business transactions, real estate financing, and all aspects of commercial, retail, and residential real estate, including extensive experience in construction, development, sales, brokerage, leasing and community development documentation. Michael has been honored by Phoenix Magazine as one of the top lawyers in Arizona. During his long history of representing Empire entities while with the above law firms, Michael has also represented national and local developers, homebuilders, lenders and real estate brokerage companies as well as many local non-real estate oriented businesses. Michael is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Homebuilders Association of Central Arizona; has been a member of numerous committees formed by the Arizona Department of Real Estate to recommend changes to Arizona real estate statutes and regulations; is a member of the American Bar Association, Arizona State Bar Association, Maricopa County Bar Association; and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
RANDY GRUDZINSKI
Geoffrey Jacobs
Mr. Jacobs currently serves as a Principal with The Empire Group, LLC. Mr. Jacobs started his business career in the early 1990’s with a real estate company where he helped to plan mixed-use developments in mainland China. In 1998, he accepted the opportunity to work with Richard Felker, take responsibility for the commercial real estate operations of The Empire Group, and assume an ownership position in the company. His responsibilities include (a) acquisition, financing, planning, zoning, entitlement, development, improvement, and management of all of the Empire Group’s anchored and non-anchored mixed-use, retail, and office projects, (b) supervising the leasing of the company’s projects, including ground leases, build-to-suit leases, and space leases in company-owned shops buildings to such tenants as Staples, Ace Hardware, Fresh & Easy Markets, Circle K, Jack in the Box, KFC, and others, and (c) supervision of the sale of shopping center pad sites. In addition, Mr. Jacobs was responsible for the overall development, improvement, and operation of a series of gas stations developed by The Empire Group before he arranged for and completed the sale of the gas station operations. Mr. Jacobs is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. In 1991, Mr. Jacobs graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in international finance. In 1992, Mr. Jacobs graduated from the Thunderbird School of International Management, where he earned his master’s degree in international management.
Rich Zacher
Richard brings 26 Years of experience in residential and commercial real estate in the Arizona market to the Camelback Real Estate Associates team. His diverse range of experience and expertise including forming and running his own company, Zacher Homes, from 1994 – 2008.
Michele Hoeliner
Mrs. Hoeliner is currently the CFO for The Empire Group of Companies. She joined Empire in 2006 with 18 years of accounting experience in Real Estate development and the construction industry. Prior to her employment with Empire she has acted as an assistant controller for an architectural firm and full charge bookkeeper for numerous contractors and sub-contractors. From 2006 to 2009 she held the position of Empire’s senior accountant responsible for all the day to day financial operations of the commercial and residential development projects throughout the Phoenix area. In 2009, Mrs. Hoeliner played an integral role in developing processes and standards for the success of the residential rental investment funds developed by Empire. She collaborates with the funds outside tax accountants and auditors to ensure the accuracy and validity of the funds audited financial statements and tax returns. Mrs. Hoeliner is responsible for the financial reporting provided by outside property managers and administrators, ensuring that all parties are held accountable for the integrity and accuracy of financial data provided and that all financial data is reported in a timely manner. In addition to the management of the funds financial activities Mrs. Hoeliner manages an accounting department, is responsible for financial reporting, tax preparation, and financial planning for the 40+ companies known as The Empire Group of Companies.
Dani Lanz
Lauren Has
Renae Penuel
- +1 480 951 2207
- renae@theempiregroupllc.com
Randy Grudzinski
Shelby Duplessis
Tracy Grewe
Byron Crowe
Mark Kass
Paul Nunez