Speakers

Learn from nationally recognized investors, operators, economists, and housing leaders shaping the Midwest real estate market.

Additional main-stage, breakout, and panel speakers will be announced as the program continues to take shape.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Steve Brown

AI Futurist and Former Executive at Google DeepMind & Intel

Steve Brown is a leading AI futurist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author who advises organizations on navigating AI-driven disruption. He helps business leaders and investors understand how intelligent technologies are reshaping markets and long-term competitive advantage.

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Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference keynote speaker Paul Isely, Leading Economic Voice.

Dr. Paul Isely

West Michigan's Leading Economic Voice and Associate Dean, GVSU

Dr. Paul Isely is a respected economist known for delivering clear, data-driven analysis of regional and national economic trends. His insights help real estate investors assess risk, identify opportunity, and make informed decisions in uncertain market conditions.

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FEATURED SPEAKERS

Meet the featured speakers helping shape MREIC 2026.

John Burley

Private Equity Real Estate Investor · $600M+ Raised · Bestselling Author

John Burley is a private equity real estate pioneer with over 40 years of investing experience, thousands of completed transactions, and more than $600 million raised. Trained on Wall Street, he founded his own private equity firm in 1989 and remains an active, full-time investor today. A #1 international bestselling author, John specializes in raising private capital and running real estate as a true business—focused on risk reduction, capital protection, and repeatable systems.

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Mark Kohler

Tax & Legal Strategist · CPA & Attorney · Senior Partner, KKOS Lawyers

Mark J. Kohler, CPA, is a nationally recognized tax and legal strategist, bestselling author, and Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers. With more than 25 years of experience and 10,000+ client consultations, he helps real estate investors and business owners reduce taxes, protect assets, and structure wealth strategically. Mark’s insights have been featured in major national media outlets, and he is widely known for simplifying complex tax and legal concepts into actionable strategies.

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Anthony Chara

Apartment Investor & Syndicator · 2,000+ Multifamily Units Nationwide

Anthony Chara is a veteran apartment investor and educator with more than 30 years of experience in real estate investing and property management. Since going full-time in 2004, he has owned, partnered in, or syndicated over 2,000 multifamily units across the U.S. and internationally. As Managing Member of Apartment Mentors, Anthony is known for his practical, numbers-driven approach to analyzing deals, increasing cash flow, and scaling apartment portfolios responsibly.

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Zachary Beach

CEO/Partner, SmartRealEstateCoach.com · Bestselling Author

Zachary Beach is the CEO/Partner of SmartRealEstateCoach.com, a 3x Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company focused on helping W2 employees become creative financing real estate investors. He’s also a partner in Original Real Estate, Watch Street Properties, and Propsperity.io, and an Amazon Bestselling Author of Real Estate on Your Terms, New Rules of Real Estate Investing, and Sell with Authority for Real Estate Investors.

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Paul Moore

Founder, Wellings Capital · Commercial Real Estate Investor & Author

Paul Moore is the founder of Wellings Capital and a seasoned commercial real estate investor with more than 100 completed investments and exits. His background includes residential rehabs, multifamily development, hotel projects, and large-scale commercial assets. A two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and bestselling author, Paul focuses on institutional-quality real estate and long-term wealth preservation.

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Chad Benson

Director of Development, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

Chad Benson is Director of Development for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), where he leads the Rental Development division and oversees affordable housing investments across Michigan. His work includes multifamily development underwriting, housing policy guidance through the Qualified Allocation Plan, and advancing new housing initiatives statewide.

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Nathan Biller

Real Estate Investor & Infill Developer · ADU Specialist · Co-Founder, MI Backyard Build

Nathan Biller is a real estate investor, ADU Specialist, and infill developer based in Grand Rapids. He co-founded MI Backyard Build after completing his own ADU projects and now works with homeowners and investors to add housing through small-scale, zoning-aligned development. Nathan brings a practical, operator-focused perspective shaped by a decade in finance and active involvement in local housing policy and planning.

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