The People Behind Block Funds

SIOR, CCIM

Kenneth G. Block

Managing Principal

Multifamily & Industrial

Kenneth G. Block is the managing principal of Block Real Estate Services, LLC. He entered the real estate field in 1975.

Ken specializes in investment sales and the development of industrial, office, business park, and multifamily properties. To date, he has developed over 360 buildings with a total value of more than $5.1 billion. Ken has also been heavily involved in the representation of REITs, pension funds advisors, and insurance companies in both acquisition and disposition of real estate properties. Over his career, he has been involved in more than $5.3 billion of property sales and dispositions in all asset classes. He has also been involved as a consultant and/or developer in numerous build-to-suit projects for national companies, including General Electric, IBM, AT&T, Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., Corporate Express, Xerox, Amazon.com, Kiewit Corporation, Teva Pharmaceuticals, WellSky, Mariner Wealth Advisors, and many others. In addition, Ken is currently the managing member of nearly $1.9 billion of property including Pine Ridge Business Park, a $150 million, 223-acre, mixed-use business park, CityPlace, a $400 million mixed-use development, and Galleria a $350 million mixed-use development.

Ken is thoroughly knowledgeable in all aspects of real estate brokerage, development, construction, financing, syndication, leasing and marketing. He has been quoted on numerous occasions in well-respected publications, including: The Wall Street Journal, The National Real Estate Investor, Forum, Midwest Real Estate News, Business Facilities, Commercial Property News, Real Estate Today, Corporate Report, Ingram’s, Kansas City Business Journal, Kansas City Star and many others. He has also been a guest speaker at many prominent real estate symposiums for over four decades.

Ken currently is an active industrial member of SIOR and a member of CCIM. He has served for years on the editorial advisory board of Midwest Real Estate News. He has served as Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the Commercial Investment Branch of KCRAR, Director of the Metropolitan Kansas City Real Estate Board, Director of the Missouri Association of Realtors, President of the Kansas City Chapter of NAIOP, Regional Vice President of NAIOP and Secretary/Treasurer of the Western Missouri-Kansas SIOR Chapter. Ken is involved in the Kansas City, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Lenexa Economic Development Council, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Area Development Council, and a host of other economic and development organizations.

Ken is a supporter of many local and regional charitable enterprises including American Cancer Society, American Royal, Boys & Girls Club, Business Council – Nelson Atkins Museum, Children's Mercy Hospital, Children's TLC, Heart of America Boy Scouts Council, Hope House, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Zoo, Kemper Museum, Nelson Atkins Museum Society of Fellows, New Reform Temple, University of Kansas Hospital and is a Board Member for the Allen J. Block Scholarship Fund at the Lewis White Real Estate Center at the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management.

Ken serves as a founding member of ReNew KC Neighborhoods, a 501(c)(3) with the mission of Renovating, Restoring, and Renewing blighted Kansas City Metro neighborhoods and working to relive the housing crisis that exists among the homeless veteran, impoverished, and elderly population in our community.

Ken's recent accomplishments include: in 2010, the first ever "Allen J. Block Realtor of the Year" Award by the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the 2010 Commercial National Award from the

National Association of Realtors, a Top Sales Producer Rainmaker by Ingram’s Magazine, in addition to being selected as an inaugural member of the Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame by Midwest Real Estate News. Ken is a Life Member of the Kansas City Metropolitan and Missouri Multi-Million Dollar Clubs. He has been selected Realtor Associate of the Year for Metropolitan Kansas City Board of Realtors, nominated for Realtor Associate of the Year in the Missouri Association of Realtors, named to Who’s Who in Real Estate in America and elected as an Outstanding Young Man in America. Additionally, he was selected as one of the top 31 Brokers in America by the Commercial Property News, and a commercial broker Allstar by Real Estate MidAmerica magazine.

In 2011, Ken received the first ever Jim Davis award by the Kansas City Business Journal, which was given in memory of former Kansas City Business Journal real estate/development reporter Jim Davis. Ken was selected because of his 39 years of leadership in the community and his passionate commitment to development throughout Metropolitan Kansas City. The award seeks to recognize those outstanding real estate leaders whose efforts made a significant difference in the community.

In 2013, Ken received the National Award from the National Association of Realtors for outstanding achievements in the real estate industry. In 2014, he was chosen as one of the Top Real Estate Dealmakers in Commercial Real Estate in the United States and has been selected from 2014 through 2023 as one of the Power 100 in Kansas City by the Kansas City Business Journal.

In 2015, Ken was named one of KC's 50 Most Powerful People by 435 magazine.

In 2016, Ken was recognized as Big Brothers Big Sisters Man of the Year. Also in 2016, Ken accepted the first ever Founders Award from Mutual of Omaha Bank for outstanding service and dedication to the community.

In 2019, Ken was listed on the Business Journals' Influencers: Commercial Real Estate, a national list that spotlights the top 100 notable executives making moves in the CRE space in cities throughout the country.

In 2020, Ken was awarded the first ever Power Player award by the Kansas City Business Journal. This award was given to a recipient that has made a significant impact on the real estate community.

In 2021, Ken was named as one of the 50 Kansans You Should Know by Ingram’s Magazine.

Ken has been recognized by Ingram’s as one of the 250 Most Powerful Business Leaders in the Kansas City Area in 2016 through 2024.

Ken has continually been recognized as one of Midwest Real Estate Journal’s Top Midwest Owners, most recently in 2024.

Ken graduated with honors from the Honors College of Michigan State University. He resides in Mission Hills, Kansas, with his wife, Lisa, and has four children: Chandler, Andrew, Cameron and William.

CCIM

Aaron M. Mesmer

Chief Investment Officer

Multifamily & Industrial

Aaron Mesmer joined Block Real Estate Services, LLC (BRES) in 2005 as an investment specialist focused on the sale of commercial and multifamily properties. Over the past 19 years, his role has evolved to include the acquisition and development of office, medical, industrial, retail and multifamily properties. In 2024, Aaron was named Chief Investment Officer for the Block Funds, tasked with overseeing fundraising and capital allocation to new investment opportunities.

Since joining BRES, Aaron has been involved in hundreds of transactions totaling more than $3 billion. This includes the acquisition, sale, leasing or development of more than 2.0 million square feet of office space, 1.3 million square feet of medical space, 8.5 million square feet of industrial space and 800,000 square feet of retail space, as well as more than 10,000 multifamily units and 2,000 acres of land.

Block Funds’ current development pipeline includes more than 8,500,000 square feet of industrial space in multiple business parks, a half dozen office sites, nearly two dozen multifamily properties, including several historic office-to-multifamily conversions, and several mixed-use communities.

Aaron’s signature developments include:

• CityPlace, a 95-acre, mixed-use community in Overland Park, Kansas

• Galleria, a 37-acre, mixed-use community in Overland Park, Kansas

• Avenue One, a 200-acre, mixed-use community in Omaha, Nebraska

• Lenexa Logistics Centre, four industrial parks totaling 270 acres and more than 3,630,000 square feet of distribution space in Lenexa, Kansas

• The Grand, a 201-unit historic high-rise conversion in Kansas City, Missouri
   – Capstone Award Winner

• The Equitable, a 146-unit historic high-rise conversion in Des Moines, Iowa
   – Winner of the 2018 William J. Wagner Historic Preservation Award

• 531 Grand, a 185-unit multifamily community in Kansas City, Missouri
   – Capstone Award Winner

• 44 Washington, a 196-unit multifamily community in Kansas City, Missouri
   – Capstone Award Winner

• 46 Penn Centre, a 230,000-square-foot high-rise office building in Kansas City, Missouri
   – Capstone Award Winner

Aaron has earned several awards and distinctions, including:

• Midwest Real Estate News Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame

• Kansas City Business Journal – Forty Under 40

• National Association of Realtors 30 Under 30

• Kansas City Business Journal – Heavy Hitters of Commercial Real Estate

• KC Business Magazine – Rising Star Award

• Kansas City CCIM Chapter – Investment Home Run Award

• Ingram’s Magazine – 20 in the Twenties

• Kansas City Business Journal – Multiple Capstone Awards

• CoStar – Multiple Power Broker Awards

• Kansas City Regional Association – Multiple Sales Volume Awards

Prior to joining BRES, Aaron worked for NAI Cohen-Esrey as a member of the Investment and Corporate Solutions Group.

Aaron graduated first in his class and with Highest Distinction from the University of Kansas, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration while studying finance, marketing and Italian. Aaron then earned his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation as a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate.

He is a licensed real estate salesperson in both Kansas and Missouri, the past President of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors Commercial Board and a past member of the Forbes Real Estate Council.

Aaron is currently a member of the National Multihousing Council and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is also active with the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kansas City.

CCIM

Grant O. Reves

Director of Acquisitions

Multifamily & Industrial

Grant Reves joined Block Real Estate Services in 2007 and currently serves as the Director of Acquisitions and Capital Markets. He is a seasoned investor with over 22 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry and has been involved in acquisitions in excess of $4 billion.

With a focus on income-producing multifamily properties, Grant brings a wealth of strong relationships with lenders, brokers, owners and operators to any transaction or operation. Passionate about finding and creating value for clients, partners and investors, Grant is skilled at leveraging financial analysis and capital markets to optimize returns and mitigate risks.

As a Principal with Block Funds, Grant is part of a dynamic and diverse team that invests on behalf of investors in high-quality assets across the United States.

Grant earned his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation as a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate. He is a licensed real estate salesperson in both Kansas and Missouri.

In 2009, the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) recognized Grant as the city’s top-volume investment broker. In 2010, he was selected by KC Business Magazine as one of Kansas City’s Rising Stars. In 2019, he was named to the Midwest Real Estate News Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Grant has also been named a Power Broker by CoStar Group four times since 2004.

Grant received a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2000 and his MBA from Kansas State University in 2002. Grant was a varsity letterman for the Kansas State University football team from 1996 through 2000 and was also named to the Academic All-Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll during his career.

Originally from Richardson, Texas, Grant now resides in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife, Ashley, and their four children.

Jason Charcut

President, Block Multifamily Group

Jason Charcut joined Block Multifamily Group (BMG) in 2018 as Asset Manager of Multifamily and became President in 2020. He is responsible for leading the strategic planning, implementation and operations of the multifamily management platform with a focus on achieving cash flow, occupancy, and the overall performance of the assets under his management. As a results-oriented property management professional for over 20 years, Jason possesses a wide knowledge base of management and operational experience in development, value add, student, mid-rise, high-rise, garden and townhome communities. He has developed and executed numerous efficiency programs to improve profitability and accountability within the organizations he has worked, which has led to a consistent track record of increasing the value of assets under his leadership. Jason is a graduate of The University of Kansas with a Bachelors of Science degree in Strategic Communications. He has received professional designations through the National Apartment Association including Certified Apartment Manager (CAM), and Certified Apartment Property Supervisor (CAPS).

Scott M. Cordes

Executive Vice President / COO

Scott M. Cordes is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Block Real Estate Services, LLC (BRES). He rejoined BRES in 2020, having previously served in an industrial brokerage role with the firm from 2004 through 2013.

Scott’s responsibilities include the development, implementation and oversight of corporate strategy for BRES Kansas City, Block Hawley (the BRES St. Louis affiliate), Block Multifamily Group, Block Maintenance Solutions and other company subsidiaries.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Scott oversees a team of more than 20 directors, managers and support staff responsible for delivering asset and property management services for a portfolio exceeding 45 million square feet of office, industrial, medical, multifamily and retail space across the country. He also provides leadership to BRES’ operating departments, including marketing, administrative, investment, brokerage and insurance services.

Prior to rejoining BRES, Scott served as Vice President and Midwest Regional Leader for Colony Capital, Inc. in Dallas, Texas. In that role, he was responsible for the asset management and leasing of the company’s Midwest portfolio, totaling more than 9.9 million square feet across 67 buildings. Through the development of national relationships with brokers and tenants across multiple markets, he helped source acquisition, development and leasing opportunities that expanded Colony Capital’s market presence.

Scott was selected as a member of Ingram’s Magazine’s 40 Under Forty Class of 2021 and was recognized as a NextGen Leader, Class of 2022, by the Kansas City Business Journal.

He is actively involved with organizations including Youth Ambassadors and the First Hand Foundation. Scott is also a member of the Block Real Estate Services, LLC Executive Committee.

Scott has worked in the commercial real estate industry since 2004 and is a graduate of Kansas State University’s College of Business, School of Marketing.

Ken Steen

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Ken Steen is an experienced financial professional with a diverse background in real estate and investment accounting.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Northern Illinois University. Before joining Block, Ken spent 17 years at the largest custodian bank in the United States, where he served as Vice President of Investment Accounting.

Ken joined Block Real Estate Services in September 2010, where he initially supported the financial accounting for several portfolios.

In 2012, Ken was promoted to Accounting Manager, where he played a pivotal role in supporting the acquisitions and dispositions of numerous property transactions.

After a brief tenure with a boutique developer in Kansas City in 2016, Ken returned to Block Real Estate Services in 2018 as Controller. He is currently working toward his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.

In 2024, Ken was promoted to Chief Financial Officer.

Ryan Klepper

Vice President - Acquisitions

Ryan joined Block Real Estate Services, LLC (BRES) in April 2021, specializing in the acquisition and disposition of multifamily, retail and industrial assets.

As a member of Block’s Investment Team, Ryan specializes in financial analysis and the evaluation of potential acquisitions and dispositions, managing debt and equity sourcing, overseeing transaction execution and ensuring effective asset management.

In 2020, Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Kansas. During his time at KU, he actively participated in Greek Life and assumed various leadership and advisory roles within his university association at both the local and national levels.

Ryan holds a Kansas real estate license and is a native of Kansas City. He currently resides in the Country Club Plaza area.

Since 2022, Ryan has been part of the successful acquisition of more than 1,188 residential units valued at over $270 million and 270,000 square feet of commercial space valued at $15.5 million.

Brian Sulley

TBD

Bio pending.