St. Germain, Wisconsin, Population 1,916, Home to Inc. Magazine’s Second Fastest Growing Privately Owned Company in the U.S. – Eliason Inc.

ST. GERMAIN, Wis., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ — The history of northern Wisconsin is rich with lumber baron success stories — nineteenth- and twentieth-century immigrants rising beyond their humble beginnings. Today, we speak of another Wisconsin-based American success story — one with a twist. John Eliason, an early twentieth-century Swedish immigrant miner and logger in St. Germain, Wisconsin, chose a different path. Rather than logging the forests of northern Wisconsin, he purchased lakeside lots, anticipating their increasing value as ever-increasing lumber barons, and vacationers, sought picturesque getaways.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080826/AQTU083)

What began as a $2,000 life-savings investment in 1914, has grown — under the able hands of the Eliasons — to become Eliason Inc., the second fastest growing privately owned company in the U.S., according to Inc. magazine. A commercial real estate investment and financial services firm, Eliason Inc. also holds the number one ranking on the Inc. list of Top 50 Real Estate Companies. Posting an impressive growth in excess of 24,000% from 2004 — 2007 and total 2007 revenue in excess of $205 million, Eliason Inc. is a family-owned real estate firm specializing in Tenant-in-Common (TIC) and 1031 Exchange opportunities, led by John’s two great-grandsons, David Eliason and Brian Eliason. The company’s $415 million nationwide portfolio includes more than 4,800 apartment units and 311,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

One would expect to find such an investment giant in a metropolitan financial hub. But one of America’s hottest companies remains in St. Germain, population 1,916. Inc. magazine noted the paucity of high-ranked companies in rural areas — the Midwest had the most Inc. 5000 companies on the list, but only 62 companies were located outside of metropolitan areas. Eliason ranked as the top non-metropolitan company.

Jay Grooters, CEO, Eliason Real Estate Group notes, “It used to be that the world of investing was located in places like New York or Chicago. Now, there are no such boundaries. We utilize advanced technologies to build personal relationships with our investors and representatives across the country. With today’s technologies, we can also research, underwrite and understand potential investments more thoroughly than ever.” Adds Grooters, “We back that technology with personal service the likes of which you don’t see very often. David and Brian personally call each investor upon the completion of a deal to congratulate the investors and see if they have any questions.” As for their remote location? “We’re a family-owned company from a small town, which helps to build trust with our investors. We take that trust very seriously.”

Asked to comment on the secret to their success, David Eliason, President, Eliason Inc. doesn’t hesitate. “People. It’s absolutely our people. We have an incredible range of talent across the nation representing the best interests of our investors.”

Adds Brian Eliason, Chief Executive Officer, Eliason Inc., “That was the most important lesson we learned growing up in a family defined by real estate — work with the right people. And ‘right people’ always meant those who put the interests of the investors first, who would research a thousand properties and from that number pick one, and who would literally walk the floors of every property to make certain it was everything in person that it purported to be on paper.”

Another key component of Eliason’s success has been its ability to anticipate real estate opportunities and market trends.

— During the 1960s, John’s grandsons, Donald and Richard Eliason founded Eliason Realty of the North and proceeded to grow it into the largest real estate brokerage in northern Wisconsin. Their model was to purchase existing resorts, improve the properties and sell them as the first condominium conversions in Wisconsin.

— By 1974, Eliason entered its first major apartment partnership with a $200,000 equity investment in a $2 million apartment complex that later netted more than $3 million in profit.

— Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Eliason apartment portfolio continued to expand.

— In the 1990s, Eliason continued to assemble partnerships and began using the Tenant-in-Common (TIC) format for some of its investments.

— In 2002, the advent of an IRS ruling allowing TIC properties to qualify as viable 1031 Exchange options allowed Eliason to capitalize on the investment initiatives it had in place and offer an expanded pool of commercial investment opportunities to investors around the nation.

— 2008 marks the year the company’s nationwide portfolio surpasses $415 million in value, with properties throughout the Sunbelt, Southeast and Midwest markets.

As for the future? “Steady as she goes,” notes Brian Eliason. “Our investment principles have served us and our investors well. Because of our geographically diverse portfolio, we’re in a good position to weather the current credit crunch. And the multifamily market maintains its potential for growth, so we’ll continue to search for properties in communities that show strong economic and demographic growth. And pass that potential on to our investors.”

As for life in St. Germain? “Never better,” concludes David Eliason. “We’ve stayed true to our roots and will remain a part of the community that gave rise to our success. The fact that the area has been welcoming visitors for more than a century confirms what we believe — the community has something to offer everyone. A strong economy with endless natural and recreational resources.”

About Eliason Inc.

Based in St. Germain, Eliason Incorporated is a real estate investment firm with a proven track record in real estate acquisition, financing, management and sales. The company’s principals have collective experience that covers all types of real estate with a combined transactional value in the billions of dollars. For more information, call 866-ELIASON (866-354-2766) or visit the company’s Website at http://www.eliasongroup.com/.