The team at Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. is comprised of a diverse group of professionals that offer a broad range of skills, in-depth knowledge, and years of experience in acquiring and managing housing projects.
Our Team
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Erich Schwenker
President
Erich Schwenker
Erich Schwenker has been involved in real estate management for over 40 years, half of which time he spent working with regional and national banks. He is proud to serve as Cardinal’s President since 2002, leading a dynamic growing development team, overseeing acquisition, asset and property management and business operations.
Erich has a particular interest in Special Needs and Supportive Housing. Cardinal and its affiliates have acquired/developed, financed, and managed 8,500+ units of affordable housing on behalf of various non-profits. On behalf of its clients, Cardinal has developed housing that addresses the needs of Veterans, Homeless, Deaf and Deaf-Blind, persons with Developmental Disabilities, Youth Aging out of Foster Care, and those Recovering from Mental Illness. Cardinal is also committed to creating workforce and other kinds of market-rate housing. Today’s housing market is extraordinarily diverse. Cardinal’s mission is to respond to this diverse market with socially aware, financially sound housing tailored to each community’s needs.
Dan O’ Connell
Executive Vice President
Dan O’ Connell
Dan O’Connell brings over 40 years of real estate development and management experience. Beginning Cardinal Capital with Erich in 2002, Dan’s expertise is in the areas of acquisition, financing and development. Dan has achieved national acclaim for his work with HUD’s Affordable Housing Programs. His valuable experience in both the construction and development side of the industry, affords a skillful perspective overseeing development, construction and management of both commercial projects and affordable housing.
Dan heads the acquisition team, identifying appropriate apartment communities in need of preservation, performing the feasibility work, negotiating and handling complex financial transactions and identifying a sponsor or owner for the real estate.
Dan has a master’s degree in Business Administration and Finance.
Keith Swetlik
Vice President Construction Development
Keith Swetlik
Having owned and operated his own Construction Company for over 10 years, Keith joined Cardinal in 2019 as a Project Manager with the hands-on skill, training, and experience to also transition into the field as a Project Site Superintendent. Keith has managed both rehabilitation and new construction projects. Recent accomplishments include serving as one of Cardinal’s Site Superintendents for a 263 unit – 46-million-dollar new construction project in Middleton Wisconsin, as well as a Site Superintendent for a 1900’s hotel conversion into luxury apartments in Janesville, Wisconsin. He is also a licensed contractor in the State of Wisconsin. Keith enjoys golfing, DIY projects, and spending time with family and friends in his free time. He also loves to be on a cruise ship or the beach as much as possible.
Ryan McRae
Vice President Construction Operations
Ryan McRae
Ryan joined Cardinal in March of 2008 as a Project Manager. Ryan participates in project pre-development, reviews building plans, solicits and reviews bids, negotiates contracts, manages project budgets and schedules, submits and reviews RFI’s and submittals, submits pay applications and coordinates draw inspections. Ryan recently was the Project Manager for three new construction projects consisting of 400 units and 60 million dollars of construction costs which each finished in 2021. Ryan’s previous projects include various HUD, RD, and tax credit rehabs in both Wisconsin and Iowa and new construction tax credit projects in Wisconsin and Colorado. Ryan is a Certified Green Built Homes Verifier, is 30-hour OSHA certified, holds an Associate’s Degree in Real Estate and is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson.