Interview: Joe Ryan, CEO and founder, Oppidan Investment Co.

Senior housing has been a priority for Oppidan Investment Co. for several years, but recent demographic trends are encouraging the company to expand its investment in this type of housing even further. Joe Ryan, the company’s CEO and founder, said their increased interest in senior housing projects is due to the nation’s aging population as well as the “great” business opportunity that comes with these developments. Oppidan has also worked on multifamily, industrial and retail developments to ensure it has a diverse array of investments. Since founding the Excelsior-based company in 1991, Ryan’s not only developed more than $3 billion in real estate, he’s also expanded the company’s footprint outside of Minnesota. He’s completed more than 420 projects across 35 states, which encompasses over 15.8 million square feet of space. Most recently, Oppidan opened the Watermark of Napa Valley, a senior housing project in California, and has several other senior living developments in various stages in the state as well. Ryan graduated from St. Thomas University, with both a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Finance. Before starting Oppidan, he was a shareholding partner of REI and Limited, and directed the operations of Richard Ellis Inc.’s Minneapolis office. Additionally, he was vice president of asset management at St. Paul Properties Inc. In this episode, reporter Kelly Busche interviews Oppidan CEO, Joe Ryan.