Our Staff
KATHRYN L. MESNER
Kathryn (Kathy) has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Allied Health from the University of Nebraska Medical School, a Master of Arts Degree in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a Juris Doctor Degree graduating with distinction from the University Nebraska College of Law. She has practiced law in Central City, Nebraska and developed affordable housing in Nebraska and Kansas for more than 20 years.
In 2007, Kathy was appointed by the Governor to serve, and continues to serve, as a member of the Nebraska Commission on Housing and Homelessness. She is heavily involved in legislative activities that impact the affordable housing industry.
Kathy oversees all LIHTC development projects. She serves as the liaison with state tax credit agencies as well as other funding sources. She works with architects, engineers and other professionals involved in the development and completion of the project.
Cliff and Kathy have one daughter who is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Kathy can be reached at: kathy@mesnerlaw.com.
CLIFFORD F. MESNER
Clifford Mesner (Cliff) is a 1978 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Cliff has been involved in community economic development work in Central City and throughout rural Nebraska for over 25 years. Serving as the City attorney and the Economic Development Director for Central City has taught Cliff the importance of housing to the growth of communities. He has experience in subdivision development, infrastructure extensions, affordable and market rate housing, spec housing, and new neighborhood program design. He has worked with local, state and federal agencies to bring public housing dollars to small towns in Nebraska and Kansas. Clifford also has experience in commercial real estate including the development of several new motels.
Cliff has recruited and helped develop two ethanol plants in rural Nebraska. He has served as the Chairman of the Board at a local plant and as a board member of an ethanol company that went public. This role required successful collaboration with multiple state and federal agencies, as well as attracting private capital. Cliff oversees all aspects of a development project. He will work with the owner to complete the design, award the construction bid and monitor the progress of the project throughout development and construction. Cliff is especially interested in making sure the project meets or exceeds all energy requirements.
Cliff can be reached at cliff@mesnerlaw.com.
Additional Staff
CRISTY R. LARSON
Cris worked as a Paralegal and Office Manager with the Mesner & Mesner law office. She has extensive experience in real estate law, estate planning and tax law.
During her 30 year association with Mesner Development Co. and the real estate development business, she has worked closely with Kansas Housing Resources Corp., Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka in submitting successful tax credit, AHP, CDBG, Trust Fund and gap financing applications.
Cris has attended several HUD sponsored trainings including “The Road to Mixed Finance Workshop for Capital Fund Recovery Competition Grantees” and “Foundation in Environmental Review, NEPA and 24 CFR Part 58 Training”. Cris is intricately involved with the issues related to HUD mixed finance housing projects. Her expertise for the company addresses program aspects for development and operating budgeting, cost certifications, general accounting, title, zoning and environmental review, as well as Low Income Housing Tax Credit, Trust Fund, AHP and HOME Fund compliance during lease up.
In addition, Cris oversees the operations and program compliance of all residential units under management of Mesner Development Co’s management arm.
Cris and her husband, Rick, enjoy spending time with their 2 sons, a daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons. They are passionate about scuba diving and traveling. Cris serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Merrick County Health and Fitness Center Board.
Contact Cris by e-mail at cris@mesnerlaw.com.
MARY A. MCCAIN
NIFA’s 2014 Property Manager of the Year! Mary A. McCain – is a Certified Credit Compliance Professional and has worked with Mesner Development Co. for 14 years. Mary has extensive experience in customer service and property management. She is a past manager of Lexington Super 8 Motel; Grand Island Days Inn; Central City Super 8 Motel and past Assistant Manager of Grand Island Super 8 Motel.
During her association with Mesner Development Co., Mary has worked closely with Kansas Housing Resources Corp., Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, Midwest Housing Equity Group and The Spectrum Companies in the area of compliance for all the properties managed by Mesner Development Co. Mary contributes her expertise to the company to address aspects of rental property management, income verification and certification. In addition, Mary assists our partners who are new to the rental property management arena to reach successful rent up. She also provides ongoing consulting to support them in determining best practices in managing rental property.
Mary currently serves as property manager for Southern Meadows, a market rate apartment complex in Grand Island, NE, as well as the following LIHTC properties: Windridge Townhomes I & II, Stonewood Townhomes I & II in Grand Island, NE; and Rolling Hills Townhomes in Ord, NE.
Mary can be reached at: mary@mesnerlaw.com.
CINDY DUERKSEN
Cindy joined Mesner Development Co. in March 2020. Cindy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Cindy’s work experience includes working at a bank and other businesses in their accounting department.
Cindy handles the accounting for Mesner Development Co. including organizing, reconciling, and submitting periodic financials to our partners for projects managed by Mesner Development Co.
Cindy has 2 daughters who have graduated from high school and 2 daughters in elementary school. Cindy and her husband, Allen, enjoy attending the girls school activities and sporting events.
Contact Cindy at cindy@mesnerlaw.com.
RAE JEAN HAWK
Rae Jean is our Property Manager – she joined the Mesner team in March 2016 -coming from Bosselman Inc. with over 10 years of experience in management, customer service, property rental and retail accounting. RaeJean performs preventative maintenance inspections on all Mesner Development Co. properties. She works “hands on” with our CROWN households, teaching them maintenance skills and assisting with future home–ownership questions and issues.
RaeJean currently serves as our Western Property Manager for the following LIHTC properties: Ridgewood CROWN and Westridge CROWN, in Grand Island, NE; Southwood Estates, Emerson Estates, Eastside Estates and Osborne View Estates, in Hastings, NE; Jefferson Square Townhomes in Gothenburg, NE; Clary Village and Quillan Courts in McCook, NE.
RaeJean and her husband Dana love to travel on their motorcycle and enjoy classic muscle cars. They have three daughters, one son, and grandchildren (fur babies included).
Contact RaeJean at: raejean@mesnerlaw.com.
BRENDA ZIMBELMAN
Brenda is the most recent addition to the Mesner team and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in business accounting.
In the Mesner Development arm of our company Brenda tracks and processes general contractor monthly draw requests so our builders are paid efficiently. Brenda is also working her way toward assisting our team more fully in preparing applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME Investment Partnership Funds, National Housing Trust Funds, and Rural Workforce Housing Funds. Once projects are underway, she works closely with our partners in due diligence and reporting.
Brenda takes the lead in the Maintenance department of the Mesner Management arm of our company. She provides oversight in the maintenance work flow: from initial work order input to completion of maintenance performed as needed in each of our units. In addition, she handles the Maintenance Accounts Payable and tracks inventories.
Brenda loves spending time with her family and her granddaughters are the shining lights in her life. In her free time she loves to garden, ride her bike and walk. She is active in her church as the financial secretary, treasurer for the women’s group and serves on various committees.
Contact Brenda at brenda@mesnerlaw.com