WiscoREIA Green Bay: Experienced Investor Panel

Experienced Investor Panel

Click here to pre-register!

State of the State

Join us for State of the State, a dynamic panel discussion featuring seasoned real estate investors and industry professionals who are actively involved in today’s market. These are people who own properties, do deals, and have firsthand experience navigating the challenges and opportunities shaping real estate today.

Hear perspectives from landlords, regulatory experts, hard money lenders, and real estate brokers as they share what they’re seeing on the ground right now—from market trends and financing to changing regulations, ownership challenges, and emerging opportunities.

What separates successful investors from everyone else? Experience.

This isn’t a polished sales pitch or a textbook presentation. It’s a candid conversation featuring real stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical strategies from professionals who have weathered market cycles, navigated setbacks, closed countless deals, and built lasting success.

Bring your toughest questions and learn:
✅ What’s working in today’s market

✅ What challenges investors should be watching for

✅ How experienced investors are adapting to market changes

✅ Lessons from mistakes, setbacks, and unexpected opportunities

✅ Practical ideas you can apply to your own investing journey

Whether you’re just getting started or already building your portfolio, this is an opportunity to tap into decades of combined experience and gain a clearer understanding of where the market stands—and where it may be headed next.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the people who are actually in the trenches.

Panelists:

Norm Kopesky | Jeff Cichoki | Duane Murphy

Norm Kopesky

Married for 26 years, 4 children 23-16, small business owner since 1997, started in real estate in 2010. Full time husband, father and friend, I squeak business in on the edges.

Went full time real estate in 2019, grew our portfolio to 178 units, trying different differing strategies, sfh, small multifamily, mixed use, commercial and motels. Norm served as the President of the Fox Valley Apartment Association for 3 years, now the VP of FVAA & AANW we reach the long term rental business and are heavily involved judicially, and legislatively for common sense LL Tenant law.

I love sharing the lessons learned over the years; life, business and real estate. What steps we have taken to shift our strategies in marriage, parenting, business and real estate. How coaching has improved our lives and business', that setting a vision for your life, and building a peer group that drives you towards becoming the person you need to become to reach your goals is paramount.

Mindset, professionalism, understanding yourself and your business are some of my favorite topics.

Capital Strategist | Private Lender | Real Estate Investor

Jeff Cichocki

Jeff Cichocki is a real estate investor, capital strategist, and private lender with over 20 years of experience and 2,000+ transactions to his name. As founder of Best REI Funding, he helps investors and entrepreneurs structure smart, real-world capital solutions for real estate and business deals. Known for his calm clarity and creative approach, Jeff brings deep expertise in private lending, deal structuring, and strategic funding.

Duane Murphy

Duane is a seasoned veteran of the real estate industry with 19 years of invaluable experience. As the proud owner of Expert Real Estate Partners, one of Northeast Wisconsin's largest independent firms, Duane brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for everything real estate.

Beyond real estate, Duane embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship, owning title, mortgage, insurance, and home renovation companies. His ventures not only diversify his portfolio but also enrich his understanding of the broader housing market.

Community service is at the core of Duane's identity, having dedicated 15 years as a firefighter in Kimberly, where he recently retired. 

Always at the forefront of industry trends, Duane is actively engaged in nationwide real estate masterminds. His involvement allows him to anticipate market shifts and capitalize on emerging opportunities before they become mainstream.

When he's not immersed in real estate or community service, you'll likely find Duane pursuing his passion for the outdoors in a duck swamp or perched in a tree stand. 

WiscoREIA’s Green Bay Meeting Always Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the Month from

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm!

Hosts:

Jennifer "Jennie" Buah

I kicked off my real estate career as an investor in 2012 with a spontaneous decision to rent out my Madison condo.  I became a property manager within 24 hours of posting... with a lease from the internet and sheer luck.  

I found REIAs later in my career and am thrilled to be one of the WiscoREIA hosts in my hometown, Green Bay.  I was also on the board of the Fox Valley Apartment Association in 2023/2024.  

As an investor, I focus on flipping/renting single families in the Fox Valley. I am also an investor-friendly real estate agent and own Fox Valley Staging and Design - a property design business that specializes in remodels, listing preparation, short term furnishing, and interior design.  

I'm a proud Green Bay native now living in Appleton with my two adventurous boys, Damian and Bryce. 

Ashley Phillips

Ashley Phillips is a young real estate investor, entrepreneur, and community builder who is passionate about helping others discover the opportunities available through real estate.

Ashley began her real estate journey in 2024 when she and her husband, Matt, purchased their first home through house hacking. Since then, they have continued to grow as investors and are now living in their second house hack. Ashley enjoys exploring creative deal structures, learning from experienced and new investors alike, and finding new ways to think outside the traditional path to real estate investing.

Her investing journey has been shaped by the Lifeonaire mindset of designing a life around freedom, experiences, and purpose. Ashley believes real estate is more than just buying properties, it is about creating opportunities, building relationships, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to grow.

Ashley has a passion for networking and bringing people together. She loves creating welcoming environments where investors at every stage can connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. Whether someone is attending their first REIA meeting or has years of experience, Ashley believes everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Outside of real estate, Ashley enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and creating memorable experiences. She is excited to be a host for the Green Bay REIA and looks forward to helping build a community where investors can connect, learn, and grow together.

Make sure to bring tons of business cards as you will be meeting with people that you want to get to know!

Meeting Location:

D2 Sports Pub Stadium District

788 Armed Forces Dr.

Green Bay, WI 54304

Please enjoy food, drinks, and TIP YOUR SERVERS!

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Doors open early for Networking

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Speaker Presentation

The meeting ends at 9:00 PM, but we’ll continue with an informal after-meeting for anyone who’d like to stay.

You can stay after the meeting as well to network! Remember to bring your deals!

Our doors are open to EVERYONE!

***Make sure to pre-register***