Exceptional outcomes require exceptional people and teamwork.

At Kinzer, our mission is to build a relationship with our clients, while creating and delivering the best possible solution by looking beyond the obvious. To do that, we’ve placed a very high priority on building only an A-team of smart, dedicated problem-solvers with exceptional analytical and strategic ability, advanced professional expertise, and the highest ethical standards. 

We also look for individuals who work exceptionally as a team, in building consensus, understanding the commonalities and differences between the public and private sector markets, and coaching clients through challenging negotiations.

The Kinzer team is committed to strict confidentiality.

Craig Kinzer

Principal

206.442.1544

Since the firm’s inception in 1992, Craig Kinzer has applied his personal philosophy to each professional challenge: visionary thinking combined with a comprehensive understanding of a company’s mission can lead to creative solutions and new opportunities. 

To that end, Craig has focused his strategic, management, and complex problem-solving expertise on real estate projects of significant scope or public challenge. Projects of distinction include Russell Investments Center, Safeco Field, Benaroya Hall, Key Tower/City Hall/Justice Center, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation global headquarters. Craig is also proud of the firm’s long-standing relationships with Starbucks Corporation, Seattle Children’s, City of Seattle, University of Washington, Russell Investments and many other business and civic entities. 

Craig holds undergraduate degrees in political science and economics from California Lutheran University (summa cum laude). He is also a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and School of Business (MBA, Finance) and a certified public accountant with extensive experience in real estate contracts and tax law. In addition, he teaches at the University of Washington’s Certification Program in Commercial Real Estate, sits on the Foundation Board at Seattle Children’s, and is a past Director of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and currently a member of the Community Development Roundtable. 

Craig is a pilot and a scuba diver, who also enjoys kayaking and hiking in the western states and especially in the Grand Canyon. Craig is a strong supporter of community youth programs, and coaches youth football and basketball. Craig and his wife, Danna, have five children.

Shelley Gill

President

206.442.1545

Shelley Gill’s two decades of insightful leadership and commercial real estate expertise, as well as her low-key sense of humor, have contributed to her ability to identify and implement creative solutions for clients. She not only leads, but also plays an integral role in client projects, working diligently to understand the unique needs of a particular business or community challenge.

Assignments of distinction include the site selection process for Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute, the relocation of Russell Investments, and ongoing efforts on behalf of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to Kinzer, Shelley worked with the Trammell Crow Company and The Norman Company.

A native of Seattle, Shelley is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business administration and a registered real estate agent in the State of Washington. She also studied Italian at the Scuola di lingue e Cultura per Stranieri in Siena, Italy.

Jim Allison

Senior Vice President

206.442.1535

Jim Allison’s professional success in the area of client service is inevitably linked to the personal attributes he brings to each diverse project challenge: dedication, diligence, and integrity.

His primary focus at Kinzer is working with clients with distinctive real estate needs. Clients of note include Starbucks Corporation, King County Library Systems, Seattle Girls’ School, The Rainier Club, Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, and the University of Washington. Prior to Kinzer, Jim worked at the Trammell Crow Company.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia. He has a certificate from the University of Washington Commercial Real Estate program, is a registered real estate agent in the State of Washington, and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He is also a Board Member of SEBCO Inc. As is appropriate for a Seattle-native, Jim enjoys all outdoor activities and likes to spend as much time as possible with his family.

Kris Richey

Vice President

206.442.1546

Native Seattleite Kris Richey’s real estate credentials and enthusiasm for the profession make her a natural fit in terms of communicating Kinzer’s unique capabilities.

Prior to joining Kinzer, Kris focused on tenant representation and real estate strategy for general office and life sciences clients at Jones Lang LaSalle (formerly, The Staubach Company). Previous to that, she worked in research and business development at Oxford GlycoSciences (UK) and the Regulome Corporation.

Kris graduated from the University of Colorado (summa cum laude) and the University of Washington’s Business Advantage Certificate Program. She is a registered real estate agent in the State of Washington and has a certificate from the University of Washington Commercial Real Estate program. Kris serves on the Board of Trustees of Seattle Biomedical Research Institute and is also an active member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Seattle Association (Policy Committee) Rainier Club (Membership Committee), Phi Beta Kappa and Zino Society. She enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest on foot as well as by boat or snowboard.

Dugan Earl

Vice President

206.442.1542

Dugan Earl’s rigorous financial analysis acumen is in perfect alignment with his significant investment expertise. At Kinzer, that applied expertise is invaluable to clients as multiple economic factors and a complete valuation of assets are thoroughly considered—and presented—well in advance of an acquisition or other transaction.

Notable transactions include the management and disposition of a 500,000 sq. ft. project in Palm Desert as well as the development of a joint venture platform that allowed for the repositioning and recapitalization of a 250,000 sq. ft commercial center in Boulder, Colorado. Prior to Kinzer, Dugan worked with ING Clarion Partners where he completed $1 Billion in acquisitions.

Dugan graduated from the University of Portland (cum laude) with a degree in business administration. He also has a certificate from the University of Washington Commercial Real Estate program. A Northwest native, Dugan enjoys all outdoor activities, especially golf. He also volunteers at the local PAWS Wildlife Center.

Stephanie Nihsen

Administrative Assistant

206.442.1541

Stephanie Nihsen serves clients by keeping the entire Kinzer team on track—a multi-faceted task that can take the form of everything from marketing assistance, to organizing special events, updating calendars, and providing brokerage support.

Prior to Kinzer, Stephanie honed her organizational skills while working as a legal assistant, an office manager for a financial firm, and loan officer assistant for Online Financial Corporation in Austin, Texas.

Stephanie attended Austin Community College and is a registered notary public. She enjoys hiking, trying new recipes, and spending time with her daughter.