Lee Fjord
Partner / Co-Founder
Lee got his start in real estate in 2012 building a property management department of a residential brokerage from 20 doors to 220 doors in 4 years. After being inspired by his clients’ successes, he decided to start investing in 2016. Relocating to St. Louis in order to pursue investing in 2017, Lee began with a duplex and continued to purchase smaller properties until he found “The Power Of Partnerships” by partnering with an ex-NFL player from CA and with their combined efforts, were able to close a 38 unit apartment complex Joint Venture in Lee's backyard of St. Louis, MO in October of 2019.
After seeing the results of the 38 unit and garnering experience in larger properties, Lee continued to build momentum in investing/dealmaking while building a ROCKSTAR TEAM to pursue EVEN LARGER DEALS through syndication, and GREEN FOREST CAPITAL was born. That team closed its first Syndication of a 76 Unit Apartment Complex in St. Louis in October of 2020, a 70 unit Joint Venture in the summer of 2021, a 272 Unit Syndication in the Winter of 2021 (right in the middle of COVID), a 138 unit in Hot Springs, AR in October 2022, and a 128 unit in Fayetteville, AR (NWAR) in June 2023. The current portfolio totals 700+ apartments and appx $50 Million AUM.
Actively building a sizable portfolio of LARGER MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES throughout the greater St. Louis MSA and expanding to additional markets throughout the Midwest and Southeast, focusing on Value-Add Opportunities has been paramount to the growth in his investing journey through expansion with the development of Green Forest Capital - Real Estate Investing With A Conscience.
Lee has almost a decade of experience as a Property Manager, Realtor, Commercial Leasing Agent, Asset Manager, and Commercial Property Broker. A true believer and practitioner of the words of Zig Ziglar — “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want.”
Meagan Fjord
Partner / Co-Founder
Meagan brings 15 years of diverse leadership experience and attention to detail to Green Forest Capital. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Meagan enlisted in the United States Navy as a Mass Communication Specialist in 2006 after completing one year at Saint Louis University. She served as an aircrew photographer and completed deployments to Iraq and Okinawa, Japan. She was hand-selected for prestigious presidential service for the White House Communications Agency as a presidential audiovisual director for then-President Obama and Vice President Biden. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Thomas Edison State University while serving and was selected as Sailor of the Year twice during her time in service. Meagan transitioned to the Navy Reserves in 2016 and continues to serve part-time as Senior Chief Petty Officer for U.S. Transportation Command's Joint Transportation Reserve Unit at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
In her civilian capacity, Meagan worked as a technical writer, multimedia specialist, and web developer on various government contracts from 2016 through 2022. She began her real estate career in 2017 as a part-time residential agent, investor, and property manager. Meagan and Lee combined efforts in 2020 and built Green Forest Capital from 125 to 700 units with $50mm in assets under management in three years. Lee and Meagan’s combined skillsets bring the highest levels of experience and professionalism to the business development and asset management aspects of value-added multifamily investing.
Colby Carlson
Partner
At just 25 years old, Colby Carlson has already made a significant impact in the world of real estate and entrepreneurship. With a portfolio exceeding $25 million in managed real estate assets, Colby is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. His journey is a testament to his relentless drive, business acumen, and a knack for seizing opportunities.
Colby's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. While many college students were focused solely on academics or extracurriculars, Colby was running e-commerce stores right out of his college dorm room. His ability to balance business ventures with academics is a testament to his multitasking abilities and drive for success.In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Colby was also a college baseball player. His experience on the field not only honed his athletic skills but also instilled in him the values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience—qualities that he has carried into his professional life.
Colby's entry into the real estate market was nothing short of remarkable. In a short span of time, he has managed to acquire and manage over $25 million in real estate assets. Colby's entrepreneurial journey didn't stop at real estate. His experience in running e-commerce stores has given him a well-rounded understanding of business operations, digital marketing, and customer engagement. This diverse skill set makes him a versatile business leader capable of navigating various industries.
Colby Carlson is not just a young entrepreneur; he is a visionary with a proven track record in real estate and business ventures. His story is one of ambition, skill, and the relentless pursuit of success. As he continues to grow his portfolio and explore new opportunities, there's no doubt that Colby will continue to be a prominent figure in the business world for years to come.
Samuel Passanisi
Partner
Samuel comes from a long line of contractors spanning back 4 generations. He has always been around the construction and real estate industry. It was a natural path that he fell into.
Immediately jumping head first into commercial multifamily ownership in 2023, Samuel’s first position was as a General Partner in charge of the complete physical reposition of Aero 24Twenty (formerly Phoenix Place). Leaving his six figure salary/sales position in San Diego, CA and moving into a vacant apartment on-site in Atlanta, GA and personally overseeing every aspect of a $2.5M construction project proved his capability to be an excellent asset manager and project manager.