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What We Value

What We Value

Our values are more than just words on paper, they guide the way we work. Our values are what differentiate us and support our commitment to each other.

Evolve & Adapt

At EPIC Companies, we empower our employees to do better and to learn from their mistakes.

Building Relationships

We believe that connecting with our tenants, investors, and employees helps drive success.

Open Communication

EPIC encourages directness so our employees and their ideas can thrive.

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your World

By simply changing your thoughts, one can change the world around you.

Be Humble

We are confident but are aware of our weaknesses and continue to strive for improvement.

What is a REIT?

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating real estate properties. REITs enable individuals to invest in a diversified portfolio of real estate assets, similar to how mutual funds provide diversification in stocks. They typically specialize in specific types of real estate, such as residential, commercial, or industrial properties, and are required by law to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends, making them attractive for income-oriented investors. REITs provide an avenue for investors to access real estate markets without the need to directly buy and manage properties.

Board Members

Board Members

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Todd Berning
Affiliated Director, Chairperson of the Board, President, CEO

Todd is the owner/president of EPIC Companies and oversees all aspects of the company. He is the managing partner in 35+ real estate projects in North Dakota and Minnesota as well as the owner of M&S concessions, Inc. and Spicy Pie Pizza restaurants. He is the current President of the North Dakota State Fair Foundation, past treasurer and Paul Harris Fellow of the Minot Rotary Club, past Board Member of both Minot and Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Grand Forks Empire Theatre, and the past President of the Metro Sports Foundation. Todd was also the past General Manager of the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, ND.

Brian Kounovsky
Affiliated Director, Vice President

Brian serves as the Chief Advisory Officer at EPIC Companies. A graduate of NDSCS in Wahpeton, Brian is a licensed realtor through Trilogy Real Estate and has 35+ years of real estate and development experience. He is a developer of raw land developments in Cass, Clay, and Becker Counties along with owner of multifamily apartments and mixed-use complexes. Brian has also purchased and remodeled 35+ homes throughout his career. Before full-time real estate he previously owned West Fargo Auto Body from 1995-2014.

Mark Fenstad
Independent Director

Ranking in the top 1% in annual and career sales, Mark has been an Executive Sales Representative for Stryker Corp in the medical device industry for the past 19 years. Mark also has extensive real estate experience. For over 20 years, Mark has owned, operated, invested, sold and guided a myriad of residential, commercial and development properties and projects in the Twin Cities and Fargo-Moorhead areas. Mark holds a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine and Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas as well as an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Mark is inspired daily by his wife and 4 children. In his free time he likes to coach his kids’ sports and spend as much time as possible at the lake in the summer.

Christopher H. Crowe, MD
Independent Director

Dr. Crowe, a radiologist at Dakota Clinic for 25 years, held various student government roles in college and medical school, showcasing a keen interest in governance. His professional life reflects this passion, serving on the board of directors at Dakota Clinic and chairing the Radiology Department at Essentia Health. Additionally, he proudly represented North Dakota as a Senatorial representative on the Service Academy Selection Committee.

Carrie B. Austin
Independent Director

Carrie Austin, with 30 years of experience, is a clinical expert and leader in respiratory applications, pharmaceutical trials, data over-read, and quality control. She has made recent contributions to numerous global respiratory drug development trials, overseeing clinical overread services and quality control. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Moorehead State University and an Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy from St. Luke’s School of Respiratory Therapy. Carrie holds memberships in the National Board of Respiratory Care and the American Association of Respiratory Care, with credentials as a Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist and Certification in Clinical Trials Management from the University of Delaware.

Guy Useldinger
Independent Director

Guy is a farmer/land developer, board member of CSB Midwest and Koda Bank and former board member of the YMCA. He is a 1992 Eagle River Sno Derby F3 World Champion and a 2001 Snowmobile Hall of Fame Inductee. He also farms 5500 acres with his two brothers and is currently developing 800 of those. He is actively planning the residential, multi-family, and commercial areas and is also an associate broker with Greenberg Realty in Grand Forks.

Brad Sunderland
Independent Director

As co-founder of Sunderland Group, Brad helps financial professionals maintain their independence. In a career spanning over 3 decades, Brad has experience and responsibility for every aspect of running and leading a Field Marketing Organization. He’s also been involved in bringing proprietary technology systems in annuity, final expense, life and health to help Sunderland Group become the premier Health & Wealth FMO in the industry.

Board Sub Committee

Board Sub Committee

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Landen Berning Tax Planning

As a Certified Public Accountant at CBIZ MHM, LLC (NYSE: $CBZ) in downtown Minneapolis, he leads a variety of tax engagements at a top 10 national public accounting firm. His emphasis is on income tax consulting and compliance for closely held businesses and their owners, high net worth individuals, and real estate investors/entities. Landen is a true trusted advisor helping clients implement effective tax strategies in assist his clients in the achievement of both their short- and long-term goals. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Dakota in 2018.

Steve S Legal

Steven is a nationally recognized tax lawyer who focuses his practice on transactional, controversy and tax policy matters. He has significant tax experience in mergers & acquisitions, private equity and real estate funds, qualified opportunity zone funds, bioscience, cross-border tax, partnerships, real estate, REITs, international investors (including sovereigns), and S corporations. He started his career as a lawyer in the IRS’ national office and has had many years of national-level law firm and Big-4 accounting firm experience. Mr. Schneider also previously chaired the ABA Partnership Tax Committee. He has been teaching an advanced tax course on drafting partnership and LLC agreements at Georgetown University Law Center since 2005, is a regular speaker at national tax venues, and has published numerous articles.

Keenen Berning Audit Planning

Keenen has been with Eide Bailly since 2019 where he has climbed his way up the ladder from intern to Senior Audit Associate. He has three years audit experience with the Manufacturing, Commercial, Construction & Buildings and ERISA industries. Keenen has his Master of Accountancy (2020) and Bachelor of Science in Accounting (2019) from the University of North Dakota.

Operations

Operations

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TBD REIT Manager

Tanner Lautt Accountant

Tanner has been with EPIC since February 2023 overseeing accounting duties of projects under construction and in development and provides a financial review of the hotel’s EPIC has an investment in. He has four years of accounting experience for a real estate investment trust (REIT) which specialized in the hospitality industry as well as four years of accounting experience for a hotel management company. Tanner has his Associates degree in accounting from M State and is a part-time student at North Dakota State University working on a Bachelor of Science accounting degree with an expected graduation of Spring 2025.

TBD Investor Sales

TBD REIT Marketing

Vision REIT by EPIC_LogoFinal_White_Vertical
© 2024 VISION REIT by EPIC
An investment in Vision REIT involves significant risks, including risk of loss and illiquidity. Vision’s return objectives are based on a number of assumptions which EPIC Management believes are reasonable, but there is no guarantee that the conditions on which such assumptions are based will materialize as anticipated or will be applicable to Vision’s investments or that any return targets or objectives stated herein will be realized. Actual realized returns will depend upon a number of uncertain factors, some of which are set forth herein, including, without limitation, future operating results, the value of the assets and market conditions at the time of disposition, any related transaction costs and the timing and manner of sale, all of which may differ from the assumptions and circumstances on which the EPIC Management’s projections are based. Accordingly, the actual realized returns may vary materially from any stated target return from time to time. The Units and the offer and sale thereof will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the securities laws of any other country or jurisdiction, and the offering and sale of the Units to U.S. eligible investors is being conducted so as to be exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 under Regulation D, as promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended (“Regulation D”).
There will be no public market in any jurisdiction for any of the Units. Each prospective investor must be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in Vision for an indefinite period, because the Units (i) cannot be transferred or sold unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available and (ii) are subject to the other restrictions on transfer contained in Visions organizational documents. Vision will not be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and Investors will not have the benefit of any protections afforded by the Investment Company Act. Accordingly and importantly, investors must have the financial ability and willingness to accept the risks (including, among other things, the risk of loss of their entire investment and lack of liquidity in the Units) that are characteristic of an investment in Vision and should consult their financial, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors regarding the appropriateness of making an investment in Vision.