About Us

Meet Our Team

Established in Vancouver, Washington, Realvest was founded in 1969 by Paul Christensen. We are a fully integrated real estate investment and development company. Realvest has owned, managed and developed a large diversified portfolio of multifamily, commercial, retail, hospitality, marinas and storage facilities. Our primary focus is owning quality apartment communities within the northwest and providing outstanding service to our residents. We value our relationships and our reputation for providing superior returns for our partners and contributing to the communities in which we serve.

Our company has managed successfully through all cycles of real estate. We have endured the tough times and celebrate the present. We take pride in our properties, our level of service and our group of long-term, skilled and dedicated associates who have made Realvest the success it is today.

COMMUNITY & FUTURE

Realvest has maintained a strong commitment to enriching our community through its financial support, resources and visionary leadership. We are known for our active involvement with local charitable organizations that make a positive impact in our community. Paul Christensen was selected Vancouver, Washington's 1998 First Citizen for his vision and community leadership. Realvest also founded the Hough Foundation in 1992 which continues to actively support underprivileged elementary school children by providing access to beneficial enrichment programs, social services and meaningful classroom assistance.
Realvest is positioned to continue beyond its current leaders as a perpetual company designed to continue investing in apartments and contributing to the local Vancouver community.
Paul Christensen

Paul Christensen

FOUNDER
Paul is the Founder and principal stockholder of Realvest Corporation which he formed in 1969 with the concept of specializing in the management and development of larger apartment complexes. Prior to founding Realvest, Mr. Christensen was the sales manager for U-Cart Concrete Systems.
Mr. Christensen holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Episcopal Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California, and a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the University of Washington. A licensed instrument-rated pilot, Mr. Christensen flew a single engine plane around the world in 1977. He is a licensed real estate broker in both Washington and Oregon.

Mr. Christensen currently serves on the following boards: Identity Clark County, Fort Vancouver National Trust and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He is the founder and past chairperson of the Hough Foundation established in 1992 to support the Hough Elementary School and neighborhood. As a result of his vision and community leadership, Mr. Christensen was selected as Vancouver's 1998 First Citizen. 
Robin Bradford

Robin Bradford

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FOUNDER
Robin began her real estate career when she started at Realvest in 1979. (Property Management Services, Inc. at that time.)  Robin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from WSU, she is active in her church and serves on the board of the Hough Foundation.  In her spare time she likes birding, being a grandparent and vacationing in sunny locales. 
Richard Gress

Richard Gress

PRESIDENT
Richard began his real estate career in 1980 onsite as a Resident Manager. By 1988 he was Property Manager of a large residential portfolio. Then, in 1994 he was overseeing a team of Property Managers, HRD, and Risk Management, as the Director of Operations. Richard became Vice President of Realvest Corporation in 1996, managing all aspects of residential, commercial, and retail. Realvest Asset Management, LLC was formed in 2003 and Richard became CEO of Realvest Asset Management and Executive Vice President of Realvest Corporation.

In addition to property acquisitions, sales and refinancing, Richard oversees all aspects of Asset and Property Management, as well as three other corporate subsidiary companies. His specialties include developing creative workout plans for troubled assets, including finance restructuring, property rehabs, and marketing/operations plans. During the past several years, he has sold, purchased and/or refinanced approximately $150,000,000 in real estate transactions. 

Richard has taught real-life economics to middle-school students through the Junior Achievement Program, has sat on the advisory board for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and currently assists the Battle Ground Food Bank.

Richard and Sueniva have two grown children and four grandchildren. In his spare time, he treasures time with his family and working (playing) on projects on his property in Battle Ground, WA.
David Fuhrer

David Fuhrer

CFO
David began his career in accounting in 1981 and joined Realvest in 1986. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in business from Portland State University, and is a licensed CPA and CMA. David manages Realvest’s relationships with banks and lenders as well as auditors and tax preparers. He reviews and negotiates our annual benefit package, including the 401(k) plan. David played a lead role in converting the company from a C-Corp to an S-Corp structure. He has served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Clark County and the Clark County Skills Center Foundation. In his spare time David loves to travel and golf in scramble tournaments.
Maggie Ratts

Maggie Ratts

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT & CFO

Maggie began her administrative career in 1985 and joined Realvest in 1998. She has an Executive Secretary/ Administrative Assistant degree from Western Business College and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from WSU. Maggie spends her spare time with her daughter, enjoying being a mom!
Brandy Davidson

Brandy Davidson

ASSET MANAGER
Brandy began her career in bookkeeping in the mid-1990s and joined Realvest in 2001 as a staff accountant. Brandy has her Associate’s degree and is working on her CPM® (Certified Property Manager) designation. Brandy is transitioning into an Asset Manager position. She enjoys family time, especially “puzzle night” and “music video dance night”. She also enjoys reading and camping.
Tom Jessup

Brooke Rush

ASSET MANAGER
Brooke began her career in payroll and benefits administration in 2007, but feels that joining Realvest in 2017 is the next “level up” in this field. She is also a licensed cosmetologist in Arizona and Washington. Brooke enjoys spending her free time going on road trips, exploring the area, and hiking with her husband. She welcomed her first granddaughter in 2018 and loves spending time with her as well!
Cheri Correia

Cheri Correia

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Cheri’s first administrative experience started with Realvest in 2004, prior to that she spent 35 years as an International Flight Attendant. Cheri likes to spend her spare time with her grandkids, gardening and going to Zumba.
Kristen Fordney

Kristen Fordney

ACCOUNTING AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
Kristen’s first experience in this industry started with Realvest in January of 2014. Prior to this she worked in custom framing. She has a BA in Digital Media Authoring with a minor in Fine Arts, as well as a BS in Accounting from WSU. In her free time she likes to watch movies, cross stitch, and enjoy the great PNW outdoors  with her husband Matt.
Ginger Jessup

Rachel Hecox

ACCOUNTING SUPPORT
Rachel has had some experience in accounting since 2012, and joined Realvest in 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Washington University. In her spare time she enjoys singing, playing music, creating art, reading, and spending time with her husband Jon and their fat and sassy cat Nimbus.
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