Owners
Chris Dischinger is a proven leader within the real estate development industry and is co-principal and co-founder of LDG Development in Louisville, Kentucky. He is committed to the business of building better lives by developing quality, affordable communities for hard-working families and active seniors to grow and thrive.
In 1994, Chris formed LDG Development with his business partner, Mark Lechner. Together, they successfully focused on acquiring, developing, building and managing single-family homes. The company eventually grew to have a portfolio of more than 500 homes as well as acquiring and managing commercial real estate properties in several states. In 2002, LDG saw an opportunity to enter the Housing Tax Credit Program. By using this model, LDG has developed over 28,000 units in multiple states, including Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Today, LDG has four main divisions, all focused on maximizing growth and production. With the mission statement, “Everyone Deserves a Quality Place to Live,” the company has more than 600 employees who are focused on developing and managing properties for the thousands of families and seniors who are proud to call a LDG community home.
Chris has served as president of four different trade organizations including the national president of the Society of Exchange Councilors. He resides in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky with his family.
Comprehensive Business and Real Estate Activities
- Sold 120 Condos in eighteen months (Lakeview Condos)
- Bought and renovated 113,000+ square foot shopping center (Russell Plaza)
- Renovated, leased, and managed 62,000 square foot office building – went from 0% to 85% occupancy in 12 months (Breckenridge Business Centre)
- Built to suit 9700 square foot office building (4511 Bardstown Road)
- Built to suit four Hollywood Video Stores (One in Kentucky and Three in Ohio)
- Acquired 17 former Color Tile commercial buildings in 10 states
- Acquired and renovated over 300 single family homes
- Built over 200 single family homes
- Total renovation of 18 unit and 16 unit apartment buildings with city of Louisville rehab loan
- Developed 34 lot subdivision (The Enclave)
- Renaissance Housing Ltd – 27 unit Tax Credit Project – Louisville Ky (Investor – House Investments)
- Forest Drive Single Family Homes -24 unit Tax Credit Project – (Sold)
- Crescent Hill Development, LLC – Developed, built and sold 38 unit condo project
- Acquired 12,250 square foot office building in Louisville, KY
- Commercial Property Group – Acquired 7,800 square foot office building in Frankfort, KY
- Overlook at Beargrass Creek – developed and built 26 unit condo complex
- Cooper Chapel Properties – developed and built 72 unit condo complex
- Glen Hill Manor II, Ltd – 108 unit tax credit project in Louisville, Kentucky
- Elkhorn Creek Ltd – 44 unit tax credit project in Georgetown, Kentucky
- Falcon Crest Patio Homes – 14 units
- Falcon Crest Condos – 64 units
- Falcon Crest Apartments – 208 unit apartment building in Louisville, Kentucky
- Acquired and sold 15,500 square foot office building – 1961 Bishops Lane, Louisville, Kentucky
- Acquired, leased, and built out 14,625 square foot office building in Louisville, Kentucky
- Acquired 22,000 square foot office building in Riverport Industrial Park
- Elkhorn Creek Phase II – 48 unit tax credit apartment project
- Elk River Senior Housing – 40 unit tax credit apartment project
- Gleneagles Apartments – a 184 unit new construction apartment complex in Lexington, Kentucky
- Acquisition of 200,000 square foot office building and parking structure in Elmira, New York
- Acquisition of commercial building in Carrizo Springs, Texas
- Acquisition and sale of vacant land parcel in Muskegon, Michigan
- Acquisition, plat approval and sale of 45 acre business park in Tyler, Texas
- Acquisition of 54,000 square foot office building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Harris Branch Apartments – 248 unit new construction apartment project in Austin, Texas
- Whispering Woods Apartments – 48-unit new construction apartment project in Louisville, Kentucky
- Park Place at Loyola Apartments – 252 unit new construction project in Austin, Texas
- Santora Villas Apartments – 192 unit new construction project in Austin, Texas
- The Villas at Shaver – 240 unit new construction project in Pasadena, Texas
- Inwood Crossings – 260 unit new construction project in Wichita, Kansas
- The Muses – Phase I – 211 unit new construction project in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Whispering Woods Apartments – Phase II – 50 unit new construction apartment project in Louisville, Kentucky
- Melbourne Sr – 110 unit senior housing complex in Alvin, Texas
- The Muses – Phase II – 52 unit housing complex in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Overlook Terraces – 144 unit apartment complex in Louisville, Kentucky
- Floral Gardens Senior – 100 unit independent senior living apartment complex in Houston, Texas
Summary of Professional Experience and Business Transactions
- Developed and built in excess of 4,000 units of multi-unit family properties in numerous states
- Acquired, renovated and managed over 500 single family
- Created numerous 1031 tax deferred exchanges
- Built and sold over 500 single family homes
- Developed or owned 6 hotels
- Owned commercial property in 19 states
Selected Industry Awards & Accomplishments
- 2007 Cliff Weaver Award for Most Creative Transaction- Society of Exchange Counselors
- 2006 Exchange of the Year Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
- 2005 President’s Award- Louisville Apartment Association
- 2005 Cliff Weaver Award for Most Creative Transaction –Society of Exchange Counselors
- 2004 Government Affairs Award- Louisville Apartment Association
- 2003 Don Kessler Award & Exchange of the Year- Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
- 2002 Ed Melton Award Kentuckiana Real Estate Investors Association
- 2001 President’s Award and Exchange of the Year- Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
Education
- University Of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1984-1988
- Bachelor of Arts—School of Business
- St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky, 1980-1984
- High School Diploma
Certifications & Extended Areas of Study
- A-Pass-Weikel Real Estate License
- Auctioneer License
- Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation
- Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC) designation
- Investment Analysis and Creative Real Estate Techniques, Equity Marking Specialist (EMS) designation
- Extensive course work in real estate and business development, strategic coaching, etc.
Civic and Professional Affiliations
- Society of Exchange Counselors
- President 2011
- Board of Governors 2005-2007
- Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
- Current Board of Directors
- President 1993 and 1994
- Kentuckiana Real Estate Investors Association
- President
- Indiana Real Estate Exchangors
- President 1993-1994
- Louisville Apartment Association
- Secretary/Treasurer 2006-2007
- President 2003 and 2004
Lisa Dischinger is one of the co-owners and founders of LDG. As one of the first employees for the organization, Lisa was the organization’s “asset manager” and worked directly with residents who lived in the hundreds of single-family homes owned by LDG. It was during this time that she gained a direct understanding of the challenges and issues families living in poverty face. These experiences led her to start the Rita June Foundation in honor of her grandmother. This is LDG’s first non-profit
foundation focused on providing support services that include shelter, education, and food security
Under Lisa’s leadership, the Rita June Foundation has piloted and is expanding several out-of-school-time
educational programs that are focused on boosting reading scores for elementary and middle school students. Lisa cultivated a partnership with Bezos Academy to bring tuition-free, full-day preschools near LDG communities.
As a life lifelong Louisvillian, Lisa is a graduate of the University of Louisville.
Mark began his real estate career in 1985 with the purchase of his first home. He received his real estate license in 1987, and principal broker’s license in 1989. Over the next nine years, Lechner purchased, renovated, sold and managed more than 100 properties. In 1994, Lechner co-founded LDG Development with Chris Dischinger based on their shared belief that “everyone deserves a quality place to live.” Over time, LDG Development has grown to one of the country’s largest developers of affordable housing with more than 28,000 housing units that serves working families and active seniors and spans multiple states. Additionally, the company also owns and manages commercial properties throughout the country. LDG has also recently created an industrial division that has developed and leased almost 2 million square feet and has another 2 million in the pipeline. Lechner has also been involved in developing many other types of real estate over his 39 years in the industry.
Today, LDG has four main divisions all focused on maximizing growth and production. To support this work, the company has more than 600 employees who are committed to ensuring all working families and seniors have access to a place they are proud to call home.
Lechner is a graduate of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and held leadership positions in sales and marketing for several companies before he went into the real estate business. Lechner has served as president of several different trade organizations, including the Society of Exchange Councilors, KREE & the Louisville Apartment Association.
Leadership Team
Ryan Edwards is the President of LDG. Prior to joining LDG, Ryan was the founder and president of Augusta Distillery—a bourbon company he co-founded and has led since 2021. Prior to launching Augusta Bourbon, Ryan served as the Regional Manager of Originations at PNC Bank and was a lead producer in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit market. He personally completed over $3 billion of transactions, while his team originated more than $6 billion, structuring complex real estate financings across the country.
Rebekah Fischer is Vice President of Asset Management at LDG Development, where she oversees the day-to-day operations and strategic performance of more than 20,000 affordable housing units across nine states. With over two decades of leadership in multifamily operations, development, and acquisitions, she has a proven track record of scaling portfolios, launching new communities, and driving financial and operational excellence. A collaborative leader with a passion for servant leadership, Rebekah is committed to delivering resident-focused results while fostering strong partnerships and high-performing teams.
Michael Gross serves as a Co-Chief Development Officer for LDG Development. His responsibilities include overseeing the development process from inception to completion. With over 36 years of experience in the construction and real estate development field—26 of which have been focused on affordable and market-rate housing—he is continually focused on finding the best options for each deal and enjoys finding creative solutions to solving difficult problems.
Michael is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and holds both a Kentucky Real Estate License and a Florida Building Contractor’s License. He currently serves as President of the Kentucky Affordable Housing Coalition (KAHC), is a Board Member and Co-Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville (BIA), and is also a Bingham Fellow.
Justin Hartz is a Co-Chief Development Officer at LDG Development. A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Environmental and Urban Planning, Justin has more than 17 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. He began his career managing LDG’s Texas division, where
he successfully closed 51 developments serving over 10,500 families. In 2023, he launched LDG’s Ohio division, expanding the company’s reach and impact. Over the course of his career, Justin has secured more than $1.6 billion in debt financing across 9%, 4%, and workforce housing transactions.
Jenny Heitkemper is Chief Operating Officer at LDG Development. Jenny provides strategic insight and operational support to ownership on key business initiatives driving the long-term growth and success of LDG and its affiliates. Prior to joining LDG, Jenny served as Head of Franchising and Development Strategy for KFC US, responsible for all aspects of franchise operations, including growth strategy, franchisee relations, and portfolio management. Jenny also brings years of global transaction experience, leading Global M&A for Yum brands.
Robert Kochansky, serves as Chief Construction Officer for LDG Development and Chief Operating Officer of Xpert Design & Construction, bringing more than 35 years of experience in construction and real estate development. He oversees all aspects of project delivery, from preconstruction and procurement to field operations, quality, and cost control, ensuring every community is built to high standards of durability and livability. In addition to his construction leadership, Robert has extensive development expertise,
including site selection, design, financing, entitlements, and community partnerships. Recognized among Louisville Business First’s “20 People to Know in Construction,” he holds an MBA from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology, along with being a LEED Accredited Professional (AP), he holds real estate certifications from MIT and ULI.
As Chief People and Risk Officer and General Counsel for LDG Development, Nicole provides strategic leadership and oversight of LDG Development’s Human Resources and Safety and Risk teams, while providing legal oversight in the areas of real estate acquisitions and development, corporate transactions and governance, asset management, liability management and compliance. Prior to joining LDG in 2021, Nicole worked as senior in-house counsel for Texas Roadhouse, primarily supporting the company’s real estate development, property management and corporate transactional needs, and began her legal career in the real estate service group of Stites & Harbison, PLLC. Throughout her career, Nicole has served on a number of private and governmental boards. She holds a BS in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville and a Master of Public Policy from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Nicole graduated from the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law in 2012.
Bill Shircliff is Chief of Strategy, Impact and Growth for LDG Development with more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in a variety of industries, including financial services, real estate development, and public accounting. Bill focuses on initiatives that are essential to the long-term growth and success of LDG. This includes supporting new portfolio functions that leverage LDG’s growing and developing a quality assurance program that is reflective of our core values and is essential to our goal of providing high-quality housing residents can be proud to call home.
Prior to joining LDG, Bill served as a Division President for The Rawlings Group, the nation’s largest provider of healthcare data mining and overpayment recovery services.
Bill holds a BSBA from the University of Louisville and is a Certified Public Accountant. He currently serves on the Board of Baptist Health System, and the LDG Foundation, and has served on several industry trade groups and non-profit boards throughout his career.
Development
Portfolio Management & Shared Services
Capital Markets
