Meet RealAmerica
Real leadership with proven results.
Our senior leadership draws on deep expertise in real estate development, design, construction, and management. Addressing complexity and challenges through teamwork and creativity, each RealAmerica employee is principled, enthusiastic, and engaged in our mission.
Ronda Shrewsbury founded RealAmerica Development in 1995 and subsequently expanded a vertically integrated group of companies to include RealAmerica Construction, Design and Property Management, four WBE entities focusing on affordable/workforce and attainable housing. Ronda is responsible for leading the management (do we want to say all 4 teams, not just management?) team and strategic initiatives for the group of companies (or Ronda is responsible for strategic initiatives and leadership over all 4 companies, utilizing....) utilizing affordable housing tax credits, HUD, governmental, and conventional financing, totaling more than $320M in real estate investments.
With a passion for affordable housing, residents, and communities, Ronda is hands-on in designing, developing, and managing her properties and teams. Although affordable housing is her primary focus, adaptive reuse, historic, senior independent living, self-storage, and commercial development properties are also included in the RealAmerica portfolio.
RealAmerica, as well as Ronda, have been repeatedly recognized with numerous awards within the affordable housing industry, including the IHCDA's Lieutenant Governor's Award for Urban Housing four times, awarded by the Indiana Housing Community and Development Authority. In 2021, RealAmerica was also awarded two Associated Builders and Contractors' National Excellence awards for innovative and creative construction and architecture. Also in 2021, Ronda was named the Indianapolis Business Journal's Women of Influence for her dedication and commitment to provide quality affordable housing and better opportunities to help people in all walks of life.
Ronda is a founder, past Chair and active member of the Indiana Affordable Housing Council. She has been an active leader and President of the Young Presidents’ Organization, the current President of the Board of Directors for the Indianapolis Zoo, a current member of CEO and the Board of Directors of 1st Source Bank, and past member of the Humane Society for Hamilton County, Near North Development Corp., and Fairbanks Hospital. In 2020, Ronda founded Legacy 25, a non-profit dedicated to fostering, promoting, developing and providing housing that is stable and affordable for low-income families and seniors.
A graduate of Indiana University with an BS in Finance/Real Estate, Ronda remains active in the Indianapolis and Hamilton County civic communities and enjoys travel, skiing, and time with family and friends.
“There is nothing I would rather do than build a community I would be proud to live in myself, that makes a positive impact on people’s lives.”
RealAmerica leadership team
Mike oversees all development activity and strategic direction of RealAmerica’s Affordable, Workforce/Attainable, and Market Rate Housing projects. He and his team are responsible for identifying new LIHTC and Market Rate development opportunities, financial underwriting, working with municipalities through approvals and incentives, preparing tax credit applications, and securing debt and equity. Mike works closely with and manages coordination between RealAmerica Construction, RealAmerica Design, and RealAmerica Management throughout the project life cycle. Mike received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Dayton, holds a National Standard General Contractor certification, and is a licensed broker in Illinois and Colorado. He enjoys playing tennis, golf, skiing, traveling, and watching the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts.
Starting in 1995, Melanie’s career focused on tax credits for affordable housing. She holds multiple certifications associated with the low-income housing tax credit, housing development, and property management, and became a recognized leader in the field while working at the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Melanie managed RealAmerica’s property management division before becoming COO. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in public finance, Melanie is a licensed Real Estate Principal Broker.
For more than 25 years, Anna’s work in the real estate industry has included local and regional property management, with a focus on lease-ups, state and federal inspections, and development of multi-family, commercial, and self-storage properties. As the Director of Property Management at RealAmerica, Anna brings focus, coordination, and leadership to management and maintenance issues throughout the company’s expanding portfolio. A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Anna also holds designations from HCCP and TaCCs.
Chuck has 13 years of experience in market rate and tax-credit multifamily and mixed-use development and residential design. He combines deep industry knowledge with design expertise, construction document development, and an eye for detail. He oversees every aspect of the design process from programming and schematic design through construction administration- helping to create a symbiotic relationship within RealAmerica departments as well as consultants and contractors. Chuck graduated Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture.
For the past 30 years, Ken has worked in the real estate industry providing leadership to accounting teams with both public and privately held companies. As the Controller at Real America, Ken brings extensive experience in the areas of financial reporting and analysis, accounting close processes, major transactions, and external audit/tax return preparation. Ken is highly skilled in customer service, building lasting business partnerships with key stakeholders. He constantly looks for ways to strengthen overall financial and team member performance with a “What’s Possible” mindset. A graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Accounting, Ken holds an active Certified Public Accountant license and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
RealAmerica staff by department
