ABOUT US

Cottingham Capital’s real estate investment goal is to provide superior returns through a strategy of acquisition and development in high growth real estate markets. Our current principal market is fast-growing Nashville, Tennessee. Our primary focus is on mid-market, mixed use developments – horizontal and vertical – consisting of residences and neighborhood-centric commercial components, including retail and restaurants. Leveraging local market relationships, we acquire underutilized properties that can be repurposed or rezoned to create substantial value. Our approach to design is heavily weighted to take into account the historical nature of the neighborhood combined with current design trends. Our development philosophy is guided by a desire to create environments that enhance the lives of residents and foster continued community growth.

 

 

OUR TEAM

 
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Michael Young

PARTNER

Michael is the founding partner of Cottingham Capital. He began investing in Nashville real estate in 2014 after identifying Nashville for both long term growth and a value against other U.S. real-estate markets.

Michael has extensive senior level executive management and trading experience in the Canadian and U.S. capital markets. Throughout his career in finance and banking, he has built a strong network of Canadian, American, and international investors.

Prior to moving to Nashville, he was Managing Director and Co-Head of Trading for a Canadian Investment Bank. Before assuming the title of Co- Head of Trading, he established and ran the Equity Capital Markets desk for the bank’s U.S. operations in New York City. Michael also sat on the board of ICC Labs, which was recently acquired for C$290 million by Aurora.

Michael is as well a founding shareholder and Chairman of Better Choice Company. Better Choice Company is a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange ( BTTR: NYSE) that invests in the animal health and wellness industry.

 
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Derek Lisle

PARTNER

Derek is a veteran real estate developer and investor based in his hometown of Nashville, TN. In 2013 Derek founded Place Development, a boutique real estate development services company focused on urban infill development, which provides third party development management services to other developers and landowners. Place has provided consulting services on a wide variety of commercial, mixed-use and residential developments.

Prior to starting Place Development, Derek spent four years with Nashville based Platinum Hospitality. He holds a master’s degree in real estate development from Clemson University and a finance degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Derek also has extensive experience in commercial real estate market research and multi-family loan underwriting.

Derek actively volunteers at Room In The Inn, a non-profit organization that assists the homeless population of Nashville, formerly as an instructor in the Workforce Development program, currently as a member of the Building Committee and within the Winter Shelter program. Derek is a member of the Advancement Board for Real Estate Development at Clemson University and a member of the board of the Salemtown Neighbors Neighborhood Association.

CONTACT: dlisle@cottcap.com

 
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Matt Laitinen

partner

Matt Laitinen is a veteran real estate professional proficient in overseeing all aspects of commercial construction and development. He holds a degree in Building Science from Auburn University and has a rare blend of experience having held management positions on both the general contractor and development sides of the real estate business. In 2012 Matt founded Laitinen Development Group to aid equity and developers needing 3rd party management, underwriting and/or capital to complete developments in the real estate boom that was to come. 

Matt went on to exclusively work for Stonehenge Real Estate Group, serving as Development Director and oversaw a team that managed the ground up development of seven post-recession multifamily projects in six years. Over the span of his career, Matt has already had his hands in the development or construction of thousands of multifamily units. 

Matt lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Jen and his two young children. He enjoys an active lifestyle with his family, serves on a real estate committee at Cross Point Church and is engaged in Search Nashville and the Urban Land Institute.

contact: Mlaitinen@CottCap.com

 

Kristin Rogus

partner & LEAD DESIGNER

Kristin is a partner at Cottingham Capital, with primary responsibility of overseeing the design of the development portfolio and building and operating the commercial and residential rental holdings. She has extensive experience in developing and executing strategic initiatives, directing new product development, negotiating partner contracts, and establishing and implementing customer service best practices.

Prior to joining Cottingham, she was a Senior Manager for American Express at their New York headquarters where she managed the Corporate Membership Rewards program and developed and directed the marketing strategy for the rewards pre-paid products project. She has a wide range of experience in the retail and fashion sector, having worked in buying, planning and store management positions for Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s Inc. at their corporate headquarters in New York.

Kristin holds an MBA degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from the McIntire School of Commerce of the University of Virginia.

contact: krogus@cottcap.com

Charlie Lamb

CIO | Public Market Investing

Charlie has over 10 years of experience working as a Canadian corporate and securities lawyer at a large international law firm in New York. With extensive cross-border corporate and securities law experience, Charlie has worked on numerous corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings of securities for investment funds, private equity funds and other alternative investment vehicles in the Canadian markets. He also has significant experience advising broker dealers, advisers and investment fund managers on Canadian compliance issues. 

Charlie also has significant experience in the venture capital industry focusing on small/mid cap companies.  More specifically, Charlie specializes in finding, partnering and supporting entrepreneurs with building and financing their companies. He provides seed capital and leverages his relationships with global investment banks and independent boutique investment dealers.

Charlie graduated from University of Victoria, British Columbia and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, The Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He currently resides in Vancouver, Canada.

contact: clamb@cottcap.com

 

Leslie Hudson

executive assistant

Leslie joined the Cottingham team in 2019 as an Executive Assistant and is responsible for assisting with the group’s growing portfolio of commercial and residential developments. She previously gained experience in real estate and property management, as well as business development, account management and event planning. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Business Development Manager and Trainer for a Nashville-based eyewear manufacturer and Director of Business Development for Music with Friends Nashville. Leslie graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science degree with emphasis in business and psychology. A Kentucky native, Leslie enjoys living in Nashville and working in animal rescue with Fluff Nashville in her spare time.

Contact: lhudson@cottcap.com