.png)
Meet The Team
Sean Thompson
Real Estate Investment Professional
Empire Builder Capital
Sean Thompson is a seasoned and distinguished investor of both Commercial and Residential real estate, with extensive experience in investments and property management. Throughout his prolific career, he has demonstrated exceptional acumen and a keen eye for profitable opportunities across diverse real estate sectors. Sean has flipped over 50 houses and has bought and sold more than 100 properties, including single-family homes, trailer parks, multifamily apartment complexes, commercial properties, office buildings, warehouses, car washes, and industrial properties. In project management, Sean has supervised and managed numerous construction and renovation projects spanning single-family, commercial, and apartment developments, consistently ensuring on-time and within-budget completions. His expertise encompasses managing IT projects for the healthcare and government sectors. He oversees a substantial real estate portfolio valued at over $65 million, showcasing his strategic approach to asset management and maximizing property value. Sean has successfully led multiple syndications, including the assumption of a Freddie Mac loan on a 120-unit apartment complex. He serves as General Partner in a 112-unit Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartment development in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was part of a team awarded a 9% LIHTC credit for a 72-unit development near Memphis, Tennessee. Acting as a Key Principal and sponsor in various syndications, he has managed hundreds of units in Tennessee and Florida (including a Freddie Mac loan assumption). Engaged in developing and managing multifaceted real estate projects, Sean is involved in strategic planning, market analysis, financing, and investor relations. His expertise includes navigating complex regulatory environments, securing necessary permits and approvals, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. He implements value-added strategies such as property renovations, leasing improvements, and operational efficiencies to enhance property values and rental yields. Renowned for building strong relationships with investors, Sean provides regular updates and detailed financial reports, ensuring high levels of transparency and satisfaction. With a robust background in Information Technology, Sean has owned and managed multiple Information Technology companies specializing in Cybersecurity, Secure Networking and Structured Systems. He has managed and executed both small and large-scale high-budget IT projects, serving as a consultant for governmental and private-sector initiatives within the legal, healthcare, and banking industries. As the founder of Strategic Technical Resource, an IT consulting company delivering tailored solutions to a diverse clientele, he continues to seamlessly merge his technical expertise with his real estate knowledge to deliver exceptional results across both industries. Sean's diverse career path reflects a commitment to excellence, strategic thinking, and innovative problem-solving, making him an invaluable asset to any investment team. Sean lives in Knoxville, TN, and is happily married to Dana, the love of his life. Sean has a daughter in High School and spends part of his time mentoring his daughter’s competitive robotics team.
865-257-1751
Heather McMahan
Real Estate Investment Professional
With a deep-rooted passion for business and real estate, Heather McMahan brings a unique perspective to the multifamily and commercial real estate industry. Growing up in her family-owned auto auction business— an esteemed enterprise that has been serving the community for over 65 years— Heather developed a strong foundation in management, negotiation, and relationship-building from an early age. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her into the restaurant industry, where she co-founded and scaled multiple successful establishments, managing over 120 employees. This experience sharpened her operational expertise, strategic mindset, and ability to identify growth opportunities— skills she now applies to her work in multifamily investing and real estate finance. Heather’s journey into real estate deepened when she became a Limited Partner in a portfolio of 331 doors, gaining first-hand insights into property management, investment analysis, and market trends. She leverages this experience to help clients evaluate, acquire, and grow their real estate portfolios with confidence. As a licensed lender specializing in multifamily financing, Heather is dedicated to guiding investors, owners, and developers through the financing process. Her approach combines market knowledge, strategic insight, and a genuine commitment to her client’s success. When she’s not working on securing financing or exploring new opportunities, Heather is a devoted mother and animal lover, embodying the balance of ambition and family that drives her every day.
336-669-0044
Tim Gramling
Real Estate Investment Professional
Tim is an investor in over 2,200 multifamily units in Texas and Florida. Over the past 20 years, he has also owned and operated single-family and short-term rental real estate properties. As a licensed Professional Civil Engineer Tim has built a 40-year career that bridges both public and private sectors, involving design, construction, land acquisition, and property management of public infrastructure. He also has 30 years of executive management experience. He has been operating as a project manager and business development specialist for a top 50 engineering firm where business has more than doubled during his tenure. Tim currently lives in Kansas City, MO with his wife of 41 years. He enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, and giving back to his community, volunteering with youth sports organizations, neighborhood beautification projects, and community outreach for low-income citizens as well as local service clubs.
573-225-6889
Teresa Loos-Tedrow
Real Estate Investment Professional
Teresa started Real Estate investment in 2019. She initially owned single-family homes and operated those as short-term and long-term rentals. She soon realized that to scale, and to help others scale, multifamily was the way to go. So, she divested the majority of SFH and began the journey into MFH ownership. She is also the owner of over 1,000 doors in Florida and Missouri and owns farmland in Illinois. Teresa’s life experiences have prepared her well for a start in multi-family management. She has 25 years of outside sales experience. She has also owned and managed franchised restaurants for four years and currently owns and manages a media company, as well as a professional coaching business. Throughout the restaurant operation, she was a leader for over 50 full and part-time employees. In addition, she operated the franchise as the sole owner including daily reconciles, banking, payroll, human resources, ordering, receiving, and anything else that arose to run a restaurant in a profitable manner. These restaurants were sold in 2024. Management of people has superior challenges that will serve her well as she transitions into managing assets. She is hard-working and no task seems too big for her to accomplish. She has aligned herself with great mentors in the RE sector including Grant Cardone (through his teaching and conferences) and TR3 Capital (in community).
217-653-3079
Fred Shanks IV
Real Estate Investment Professional
Fred Shanks IV is the owner/operator of a residential and commercial real estate portfolio located in the Triad region of North Carolina. Since 2023, Fred has managed the mixed-use portfolio while actively engaging in the community as both a real estate investor and business leader. In 2018, Fred obtained his Property & Casualty insurance license and opened a boutique surety bonding agency in Danville, Virginia. In the following years, Fred oversaw the growth and establishment of the business into a multi-location, multi-state agency servicing thousands of clients in the Piedmont Triad region of Southern Virginia and North Carolina. While not at work, Fred enjoys attending live sporting events and concerts and travelling. Fred particularly enjoys spending summers on the Carolina coast with family and friends.
434-341-9900