Our Team

New Ulm Office

James E. Thomas
Owner and President

Jim started Upper Midwest Management Corporation (UMMC) in 1974 as an agricultural land management firm. In 1978 Jim began commercial management of shopping centers, office building and office warehouses. In 1999 UMMC opened a full appraisal department. Today, UMMC has a Team of 15 people meeting clients’ needs.

Jim’s background in agriculture goes back to his own farm operation, and the Production Credit Association where he was a loan officer and ultimately a Branch Manager in New Ulm.

He is a past president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and a board member of the Alliance Bank of New Ulm, State Bank of Hanska and the Fairgrounds Association. Jim is a Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Dennis A. Schmidt, AFM
Accredited Farm Manager

An active member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and has attained the title of Accredited Farm Manager (AFM). Dennis has served on the management and consulting committees at the national level and is a past president of the Minnesota Chapter. Dennis holds Real Estate Licenses for Minnesota and Iowa.

He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BS in Ag Education and has been a Vo Ag Instructor in Goodhue and New Ulm High Schools.


Scott Nelson
Farm Manager

A graduate of Owatonna High School, Scott received a BS degree in Agricultural Mechanization from Iowa State University. Besides his continued interest in his farming operation, Scott also has experience with the FmHA Office in Mankato.

Scott is member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and past president of the Minnesota Chapter. He is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Minnesota and Iowa

Gregory Thomas
Real Estate Broker

As a graduate of New Ulm High School, Greg’s background includes educational course work from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, Real Estate Licensing and Mankato State University.

Since joining UMMC in 1996, Greg has completed extensive coursework in the IRS 1031 Real Estate Tax Exchange program. Greg holds a Real Estate Broker's License in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

 

 

New Hope

Chad Thomas 
Commercial Property Manager

Chad is a 2001 Masters of Business Administration graduate of Cameron University.  Since 2002, Chad has been directly involved with all aspects of Upper Midwest Management Corporation's commercial portfolio.  His primary role is that of over seeing daily property management concerns at the more than 350,000 square feet of leased office and industrial space in the greater Twin Cities area.  Chad is a member of local Chapter 45 of the Institute of Real Estate Management.  He is currently pursuing IREM's Certified Property Manager Designation. 

Chad serves on the board of the MBSA, the local youth soccer club where he volunteers his time as the Coaching Director for youth players 10 and under.  Chad resides in Maple Grove, MN with his wife Tanya and two children Carson and Mia. 

 

   

 

 

Olivia Office

 

 

   

Leon Carlson
Farm Manager, Appraiser and Advisor

Accredited Farm Manager and Certified and Licensed Appraiser, since 1982.

Education:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture
Education and Agronomy, Master of
Education Degree in Agriculture
Education, University of Minnesota

Experience:

  • Raised on a farm in North Central Minnesota.
  • 8 years experience as Vo-Ag instructor and Adult Farm Management in two Minnesota high school systems.
  • Farm Manager, 1982 to present.
  • Licensed Real Estate Associate in Minnesota and South Dakota.
  • Certified and Licensed Appraiser in Minnesota since 1991.
   

Noah Hultgren
Realtor

Specializing in land and rural residence sales. 

To hear the latest from Noah, check out his website/blog at http://www.farmlandman.com.

Education:

  • Associates Degree in Sales & Marketing, St. Cloud Technical College

Experience:

  • Born and raised on a farm west of Willmar, MN.
  • Farming 4200 acres on 4th generation farm.
  • Licensed Realtor since 2001.

 

   

Hutchinson Area

Terry Dean
Realtor

Realtor, specializing in land sales. Terry joined NORTH CENTRAL® Realty in 2003.

Education:
Bachelor of Science Degree - Marketing
St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN

Experience:

  • Farm Manager; D.D. Farms, Inc., 1998-Present
  • Field reporter; McLeod County FSA, 1998-2002
  • Commodity Merchandiser; American Agco, 1995-1998
  • Licensed as a Minnesota Real Estate Associate

Jamestown, Ohio

John A. Trimmer
Farm Manager/Broker

John is a graduate of Ohio State University and North Dakota State University and has been with Ag Services since 1987.  Prior work experience includes 5 years as manager of a Farm Service Agency Office and 13 years as a loan officer for Federal Land Bank.

John's professional memberships include the Ohio and American Societies of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.  He is also an Ohio licensed real estate broker.


Travis Kelley
Farm Manager

Travis is a graduate of Franklin University with a BS in Business Administration and has been with Ag Services since 2008.  Prior work experience includes 2 years as Agriculture Loan Officer for Advantage Bank and 1 year in equipment sales for Vermeer of Southern Ohio.

Travis is a Director of the Fayette County Agricultural Society and is also a licensed real estate agent in Ohio.