Meet Our Team
Mike Wagner
Sarah Liakos
Matt Griffith
Kris McDonald
Taylor Wagner
Kathleen Hupp
Joe Risi
JUSTIN SOSA
COLE AMENT
Mike Wagner President
Mike Wagner created WAGNER PROPERTY GROUP as the next expression of his tenured career and dedication to real estate. Mike has had a successful career in commercial real estate investment for over 20 years.
He is the former President and founder of Encore Real Estate Development (2009 -2014) and former Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner of Paradise Group (1999-2009).
Prior to joining the development community, Mike enjoyed a 20-year career with Wachovia Bank, now Wells Fargo, primarily as a commercial real estate relationship manager responsible for new business development and credit risk analysis. Mike earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of South Florida.
Sarah Liakos Vice President
Sarah Liakos serves Wagner Property Group as Vice President overseeing both Development and Accounting. Her responsibilities also include working closely with external due diligence vendors and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business.
Formerly, Sarah was a part of Encore Real Estate Development (2009-2014) where she began her career in commercial real estate and continuously expanded her roles and responsibilities. Sarah graduated with a dual-major Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in Bloomington. In addition to working at WAGNER PROPERTY GROUP, she is a small business owner in the Tampa Bay area and is very proud to have worked for various successful and well-respected companies across the US, including Lululemon (Southern California) and Morningstar (Chicago).
Kris McDonald Vice President
Kris McDonald serves Wagner Property Group as a Vice President. She has been dedicated to a career in commercial real estate for the entire span of her almost 30-year professional journey. Her responsibilities include in-house legal support and reviews, assisting in the entitlement process and viability of projects, prospecting deal strategies and enhancing tenant relationships. Kris will also assist in the development aspect of the company utilizing her diverse experience.
Prior to joining WPG, Kris was the Vice President of Development for Checker’s Drive-In Restaurants overseeing franchise sales, recruitment, real estate and construction on a national basis from 2017-2024. She has also served as the Southeast Regional Vice President for Chase Bank, and was the Vice President of Development at Fred’s Pharmacy based in Memphis, TN. Kris first began her real estate career in Chicago at Walgreen Co as In-house Senior Legal Counsel. She then transitioned to be a Senior Real Estate Manager overseeing Georgia, South Carolina and the 5 Boroughs of NYC.
Regarding education, Kris holds a Juris Doctorate from DePaul Law School in Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Michigan State University.
Matt Griffith Vice President
Matt Griffith serves Wagner Property Group as Vice President. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the team that sources new development and investment opportunities, negotiates property acquisitions/dispositions, determines project feasibility and cultivates long-term retailer relationships.
Prior to joining WPG, Matt had a 10-year career as a commercial real estate appraiser and consultant, last serving as founding partner and managing director of a regional valuation and consulting firm with offices in Tampa, Orlando and Miami. He also held the position of Associate Vice President with Grubb & Ellis Landauer, preceded by five years as Senior Associate at a regional valuation/consulting firm based in Tampa.
Matt is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Florida State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Real Estate. Furthermore, he was one of the youngest ever to receive the MAI professional designation conferred by the Appraisal Institute (Non-Practicing).
Joe Risi Acquisitions Associate
Joseph A. Risi is currently an Acquisitions Associate at Wagner Property Group, where he focuses on sourcing development and investment opportunities. Joe plays a pivotal role as he identifies and secures valuable properties for development, contributing to the growth and expansion of the organization while negotiating property acquisitions.
Joe’s journey to his current position at Wagner Property Group was paved through a series of strategic roles; namely as a Summer Analyst at Lionheart Capital in Miami, Florida, where he focused directly on future SPAC offerings. Joe also performed financial analysis and market research as an Intern at Manole Capital Management and as an Operations Intern at Blasters Inc.
Joe hails from Tampa, Florida, showcasing a deep-rooted connection to the region he now serves professionally. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. His educational background, combined with his professional experiences and Florida upbringing, make him a well-rounded individual with a strong commitment to his work and community.
Taylor Wagner Finance Associate
Taylor currently serves WAGNER PROPERTY GROUP as a Finance Associate. Her position is unique in that her responsibilities are split between assisting the real estate team in research concepts and supporting the operations team in reporting, bookkeeping, and the construction draw process.
Taylor attended the University of Miami, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in 2013 from their School of Business Administration, with a major in Management. Post-graduation, Taylor worked in the fast-paced world of residential real estate in South Florida before moving back to Tampa Bay and beginning her career in commercial development here at WAGNER PROPERTY GROUP.
Kathleen Hupp Development Manager
Kathleen Hupp serves Wagner Property Group as a Development Manager. Her responsibilities include managing the due diligence process of our projects by coordinating with multiple vendors to ensure that our tenants specifications are met and our engineers can design our projects successfully. Subsequent tasks then include assisting and aiding in the permitting process by working with government agencies to ensure approval. Finally, Kathleen assists with our General Contractors to complete their build outs, close out permits, and ensure our tenants are satisfied with the delivery of the finished product!
Kathleen is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background spanning various industries and roles. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Apparel Design from Texas Tech University, she has seamlessly transitioned between entrepreneurship, sales, fashion styling, M&A shareholder representation, and now commercial real estate development. With a diverse background across many US states, Kathleen adds value by bringing a unique perspective to the WPG team.
Outside of the office, you can usually find her outdoors, traveling, or creating marketing content for brands nationwide.
JUSTIN SOSA Acquisitions Associate
Justin Sosa contributes to the WPG team as an Acquisitions Associate. His role includes sourcing development and investment opportunities to drive growth, as well as facilitate the expansion of the group’s pipeline across Florida and the Southeast United States.
A Tampa native with deep roots in the community, Justin is a proud alumnus of Jesuit High School of Tampa and Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Finance. Justin is an active member in the Tampa community and enjoys spending time with friends and family. He is a member of the Children’s Cancer Centers Rising Leaders Junior Board, where he volunteers to plan events and fundraise for the children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Prior to joining Wagner Property Group, Justin was a Capital Markets Analyst at JLL where he specialized in debt and equity financing opportunities. His background in financial analysis and capital structuring equips him with the skills to navigate complex transactions and deliver value to the firm. Justin brings valuable local insight and a passion for fostering development in the region. In his role, he will leverage his analytical expertise, market knowledge, and industry relationships to secure opportunities and contribute to Wagner Property Group’s strategic goals.
COLE AMENT Acquisitions Associate
Cole Ament, a Baltimore native, joins Wagner Property Group as an Acquisitions Associate, where he will focus on sourcing and securing development and investment opportunities to support the firm’s expansion in Florida and the Southeast United States. A graduate of Salisbury University with a degree in Exercise Science, Cole has always been driven by a strong passion for real estate, which led him to pivot into commercial real estate brokerage after completing his studies.
After earning his degree, Cole joined Matthews Real Estate Investment Services in Tampa to specialize in single-tenant office and retail investment sales. During his time there, he developed a deep understanding of market dynamics, property valuations, and investment opportunities while cultivating strong industry relationships and honing his negotiation skills. His expertise in analyzing properties and identifying high-potential investments has laid a solid foundation for his transition to Wagner Property Group, where he now applies his market knowledge to sourcing and securing key development deals.