As Chief Investment Officer, Mike Altman directs Cortland's investment strategy with a focus on asset management. Mike joined Cortland in 2007 as a development associate and has played an integral role in growing the company, becoming Executive Vice President of Investments in 2010 before assuming his current role in 2013. Over the course of his career with Cortland, he has led many core aspects of the business that have directly influenced Cortland's evolution from a small development company to one of the leading companies in the multifamily industry, including capital raising and portfolio strategy.

His expertise in Cortland’s growth provides a unique perspective on the value of vertical integration, the results of Cortland’s acquisition and renovation strategy, and the influence of a resident-centric approach within the apartment industry.

Mike holds his master's degree in Real Estate from Georgia State University and his bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Georgia. He is a licensed real estate broker and is associated with the Atlanta Multifamily Network and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Kris Mikkelsen, chief operating officer and managing director, joined Walker & Dunlop Investment Sales (WDIS) in April 2015 as part of the Engler Financial Group acquisition. Mr. Mikkelsen is responsible for the origination and execution of investment sales and equity capital raise for multifamily assets, with a focus on the Southeastern markets. Additionally, Mr. Mikkelsen serves as an officer within WDIS, contributing to the strategy and implementation of the firm’s active growth plan.

Prior to the acquisition, Mr. Mikkelsen served as managing director and chief operating officer of Engler Financial Group, a prominent multifamily investment advisory firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time at Engler, Mr. Mikkelsen was responsible for the origination and execution of multifamily investment sales and equity capital raise efforts across the firm’s footprint, with a specific focus on Atlanta, Georgia and the Carolinas. During his tenure, Mr. Mikkelsen was directly involved with the origination and execution of over $6 billion in multifamily investment activity with an institutional client list including Prudential Real Estate Investors, AMLI/Morgan Stanley, GID, Principal Global Investors, JP Morgan Asset Management, Cornerstone Realty Advisors, Northwestern Mutual, AIG Global Real Estate, PCCP, Goldman Sachs, Waterton Associates, New York Life, Heitman, Mid-America Apartment Communities, CBREI, and many others.

Mr. Mikkelsen has worked directly on behalf of some of the nation’s top developers, including Wood Partners, Trammell Crow Residential, Alliance Residential, Daniel Corp, Contravest, Dominion Realty Partners, Woodfield Investments, and Terwilliger Pappas.

Mr. Mikkelsen is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in management and was a two-time All-American member and Captain of the men’s golf team.

From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Mikkelsen served as the founding chairman of the National Multi Housing Council’s Emerging Leader Committee and is currently a member of the Multifamily Gold Council for the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is the president of the Board of Directors for Atlanta Junior Golf, one of the Country’s oldest not-for-profit junior golf organizations.