Gardner Management Company was established in September of 1980 for the purpose of developing and managing real estate throughout the State of Michigan. Since our inception, the company has grown steadily and is now recognized as one of the largest professional management firms in western Michigan.

Gardner Management currently manages over 3,300 units of residential and condominium property. We are also responsible for approximately 166,000 square feet of commercial retail/office space throughout southwest Michigan.

Ryan C. Gardner – Principal

Ryan C. Gardner is a 2001 graduate of the University of Kentucky. Mr. Gardner is responsible for the condominium portion of the Gardner Management portfolio. He is also responsible for the daily operation of the main office and works as a consultant for Associations outside the Gardner Management portfolio. Mr. Gardner is also a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the State of Michigan.

John M. Novak – Principal

John M. Novak is a 1992 graduate of Purdue University and 1996 graduate of Loyola University – Chicago School of law. Mr. Novak has practiced corporate and real estate law in Michigan and Illinois for over 17 years. Mr. Novak has extensive experience in all aspects of the real estate industry, including the development, financing, permitting, zoning, construction, leasing, sale and maintenance of residential, commercial and industrial real property. Mr. Novak serves and has served on various boards and committees, including the Kalamazoo board of directors of Mercantile Bank (formerly Keystone Community Bank), and the executive committee and board of directors of BC/CAL/KAL Inland Port Development Corporation FTZ 43. John Novak also holds a Michigan Real Estate Broker License.

Julie N. Humphries – Chief Financial Officer 

Julie Humphries has been with Gardner Management Company since July 2018. Julie brings with her over 25 years of experience from both the public and private accounting sides. Julie is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s College of Business, started her professional career in public accounting with BDO Seidman in Kalamazoo, obtained her CPA while in public accounting and then moved on to private accounting where she has been with several companies in the West Michigan area leading the corporate accounting and human resources divisions of those companies. Julie has also obtained her PHR certification in Human Resources in 2017. Julie is responsible for the corporate financial and human resource operations.