Ryan Leestma

Background

About Ryan Leestma

Began my career at the age of 15 as the "executive director" of a one man band known as Compufix Computers. Sold and serviced desktops, laptops, and servers to commercial and residential accounts in my hometown. Realized I was decent at technology sales and service but had no idea what I was doing in business. Went to Covenant College and received my bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, management and economics. Graduated from Covenant and started up a technology company by the name of ISI that grew into one of the largest IT solution providers in the State of Michigan with annual sales / EBITDA of 15m/2m. Leveraged my balance sheet and began buying office and industrial investment properties across West Michigan under a new company by the name of Leestma Management, LLC. Today, Leestma Management is one of the top 10 commercial landlords in West Michigan with over square feet of property under ownership and management. In 2018 I began investigating the business case of solar energy. After learning the industry, I started Adelaide Energy and installed 1.25 million watts of solar power for Leestma Management. Today, Leestma Management's is the largest private owner / operator of solar in the State of Michigan. In 2020, I began researching and developing the 30 acre Adelaide Pointe property on the southern shores of Muskegon Lake. After developing a five phase business plan I formed a Qualified Opportunity Fund and closed on the property. Within the first year we remediated, restored and repurposed the existing site and buildings and completed the engineering, architecture and permitting required for our first 55 unit mass timber condo building, wet marina, dry marina, and mass timber waterfront boat dealership / restaurant / event center / office building. We are actively constructing these projects now and expect to be complete Summer 2024. Other nameplate on-campus operations currently being established include Muskegon Brewing Company and Adelaide Events. Other recent purchases include the 15 acre Hartshorn Village development next door to Adelaide, Nate’s Marina in Drummond Island, MI and the Bear Lake Tavern, Muskegon’s oldest restaurant.