Meet The Team

Jon Rausch - Founding Partner

Meet Jon.

Jon is a veteran land expert with over two decades of experience in real estate development and land transactions. A native of southern Minnesota, he founded the Land Services division at Cushman & Wakefield and has specialized exclusively in land acquisition and disposition since 2002. He is licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin and has been instrumental in facilitating successful development projects across the region.

Jon holds a Bachelor of Arts from Whitman College and an MBA with a concentration in Venture Management from the University of St. Thomas. He is a member of NAIOP and MNCAR, and holds both the SIOR and CCIM designations. His professional achievements include being named one of Cushman & Wakefield’s Top 20 Industrial Brokers in the Americas and a national Top Performer in 2020.

Outside of real estate, Jon’s entrepreneurial spirit began early—he previously ran the largest farm painting company in southern Minnesota. A former competitive downhill ski racer, he attended Sun River Ski Academy in Oregon during high school and continues to bring that same drive and focus to his work in land development.

Luke Appert - Founding Partner

Meet Luke.

Luke is a founding partner at Landspec, where he leads land acquisition and development efforts across the Twin Cities metro. With a focus on residential and mixed-use projects, he plays a key role in sourcing opportunities, navigating entitlements, and guiding projects from concept through execution. His deep understanding of the development process and strong regional relationships make him a driving force behind Landspec’s growth.

In addition to his work at Landspec, Luke remains active with Cushman & Wakefield’s Land and Industrial Advisory Group, where he has worked since 2009. His dual experience in brokerage and development provides a unique advantage in evaluating sites and structuring deals that align with long-term value creation.

Luke earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in Business Management and Finance. A native of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, he now lives in Afton with his wife and four children. Outside of work, he is an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoys spending time outdoors year-round.

Ben Drew - Director of Corporate Relations

Ben joined Cushman & Wakefield’s Land Brokerage team in 2016, where he has worked alongside Jon Rausch and Luke Appert, developing deep expertise in land research, mapping, and site selection. His background in GIS and market analytics, combined with years of brokerage experience, has made him a valuable resource for clients and partners navigating complex land transactions.

In his role as Director of Corporate Relations at [Development Company Name], Ben focuses on building and maintaining strategic partnerships, supporting site acquisition efforts, and aligning development initiatives with long-term corporate goals. His ability to connect data-driven insights with relationship-building makes him a key contributor to the firm’s growth.

Ben holds a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Minnesota. He is licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin and is a member of the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR).

Joe Radach - Development Manager

Joe Radach is a Licensed Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in civil engineering and land development. As Development Manager at Landspec, Joe leads the technical execution of projects, overseeing site design, utility planning, stormwater management, and permitting. His expertise ensures that each development is engineered for long-term success and regulatory compliance.

Joe is also the Principal of Contour Civil Design, where he has worked on a wide range of residential and commercial projects across Minnesota. His background includes leadership roles at Carlson McCain and Pioneer Engineering, where he specialized in hydrology, grading, and infrastructure systems.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota and plays a key role in aligning engineering solutions with the company’s broader development strategy.

Theo Petrie - Acquisition Specialist

Theo Petrie is a commercial real estate professional with deep roots in the Twin Cities and a strong understanding of the local land market. He currently serves as an acquisitions specialist for Landspec, where he identifies and underwrites potential development opportunities across the metro.

In addition to his role in development, Theo is a licensed broker with Cushman & Wakefield, where he advises clients on land acquisitions, dispositions, and development strategy. His background in entrepreneurship and strategic sales brings a results-driven, data-informed approach to every project.

Theo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Dakota. He is a CCIM candidate, licensed in Minnesota and North Dakota, and an active member of the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR).

Our Partners