Leadership Team

Zach Wiegert is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldenrod Companies, a fully integrated commercial real estate finance, development, and management firm. Over the past 20 years, Goldenrod has developed and acquired more than $6 billion in private real estate assets and an additional $3 billion through public-private partnerships.

Wiegert began his professional career after being selected with the 38th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He founded Goldenrod Companies in 2005 to manage his own real estate portfolio before officially retiring from the NFL in 2007, following a 12-year career.

Driven by a commitment to creating long-term value and controlling outcomes for partners, Wiegert has expanded Goldenrod’s portfolio to include closed-end private real estate funds, private and public development, general contracting, concrete, asset and property management, and insurance.

Wiegert studied economics at the University of Nebraska, where he was a captain of the 1994 undefeated national champion Cornhuskers. He won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman, was named a consensus All-American, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Wiegert actively supports several nonprofit organizations, including the Navy SEAL Foundation, Tip of the Spear, and the Teammates Youth Mentoring Program.

Zac Marquess serves as Chief Development Officer at Goldenrod Companies, where he leads the firm’s real estate acquisition and development platform, overseeing projects from initial vision through completion and delivery. During his more than seven years with Goldenrod, Zac has played a key role in shaping the company’s growth strategy and expanding its national footprint, contributing to a successful track record in excess of $1.3 billion.

Zac brings deep experience across a broad range of asset classes, including multifamily, office, industrial, senior housing, student housing, and hospitality, as well as large-scale public-private partnership (P3) developments. He has successfully executed complex development strategies that create long-term value for investors, partners, and the communities Goldenrod serves across the country.

Since opening Goldenrod’s Atlanta office, Zac has continued to drive the firm’s expansion through strategic initiatives and disciplined execution. His approach combines rigorous financial analysis with a relationship-driven mindset, leveraging strong trade partnerships and a deep understanding of market fundamentals to deliver high-quality, high-performing projects.

Zac earned undergraduate degrees in Finance, Economics, Banking, and Investment Science/Portfolio Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he was also a member of the men’s soccer team. He later received his Master of Real Estate Development from Auburn University and is a licensed real estate professional in the State of Georgia.

As Chief Financial Officer at Goldenrod Companies, Michael oversees all financial aspects of the organization, ensuring financial health and strategic growth. He has a proven track record in financial accounting, analysis, and management as well as taxation. Michael drives the company’s financial strategy and execution to optimize profitability and enterprise value.

Michael previously practiced public accounting for more than 10 years. He was responsible for providing advice and consultation regarding complex tax planning matters, assisting engagement teams in tax compliance matters, and for ensuring that tax returns issued complied with professional standards. Michael’s capacities include partnership structuring and partnership disposition strategies, carried interest strategies, merger and acquisitions strategies and federal and tax credit strategies specifically for the asset management, real estate management and construction companies.

Michael earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting & Economics from Creighton University.

Kendra Ringenberg is the Chief Legal Officer for Goldenrod Companies. Kendra specializes in commercial real estate law and was in private practice for over 20 years, starting her career at Polsinelli in Kansas City and ultimately settling in Omaha. Prior to joining the Goldenrod team, she served as a third-party legal advisor for Goldenrod.

Kendra manages the acquisition, disposition, financing (including seller financing, bank financing, life insurance/institution financing and economic incentives) and development of all Goldenrod projects, as well as management of corporate matters for Goldenrod Companies and its affiliates. She has extensive experience in the structuring and financing of public private partnerships.

Kendra is licensed in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. Kendra received a Bachelor of Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctorate from University of Nebraska College of Law.

Nate Pfieffer is the Chief Investment Officer for Goldenrod Companies. Nate oversees investment underwriting, deployment of capital, and strategic divestment for Goldenrod assets, as well as strategic reporting and forecasting of investments. He also assists with the execution of Goldenrod’s Public-Private Partnerships and other joint venture opportunities. Since joining Goldenrod in 2013, he has seen in detail each phase of the investment lifecycle: from deal creation to construction management to asset disposition. Nate has experience working on nearly $2 billion in CRE spanning a multitude of asset types. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Economics and Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Business Administration from University of Nebraska at Omaha.