Building Communities Where Residents Thrive

Chris Dischinger is a proven leader within the real estate development industry and is co-principal and co-founder of LDG Development in Louisville, KY. He is committed to the business of building better lives by developing quality, affordable communities for hard-working families and active seniors to grow and thrive.

In 1994, Chris formed LDG Development with his business partner, Mark Lechner. Together, they successfully focused on acquiring, developing, building and managing single-family homes. The company eventually grew to have a portfolio of more than 500 homes as well as acquiring and managing commercial real estate properties in several states. In 2002, LDG saw an opportunity to enter the Housing Tax Credit Program. By using this model, LDG has developed over 28,000 units in multiple states including Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Today, LDG has four main divisions, all focused on maximizing growth and production. With the mission statement, “Everyone Deserves a Quality Place to Live”, the company has more than 600 employees who are focused on developing and managing properties for the thousands of families and seniors who are proud to call a LDG community home.

Chris has served as president of four different trade organizations including the national president of the Society of Exchange Councilors. He resides in his hometown of Louisville, KY with his family.

Philanthropic Activities:

• NAHRO – LDG Development Scholars Program
  • 10 year, 1 million Scholarship program for public housing residents
• Founder – Arthur Street Hotel
  • Converted Hotel that helps homeless stabilize their lives and move to permanent housing
• Evolve 502
  • Help fund secondary education
  • Funding of after school and summer programs for LDG residents
• University of Louisville School of Business
  • Founded/funded Real Estate minor program
• LDG Foundation – Founder
• Rita June Foundation – Founder
• Partnering with Jeff Bezos Foundation to provide free pre-kindergarten, Montessori inspired free schooling based on income

Summary of professional experience and business transactions:

• Developed and built in excess of 25,000 units of multi-unit family properties in numerous state
• Industrial Development Portfolio and Pipeline of 3,000,000 square feet
• Acquired, renovated, and managed over 500 single-family homes
• Created numerous 1031 tax deferred exchanges
• Built and sold over 500 single-family homes
• Developed or owned twenty hotels
• Owned commercial property in 19 states

Selected industry awards and accomplishments:

• 2007 Cliff Weaver Award for Most Creative Transaction — Society of Exchange Counselors
• 2006 Exchange of the Year — Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
• 2005 President’s Award — Louisville Apartment Association
• 2005 Cliff Weaver Award for Most Creative Transaction — Society of Exchange Counselors
• 2004 Government Affairs Award — Louisville Apartment Association
• 2003 Don Kessler Award & Exchange of the Year — Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
• 2002 Ed Melton Award — Kentuckiana Real Estate Investors Association
• 2001 President’s Award and Exchange of the Year — Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors

Education:

• University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1984–1988
  • Bachelor of Arts — School of Business
• St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky, 1980–1984
  • High School Diploma

Certifications and extended areas of study:

• A-Pass-Weikel Real Estate License
• Auctioneer License
• Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation
• Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC) designation
• Investment Analysis and Creative Real Estate Techniques, Equity Marking Specialist (EMS) designation
• Extensive course work in real estate and business development, strategic coaching, etc.

Civic and professional affiliations:

• Society of Exchange Counselors
  • President 2011
  • Board of Governors 2005–2012
• Kentucky Real Estate Exchangors
  • President 1993 and 1994
• Kentuckiana Real Estate Investors Association
  • President 1993-1994
• Indiana Real Estate Exchangors
• Louisville Apartment Association
  • President 2003 and 2004
• Kentucky Apartment Association
• Augusta Board
• Endeavor Board of Directors
• University of Louisville
  • Board of Trustees
  • Foundation Board
  • College of Business Advisory Board
  • Athletic Association Board

Mark began his real estate career in 1985 with the purchase of his first home. He received his real estate license in 1987, and principal broker’s license in 1989. Over the next nine years, Lechner purchased, renovated, sold and managed more than 100 properties. In 1994, Lechner co-founded LDG Development with Chris Dischinger based on their shared belief that “everyone deserves a quality place to live.” Over time, LDG Development has grown to one of the country’s largest developers of affordable housing with more than 28,000 housing units that serves working families and active seniors and spans multiple states. This includes Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana & North Carolina. Additionally, the company also owns and manages commercial properties throughout the country. LDG has also recently created an industrial division that has developed and leased over 2 million square feet and has another 2 million in the pipeline. Lechner has also been involved in developing many other types of real estate over his 39 years in the industry.

Today, LDG has four main divisions all focused on maximizing growth and production. To support this work, the company has more than 600 employees who are committed to ensuring all working families and seniors have access to a place they are proud to call home.

Lechner is a graduate of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and held leadership positions in sales and marketing for several companies before he went into the real estate business. Lechner has served as president of several different trade organizations, including the Society of Exchange Councilors, KREE & the Louisville Apartment Association.