What’s your job? Explore real estate finances with Chris Makey
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What’s your job? is a series focused on the work of FP&M employees. As the largest and most diverse nonacademic unit on campus, it can be challenging to learn everything our division is responsible for. These stories shine a light on FP&Mers and what they do to keep campus safe, sustainable and successful.
Chris smiles in her cubicle at the 21 N. Park St. offices. Photo by Veronika Dethart.
Imagine assembling a lease, assisting with demolition documentation and completing a complex real estate report is an everyday part of your job. Now imagine doing so for properties spread across the 939 acres of the UW–Madison campus and beyond. That is the work that Financial Specialist Chris Makey executes each and every day for FP&M’s Real Estate Development & Administration (REDA) department. Chris made time to discuss her role, her prior work experience and how her department functions within the division and campus.
In August of 2022, the REDA department was created to help directly advance the university’s real estate revenue strategy, which focuses on the smart use of the university’s real estate assets and resources. For example, affiliate research and technology hub University Research Park has an agreement with UW–Madison to promote economic development and create more opportunities for local commerce, while strengthening the long-term fiscal health of the university.
As part of the creation of a new department, Paula Veltum joined FP&M as the first Assistant Vice Chancellor of REDA. Last August, Chris joined the team to track a large chunk of the financial data within the real estate department. Her position was added in order to assist the small team of five as REDA operations assembled to serve the university’s academic, research and outreach mission.
Chris (left) speaks with Assistant Vice Chancellor of Real Estate Development & Administration Paula Veltum (right) about campus real estate. Photo by Veronika Dethart.
“Chris has been an awesome addition to the REDA team,” Paula said. “She recently completed the real estate financial report that’s required of public universities and has jumped in on many other real estate projects.”
Reading the fine print: Chris’ responsibilities and routine
Chris stated that REDA focuses on properties across not only the UW–Madison campus, but also across the state. For example, there are employees, most often those that work at nearby agricultural research stations, who live in employee housing units on Board of Regents land. When residents want to renew their lease, Chris monitors the lease renewal and payment processes — think of her as your friendly neighborhood property manager.
Since she started, Chris has helped assemble lease documentation and financial data, making sure to pay for special assessments of the properties in a timely manner, too. These could include a sidewalk in need of repair or the replacement of a sewer pipe, for instance.
“My position specifically puts together the report that the rentals are paid from on a monthly basis, as well as some additional payables for the rentals because UW rents a fair amount of property,” Chris said. “I also do reconciliation reports [that match and verify records], approvals of purchases and various financial tasks.”
“It’s all about making sure your T’s are crossed and your I’s are dotted when it comes to the finances.”
Aerial view of the UW-Madison campus and some of the real estate Chris helps manage. Photo by Jeff Miller.
Sometimes, structures don’t fit UW’s needs anymore, so they may get slated for removal to make way for something new that better serves those who learn, work and live on campus, as laid out in the Campus Framework Plan. But, until the planning, demolition and construction stages are able to be carried out, the properties still need to be taken care of. It is Chris who organizes and pays the real estate invoices in these situations so that life can continue as usual.
From facilities company to facilities’ real estate
Chris’ extensive career history has prepared her to handle these responsibilities with confidence and expertise. Her previous roles have equipped her with a diverse skill set, making her move to FP&M a natural progression.
“I started working at a property management company as bookkeeper and resident manager in Wisconsin,” she said. “But about that time we [Chris and her husband] got the idea of starting our own business, which ended up being a maintenance company; for the last 44 years we’ve had it.”
Between the financials for her business and residential real estate involvement for 10 years, Chris’ background helps her in her everyday work. Yet, there are still challenges, albeit enjoyable ones, like identifying the funding string, correct coding and responsible party behind each purchase.
Chris sorts through her filing cabinet of purchase receipts and lease documents. Photo by Veronika Dethart.
“It’s about making sure that what you’re paying has been approved for payment and such, and you’re following all the rules,” Chris said. “Sometimes you may not get all of the information with one invoice, so though it’s not life or death, it’s still important and fun to figure out.”
This work is big on details, you might say — Chris takes care of key tasks that are essential to the big picture. But while she does enjoy completing payables, budgeting receivables and organizing tax payments, it’s the environment and leadership at FP&M that stands out to Chris.
“I’m pretty new at this, but I had a major impression right from the beginning of this department and even of this whole office and FP&M in general: it’s a very happy office,” she said. “People here take their job seriously … they all seem serious about doing a good job, but overall it still seems like a very happy place to work and I really love that.”
Corinne is a strategic communications student intern with FP&M Marketing & Communications. She is a senior at UW-Madison majoring in Communications and Information Science with a certificate in Digital Studies. Corinne has been working at FP&M since January 2024.
