Real Estate and Development
CEO
RINKA | Milwaukee
Since founding RINKA in 2006, Matthew Rinka has grown the Milwaukee-based architectural firm from a one-person operation to a more than a 40-person team. RINKA’s work has included prominent projects such as the Deer District, the 30-story Moderne downtown Milwaukee apartment building and Drexel Town Square in Oak Creek. It’s also the design firm for one of Milwaukee’s most ambitious and highly anticipated projects – The Couture development near the lakefront in downtown Milwaukee.
Education: Bachelor’s University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; master’s, University of Washington
First job: “Busing tables at a restaurant when I was 16 years old. Everyone should work at a restaurant once in their lives. It teaches the value of hard work, humility and most importantly to always treat people with kindness and respect.”
Favorite destination: “My heart is in the North Woods of Wisconsin. More far-flung destinations I enjoy are Seoul, South Korea; New York City; Zermatt, Switzerland; Barcelona, Spain; and Key West, Florida.”
What would make Wisconsin better: “Other than the weather, the only thing I would change about Wisconsin is our ability to believe in our potential and greatness. Wisconsinites are very humble, so change can come slowly. I’d like for more of us to believe in the bright future of our state.”
Biggest recent success: “Expanding the firm ownership/shareholders and growing our leadership team.”
