About Us

Corporate Mission

To provide our clients with the highest level of representation in its real estate needs.  Paragon’s professionals will achieve this by providing the information, advice, insight and strategy necessary to make an educated corporate real estate decision.  To do this, we will understand our clients’ needs, how their companies work and the forces that make their companies successful.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide value-added real estate services in order to maximize the value of our client’s real estate holdings and to control costs whenever and wherever possible.

Our Values

  • We do not have a business without our clients
  • Our clients’ interests come first
  • Everyone in our company adds value
  • In order to effectively represent our clients’ interests, we will bring in experts to assist us when needed
  • Our employees and associates are the core of our business; they will be provided for and supported in such a manner to assure their success
  • Our business is built on long-term relationships
  • Our relationships are built on trust, respect, honesty and friendship

Executive Team

Matthew B. Fenster, CCIM, MCR — Executive Director

Matthew Fenster is responsible for Paragon’s management team; Mr. Fenster has been involved in real estate development, operations, leasing and management for more than 20 years. He has been responsible for the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and management of over 3 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail space in the Midwest.

Mr. Fenster is the founder of Paragon and its affiliates. Prior to forming Paragon, in 1998, he was with a locally based full service real estate firm, serving as a vice president of corporate services. Matt was responsible for offering a full range of services in these markets and for the repositioning of assets for institutional clients.

Mr. Fenster started his real estate career as a tenant rep and leasing agent in 1991 and soon started to represent some of the nation’s largest corporations and institutional landlords in their real estate activities. In 1998, he left his position to start Paragon in an effort to realize his vision on real estate investment and development. Over the past 18 years Matt has represented such institutional clients include New York Life, Aetna, Comerica Bank and Great Lakes REIT as well as corporate clients such as AT&T, Thomson/Reuters Corporation, Dayco Products/Mark IV, LLC, Cengage Learning and CNA Insurance.

Mr. Fenster holds a Bachelors of Arts in Real Estate & Finance, from Eastern Michigan University as well as professional designations from CORENET and the Commercial Real Estate Institute.

Michelle D. Walder — Director of Operations & Accounting

Michelle Walder is responsible for overseeing all of property operations and accounting activities including budget preparation, construction cost accounting, preparation of financials and closings statements for purchases/refinancing/sales and tax return preparation.

Over the past 20 years, Ms. Walder has been active in the management of commercial and residential real estate, including serving one of Metropolitan Detroit’s largest commercial real estate developers. Her areas of expertise include annual budget preparation, review and preparation of monthly financial reports, approval of property expenditures, directing of operations staff, and negotiation of contracts with service vendors. Ms. Walder is proficient in establishing direct and frequent contact with each tenant and building owner. Her attention to detail ensures that properties she is responsible for are expertly maintained while reducing expenses through cost saving initiatives.

Ms. Walder is a graduate of Walsh College with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She is also active in the community serving as  PTA treasurer for various elementary, middle and high schools for the past 12 years and Detroit Executive Corp. Consultant for non profit companies.