Michael L. Kern, III is a Managing Director. Mr. Kern plays a dual role as both the firm s Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer and as head of the Real Estate Valuation Group. As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Kern oversees SRR s five operations groups, which include the accounting, information technology, marketing, human resources, and administrative services & facilities groups. His responsibilities in these areas are broad, ranging from managing the firm s overall financial policies, to overseeing the firm s IT infrastructure, to guiding HR policies, to directing marketing activities. As Managing Director of the Real Estate Valuation Group, Mr. Kern is responsible for the overall strategic direction and operations of the group. He is instrumental in and responsible for the development of the other Managing Directors and Directors in the group, as well as acting as the firm s ambassador in the area of real estate valuation. Previously, Mr. Kern was a Managing Director in the Valuation and Litigation Advisory Services group, where his significant asset and business valuation experience encompassed a wide range of industries for numerous purposes. He has presented numerous continuing education seminars on the subject of business valuation. He has been named an expert witness and has provided testimony in court. Mr. Kern earned his BS in Finance and Business Economics from Wayne State University. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the Investment Analysts Society of Detroit. Furthermore, he is the firm s active member of the Association for Management Consulting Firms. Mr. Kern was recognized by Crain s Detroit Business who named him to its 40 Under 40 List, which honors 40 Detroit-area professionals under the age of 40 for leadership abilities and accomplishments.