Our Founder
Milo Pinkerton
President & Founder, MSP Real Estate
For over 35 years, Milo Pinkerton has built MSP Real Estate into a vertically integrated development, construction, and property management company—creating communities where people thrive.
A Legacy Built on Family and Education
Working with property has always been a focus for the Pinkerton family. Milo's grandfather, George Schoblaska, was a contractor and real estate developer in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. His father, Hulbert "Hub" Pinkerton, managed apartment buildings in Madison—providing early education that laid the groundwork for Milo's career.
"From my dad, I got a college education in construction and what to do in housing," Pinkerton says. "He taught me how to do plumbing, electrical, carpet installation, installing roof shingles, all those things."
Forging His Own Path
Pinkerton studied architecture at the University of Minnesota, drawn by the lure of design—but wanted to be more involved with a property's development. Earning his master's in real estate at the Wisconsin School of Business (MS '79) helped put his goals into focus.
At Wisconsin, Pinkerton studied under the legendary James A. Graaskamp, whose fundamental philosophy and ethical approach to real estate development continues to guide him today. "Coming to Madison to learn more about real estate and being a developer was just the perfect fit for me."
Building MSP Real Estate
After working as a project director for a Madison-based construction company developing affordable housing, Pinkerton left the corporate world in 1988 to set out on his own—renting an office in Minneapolis and cold-calling potential clients.
As MSP Real Estate grew, it branched out from development to construction and property management. "It's been an evolution that wasn't planned," Pinkerton says of his career. "Even so, it's an evolution that has made sense for me."
Heritage Senior Living
Having developed affordable housing for seniors, Pinkerton saw a community need and an opportunity. Senior care wasn't just affordable living—it was assisted living and memory care. He founded Heritage Senior Living in 2000, opening his first continuum-of-care facility in West Allis, Wisconsin.
Today, Heritage has grown to 15 Wisconsin communities. And in a full-circle moment, Milo's own parents became Heritage residents—living at the Monona property to ages 97 and 99. "They were able to extend their lives, provided by loving care staff," Pinkerton reflects.
"The education I received opened so many doors for me. I believe in the students coming up and am always thinking, 'How can I help them?'"
— Milo Pinkerton
Education
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MS, Real Estate
Wisconsin School of Business, 1979
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Architecture
University of Minnesota
Key Milestones
- 1988 Founded MSP Real Estate
- 2000 Founded Heritage Senior Living
- 2005 Launched MSP Management
- Today 4,500+ units developed, $650M AUM
Giving Back
Philanthropy & Community
Education & Mentorship
A generous donor to the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at Wisconsin School of Business, Milo remains active with real estate alumni—networking and opening doors for those just starting out. "When somebody graduates from this program, it's a natural to help them," he says.
Community Impact
Beyond campus, Milo and his husband Virgil Taus support organizations focused on LGBTQ rights, youth homelessness, and the arts in the Twin Cities and Palm Springs. They also fund scholarships for LGBTQ students at UW–Madison.
"We feel very strongly about education and helping others get their start. We want to be here to see it happen."
— Milo Pinkerton
Learn More About MSP
Discover how MSP Real Estate continues Milo's vision of creating communities where people thrive.