Trinette Wacker, Katie Hopp, and Joe Buckingham combine skills to represent building owners
February 10, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS – Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) announces the addition of two new brokers who will help form a leasing team focused on representing building owners in the Minneapolis Central Business District. The team will be led by Vice President Trinette Wacker, who has been a broker with Transwestern since 2022. She will be joined by Vice President Katie Hopp, who is transitioning into brokerage from the Transwestern Asset Services group, and Associate Joe Buckingham, who joined the company in January.
“We’ve assembled a team with unique yet complementary skills, and I’m eager to see our collective work deliver meaningful results for clients,” said Wacker. “Downtown Minneapolis is entering a new phase, and we’re grateful and excited for the opportunity to play a role in its growth. By combining my experience representing landlords with Katie’s operational insight and Joe’s financial acumen, we’re ready to provide clients with thoughtful, strategic, and agile brokerage solutions.”
According to Transwestern’s Midwest Research team, office leasing activity in Downtown Minneapolis has increased an average of 32% annually since 2021. To meet this growing demand, the team will leverage its complementary strengths to deliver dedicated, strategic, operational, and financial advisory support to building owners.
More about the trio’s backgrounds and skillsets:
- Trinette Wacker entered commercial real estate in 2019 after a successful 13-year career as an HR executive. She brings expertise in strategic leasing, financial analysis, tenant relationships, and seamless operational execution. Wacker currently represents a mix of Twin Cities properties, including Class A office towers in the Minneapolis CBD, and is regarded as a top CBD broker by industry peers.
- Katie Hopp began her property management career in 2010, and she transitioned to brokerage in 2026. Previously the General Manager of Baker Center, a one-million-square-foot asset in downtown Minneapolis, she has experience managing property budgets and expenses and brings what clients refer to as an “owner’s mindset.” Hopp also led tenant satisfaction efforts and worked closely with landlords and leasing teams to ensure successful transactions.
- Joe Buckingham has financial management expertise and is adept at reporting, underwriting, tour support, and deal analysis. His role will focus on business development, market analysis, proposal preparation, and prospecting. He has FINRA Series 7, 66, and SIE certifications.
“We’re betting on Downtown Minneapolis and believe owners today are looking for something different in an advisor: a more strategic, operationally excellent partner who ensures that properties are well positioned to catch market activity. The diversity of professional backgrounds and experiences, coupled with strong financial acumen and accountability, make Trinette, Katie, and Joe a formidable team,” said Minneapolis Managing Director Emily Nicoll. “The trio are eager to collaborate with all of our agency brokers, including industry veteran Jim Montez, which will be a big benefit to clients.”
TRS Minneapolis has a strong presence across the Twin Cities. With over a hundred employees, focuses include Agency Leasing, Tenant Advisory, and Asset Services. These groups work in tandem to represent owners, investors, and tenants across office, industrial, medical, and other property types. There is over 18.3 million square feet of space in the office’s leasing and property management portfolio, and Agency Leasing and Tenant Advisory brokers closed over 325 deals on behalf of building owners and tenants in 2025. Awards and honors garnered by Transwestern Minneapolis team members and properties include recognition from publications such as the Star Tribune and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and industry organizations such as BOMA Greater Minneapolis and CoStar.
Download a group photo here.
About Transwestern Real Estate Services
Part of the Transwestern companies, Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) strives to add value for investors, owners and occupiers across all commercial property types. Fueled by a holistic perspective of the real estate life cycle, agility and creativity are hallmarks of our approach, while vast national resources and sound market intelligence underpin customized recommendations and property solutions.
Four dynamic, integrated companies make up the Transwestern enterprise, giving us the perspective to think broadly, deeply and creatively about commercial real estate. Clients and investors rely on us for expertise that spans institutional and opportunistic investment, development, hospitality, and brokerage and asset services. Our award-winning, collaborative culture empowers team members with resources and independence to work across boundaries in pursuit of innovative solutions, reinforcing a reputation for service excellence that translates to measurable results. Through offices nationwide and alliance partners around the globe, we positively impact the built environment and our communities while fostering a work climate that champions career vitality for all. Learn more at transwestern.com and @Transwestern.
Media Contact:
Mason Johnson
312.558.3897
Mason.Johnson@transwestern.com
twmediarelations@transwestern.com
