Founder | Walmark Pharmaceuticals
Adam and his brothers, Valdemar and Mariusz, created Walmark Pharmaceuticals with the aim of doing business with computers. However, with the opening up of markets they discovered that the sky was the limit as far as trading was concerned. Nevertheless, they had never wanted simply to shunt merchandise from place to place. Their aim had always been to supply added value, and so they built their own production plants in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Under the umbrella of Walmark, they created a drinks division (the Relax brand), a pharmaceuticals division (which produces and sells mainly food supplements and drugs), and an agricultural products division. However, the main driver was the vision of becoming the largest company in the sphere of food supplements in Central and Eastern Europe, which is why they decided to concentrate on the pharmaceuticals division. They sold the drinks division, downsized the agricultural division, and focused all their activities and resources on strengthening the pharmaceutical division and making further investments in the production of nutritional supplements and medicines. From Martians to Proenzi – the portfolio of their products now numbers 300 different items.
These days Walmark has subsidiaries in eight European countries and exports to more than thirty other countries. The entire group reports annual turnover of EUR 100 million.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR
Real Estate Co-Working
As one of the fastest-growing workplace movements of the last decade, co-working enables people from diverse backgrounds to work together in a common space. The number of co-working spaces around the world has increased by nearly 700% since 2011. Globally, an estimated half a million people work in more than 7,800 shared workspaces today—a number which is expected to climb to 37,000 over the next two years.
This generation is beginning to see this alternative to traditional office space as the place for startups and entrepreneurs. While WeWork and many other national spaces continue to grow, our hope is that there would be a rise in co-working spaces that see themselves as more than hosts, but as friends, even partners that can consider things like Chaplaincy services and other unique ways to care for the leaders that spend most of their waking hours in their space. If you know of co-working groups that are looking to partner with investors and have an emphasis on Spiritual Integration please submit the form below to share with the community.
Know of Another Group that should be added to the List?
Submit it to our editorial team so we can consider adding it to the site.
We probably listen to a few too many podcasts around here, but in case you need a few, below are some of our favorites. Some come from a faith driven perspective and some are staples for any faith driven investor looking to integrate best practices to their work. We hope this list enlightens you, challenges you, and also inspires all of us to propel this conversation forward.
Note: For other great podcasts that come at more through the lens of an entrepreneur, you may find it helpful to check out the book list for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs.
Fine, we’re unavoidably biased. But if you’re new to the site and missed the link, Henry and William host a regular podcast. Faith Driven Investor is a growing movement of business leaders, fund managers, investors, and pastors that are driven by their faith and who believe that God owns it all and that he cares deeply about how we steward our investments. Our vision is for a world where Christ’s followers can pursue excellent investments that allow for financial returns and Gospel-centered transformation. This is becoming the place to talk about all different asset classes from direct deals, private equity, public, real estate and more.
with Henry Kaestner, William Norvell, and Rusty Rueff
Alright, we’re unavoidably biased one more time. But we think this podcast is great too! Henry, Rusty, and William host a weekly podcast, specifically dialed in for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs. We host leaders like Tim Keller, Chip Ingram, Andy Crouch, Nancy Duarte, Peter Greer and entrepreneurs like David Morken (Bandwidth), Steve Green (Hobby Lobby), Phil Vischer (Veggietales), Bryant Ambelang (Naturesweet)and many others.
Our mission is to tackle the pressing questions faith driven entrepreneurs wrestle with, so they can find the encouragement and support as they get ready to head back out on the journey.
Faith & Finance (formerly MoneyWise) is a daily radio and podcast ministry of FaithFi. Hosted by Rob West, the program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to helping people become faithful stewards of God’s money.
Take control of your money once and for all. The Dave Ramsey Show offers up straight talk on life and money. Millions listen in as callers from all walks of life learn how to get out of debt and start building for the future. Check out Apple’s fourth most popular podcast! For more information, visit www.daveramsey.com.
While not coming at it from a Faith Driven perspective, there’s a lot we can all glean from some of the best practices of this favorite. In each episode they speak with the interesting stories. Their hope is they will help you better invest your time and your money, and teach you how to play with boundaries in your own life.
#6 The Twenty Minute VC
The Twenty Minute VC takes you inside the world of Venture Capital, Startup Funding and The Pitch.Listen to what some of most prominent investors are directly looking for in startups, providing easily actionable tips and tricks that can be put in place to increase your chances of getting funded. Although, you may not want to raise funding for a startup. The Twenty Minute VC also provides an instructional guide as to what it takes to get employed in the Venture Capital industry, with VCs giving specific advice on how to get noticed from the crowd and increasing your chances of employment.
The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits, a doctrine written by Milton Friedman, was published in the New York Times in 1970. In it he says that discussions that “business is not concerned ‘merely’ with profit but also with promoting desirable ‘social ends’” are “notable for their analytical looseness and lack of rigor. He argues that it is hard for “good” people to do “good.” In this worldview doing good and doing well are diametrically opposed, profits and purpose don’t mix, and making money is the only end goal. Is that really all it’s about though? Does it have to be so black and white? What if he was wrong?
In the 50 years since he wrote that article business women and men have challenged this narrative in ways that have snowballed into new movements ranging from conscious capitalism to benefit corporations to impact investing and everything in between.
At Access Ventures, we operate using a one-pocket mindset. We believe your values should be at the center of your strategy, and ultimately, at the center of everything you do, including business and investments. We believe you don’t have to sacrifice doing good or doing well in order to do either.
by John Putnam and National Christian Foundation
We think generosity is such a core piece of the heart posture of a Faith Driven Investor and why we think its key to be a part of the list. Check out some inspiring stories of Biblical Generosity is a podcast of the National Christian Foundation.
by Ellis Hammond
Really enjoying connecting with Ellis recently and encourage checking out his new podcast that he’s spinning up … “Are you a Christian who is bringing glory to God through excellence in your work or business? Are you looking for a community of like minded people who realize their work is actually a means of worship? Have you ever felt isolated from everyone as a christian entrepreneur? In this show, Ellis brings on amazing Christian entrepreneurs and business leaders to talk about godly ambition, what it takes to be successful in business, how to stay grounded in your faith, the kingdom of God, real estate investing, how to create wealth, financial education, and so much more!”
How do advisors go about integrating their faith into their investment practice — and at what cost? Tune in monthly to hear from GuideStone Funds® as we dive into a multitude of topics, discussing the upside of faith-based investing and myth-busting several concepts along the way. If you want to learn more about how your clients’ Christian values can be paired with traditional investment strategies without compromising their beliefs in order to invest their money wisely, then this is the podcast for you.
Others We recommend
by Chuck Bentley
Chuck is a good friend of the Faith Driven Investor conversation. At Crown he put together some great podcast episodes in short segments. It is a great 2-minute Crown radio program packed full of practical financial tips.
Thompson Thrift
Firm Headquarters: Terre Haute, IN
Date Founded: 1986
www.thompsonthrift.com
This page was updated April 2020
Investment Approach
INVESTMENT THESIS
Produce high quality assets that positively impact our team members and the communities we serve. To demonstrate Excellence, Service and Leadership in our work and to produce above market returns.
INVESTMENT OVERVIEW
Syndicated LP opportunities to invest directly with Developer (GP) in Class A Multi-Family Communities in dynamic growth markets across the United States.
Capital Raise Strategy
Strategy: Deal by Deal
Total Properties Under Management: 50 commercial properties totaling 1.1 million sqft and 18 multi-family properties with 4,857 units
Total Assets Under Management: $1.2 billion
Investments to Date: More than 250
Total Number of Investors: 332
Average Investment: $761k
% of Capital from Top 3 Investors: 25-50%
Minimum Amount: $250,000
Financial Reporting Frequency to Investors: Monthly and Quarterly
Setup to accept charitable capital through the National Christian Foundation or other listing platforms? No
Focused Geographic Regions of Investment:
Focused Industries of Investment:
Company Differentiator:
We are a Real Estate Developer with expertise in Multi-family and Retail Development. We are vertically integrated and possess in-house expertise and staff that include site acquisition, legal, due diligence, design, project management, finance, construction and property management. One of our big differentiators is that we are built to be very geographically diverse and are able to develop real estate throughout the country, moving to markets where opportunity is expanding and moving away from markets where it is contracting.
Investment Example:
One of our charitable ministries is the local Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC) in Terre Haute Indiana. After many years in a facility that did not allow the privacy and professional image that the CPC needed to serve its clients, we embarked on a mission to build a new CPC facility. The vision of the Executive Director was to be walking distance to the Campus of Indiana State University (ISU). This appeared to be a very tall order. Through our work we were able to win an RFP to provide off-campus student housing in the downtown core immediately adjacent to the ISU Campus. The project was to provide commercial space on the ground floor and 260 Student housing beds on the top 4 floors. We were able to structure this deal to a position where we were able to donate 7,000 sf to the CPC in a condo unit to be owned by the CPC debt free. We were also able to raise the additional dollars to build out the space to their specifications. The result was the compete renovation of a city block of downtown Terre Haute, new desired off campus student housing integrated into the downtown that fulfilled one of the strategic initiatives of the ISU Strategic Plan, the largest CPC in the U.S. that was now state of the art and owned by our CPC debt free that could provide services to walk-in ISU students. We were able to structure the deal to be a profitable investment while donating this space to the CPC. As a side bonus, the Planned Parenthood in Terre Haute shut its doors within one year of this CPC opening due to lack of walk in traffic and funding issues!
Previous or Active Portfolio PROPERTIES:
Previous or Active Portfolio Holdings Full list available upon request
As president of Thompson Thrift Development, Paul oversees the development of the company’s asset portfolio and new market opportunities. He founded Thompson Thrift with partner John Thompson in 1986. Under their leadership, the business has grown into the nationally recognized full-service real estate development and construction company it is today.
During his tenure as its president, Paul has successfully guided Thompson Thrift Development through the competitive real estate marketplace while expanding the company’s portfolio to include multifamily, institutional, industrial and commercial developments across the United States. His innovation and drive have fueled the company’s emergence as one of the country’s top privately owned real estate companies as recognized by Inc. magazine.
In 2008, he co-founded Watermark Residential, a full-service upscale multifamily housing developer. Since then Watermark Residential has developed a regional and national profile. The company continues to grow and develop and is actively working projects in 11 states.
Paul is involved in his community and serves on the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce Board’s Executive Committee, the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Board, the Indiana State University Scott College of Business Dean’s Executive Committee and is currently a member of the Terre Haute Tomorrow Steering Committee. He is past chair of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Board and the Wabash Valley Red Cross. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana State University.
As president of Thompson Thrift Construction, John is responsible for the overall direction of the company, including preconstruction, construction services, and field operations. He founded Thompson Thrift with partner Paul Thrift in 1986. Since that time, the two men have expanded the business into a highly regarded full-service real estate development and construction company.
Under John’s leadership the company has been transformed into one of the country’s premier general contractors, building up an extensive portfolio of multifamily, institutional, commercial, retail, restaurant and industrial projects. During his career, John has been responsible for the construction of more than 400 projects. His direction of the company has resulted in several industry awards for quality.
He is a member of the National Association of Homebuilders Leadership Board and the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development. His professional affiliations also include the American Concrete Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors Association. He is an active member of the community and has served as the board president of the Terre Haute Children’s Museum and a board member of the Boy Scouts of America. He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Indiana State University.
Ashlee is responsible for the oversight and growth of the company’s retail division, including all site selection, acquisition, development and leasing activities. Ashlee has more than 19 years of experience in the leasing and development of retail real estate. He began his career with a leading “Chain Links” brokerage firm in Phoenix, AZ, where he represented numerous national credit retailers and shopping center owners throughout Arizona. From there, he went on to represent retailers in their national expansion efforts as a consultant and preferred developer, completing numerous deals in several markets throughout the country. Following that experience, Ashlee worked on the development side of the industry, where he has been successfully involved in the leasing and development of 100 ground-up retail projects in multiple markets throughout the country ranging in size from single tenant build-to-suits to large-scale power and lifestyle centers. Since joining Thompson Thrift, Ashlee has successfully lead the completion of retail projects totaling more than $350,000,000 in market value.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in real estate from Arizona State University. He joined Thompson Thrift in 2006. He is a Licensed Real Estate Broker and an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
As Managing Partner of Watermark Residential, Josh oversees all facets of the company including site selection, entitlements, contract negotiations, strategic planning, financing and management.
Since joining Watermark in 2008, he has played an integral role in all aspects of the company’s growth which includes 33 developments spread across 11 states throughout the country totaling over $1.1 billion in project costs. Josh has specialized in developing multifamily communities since beginning his career in 2003. To date, he has been involved in over 50 development projects with a total value over $1.6 billion.
Jose oversees Thompson Thrift’s new Mixed-use Division. In this role, Jose focuses his efforts on the growing demand for projects that combine retail, residential, office and hospitality uses. The Mixed-use Division is a natural evolution for Thompson Thrift, which has developed 2,000,000 SF of individual retail, office and light industrial projects, as well as more than 8,000 Class A apartment units nationwide. This division combines the lessons learned and relationships developed since 1986 as the company became a leader in entitlements, development, construction and property management.
Since joining Thompson Thrift in 2009, Jose has held senior management roles within development operations for Thompson Thrift Retail Group, Watermark Residential. and Thompson Thrift Construction. Jose has spent much of his career assembling, land planning, entitling, designing and constructing residential and commercial projects, many under public-private partnership and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University.
Team and CULTURE
While not complete, one of the things investors have found helpful in the past is seeing how employees, customers have reviewed someone online. As of the date of completing this out …
Spiritual Integration and Impact:
Faith Driven Investing can span a wide range from high yield to concessionary returns that have a higher level of spiritual integration. Having clear expectations of this philosophy is key for the movement. Each investment is unique and you might want to select multiples but if you had to choose one quadrant that best fits your groups spiritual integration and financial performance targets … What would it be?
From the beginning, Thompson Thrift has always sought projects that will have a positive, transforming impact on the communities in which we are located. Our culture is shaped by our commitment to our mission: To Positively Impact Our Team Members and the Communities We serve, which is founded in spiritual principles. We incorporate a scripture stone on every commercial retail project. We have Apartment Life at every multi-family project where Apartment Life has coverage.
Describe the Spiritual Integration Activities:
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From the beginning, Thompson Thrift has always sought projects that will have a positive, transforming impact on the communities in which we are located. Our culture is shaped by our commitment to our mission: To Positively Impact Our Team Members and the Communities We serve, which is founded in spiritual principles. We incorporate a scripture stone on every commercial retail project. We have Apartment Life at every multi-family project where Apartment Life has coverage.
Is Impact and Spiritual Integration Tracked?
Are you partnered with any other organizations?
A lot of Investing Conversations look at Social Impact related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Is there one of these that most resonates with your organization?
WHY The FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR?
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Why are you compelled to be certified and a part of the Faith Driven Investor Group?
I want to be supportive of this effort to organize like-minded Investors and Entrepreneurs. I believe that God has called us to excellence and through exercising our God given gifts in a business setting we can advance the Gospel in a way that is unique. I hope to advance the Kingdom through my work. The Mission statement of our Company is to “have a positive impact on our team members and the communities we serve.” I hope to be able to more fully live out our mission statement by associating with other believers seeking to do excellence in their work while honoring their faith and advancing the Kingdom at the same time.
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Does the leadership align with the Unifying Principles on Faith Driven Investor and agree to the Code of Conduct? Yes
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Who nominated you to be listed on the FDI site? Justin Foreman, Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor
AFFILIATIONS- Are you a part of any third party groups, affiliations that you would like to list here?
n/a
Learn More
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Key Contact Name: Paul Thrift
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Phone: n/a
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Email: pthrift@thompsonthrift.com
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Mailing Address: 901 Wabash Ave Suite 300 Terre Haute, In 47807
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/thompsonthrift
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThompsonThrift/
Faith Driven Media
At this moment in time, it’s increasingly important that believers in Jesus share their stories of grace and how the Gospel shapes them wherever God has them in their work. That means seeing our calling as entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, or politicians as opportunities to display God’s craftsmanship to the unbelieving world.
Faith Driven Entrepreneur
The Faith Driven Entrepreneur is an informal initiative formed by people who believe that God uses entrepreneurs to bring about His Kingdom here on earth. Our mission is to help entrepreneurs who are hard at work on the trail, who are often tired, exhausted, under resourced, and confused. Here, they can find the rest, support, guidance, and provisions they need to head back out on the trail.
Faith Driven Athlete
Athletes share a unique sphere of influence. Their lives on and off the field affect every aspect of society, which is why these men and women want to share their story of faith with you. Get authentic stories from the biggest names in the game, in their own words and on their own terms, all pointing to something bigger than themselves.
