Ben Hedrick, CCIM

Managing Partner—Investment Committee

In 2015, Ben jumped into the world of commercial real estate and co-founded a vertically integrated multifamily investment company. He has managed value-add renovation projects, led property management for 1000+ units in the Louisville market, and participated as a key principal in over $90M of multifamily acquisitions. He is a CCIM designee and a member of the CCIM Institute. Prior to his experience in multifamily commercial real estate, Ben served as an Executive Pastor in Louisville. Among his many areas of responsibility, he oversaw the $7M renovation of a church building property on the national historic register. The renovation received multiple awards and recognitions.

Ben formed Plowshares Capital to continue acquiring and operating workforce multifamily housing in a way that intentionally develops community. He enjoys providing opportunities to serve refugees, immigrants, aged out foster children, and other underserved populations.

Ben also serves on the Board at Refuge International which serves the refugee and immigrant community of Louisville. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Missouri Baptist University.

Eric Cornett, JD

Partner—Acquisitions, Underwriting, Investment Committee

Eric has over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate as a seasoned developer and investor. As a Partner at Plowshares, Eric’s professional experience brings strength to our acquis ions and diligence analysis efforts. He has led and managed all aspects of new development and redevelopment projects, focusing on the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. His portfolio includes single-tenant retail projects, grocery-anchored developments, big box power centers, industrial properties, and the redevelopment of a 670,000 square foot enclosed mall into an open-air mixed-use retail center.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Kentucky, where he also earned his Juris Doctor.

Before becoming a real estate developer, he was a corporate transactional attorney at Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC, a regional law firm. There, he specialized in corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, and commercial real estate development.

Eric is the Founder and Managing Member of Foxhole Real Estate, a Louisville, Kentucky-based full-service commercial real estate company that provides consulting services and develops properties for national clients. He also founded Green Ridge Investments, LLC, focusing on lower middle-market operating companies and commercial real estate in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Additionally, he is the Co-Founder and Partner of Diatom Aviation, LLC, an aviation support services company in Hebron, Kentucky.

Eric is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Kentucky Bar Association. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, collecting bourbon, following UK basketball, and spending time with his wife and two college-aged children.

Aaron White

Partner—Operations, Investment Committee

Aaron’s experience in both property management and social work illustrates Plowshares’ mission to Cultivate Holistic Wellbeing through Real Estate. Aaron has invested in real estate for over a decade. He has also worked in leadership roles for St. Jospeh’s Children’s Home, Sunrise Children’s Services, and the Orphan Care Alliance. Taking more than just a professional interest in foster care, Aaron and his wife are foster and adoptive parents. He holds a BA from Howard Payne University, and an M.Div from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. In addition, he and his wife are entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In his spare time, Aaron oddly enjoys running ultra marathons. Understandably, he also enjoys being outdoors with his family.

Paul Stropkay, CFA

Partner – Finance, Investment Committee

To advance the mission of Plowshares Capital, Paul leverages his experience in investment management and banking. He is the founding member of Sapphire Fiduciary Advisors, which provides discretionary investment management services to families and outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services to institutions. Paul also serves on the boards of Citizens Bank and its parent, Rockcastle Bancorp. He previously held the position of Chief Investment Officer for a national foundation and for an ultra-high-net-worth family office. Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Miami University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Case Western Reserve University. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2006 and is a member of CFA Institute. Paul lives in Louisville with his wife, two sons, and one terrier.

Chip Ridge

Partner—Acquisitions, Investment Committee

Donald “Chip” Ridge is a graduate of Washington & Lee University with an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Chip started several real estate and other companies over the last twenty-six years, including Heritage Title Services
which was sold to BB&T Insurance Services in 2007. His experience includes Strategic planning, Start up support, MultiState Operations Management, Sales and Marketing implementation.

Chip is President and Owner of Perpetual Title which is a regional title company that is licensed in 16 states and handles both residential as well as commercial transactions. He oversees business development and strategic planning. Chip is also an active real estate investor with projects in mixed use commercial development, assisted living facility and single-family rental portfolio. Chip is also a Partner at Vitality Senior Services which is a regional developer and operator of Assisted Living and Memory Care facilities. Vitality currently operates 850+ units and has an additional 186 units in their development pipeline.