Our Team
“I’ve seen the CSG team’s talents in action and you can see the result in the neighborhoods where they work. In all placemaking endeavors, including their advocacy for the median projects on Grand & Snelling, Gena and Tom bring a consistent and compelling vision and have the persistence and presence to get projects done.”
-Melissa Martinez-Sones, Former Executive Director, Macalester Groveland Community Council; Consultant, Meyer Consulting


We collaborate with a team of professionals including architects, environmental scientists, engineers, real property brokers, appraisers & managers, attorneys, planners, developers, and financial analysts to provide comprehensive advice and services from inspiration to implementation.

About the Principals
Tom Welna
Tom is an expert strategist for real estate acquisition, development and redevelopment.  In his years of experience as the manager of a real estate fund he earned a reputation as a person who gets things done.  He has three decades of experience in executive leadership.  He served as a Deputy Mayor of Saint Paul, was a non-profit executive director, served as the director of a philanthropic real estate development fund and was the CEO of a development company.  His broad experience in local government, community relations, non-profit management, real estate development and pedestrian safety & transportation management provide him with the background and skillsets to provide clients the very best strategic advice.  Tom has served as a board member of MN2020, the Grand-Snelling Business Association (President), Saint Paul Smart Trips, Transit for Livable Communities, Scenic Saint Paul and the Salzburg Global Seminar. He earned a History degree from Macalester College and lives with his wife and two daughters in Saint Paul.
Gena Berglund
Gena has deep and broad experience in community & government relations. As a director & officer of a neighborhood council she became an expert in navigating neighborhood relations as it relates to the entitlement process. In her years as the Associate Director of a neighborhood-based real estate fund that owned apartment buildings, commercial properties and single family homes she managed rentals, leasing, contracts and contractors. Gena is dedicated to pedestrian & bike safety, and transportation management and has served on the boards of the Macalester Groveland Community Council and Saint Paul Smart Trips. She earned a B.A. from Saint Olaf College and a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She enjoys tending her various gardens and walking, running or biking in the Macalester Groveland neighborhood, where she has lived with her husband for over 20 years.