The Wisconsin School of Business is proud to recognize the founders of The Bascom Group with the Distinguished Business Alumni Award.
This award honors individuals with exceptional careers who have made far-reaching impacts in their community, their industry, and at UW–Madison.
In 1995, Derek Chen (MBA, MS ’91), Jerry Fink (BS ’87, MBA ’90), and David Kim (BBA ’89) joined forces to found The Bascom Group, a private equity firm specializing in multifamily, commercial, non-performing loans, and real estate related investments and operating companies. Their business plan began with a simple premise: acquire residential properties during a time of rising defaults and unemployment and reposition them to create value.
Over the past 30 years, the co-founders and managing partners have continued to see remarkable success from this foundational business model and demonstrate their skill at navigating turbulent climates.
The result: The Bascom Group has ranked among the top 50 multifamily owners in the U.S., and has completed over $28.9 billion in multi-family and commercial value-added transactions, including over 428 multifamily transactions and more than 110,000 units.
“The Bascom Group founders—Derek, Jerry, and David—represent the greatest in the aspirations of what a Wisconsin Real Estate alum would want to be: accomplished, generous, humble, and in love with our industry,” says Michael Brennan, chairman and managing principal of Brennan Investment Group and former Irgens Executive Director of WSB’s James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate. “We should all be proud of the example The Bascom Group sets for both our school and our industry.”
Chen oversees Bascom’s corporate finance and strategic development. He is the founder and chairman of the Chenco Holding Company, LLC, a Las Vegas-based investment holding company established in 1991 that specializes in real estate and venture capital investments, including investment in raw land, housing development, multifamily residential, and industrial redevelopments.
Prior to co-founding Bascom, Fink held the role of senior acquisitions and sales manager for Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company. He currently oversees Bascom’s transactions team, which handles property acquisition, financing, refinancing, and disposition. Some of his most notable accomplishments include developing the firm’s investment strategy and designing and implementing Bascom’s deal acquisition process.
Kim focuses on Bascom new venture development, construction/portfolio management, and investor/civic relations for Bascom. He previously served as a senior analyst and development associate for the Disney Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, where he was responsible for business development and analysis of more than $400 million in retail, office, entertainment, and residential projects.
“We should all be proud of the example The Bascom
—Michael Brennan, former Irgens Executive Director of
Group sets for both our school and our industry.”
WSB’s James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate
The trio works alongside several other Badgers to propel the firm, including Joe Ferguson (BBA ’01), Justin Loiacono (BBA ’04), Darrin Olson (BBA ’93, MS ’97), and Chad Sanderson (MS ’04).
In addition to making their mark in the real estate industry, Chen, Fink, and Kim have also leveraged their expertise and resources from Bascom to leave a lasting impact at WSB. In 2021, the group received the Distinguished Real Estate Alumni Award for their support of the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA), the Wisconsin Real Estate program, and students who wish to pursue a career in real estate.
The co-founders have all served on the board of WREAA and sponsored multiple alumni events in Southern California and Madison. They’ve mentored countless WSB students, participated in skill-building case competitions, and generously named a classroom in Grainger Hall.
Through Bascom, the trio has also remained steadfast in its commitment to positive community impact. Since its founding, Bascom has earned 52 awards and accolades for its community service and social engagement, established a scholarship program for residents of their apartment communities, and was named one of the best places to work in the nation.
Read about the other 2025 WSB Alumni Award recipients.
From the Dean
“With devoted alumni like The Bascom Group founders, it’s no wonder why our school’s real estate program continues to lead the nation. Jerry, David, and Derek—who have all made significant impacts in the field of real estate—have been key partners in our efforts to expand learning beyond the classroom. Throughout their stellar careers, they’ve created numerous opportunities for students to build practical skills, make industry connections, and land top jobs.”