Leadership
Mark Lake, AICP
VP, Planning & Predevelopment, Wangard Partners
Mark leads planning and predevelopment efforts that help Wangard move projects from concept to approvals with clearer municipal alignment, stronger due diligence, and more predictable entitlement paths.
Overview
Predevelopment leadership that moves projects from concept to entitlement with clarity and momentum.
Mark Lake serves as VP, Planning & Predevelopment at Wangard Partners, where he leads predevelopment strategy and project entitlement efforts across the firm’s portfolio.
He directs site evaluation, municipal coordination, zoning approvals, and due diligence to help projects move from concept through entitlement across multifamily, industrial, and mixed-use development opportunities.
Portfolio impact
His work supports developments totaling more than one million square feet of industrial space and more than 2,000 multifamily units in multiple municipalities, along with mixed-use efforts including Olympia Fields in Oconomowoc.
Career background
Prior to joining Wangard, Mark led predevelopment and entitlement initiatives for national retailers including Walgreens and Menards, along with numerous residential subdivision efforts.
He also served as Director of Planning for the City of New Berlin, Wisconsin, where he oversaw planning operations, development review, and long-range planning initiatives.
What he leads today
Site evaluation
Assesses site conditions, constraints, fit, and readiness early in the project lifecycle.
Municipal coordination
Works across municipalities and review bodies to build alignment and reduce entitlement friction.
Zoning & entitlements
Guides approvals, zoning strategy, and entitlement pathways from concept toward shovel-ready execution.
Due diligence
Helps de-risk schedules and decisions through disciplined predevelopment review and coordination.
Ownership & leadership
Mark is part of Wangard’s minority ownership group and broader board leadership team, helping contribute to the company’s strategic direction and long-term continuity.
Credentials & education
- Master of Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
- Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
- Licensed Realtor.
- Currently listed by Wangard with credentials including AICP, CRRP, and CDP.
Approach
Align the municipality. Clarify the approvals. De-risk the schedule.
Strong projects require early clarity. Mark’s process connects site evaluation, due diligence, entitlement strategy, and municipal alignment so teams can move forward with better timing and fewer surprises.
Site evaluation
Assesses constraints, opportunities, and municipal context early.
Municipal coordination
Builds alignment with review bodies and local stakeholders.
Entitlements & zoning
Guides approval paths from concept through entitlement.
Due diligence
Reduces predevelopment risk through disciplined review and coordination.
Connect
Looking to connect on site strategy or entitlement planning?
Whether you are evaluating a site, working through municipal approvals, or shaping a predevelopment path, Wangard’s team is ready to help.
Prefer to call? 414-777-1200