Our Story
Since 1984
A Tradition of Trust
Michael B. Yanney founded the investment banking firm, America First Companies in 1984. Over the years, our company evolved and expanded into multifamily real estate and international agribusiness investments. To operate more effectively as an international company, we changed our name to Burlington Capital in 2006.
Today, Burlington Capital is led by an entrepreneurial team headed by CEO Lisa Y. Roskens. Since 1984, Burlington Capital has successfully developed and managed many unique business opportunities for institutional, private, and public partners.
Our History
By the Numbers
BILLION DOLLARS IN RAISED, FINANCED AND MANAGED ASSETS
INVESTMENT FUNDS
COUNTRIES WITH SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS OR PROJECTS
The Beginning of a Journey
Four decades ago, Mike Yanney founded what would become Burlington Capital, reshaping the investment landscape with his visionary approach. As a former top executive at Nebraska’s largest bank, Yanney sought more than conventional banking. Driven by innovation and resilience, he established Burlington Capital (formerly America First), launching the first S&P-rated mortgage fund—a groundbreaking achievement in the industry.
However, Yanney’s journey was not without its trials. The crash in the late 80’s posed a significant challenge, marking the company’s first major setback. While many of his peers faltered and conceded defeat, tendering apologies back to their investors, Yanney pivoted and spearheaded a strategic shift in the company. He founded a property management company and a construction management business, ensuring the completion of projects and fulfillment of promises to investors. This strategic move not only protected the assets within the Fund but laid the foundation for Burlington Capital’s ethos: a company of owner-operators committed to overcoming obstacles and delivering on commitments.
"We seek opportunities with an entrepreneurial spirit."
– Michael B. Yanney
Key Milestones
Created first master limited partnerships traded on the NASDAQ
Secured more than $327mm in US government funds for international agriculture development projects
Served more than 100,000 investors
Developed a leading property management team earning the prestigious Accredited Management Organization (AMO) conferred by the Institute of Real Estate Management
First and only company to successfully sponsor a limited partnership to acquire a distressed savings and loan institution from the federal government
Managed a $100 million equity investment partnership that was fully invested in food and agribusiness companies in the former Soviet Union
Has had four different funds accepted for trading on the NASDAQ
First to obtain a AAA Standard & Poor’s rating for a limited partnership
Founded an independent investment advisory firm that managed portfolios for individuals, endowments and foundations
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1984: America First Founded
1985: America First Federally Guaranteed Mortgage Funds I & II formed
America First Tax Exempt Mortgage Fund (TE I) formed
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1986: America First Tax Exempt Mortgage Fund 2 (TE II) formed
America First Participating Preferred Equity Mortgage Fund I
(PREP Fund I) formed
1988: America First PREP Fund 2 (PREP Fund 2) & PREP Fund 2 Pension Series (PREP Fund 2 Pension) formed
America First Financial Fund acquires Eureka Federal Savings and Loan Association from the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC)
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1991: America First assumes management of Capital Source I & II (Cap Source I & Cap Source II)
1993: America First REIT, Inc. (AF REIT) formed with 7 properties from
TE I
1995: AF REIT sold to Mid-America Apartment Communities
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1996: Agribusiness Partners International, LP formed
1998: Three PREP funds merged to become America First Mortgage Investments (MFA)
America First Tax Exempt Mortgage
Fund merged into America First
Multifamily Investors (ATAX)
EurekaBank sold to Bay View Capital Corporation
1999: Total Real Estate portfolio includes 40 properties with 14,000 units
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2001: Cap Source I & Cap Source II merge to form America First Real Estate Investment Partners (AFREZ) MFA becomes self-advised mortgage REIT
2002: America First Apartment Investors, Inc. (APRO) formed
Cantera Partners,
LLC launched with
its first monetization of milk powder in Kazakhstan
2003: APROZ merged into APRO
2004: AFREZ merged into APRO
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2006: America First changes name to Burlington Capital
APRO becomes self-advised REIT
Total Real Estate portfolio includes 50 properties with 19,000 units
2007: APRO purchased by Sentinel Real Estate Corp.
Agribusiness Partners International, LP exited
2008: Total Real Estate portfolio includes
40 properties with 8,100 units
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2012: APRO II, LLC formed
2015: Total Real Estate portfolio includes 90 properties with 18,000 units
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2016: Burlington Capital commenced exit of APRO II
Cantera awarded a US Government contract to evaluate the agriculture markets in Benin, Ghana, and the Dominican Republic
Cantera Implemented a high oleic program in Moldova and Romania in partnership with DOWAGRO
2017: Fund VI is formed
Burlington Capital created MANULIFE Farmland Services Company in Alberta, Canada
2019: Burlington Capital and Subsidiary Complete Sale of AFCA 2 Partnership Interests to Greystone
2021:
- Proven Ventures, a Burlington Capital Fund, launched
- Burlington Capital Ag-Venture, an ag-tech fund, launched
- Burlington Capital Multifamily Income Trust, launched
- Burlington Capital Multifamily Access Fund, launched
2022:
- Sale of CleanCore Solutions
2023:
- Transfer of Management of Burlington Capital Ag-Venture to Grit Road Partners
Burlington Capital is an alternative investment management firm that creates and pursues innovative business ventures through its experience, knowledge and relationships in the areas of real estate, international agribusiness and venture capital. We are committed to successfully developing and managing these unique business opportunities for institutional, private and public partners. Our established history of success can be attributed to our vision – to seek and recognize new investment opportunities in the rapidly changing global economic climate.
This vision is still part of our business philosophy today. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, our entrepreneurial team believes in the ability to combine traditional and new investment structures to achieve the desired balance between risk and reward, while maintaining a Midwestern work-ethic and strong values of integrity. Our ability to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities reflects our commitment to our long-term investors and partners.
WHAT WE ARE UP TO NOW
Recent News
Nebraska Growth and Development
George Achola and Patrick Alston had the pleasure of sharing a meal with Senator Pete Ricketts in...
Global Collaboration
George Achola and Patrick Alston had a productive meeting with Wendall K. Jones, Bahamian...
January Update- 48th and Dodge Multifamily Project
Exciting progress happening on our multifamily project at 48th & Dodge. Crews have finished...
Gail and Michael Yanney honored as the 2024 Conservationists of the Year
Congratulations to Gail and Michael Yanney, Chairman Emeritus of Burlington Capital, on being...
2024 Year in Review
As we close the chapter on 2024, a year that marked our 40th anniversary as a company, we take a...
December Update- 48th and Dodge Multifamily Project
The landscape of Omaha is really starting to change at 48th & Dodge. Crews have installed...