Who We Are

At HEGG, we create memorable experiences that build community.

After eight decades, HEGG has been creating unforgettable experiences that build community. P. Ode Hegg did it first, door-by-door, step-by-step, farm-by-farm. In the decades since, we’ve expanded his vision, and the bold, innovative leaps we continue to take have landed us at the forefront of our industry.

From our roots in hospitality to real estate development to leading edge modular construction, Hegg has thrived over the decades because we know the difference between putting up walls and creating new spaces. And that the spaces we create are only as special as the experiences of the people within them.

From the entrepreneur who sees their vision coming to life with one of our projects to the traveler who wakes rested and content in one of our hotels, every person who steps onto a HEGG property plays a role in building community with us.

After eight decades, HEGG’s foundation remains solid, and there is no ceiling to our imaginations or our ambitions. We continue to grow. We continue to innovate. We continue to dream. And the expectations our clients have for us are only exceeded by our expectations for ourselves.

Let’s build something special together.

Woman with suitcase in hotel room

Leadership Team

Peter Hegg headshot

Peter Hegg

Founder

Paul Ode Hegg headshot

Paul Ode Hegg

President & CEO

Dione Deuel headshot

Dione Deuel

COO-Hospitality/ Director of Brand Experience

Rick Siem headshot

Rick Siem

Chief Financial Officer

Jared Vilhauer headshot

Jared Vilhauer

Asset Manager Executive

Family-owned since 1945

HEGG was founded in 1945 by Peter Ode Hegg. In 1962, operations expanded substantially after his son, Peter P. Hegg, joined the family business and transformed the company into a full-service commercial real estate and development business. Coupling his passions of flying, hunting and agriculture Peter embodied the entrepreneurial spirit to include eight John Deere farm implement dealerships in South Dakota and Iowa, a fixed base operation for general aviation, and a 4,000 acre working ranch and commercial pheasant hunting operation in Gregory, South Dakota.

HEGG started in the hospitality business in 1980 by managing an 82-room Thrifty Scot Motel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This quickly expanded to providing hospitality management services for 12 Thrifty Scots in the Upper Midwest. Under the company’s guidance, these properties eventually went through a brand conversion and became part of the Days Inn chain of hotels. Since then, we have managed over 50 hotel properties.

Today, the company is in its third generation of business and is led by Paul Ode Hegg. It has grown to specialize in all aspects of hospitality development and management for properties across the Midwest.

News & Updates

Our Projects

Peter Hegg headshot
Peter P. Hegg

Peter P. Hegg chairs the Board of Directors of Hegg Companies Inc. He has extensive experience in the development, acquisition, management, and disposition of real estate, including hotels, apartments and other commercial properties. He served as president and CEO of Hegg Companies Inc. for more than 40 years before his son, Paul, took over executive leadership of the family-owned business in 2002.

Peter formerly served on the Advisory Council on Small Business and Labor, which assists the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The council helps the Reserve Bank’s Board of Directors by providing perspectives on economic information and reactions to policy positions. He also has served on several other boards and commissions. He is a former chairman and member of the South Dakota Real Estate Commission; a former regent at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.; former board member of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce; past chairman and board member of South Dakota Diversified Credit Services; past board member of the Days Inn Franchise Advisory Committee; past board member of Days Inns of America Inc.; and a past or present board member of other organizations and companies throughout the region and the United States.He is the owner of the Circle H Ranch hunting lodge in Gregory, S.D. He graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and majors in speech and economics. Peter was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame for Business and the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame for his interest and contributions in the advancement of aviation in the state.

Paul Ode Hegg headshot
Paul Ode Hegg

Paul Ode Hegg is a creator. Paul has led Hegg Companies Inc. as president and CEO since 2002, and is the third Hegg to hold that position. His deep understanding of commercial real estate, development, syndications, and hospitality has laid the groundwork for many long-term client relationships and company growth.

As a visionary at the head of a third generation family company, Paul is uniquely suited to lead at this point in Hegg’s history, as he is gifted with both a deep, personal understanding of the company’s past and the vision to guide it into the future. He has led the company to fresh opportunities in hospitality that include restaurants and hotels. Hegg is a franchisee of Hilton and Marriott and a licensed Starbucks owner.

Expanded on the company’s business ventures he formed a construction company and start-up volumetric factory or more commonly referred to as off-site modular construction.

He is responsible for oversight of real estate development and management, commercial brokerage, and asset management of the overall portfolio. But simply, Paul sees himself as a builder of opportunity and community.

Dione Deuel headshot
Dione Deuel

Dione Deuel believes in leading through empathy and example. Dione joined the Hegg team in 2019 after two decades of leadership in the hospitality and retail sectors. In her role as Director of Brand Experience, Dione is a true people-first leader. She is passionate about creating spaces that are welcoming and comfortable for team members and guests alike. 

During her time at Hegg Companies, Dione has invigorated and shaped the company culture, reducing turnover, implementing comprehensive hospitality training programs, and enacting team member recognition programs. She is a meticulous, detail-oriented, and fun-loving professional who understands the value of investing in people. And she never forgets a name.

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Jared Vilhauer

Jared Vilhauer is a natural strategist. As Vice President of Development and Finance, Jared consults on finance strategy across the entire Hegg family of companies. He brings a decade and a half of finance experience to his role, encompassing a wide-range of financial disciplines.  He has been a CFO, a business banker, and a financial institutions examiner. Most recently, a founding member of Hegg Modular, the newest firm under the Hegg umbrella. 

Jared’s diverse experience has proven to be a valuable asset to Hegg Companies and its clients. As a business banker, he managed a large and diverse portfolio of commercial real estate and C&I credits, giving him a unique perspective in operating and investing discussions. Likewise, his time as an examiner has given him a keen understanding of the regulatory concerns our financing partners face as we look to structure deals.

Both data-driven and empathetic, Jared is above all known for his steady council and steadfast support for his team.

Kurt Whitesel Headshot
Kurt Whitesel
Kurt Whitesel understands what makes businesses tick. After years of experience in key operational roles in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses, Kurt has earned his reputation as an accomplished leader and expert in business strategy development & execution, operational & financial management, project management, change management, and business analytics. 

He began his career with “Big 4” public accounting firms, providing audit and consulting services for clients in retail, manufacturing, communications, governmental, and real estate. He has since successfully served in leadership roles in businesses at various stages of their life-cycles, from start-up to reinvention.

Kurt is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) licensed in the State of Ohio, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP). He is an active volunteer with the United Way of the Sioux Empire and a member of various local professional associations. Above all, he is a proud parent and grandparent, and husband to Jane, his wife of 35 years.
Wade Behm headshot
Wade Behm

President of Hegg Construction Wade Behm likes to say he pounds nails for a living, but that might be an oversimplification. Wade has 25 years of experience leading construction teams in a variety of industries, including multi-family, office, retail, hospitality, industrial, and public works. He also has extensive experience in leading development teams in private equity projects. 

Wade has a degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Nebraska and is a licensed Homebuilder, OSHA Certified, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He has served on various industry boards and stakeholder committees throughout his career, 

After years of guiding project stakeholders through the complex processes of design, entitlements, construction, and facility management, Wade has cultivated a unique combination of skills that make him invaluable to the company. He’s also pretty good with a hammer.

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