Meet Curt
Founder/President
Curt Rafferty is the founder of Rafferty Development, which he established in 2003, with a hands-on approach that defined the companies early success. For several years Curt managed every aspect of the business himself, laying a strong foundation built on discipline, experience, and a deep understanding of real estate development. In 2013, his wife, Karyn, joined the company as CFO, helping to support and scale operations as the business continued to grow.
Curt began his development career with condo projects, building a foundation in residential development before expanding into commercial ventures. He went on to develop a strip center in Florida and later moved into hospitality, where he developed, owned, and operated a hotel. He brought this diverse experience into the retail sector, where he has spent more than two decades developing properties for Dollar General, completing over 150 store projects over the course of his career.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Curt has been recognized for his contributions to the community and was honored with the title of Kentucky Colonel. His leadership, industry expertise, and long standing commitment to development continue to drive the success and reputation of Rafferty Development.
Meet Karyn
Partner/Chief Financial Officer
Karyn brings a wealth of financial expertise and operational insight to Rafferty Development. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and spent more than 20 years working in accounting roles across multiple industries, building a strong foundation in financial management, reporting, and business operations.
Karyn's husband, Curt started Rafferty Development in 2003, and she joined him in 2013 to strengthen the financial structure and processes to support the company's growth. This marked the start of Rafferty Development's continued expansion and growth.
Known for her precision, reliability, and steady approach, Karyn is an integral part of the organization, ensuring financial clarity and stability across all projects.
Meet Heather
Heather brings a unique blend of communication skills and real-world business experience to her role as Director of Construction. She holds a bachelors degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Western Kentucky University.
With over a decade of professional experience, Heather has successfully served in multiple roles across the business developing a comprehensive understanding of operations, project workflows, and team dynamics. This diverse background allows her to approach construction leadership with both a big-picture perspective and attention to detail. As Director of Construction, Heather oversees project planning, coordination and execution, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and quality standards are consistently met. She is known for fostering strong relationships with clients, partners and internal teams, creating an environment where communication, accountability, and efficiency drive results. Her leadership reflects a commitment to delivering projects that not only meet expectations but exceed them.
Partner/Director of Construction
Meet Caitlyn
Caitlyn holds a Business Administration degree from Western Kentucky University. She has been with Rafferty Development for over ten years, building a deep understanding of the company through a wide range of roles. This diverse experience has shaped her practical, well-rounded approach and ultimately led her to her current position as Site Finder and Director of Real Estate.
Caitlyn specializes in identifying opportunities, evaluating locations, and working closely with property owners throughout the aquisitions process. She is known for being a strong listener and for bringing empathy and understanding to conversations with sellers, helping create a respectful and positive experience for everyone involved.
Her long-standing commitment, adaptability, and people first mindset make her an integral part of Rafferty Development.
Partner/Director of Real Estate
Meet Michael
Michael joined Rafferty Development in September 2020, bringing with him a strong background in engineering and land development. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Michael earned a bachelor's degree focused on geology and civil engineering, building a foundation in the technical aspects of site evaluation, infrastructure planning, and project development.
Before joining Rafferty Development, Michael spent 10 years working in the private sector, where he gained extensive experience supporting a wide range of land development and construction projects. In 2018, he earned his Kentucky Professional Engineer (PE) license further solidifying his technical expertise and professional credentials.
Outside the office, Michael is a five-time Iron Skillet Curling Champion - proof that his competitive spirit and focus extend well beyond work.
Partner/Director of Operations
Meet Lauren
Lauren is the book keeper as well as coordinator if the chaos at Rafferty Development, she brings a strong background in organization, communication, and business operations to the team. She first gained experience at a family business doing the book keeping as well as helping with the business operations, starting at just 16 years old and fully taking over the role by 21. Lauren later earned her master's degree in Communication Disorders from Western Kentucky University and worked as a speech-language pathologist from 2010 to 2022, first in acute care and later at a private pediatric practice.
In 2022, Lauren joined Rafferty Development, two years after her husband Michael became part of the team. Her diverse professional experience and attention to detail help keep the company's financial operations organized and running smoothly.