Kirk Peterson Named CEO of Rental Research Services
[Eden Prairie, MN] — January 29, 2025 — Rental Research Services, Inc., a leading national provider of multifamily resident screening services based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, today announced the appointment of Kirk Peterson as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Peterson, who has been serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer since July 2024, succeeds Jenny Mikkelson, who is stepping down to return to her passion in the luxury travel industry.
Rental Research Services was founded by Paul Mikkelson in 1969. Paul’s son Lee took over as CEO in 2000 and served in that role until his death in early 2023. After his passing, Lee’s wife Jenny Mikkelson assumed leadership of the company. “Lee’s death affected our family, our employees, and our customers. It was important to me to take on the CEO role to ensure that, even during a difficult time, Rental Research Services and its customers would thrive. But ever since the early days of my tenure, my goal has been to identify my successor.”
Kirk Peterson brings a wealth of experience to his new role as CEO. His expertise spans workforce analytics and management, data governance, analytic enablement, project management, business process improvement, and business intelligence. "During my time as COO of Rental Research Services, I've learned a great deal about our industry, our customers’ needs, and our company's strengths,” said Peterson. “I'm excited to lead the charge in building upon the strong foundation that the Mikkelson family has established. We have a talented team, and I look forward to driving innovation and growth in our services to better serve our clients in the multifamily housing sector."
Mikkelson will continue her involvement with Rental Research Services as its owner while rejoining the agency Travel Beyond as Travel Consultant. A distinguished professional, she has been featured in the New York Times, interviewed by Minnesota Public Radio on their travel podcast, recognized as a Top Travel Specialist by Conde Nast Traveler, and was among the Top 25 Travel Advisors by Travel Agent Magazine. She said, “As I return to luxury travel, I am invested in and remain committed to the success of Rental Research Services. Kirk has proven himself as an exceptional leader during his time as COO. I am excited about the future of the company, and I know it is in the right hands.”
About Rental Research Services
With over 50 years’ experience, Rental Research Services is a trusted provider of resident screening solutions for the multi-family industry. The company conducts comprehensive background checks, including criminal and credit history, to provide its customers with reporting that is easy to read and understand and that helps property managers make approval decisions quickly. For more information, visit www.rentalreserach.com or call 952-935-5700.