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One of developer Chris Thieneman's celluloid heroes is Rocky Balboa, the punchy pugilist from the boxing movies that bear his name.
Listening to the 6-foot-5, 230-pound former professional football player talk, one quickly realizes that Thieneman probably also is a fan of David (the one who conquered Goliath) or anyone else who has overcome obstacles in order to reach a goal.
Maybe that's because beating the odds is something that the Louisville native has tried to do throughout his own professional life, which includes seven years of pro football and 15 years in commercial and residential real estate development.
For as long as he can remember, people have told him that he's created unrealistic goals for himself, and he revels in proving them wrong.
"Some people underestimate me sometimes," Thieneman says. "I like to be underestimated. It's kind of like being, the underdog. I like being the underdog because it's motivation for me."
Developer is co-founder of Mint Jubilee
Thieneman, 38, is president and CEO of Chris and Tom Thieneman Builders/Developers LLC, a company that develops residential and commercial projects, including subdivisions, mobile home parks, apartment complexes, office buildings and shopping centers. His partner in the venture is his older brother, Tom Thieneman Jr.
Chris Thieneman also is president and a partner with the Tom Thieneman Real Estate Partnership, a firm established by his father, Tom Thieneman Sr. The company also develops residential and commercial projects, handles property management and oversees self-storage businesses.
Seeing himself as something of an underdog, Chris Thieneman has developed a certain affinity for others who have hardships facing them, as well.
In 1997, he, his brother Tom and actor Matt Battaglia founded The Mint Jubilee, a gala event held on Derby Eve to raise money for the fight against cancer.
To date, the event has generated more than $500,000 and funded the start of the Mint Jubilee Cancer Resource Center at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
Gridiron glory
Chris Thieneman grew up as the fourth of five children in southwest Jefferson County's Pleasure Ridge Park area.
As a youngster, lie played a variety of sports but excelled in football at the old Bishop David High School. He was a standout at defensive end and linebacker at the University...