Executive Staff
Keith R. Guericke – President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Guericke has held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1988. Mr. Guericke joined the Company's predecessor, Essex Property Corporation, in 1977. Focusing on investment strategies and portfolio expansion, Mr. Guericke prepared the Company for its IPO in 1994. Since 1994, under his leadership, the Company has significantly increased its multifamily portfolio in supply-constrained markets in the West Coast region. Mr. Guericke is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the National Multi-Housing Council as well as several local apartment industry groups. Mr. Guericke began his career with the Company after working with Kenneth Leventhal & Company, a CPA firm noted for its real estate expertise. Mr. Guericke received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southern Oregon College in 1971.
Michael J. Schall – Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Schall is responsible for the strategic planning and executive oversight of property operations, corporate finance, redevelopment and co-investment programs. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Schall was Essex's Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the organization's financial and administrative matters. He joined The Marcus & Millichap Company in 1986. He was also the Chief Financial Officer of Essex's predecessor, Essex Property Corporation. From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Schall was the Director of Finance for Churchill International, a technology-oriented venture capital company. From 1979 to 1982, Mr. Schall was employed in the audit department of Ernst & Whinney, where he specialized in the real estate and financial services industries. Mr. Schall received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of San Francisco in 1979. Mr. Schall is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, the National Multi Housing Council and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Michael T. Dance – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Dance is responsible for the overall management and control of all accounting and finance related functions for the Company. He joined Essex on February 15, 2005. Prior to joining the Company and from September 2002, Mr. Dance owned and operated a private consultancy practice that provided audits and SOX compliance consultation and litigation support. In addition, since the fall semester of 2002, Mr. Dance has been an adjunct Professor for the University of California at Berkeley, HAAS School of Business and in July 2005 he was named the Executive Director at the Center for Financial Reporting and Management at the University of California at Berkeley, HAAS School of Business. Michael Dance began his career at KPMG LLP in 1978 and, from 1990 to 2002, was a partner with KPMG LLP, where he worked with clients in the real estate, construction, health care and technology industries. He graduated from California State University, Hayward with a B.A. in Economics and has been an active California CPA since 1980. Mr. Dance is a member of the AICPA and California State Society of CPA's.
John D. Eudy – Executive Vice President, Development
Mr. Eudy is responsible for development activities, from the point of acquisition through construction and stabilization. He joined Essex's predecessor, Essex Property Corporation, in 1985. While at Essex, he has been responsible for numerous activities including arranging of financing, due diligence, asset management and asset disposition. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Eudy was a Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Investment Group of Crocker National Bank from 1980 to 1985 and Home Federal Savings from 1977 to 1980. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Diego State University in 1977 and is a graduate of the University of Southern California's Management Leadership School. Mr. Eudy is a member of the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts and the National Association of Office Parks. Mr. Eudy also serves on the Board of Directors of Silvergate Bank in San Diego, which specializes in secured real estate lending.
Craig K. Zimmerman – Executive Vice President, Acquisitions
Mr. Zimmerman is responsible for acquisition activities. He joined Essex's predecessor, Essex Property Corporation, in 1984 and was responsible for the acquisition of various multi-family residential properties, suburban office properties and neighborhood shopping centers. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Zimmerman was the Vice President of Acquisitions with Prometheus Development Company, a national real estate developer and a principal in Zimmerman Properties. From 1975 through 1978, Mr. Zimmerman worked as a real estate acquisitions specialist for American Equities Corporation. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley in 1974.
John F. Burkart – Senior Vice President, Fund Manager, Essex Apartment Value Fund
Mr. Burkart is currently responsible for managing all aspects of the Essex Apartment Value Fund. Prior to taking on the Fund management position, Mr. Burkart was responsible for various finance duties including identifying potential sources of financing and negotiating joint venture and debt financing transactions. Prior to joining Essex in 1996, Mr. Burkart was a real estate finance consultant for various companies, including a one-year assignment in 1993 with Essex as part of the team that prepared the Company for its IPO. Prior to completing his Master of Business Administration degree in 1993, he was Vice President of Pacific States Management Company, where he was responsible for the property management and accounting departments, along with other corporate duties. Mr. Burkart received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Jose State University in 1987 and a Master of Business Administration degree in Real Estate from Golden Gate University in 1993.
Mark J. Mikl – Senior Vice President - Asset Management
Mr. Mikl is responsible for developing and executing value creation strategies for the Company's assets. His responsibilities also include, the origination and administration of secured debt financing, the property insurance program, and other risk management projects. Previously, Mr. Mikl served as the Company's Treasurer and Controller and actively contributed to the Company's various capital market activities and transactions. From 1987 to 1994, he was a manager with Shilling & Kenyon, Inc., a large public accounting firm, located in San Jose, CA, where he focused primarily on consulting, accounting and taxation matters for real estate clients. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from San Jose State University in 1985, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the same institution in 1988. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
Jordan E. Ritter – Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Mr. Ritter is responsible for various legal matters and manages Essex's relations with outside counsel. Prior to joining Essex in 1993, Mr. Ritter was a partner at the San Francisco law firm of Landels, Ripley & Diamond, where he specialized in real estate and environmental law. Prior to joining Landels, Ripley & Diamond in 1987, he was associated with the law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York. Mr. Ritter has been involved in numerous acquisitions and dispositions of various types of property, the financing of various types of real estate, and real estate tax syndications. He also has had extensive experience with leasing, property management and environmental issues arising in real estate transactions. Mr. Ritter received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from St. John's University School of Law in 1983. Mr. Ritter is a member of the California State Bar and the New York State Bar.
Erik J. Alexander – First Vice President - Division Manager, Southern California
Mr. Alexander is responsible for all property management activity in Southern California. Mr. Alexander joined Essex in 1997 as a Regional Portfolio Manager and later served as the Director of Redevelopment from 2000 through 2002. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Alexander served as the Director of Operations for Century West Properties, a Santa Monica based apartment developer and operator. Mr. Alexander also held a position as a real estate consultant with The Meyers Group providing pricing strategies, demand analysis and feasibility studies to new home developers and lenders Southern California. Mr. Alexander received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Certificate of Real Property Development and Management from the University of Southern California in 1990.
Gerald E. Kelly – First Vice President, Research and Due Diligence
Mr. Kelly is the senior due diligence officer for all acquisition and development activities and is also responsible for economic and market research. His duties include the review of operating histories and rental market and sales comparables; the verification of entitlements; building inspections; and the preparation of pro forma operating statements. He also performs the asset management function for the existing portfolio and is involved in the strategic redistribution of assets from one market to another. He is the commercial property manager for the non-multi-family assets. Prior to joining Essex in 1984, he was Director of Property Management for the Lucky Company and the Grupe Company, real estate investment companies headquartered in Northern California, and Western Regional Property Manager for Aetna Diversified Properties and Fox & Carskadon Management Corporation. Mr. Kelly received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Industrial Management from San Jose State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Santa Clara. Mr. Kelly has been awarded the designation of Certified Property Manager from the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Bruce Knoblock – First Vice President, Development
Mr. Knoblock is responsible for managing the development of several new multi-family communities mainly in the state of Washington. He joined Essex in 1984. His role includes budget development and compliance, entitlements, negotiation and management of construction and consultant contracts, and coordinating initial leasing activities with the property management department. Prior positions held at Essex include Project Manager for Joint Ventures and Project Finance. Mr. Knoblock received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Colorado and a Master's degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management.
Maura Lederer – First Vice President, Regional Development Manager
Ms. Lederer is responsible for land acquisition, entitlements, development, construction and lease-up of new multifamily projects in the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. In 2006, she was also named a "Woman of Influence" by Real Estate So Cal magazine. Ms. Lederer’s prior positions held at Essex include asset and account management as well as disposition of asset portfolios. Prior to joining Essex in 1993, Ms. Lederer was with Wells Fargo Bank specializing in problem loan portfolios in 1992; managed and negotiated contracts, leases and tenant improvements for San Diego developer Oliver McMillan from 1986 to 1991 and was a Transactional Paralegal with the law firm of Latham & Watkins. Ms. Lederer holds a Bachelor of Administration degree in Business from Fort Lewis College, graduating with honors.
Bryan W. Meyer – First Vice President, Acquisitions
Mr. Meyer is responsible for negotiating and acquiring new multi-family properties for Essex in the Pacific Northwest, as well as identifying potential development, joint venture and pre-sale opportunities. Prior to joining Essex in 1994, Mr. Meyer was an investment property specialist for the Pacific Northwest office of The Marcus & Millichap Company, where from 1990 to 1994 he specialized in the marketing and sale of apartment properties. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1990, with a concentration in Marketing and Finance.
Jeff Rowerdink – First Vice President, Acquisitions
Jeff Rowerdink is responsible for negotiating and acquiring new multifamily properties for Essex in the greater Southern California metropolitan area, as well as identifying potential disposition opportunities. Mr. Rowerdink has 23 years of experience in the multifamily industry. Prior to joining Essex in 1999, he was an independent owner and operator of multifamily assets in San Diego, California as well as multifamily real estate broker. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego in 1983, with a concentration in Finance.
Josh Corzine – Vice President, Senior Development Manager
Mr. Corzine joined Essex in May of 2002. He is responsible for land acquisition, entitlements, development, construction and lease-up of new multifamily projects in Northern California. Mr. Corzine also held the position of Director of Land Acquisitions at Essex. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Corzine was an Account Manager at iSyndicate.com in San Francisco and a Project Specialist for Legacy Partners Commercial, Inc. Mr. Corzine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Colgate University.
Adam Berry – Vice President, Acquisitions
Mr. Berry is responsible for negotiating and acquiring new multifamily properties for Essex in Southern and Northern California. Prior to joining Essex, Adam was a corporate and securities transactional attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Adam received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California at San Diego and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Law School.
Les Filler – Vice President, Development and Redevelopment Accounting
Mr. Filler is responsible for accounting and financial matters related to the Company's development and redevelopment activities. Prior to joining Essex in 2002, he worked as an independent financial consultant to a variety of enterprises. From 1988 to 1999, Mr. Filler was the chief financial officer of a group of real estate and other companies involved in acquisition, development, management and syndication of real property and business enterprises. From 1978 to 1988 he was an auditor with national and local accounting firms and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Filler received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Pacific in 1978.
Suzanne M. Golden – Vice President, Human Resources
Ms. Golden joined Essex in 1993. She is responsible for all human resources functions including the recommendation and implementation of personnel policies and programs, employee relations, recruitment and selection of corporate staff, performance management, health care and benefits administration, new hire orientations and oversees the Payroll department. Ms. Golden also works with the Director of Training and Marketing to develop human resources-related training programs. Prior to joining Essex, Ms. Golden was involved in benefits administration and recruitment for a non-profit organization. She has a B.A. degree in Psychology and a certificate in Human Resources Administration.
Gale Hansrajh – Vice President, Internal Audit
Gale Hansrajh joined Essex in 1989 and worked in the accounting department for the next 13 years where her last position held was Corporate Controller. In 2003, Gale became the Director of Asset Management and in March 2004 was appointed to Director of Internal Audit. Currently, Gale holds the position of Vice President of Internal Audit. Gale possesses a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Economics from the University of South Africa. She also holds a National diploma in Cost Accounting from ML Sultan College in South Africa.
Bryan G. Hunt – Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
Mr. Hunt is responsible for SEC reporting, accounting research, financial forecasting and
budgeting. He joined Essex on June 27, 2005. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hunt worked in public accounting for ten years where he worked with clients in the real estate and health care industries. He was most recently a senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP, and prior to joining
Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2002; he was associated with KPMG LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Hunt graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a B.A. in Economics. He is a member of the AICPA and California State Society of CPAs.
Eric Kramer – Vice President, Development
Mr. Kramer is responsible for negotiating and acquiring development opportunities for Essex in Southern California. Mr. Kramer also has responsibilities for entitlements, development, construction and lease-up of new multifamily projects in Southern California. Previously, Mr. Kramer held the position of Director of Land Acquisitions at Essex. Prior to joining Essex in 2000, Mr. Kramer was an advisor with Grubb & Ellis Company. He received a Bachelor in Science degree in Regional Development from the University of Arizona, a Certificate in Construction Management from UCLA and a MBA from University of Redlands.
Jamie Williams – Vice President, Information Technology
Ms. Williams joined Essex in 1989. She is currently responsible for managing our MIS department,
recently completing a company wide conversion to Citrix Metatrame. This allows centralized processing,
connecting our portfolio of properties to our corporate office. She is responsible for all issues on a
daily basis concerning communications, data and on going projects for the MIS department. She comes to
us from Apple Computer being certified in Microsoft, Novell and IBM environments.
Lisa Burton – Director of Finance
Ms. Burton joined Essex in 1999. Currently she is responsible for negotiating and originating debt financing for the Company's real estate investments and managing the Company's existing debt as well as other risk management projects. Previously she served as the Company's Corporate Controller and oversaw the corporate accounting department. Prior to joining Essex, Ms. Burton worked in public accounting for five years in the accounting and taxation fields where she worked with clients in various industries, including real estate. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1993. Ms. Burton is a Certified Public Accountant.
Darcey Forbes – Director of Marketing
Ms. Forbes joined Essex in 2004. Currently she is responsible for all marketing initiatives for the company, Essex University educational programs, internal communications and company events. Previously she has served as a Property Manager and Training Coordinator in which she developed the educational programs for Essex University. Prior to joining Essex, Ms. Forbes worked at Oakwood Worldwide in various property management positions for 6 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in History from Western Illinois University in 1998.
