Management Team
Michael J. Schall – President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Schall, Director, serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Schall was Essex’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 2005 to 2010, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and executive oversight of Essex’s property operations, corporate finance, redevelopment and co-investment programs. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Schall was the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. He joined The Marcus & Millichap Company in 1986, and was 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 & Young (then known as 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 (inactive) 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 a California CPA (inactive) since 1980.
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.
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 – Executive Vice President, Asset Management
Mr. Burkart is currently responsible for asset management of the portfolio including evaluation of existing investments, renovation, disposition, capital investments, due diligence and economics. Additionally, Mr. Burkart is responsible for supervising Essex’s institutional co-investment program. Mr. Burkart was responsible for supervising all property management activity in the Northern Division as well as managing the fund business from 2008 to 2010. Prior to 2008, in addition to managing the fund business, Mr. Burkart created the resource management department and supervised the capital department in the Northern division as well as other operational activities. In 2000, Mr. Burkart was responsible for the creation of the fund business department at Essex and he focused a substantial amount of his time on that business through 2005. 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. Mr. Burkart completed his Master of Business Administration degree in 1993 after he left Pacific States Management Company, where as Vice President 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 - Capital Markets, Treasurer
Mr. Mikl is responsible for the Company’s capital planning, debt and equity raising activities and treasury. Other areas of responsibility include analysis of strategic initiatives, assetmanagement of the Company’s structured finance investments and non-residential portfolio and risk management program, which includes his role as the President of the Company’s wholly owned captive insurance company subsidiary. From 1994 to 2006, Mr. Mikl served as the Company's Principal Accounting Officer and Controller, and was responsible for the Company’s accounting, tax, treasury, financial analysis and external reporting functions along with being active in various capital market transactions and strategic initiatives during that time. 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 (inactive).
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 law including the impact of environmental matters related thereto. 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 – Senior Vice President, Operations
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.
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.
Adam Berry – First Vice President, Asset Management
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.
Angela L. Kleiman – First Vice President, Portfolio Management
Ms. Kleiman is responsible for Portfolio Management which includes review of portfolio performance, recommendations for portfolio allocations, and oversight of the Economics Department. Additionally, Ms. Kleiman is responsible for managing the institutional co-investment program. Prior to joining Essex in 2009, Ms. Kleiman's real estate career focused primarily on institutional investment management and investment banking. As a Senior Equity Analyst and Vice President of Investor Relations at Security Capital, she was responsible for over $2 billion of the firm's REIT investments and all client communications. As a Vice President with JP Morgan Real Estate & Lodging Investment Banking Group, she advised senior management and boards in strategic business platforms and capital markets transactions. Ms. Kleiman began her career in real estate development management in 1991. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management. She is a member of NAREIT and NMHC.
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
Mr. 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.
Bryan G. Hunt – First 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.
John E. Ghio – First Vice President, Marketing
Mr. Ghio is currently responsible for Marketing and has previously served in Asset Management. Prior to joining Essex in January 2010, Mr. Ghio was a Senior Vice President with Prometheus Real Estate group with responsibilities in the Finance, Asset Management, and Residential and Commercial Operations for 18,000 multi-family homes and 1 million square foot commercial and retail portfolio. Mr. Ghio has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco and is a California Real Estate Broker. Mr. Ghio is a past board member of the National Multi-Housing Council, California Apartment Association, and current board member of the Housing Industry Foundation and non-profit Societa Italiana di Mutua Beneficenza.
Andrew Baker – Vice President, Development
Mr. Baker joined Essex in February 2007. He is responsible for land acquisition, entitlements, development and construction of new multi-family and mixed-use projects in core California markets. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Baker managed the equity trading department at Wedbush Morgan Securities in Los Angeles. He previously held senior investment positions in San Francisco at Bank of America Securities, Barclays Global Investors and Opus Trading Fund LLC; trading equities, derivatives and fixed income assets. He received an MBA from Haas School of Business at Berkeley and a B.A. in Economics/Accounting from UCLA. He also has a California Real Estate Brokers License.
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.
Jeff Lambert – First Vice President, Construction
Mr. Lambert joined Essex Property Trust in January 2006 and is responsible for construction oversight for new development projects from Seattle to San Diego. Construction oversight consists of front-end ROM’s, design review and V.E., contract negotiations, construction QA/QC, scheduling and close out. Jeff is a LEED Accredited Professional and has over 18 years experience as a construction manager. His experience includes residential, commercial, and semi-conductor construction. Prior to Essex, he was a Sr. Project Manager at SEG Corporation, A.D. Seeno Development and Legacy Partners Commercial. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Design from the University of California Los Angeles in 1995.
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 (inactive). 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
Ms. 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, Ms. Hansrajh became the Director of Asset Management and in March 2004 was appointed to Director of Internal Audit. Currently, she holds the position of Vice President of Internal Audit. Ms. Hansrajh 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.
Michael D. Hubly – Director, Due Diligence
Mr. Hubly is responsible for overseeing the Company's due diligence for all acquisition and development activities. 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-multifamily assets. Prior to joining Essex in 2008, he was a Director with Regis Capital Partners, a private equity real estate firm, where he oversaw the firm's research and due diligence processes and its investments in multifamily, senior housing, and for sale residential properties. He previously served as President of Lifestyle Properties Inc. and as Director of Commonwealth Capital Corporation. Mr. Hubly graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Political Science.
Karen C. Seemann – Director, Ancillary Income
Ms. Seemann is responsible for developing and creating value through ancillary income programs. Her responsibilities include the in-house collections department, negotiation and selection of telecommunications, internet and other service providers for the portfolio. Ms. Seemann is also responsible for the utility recovery program, renter's insurance program and investigating new services and products for possible implementation company wide. Ms. Seemann joined Essex in 1998 as the General Manager of Bunker Hill Towers in Downtown Los Angeles and has headed up the ancillary income department since 2000. Prior to joining Essex, Ms. Seemann was a commercial Property Manager with PM Realty Group for 15 years managing various office, retail, industrial and medical buildings throughout the Southern California area.
Barb M. Pak – Director, Investor Relations
Ms. Pak is responsible for managing Essex’s investor relations program. Prior to joining Essex in 2012, Ms. Pak’s real estate career focused on investment management and research within the real estate investment trust (REIT) space. As a Portfolio Manager at Oak Hill REIT Management, she was responsible for making investment decisions in REIT stocks. As a Senior Associate at Green Street Advisors, she was responsible for analyzing and writing research reports on REITs. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Finance from The University of South Dakota. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
