The Multifamily Hangout

Kirk Downey is a seasoned professional in the multifamily real estate industry, recognized for his extensive experience and leadership. He has served as a Director and Board Member at the National Apartment Association (NAA), contributing to the advancement of the apartment housing sector.Throughout his career, Kirk has been instrumental in various capacities, including moderating panels at industry events such as the NAA Apartmentalize conference in San Diego, where he engaged with experts to discuss pressing topics in multifamily housing.

Whitney joined The Preiss Company in 2022 and serves as the Senior Vice President of Innovation and Technology.She is responsible for the development of revenue generating technology initiatives serving the TPCO portfolio and broader multifamily markets. Whitney has an innate and recognized passion for driving innovative technology—paired with operational best practices—to maximize performance. Her customer-first leadership approach delivers market-specific solutions focused on increasing revenue, managing risk, and decreasing expense through technology.Prior to TPCO, Kidd co-founded the connectivity scoring company, ROVR Score which provides owners and operators a platform to monitor, score, and promote the quality of internet connectivity at multifamily communities. As an active partner, she oversaw the operations, sales, and go to market strategy for the organization, expanding to 50,000 student housing beds, 16,000 multifamily units, and 75 communities in the first year of business.

Gary Gregory is the Vice President of Operational Initiatives at RADCO, leading centralization and strategic operations to drive efficiency, resident satisfaction, and financial performance. A seasoned leader and speaker, he is also the founder of The Gary Gregory, LLC, where he inspires personal and professional growth through his SUPERFANTASTIC philosophy. An author of multiple books, including The SUPERFANTASTIC ME and The WORST Leadership Manual Ever!, Gary delivers keynotes, presentations, and seminars on leadership and personal development. Based in Dallas/Fort Worth, he continues to impact the multifamily industry and beyond.

Vice President at H2 Real Estate in Birmingham, Alabama.In her role, Katelyn oversees 189 properties, 2,439 units, and 350,000 square feet of commercial assets. Her influence extends across the industry:President of the Greater Birmingham Apartment Association (GBAA).Active member of the National Apartment Association (NAA) Independent Rental Owners (IRO) Committee.Board of Directors Member for the Alabama Apartment Association (AAA).Katelyn is passionate about empowering others through education. She regularly leads seminars on Budget Preparation, Leasing Strategy, and Professionalism in the Workplace, sharing her expertise to help others grow in their careers and make a lasting impact on their communities.

Carlyle Swafford’s multifamily career spans a diverse range of responsibilities, combining Corporate and On-site Operations experience. His expertise is built on three decades of coaching, leading, and executing effective management, marketing, strategic financial planning, acquisitions, and third-party management. The communities and teams he has managed include REIT-based portfolios, Conventional and Military Housing, Low-Income Tax Credit, and HUD communities. Carlyle’s success is rooted in his ability to connect with individuals at all levels of management. He has led organizations as a member of the Executive Team, collaborated with Support Departments and Community Teams, and executed strategies designed to maximize NOI goals. His efforts have consistently improved successful assets, prioritized extraordinary customer service for both internal and external customers, and repositioned challenged communities while enhancing coaching and team building. Over his distinguished career, Carlyle has earned multiple Multifamily Industry Certifications, including CPM and ARM through IREM; HCCP and SHCM through NAHB; C3P through Spectrum; CAM through NAA; and the Military Designation CDPM II through PHMA.

Adrian Danila and Chris Moreno explore the key trends and opportunities shaping 2025 in multifamily real estate and beyond. 🌟 Topics include: The value of in-person interactions for building meaningful connections. The transformative potential of AI and its inevitable impact on multifamily. How improving efficiency in project cycles drives financial benefits. They dive into:🔍 Intentional curiosity and learning from diverse perspectives.💡 Open debates that fuel innovation and creativity.🚀 Technology's role in enhancing operations, safety, and resident experiences—while balancing progress with risk management. Reflecting on purposeful living, Adrian and Chris share insights on adaptability and making the most of every opportunity. 🎧 Tune in on Spotify and discover strategies for thriving in multifamily real estate in 2025. Don’t miss it! 👉 Subscribe now and join the conversation.

David Perez is the Senior Vice President & Head of Residential at RMR Residential. He oversees operations, management, and support functions, focusing on leveraging technology, processes, and data to achieve business objectives. David emphasizes the importance of people as key assets and upholds high standards of professionalism and accountability in daily operations. Since joining RMR Residential in 2017, David has applied his expertise across operational, strategic, and transactional disciplines. He previously held leadership roles at EY, Houlihan Lokey, AirServ Corporation (a subsidiary of ABM), and Slalom Consulting, gaining extensive experience in financial advisory, operations, and strategy for Fortune 500 clients. David holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia and is a certified Scrum Master. He serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Georgia Student Finance Commission, supporting educational goals and financial literacy in Georgia. Outside of work, David enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and supporting the Atlanta Braves and UGA Football, with a passion for building high-functioning teams.

Cat Martinez is a multifamily professional with a diverse and accomplished background in real estate. Her career includes serving as the Director of Quality Control for a nationwide company based in Dallas, where she oversaw courthouse research, appraisals, surveys, title insurance, and custom home building. During her tenure, she developed operations manuals, HR policies, AP/AR procedures, and multifaceted training programs to ensure quality reporting for major lenders and title insurance companies across the United States. For the past 12 years, Cat has been active in the multifamily industry in the Phoenix market, specializing in value-add assets. She currently serves as a Lease-Up Community Manager with Greystar, bringing her expertise to the forefront of property management. Additionally, she has experience in the non-profit sector, where she managed day-to-day operations, administration, and social media for a successful organization with global connections.

With more than 20 years of experience across single-family rentals, multifamily, student housing, development, and brokerage, Brandon is bringing a treasure trove of industry insights and leadership expertise to the table. Starting as a Leasing Agent during his time at NC State University, Brandon has built an impressive career. From managing student apartments at EdR (now Greystar Student Housing) to senior leadership roles at Kenney Realty Services, Pinnacle Property Management, and Progress Residential, his journey has been one of growth, impact, and unwavering excellence. In addition to his professional achievements, Brandon’s dedication extends to his community in Fayetteville, NC. He serves as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church and actively contributes to the National Rental Home Council and the North Carolina Rental Home Council.

Ben Nollola is Vice President for Gables Residential, overseeing operational execution across the western US portfolio, encompassing Colorado, Washington, Utah, California, and Arizona. Ben has worked for other reputable companies such as Holland Partner Group, Mark Taylor, Inc. and CWS Apartment Homes. Prior to joining Gables, Ben served as the Senior Vice President of Operations for a national company, where he managed a portfolio exceeding 10,000 units and supervised various corporate support departments. With a robust background in the multifamily industry since 1997, Ben has held various leadership positions in multisite management since 2009. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is one academic quarter from completing his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Executive Leadership from the University of Denver, earning the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma Honors nomination.