Senior Management
Rick Holmstrom
Founder & Managing PartnerRick Holmstrom
Menlo ParkRichard Holmstrom is responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of the firm.
Prior to Menlo Equities, Mr. Holmstrom was a Partner at The Shidler Group, where his primary responsibilities included asset and liability management of The Shidler Group’s 20 million square foot private property portfolio. Mr. Holmstrom and Mr. Bullock worked together on the restructuring and recapitalization of The Shidler Group which included guiding and coordinating the initial public debt and equity offerings of TriNet Corporate Realty Trust (acquired by iStar Inc., NYSE: STAR) and First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE: FR).
Mr. Holmstrom is a member of the Executive Committee of the Policy Advisory Board of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at UC Berkeley, a member of the Stanford Alumni Real Estate Council, and an advisory board member of the DAPER Investment Fund at Stanford. Other previous outside board experience includes serving on the board of MB Financial Bank (acquired by Fifth Third Bancorp, NYSE: FITB), as a member of the board of directors of Buena Vista Fund Management LLC , as a trustee of The Nueva School, as a member of the Stanford Live Advisory Board, as a trustee of the UC Berkeley Foundation, as a member of the Advisory Board of the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, as a director of the Stanford Alumni Association, as a founding director of the Consortium for International Development, and as a founding director of International Development Exchange.
Mr. Holmstrom received his BA from Stanford University and his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
Kevin Kujawski
Partner, President & Chief Operating OfficerKevin Kujawski
Menlo ParkIn addition to spearheading the structure and formation of Menlo Equities Absolute Return Fund (MEARF), and overseeing the ongoing growth of this platform, Kevin Kujawski directs the firm’s daily operations and is responsible for facilitating the development, prioritization, implementation and oversight of Menlo’s strategic initiatives. Mr. Kujawski joined Menlo Equities in 2011 and previously served as Menlo Equities' CFO.
Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Mr. Kujawski served as Chief Financial Officer of Los Angeles-based River Hospitality Management, where he oversaw all aspects of finance, accounting, risk management and treasury operations for an upscale and luxury hotel portfolio. Prior to his tenure at River Hospitality, Mr. Kujawski was Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Division Chief Financial Officer for its Global Development Group. In this capacity, Mr. Kujawski led the company’s financial efforts in its acquisition and integration of Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts and Bliss Spas, while overseeing financial operations associated with new hotel development, architecture and design, and pre-opening operations. Before joining Starwood, Mr. Kujawski worked out of the European office of NYSE-listed Action Performance Companies in Aachen, Germany, where he served as European Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Kujawski is a certified public accountant in Arizona and served as audit manager in the mid-1990s for Arthur Andersen’s Phoenix office. Mr. Kujawski received his BS in Finance from Arizona State University and his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Jane Vaughan
Partner, Development & ConstructionJane Vaughan
Menlo ParkAs the Development Partner at Menlo Equities, Jane Vaughan has been responsible for all aspects of development of the company’s major projects since 1997. Ms. Vaughan’s 10+ million square foot development portfolio ranges from data centers nationally to traditional office and technology projects in Silicon Valley. In 2017, Ms. Vaughan completed the development of a 1.65M square foot technology campus in Santa Clara, including the 1M square foot headquarters for Palo Alto Networks. Currently, Ms. Vaughan is developing four data centers in NOVA, Phoenix, and Silicon Valley, totaling 2.2M square feet / 373MW.
Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Ms. Vaughan was a Development Partner at the Koll Company and a Vice President with Wells Fargo Bank’s commercial real estate group.
Ms. Vaughan holds an MBA with honors from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Finance and Accounting. Ms. Vaughan is a structural engineer and earned a Master of Science with honors from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in Civil Engineering.
Ms. Vaughan is a former board member and Chair of Goodwill in San Francisco. As Chair from 2012 to 2015, Ms. Vaughan spearheaded the sale of Goodwill’s under-utilized San Francisco property, creating a large endowment for the local Goodwill. Ms. Vaughan also coordinated the acquisition and remodel of non-profit Sunnyvale Community Services’ headquarters in Sunnyvale.
Christopher Chang
Partner, Business Development & Investor RelationsChristopher Chang
Menlo ParkChristopher Chang is a Partner at Menlo Equities and oversees Menlo’s strategic initiatives, leads the firm's engagement with its limited partners, and spearheads capital raising strategy and execution.
Prior to joining Menlo in 2017, Mr. Chang was in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs where he led the firm’s West Coast Real Estate investment banking business. Over the course of his investment banking career, Mr. Chang advised private and publicly traded real estate companies in raising more than $20 billion of capital and on more than $30 billion of strategic M&A transactions. Mr. Chang also held positions at JPMorgan Chase in New York, London and San Francisco in the Investment Bank Technology and Global Technology Infrastructure groups.
Mr. Chang received his BS in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University and his MBA in Finance and Real Estate from Columbia Business School where he earned Beta Gamma Sigma honors.
Michael Griffin
Partner, Chief Financial OfficerMichael Griffin
Menlo ParkMichael Griffin is responsible for internal controls and leads all aspects of finance and accounting, including debt financings, treasury management, tax and financial reporting.
Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Mr. Griffin was with Carmel Partners, where he was responsible for accounting and financial reporting for a series of real estate private equity funds. Previously, Mr. Griffin was a manager in the San Francisco office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he worked in the Assurance and Business Advisory Group, specializing in serving real estate clients. Mr. Griffin has broad experience in providing attestation services for commercial, retail, industrial, and multifamily real estate clients, and has extensive experience in accounting for operating and developing real estate assets, as well as joint ventures and partnerships. His clients included AMB Property Corporation (now Prologis), Stockbridge Real Estate Funds, and BlackRock Real Estate Investments.
Mr. Griffin received a BSC in Accounting with a minor in Economics from Santa Clara University and is a Certified Public Accountant in California. His professional memberships include the California Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
Chad Iverson
Partner, Acquisitions & Asset ManagementChad Iverson
Newport BeachChad Iverson joined Menlo Equities in 1999 and is responsible for the Southern California, Arizona and Minnesota operations of Menlo Equities, including property acquisitions, financings, asset management, and dispositions. Mr. Iverson has directly sourced and closed more than 40 investments totaling over 6.5 million square feet and currently oversees more than 3 million square feet. His experience includes the development of 550,000 SF of Class A office space in southern California along with the repositioning and releasing of over 3 million SF of value-added office and R&D investments. Mr. Iverson manages the Newport Beach and San Diego offices.
Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Mr. Iverson was with AEW Capital Management in Los Angeles, where he was involved in analyzing, structuring and closing high-yield investments in real estate, equity securities and operating companies with an aggregate value exceeding $2 billion.
Mr. Iverson graduated cum laude with a BA in Economics from Claremont McKenna College, where he was a leading member of the nationally ranked debate program. He was previously a member of the Advisory Board of Streamload.com, an online digital media storage service, which was acquired by Nirvanix. Mr. Iverson is currently a member of the advisory board for Mako Labs, a startup-phase on-line advertising, social media application and virtual reality game developer. He is a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).
C. Michael Johnston
Partner, Acquisitions & Asset ManagementC. Michael Johnston
Menlo ParkMichael Johnston joined the firm in 2007. Mr. Johnston has been involved in the acquisition and disposition of more than $4 billion of commercial real estate and the negotiation of more than 2.5 million square feet of leases with major corporations. His responsibilities include overseeing investment efforts in Northern California, the Pacific Northwest and the Mountain Region and working with institutional separate account and joint venture relationships in the digital infrastructure and development platforms.
Mr. Johnston holds a BA from Northwestern University. Mr. Johnston is a board member and a past Chapter President of NAIOP Silicon Valley; he also serves on NAIOP’s National Board of Directors.
Max Sanford
Partner, Acquisitions & Asset ManagementMax Sanford
AustinMax Sanford is responsible for the all aspects of the investment process including acquisitions, asset management and debt financings for the Menlo Equities portfolio in the eastern United States and Texas. Most recently, Mr. Sanford has spearheaded the expansion of the firm into a number of new markets including Austin, Raleigh-Durham, Nashville and greater Washington, D.C. Since joining the company, Mr. Sanford has been involved in more than $2 billion in transaction volume including direct sourcing of more than $600 million in acquisitions.
Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Mr. Sanford worked for North Dam Mill, a development group focusing on historic rehabilitation projects. Mr. Sanford is a member of the NAIOP Forums and was a prior group head for the NAIOP Silicon Valley Developing Leaders group. Mr. Sanford holds a BA in Economics and a BS in Mathematics from Claremont McKenna College.
Melanie Matthews
Senior Vice President, Property ManagementMelanie Matthews
Newport BeachMelanie Matthews’ responsibilities include oversight of Menlo Equities’ portfolio operations nationally, including financial reporting and forecasting, lease and contract administration, tenant relations and construction.
Ms. Matthews has over 15 years of commercial property management experience, with previous positions at The Irvine Company and Maguire Properties. Ms. Matthews also served as General Manager for Bixby Land Company, overseeing property management operations for 3.5 million square feet of industrial and office assets throughout Southern California.
A graduate of the University of Southern California with a BS in International Business, Ms. Matthews was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship for four years. Ms. Matthews holds a California Real Estate Broker License and enjoys mentoring new professionals starting their careers in real estate.
Allison Koo
Senior Vice President, Development & ConstructionAllison Koo
Menlo ParkAs a Senior Vice President of Development at Menlo Equities, Allison Koo is coordinating the company’s four data center developments in process in NOVA, Phoenix, and Silicon Valley, totaling 2.2M square feet / 373MW.
Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Ms. Koo was a Managing Director at Sand Hill Property Company. At Sand Hill, Ms. Koo was responsible for approximately 1.5MM SF of Class A Office/R&D in Stanford Research Park. Her developments have received numerous design honors, which include the 2017 Silicon Valley Business Journal Structures Award, 2nd place for Commercial Building Concept at the Rethinking the Future Awards in 2018, the 2019 Winner of The American Architecture Award (organized by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press), and the 2019 Silicon Valley Business Journal Structures Award. Ms. Koo also has extensive hotel development experience, completing both Marriott and Hilton branded properties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ms. Koo was honored as one of Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 under 40” in 2016 and has been recognized as a Bisnow Power Woman - Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Thought Leader in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Ms. Koo received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and her BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Koo studied abroad at Beijing University and the University of Seville and is fluent in Chinese Mandarin and Spanish.
Tess Pilli
Vice President, ControllerTess Pilli
Menlo ParkTess Pilli has been with Menlo Equities for 24 years. Ms. Pilli is responsible for day-to-day management of accounting, financial reporting and engagement with the firm’s external audit and tax consultants. Ms. Pilli works closely with the senior management, accounting, asset management, and property management teams. Ms. Pilli also serves as the firm’s accounting and property management database administrator. Prior to joining Menlo Equities, Ms. Pilli worked at Bayview Bank (which was acquired by Washington Mutual) and Provident Funding, where she worked in their accounting group.
Ms. Pilli is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a BA in Social Work.
Colin Albright
Vice President, FinanceColin Albright
Menlo ParkColin Albright performs an active role in Menlo’s strategic planning and analysis, with responsibilities that include financial planning and oversight of the General Partners, internal forecasting, and financial operations.
Mr. Albright brings 10 years of experience across financial functions at public companies. Prior to joining Menlo in 2023, Mr. Albright worked in corporate FP&A for Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), where he directed strategic planning efforts and served as financial lead on new market entries. Previously, Mr. Albright advised on acquisitions and capital projects at Emerson, and developed strategies for hedging and capital structure at Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX).
Mr. Albright received his MBA from the University of Virginia and BA in Economics from Chapman University. He was awarded a CFA charter in 2017.
Acquisitions & Asset Management
Javier Perez
Senior AssociateJavier Perez
AustinJavier Perez is involved in Menlo's acquisitions, asset management, and debt financing activities with a primary focus on the firm's Eastern United States and Texas portfolio. Prior to joining Menlo in 2023, Mr. Perez worked for Karlin Real Estate where he focused on office, multifamily, lab, and mixed-use development in Central Texas. Mr. Perez began his career with Goldman Sachs' Merchant Banking Division, where he was involved in acquisitions and asset management for Goldman's real estate principal investing business.
Mr. Perez graduated cum laude from Cornell University with a BS in Applied Economics & Management.
Jackie Gilbert
AssociateJackie Gilbert
Menlo ParkJackie Gilbert is involved in Menlo's underwriting and analysis of acquisitions, developments, and financings. Prior to joining Menlo in 2021, Ms. Gilbert worked as a Financial Analyst at Eastdil Secured in their Santa Monica office.
Ms. Gilbert graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California and holds a BS in Real Estate Development and Business Administration.
Maxwell Pearson
AssociateMaxwell Pearson
Newport BeachMaxwell Pearson is involved in Menlo's underwriting and analysis of acquisitions, developments, and financings. Prior to joining Menlo in 2021, Mr. Pearson worked as a Financial Analyst at LaSalle Investment Management.
Mr. Pearson graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California with a BS in Real Estate Development.
Reed Fratt
AssociateReed Fratt
Newport BeachReed Fratt is involved in Menlo's underwriting and analysis of acquisitions, developments, and financings. Prior to joining Menlo in 2021, Mr. Fratt worked at Green Street as a Market Research Associate.
Mr. Fratt received his BS in Environmental Science with concentrations in Business and Economics from Cornell University.
Henry Shimp
AnalystHenry Shimp is involved in Menlo's underwriting and analysis of acquisitions, developments, and financings. Mr. Shimp joined Menlo in 2022.
Mr. Shimp received his BS in Science, Technology, and Society and his MS in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.
Development and Construction
Katherine Ingersoll
Assistant Vice PresidentKatherine Ingersoll
Menlo ParkKatherine Ingersoll is involved in Menlo's development and construction activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2018, Ms. Ingersoll worked as an Investment Analyst at Hines in their Orange County office.
Ms. Ingersoll graduated cum laude from Harvard University and holds a BA in Architecture.
Business Development & Investor Relations
Debbie Ababa
Assistant Vice PresidentDebbie Ababa
Menlo ParkDebbie Ababa is involved in Menlo's marketing activities, capital raising, and engagement with Limited Partners. Prior to joining Menlo in 2019, Ms. Ababa was an Investment Banking Analyst at Wells Fargo Securities in the Financial Institutions Group.
Ms. Ababa graduated cum laude from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a BS in Finance and Accounting.
Christine Le
Business Development and IR AdministratorChristine Le
Menlo ParkChristine Le is involved in Menlo's capital raising and marketing efforts. Prior to joining Menlo in 2021, Ms. Le worked at Wells Fargo Bank and BluSky Restoration where she assisted in large-scale real estate renovation projects.
Ms. Le studied Accounting and Finance at the College of Western Idaho.
Elisabeth Muñoz
Administrative AssistantElisabeth Muñoz
Menlo ParkElisabeth Muñoz is involved in Menlo's office management and administration activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2020, Ms. Muñoz worked at a local law firm as an Administrative Assistant.
Ms. Muñoz graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.
Accounting & Finance
Debra Briggs
Assistant ControllerDebra Briggs
Menlo ParkDebra Briggs is involved in Menlo's financial management and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2022, Ms. Briggs spent over 30 years at Simeon Commercial Properties where she most recently served as Chief Financial Officer overseeing the accounting department.
Ms. Briggs has a BA in Health Care Management from California State University, Chico and has taken graduate level courses at Golden State University in finance and accounting with ongoing CPE accredited courses.
Jack Li
Senior AccountantJack Li
Menlo ParkJack Li is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2021, Mr. Li worked at Pacific Urban Residential (an affiliate of Marcus & Millichap) and Moss Adams LLP as a Senior Accountant.
Mr. Li graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Business Management Economics with an Emphasis in Accounting.
Karen Moffeit
Senior AccountantKaren Moffeit
Menlo ParkKaren Moffeit is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2022, Ms. Moffeit worked in the manufacturing industry as an accounting manager. In years prior, Ms. Moffeit owned a manufacturing business which she ran for over 20 years.
Ms. Moffeit is a graduate of Stanford University with a BA in English and MA in Education.
Johnny Duong
Senior AccountantJohnny Duong
Menlo ParkJohnny Duong is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2022, Mr. Duong worked at Pacific Urban Residential (an affiliate of Marcus & Millichap) and Moss Adams LLP as a Senior Accountant.
Mr. Duong graduated from Menlo College with a BA in Accounting.
Kayla Lee
Senior AccountantKayla Lee
Menlo ParkKayla Lee is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2023, Ms. Lee worked at De Anza Properties as a Senior Property Accountant. Before her time at De Anza, Ms. Lee worked at CCA Accountancy Corporation as a Tax Accountant.
Ms. Lee earned a MS in International Business from Joongang University in Seoul, Korea and is a Certified Public Accountant in California.
Wen Wang
Senior AccountantWen Wang
Menlo ParkWen Wang is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2023, Ms. Wang spent a decade as an auditor working at KPMG and Moss Adams. Ms. Wang also served as an internal auditor at Simpson Strong Tie, Inc.
Ms. Wang holds a MA in Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of California.
Maria Miranda
Senior AccountantMaria Miranda
Menlo ParkMaria Miranda is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and accounting activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2023, Ms. Miranda worked at the City of Milpitas as a Financial Analyst. Before the City of Milpitas, Ms. Miranda worked in the accounting department for Robinson Oil Corporation and Cypress Semiconductor.
Ms. Miranda holds a BS in Accounting from San Jose State University.
Jodi Johnson
Accounts Payable ManagerJodi Johnson
Santa ClaraJodi Johnson is involved in overseeing Menlo's accounts payable operations. Prior to joining Menlo in 2001, Ms. Johnson worked as an office manager at Master Institute and previously worked in accounts payable at other organizations.
Jasmine Velazquez
Accounts Payable AccountantJasmine Velazquez
Santa ClaraJasmine Velazquez is involved in Menlo's accounts payable activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2022, Ms. Velazquez worked in the Finance and Business Services department at San Jose State University and in Accounting in the non-profit sector.
Ms. Velazquez obtained a BA from San Jose State University where she is currently pursuing an MBA.
Dragan Saric
Manager, Treasury and FP&ADragan Saric
Menlo ParkDragan Saric is involved in Menlo's treasury and financial planning activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2019, Mr. Saric was on Fitbit’s Treasury team for three years where his responsibilities included global cash forecasting, cash management, audit compliance, and bank relationship management. Before Fitbit, Mr. Saric served as a Treasury Implementation Advisor at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Mr. Saric attended the University of California, Santa Cruz where he received his BA in Mathematics.
Anthony Pallone
Senior Treasury AnalystAnthony Pallone
Menlo ParkAnthony Pallone is involved in Menlo's financial reporting activities. Mr. Pallone joined Menlo in 2017.
Mr. Pallone graduated from the University of San Diego with a BBA in Finance and a minor in Political Science.
Property Management
Sharis Priest
Senior Property ManagerSharis Priest
Newport BeachSharis Priest is involved in Menlo's property management activities for the Orange County, Los Angeles, and Phoenix portfolio. Prior to joining Menlo in 2016, Ms. Priest worked with American Campus Communities where she was involved in leasing, accounting, and property management. Ms. Priest transitioned to the office/industrial sector in 2015 when she joined Bixby Land Company’s property management team.
Ms. Priest graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine with a BA in Political Sciences.
Krystal Hoang
Senior Property ManagerKrystal Hoang
Santa ClaraKrystal Hoang is involved in Menlo's property management activities for the Northern California, Boston, and Colorado portfolio. Prior to joining Menlo in 2020, Ms. Hoang spent over 15 years in commercial property management at Equity Office, Maguire Properties, and CBRE among other companies; and has managed different product types including Class A office, Class B office, retail, and flex office space.
Ms. Hoang received her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in General Management from California State University, Fullerton.
Kenny Chung
Property ManagerKenny Chung
Santa ClaraKenny Chung is involved in Menlo's financial reporting and collaborates closely with the Northern California property manager to serve the needs of tenants and vendors. Prior to joining Menlo in 2015, Mr. Chung worked as a Staff Accountant at The John Stewart Company, the largest affordable housing provider in California.
Mr. Chung holds a BA in Business Management Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from University of California, Santa Cruz.
Catherine Lawrence
Property ManagerCatherine Lawrence
Newport BeachCatherine Lawrence is involved in Menlo's property management activities for the Orange County, Los Angeles, and Phoenix portfolios. Prior to joining Menlo in 2018, Ms. Lawrence served as the Director of Property Management for Bixby Land Company, overseeing an office/industrial portfolio of 7.3 million square feet.
Before starting her career in commercial real estate, Ms. Lawrence studied History and obtained her BA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Callum Wallace
Assistant Property ManagerCallum Wallace
Newport BeachCallum Wallace is involved in Menlo's property management activities for the Southern California and Phoenix portfolio. Prior to joining Menlo in 2022, Mr. Wallace worked as an Operations Coordinator with EQ Office in their Costa Mesa office.
Mr. Wallace graduated cum laude from Azusa Pacific University and holds a BS in Business Economics.
Eva St Clair
Lease AdministratorEva St Clair
AustinEva St Clair is involved in Menlo's property accounting and lease administration activities. Prior to joining Menlo in 2014, Ms. St Clair spent 10 years with TA Associates Realty in Newport Beach, CA.
Ms. St Clair is currently studying Business Administration and Management at BYU Idaho.