Our Story

We’re investors and operators with a passion for community and outdoors. We work to support locales by prioritizing responsible development, encouraging community involvement, and partnering with local businesses.

 

We’re inspired by large movements in industry and consumer behavior, including work-from-anywhere, a renewed passion for the outdoors, and a desire for human connection.

 
 
 

Aker is an organization focused on impact through community. Our brands use the power of local relationships to create economic growth and a sense of place for our neighbors. We strive to uncover existing, and create new, roots in our cities. We work everyday to bring energy to our residents and surrounding communities.

We believe that the future America features a series of vibrant, small cities, at the intersection of the outdoors. Neighborhoods with thriving, unique, and diverse cultural and innovation identities. Places that are distinct from the big cities in their access to nature, their costs of living, and their emphasis on collaboration. We’re working to build that future.

Team

  • Mike Amato

    Principal

    Prior to Aker, Mike was a Partner at Kent Companies, a Vice President at DDG, and an Analyst at Barclays Investment Bank. His education includes a BA from Brown University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Will Brocker

    Principal

    Prior to Aker, Will was a Manager at Bain Capital, an Associate at KGS-Alpha Capital, and a Senior Examiner for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. His education includes a BA from the University of Albany and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Michele Cade

    Chief Financial Officer, Real Estate

    Prior to Aker, Michele was a Director of Accounting at Waypoint Residential, a Senior Fund Accountant at Alphadyne Asset Management, a Senior Hedge Fund Accountant at Black Diamond Capital Management and an Associate Manager at SS&C GlobeOp. Her education includes a BA from Manhattanville College.

  • Brian Feldman

    Director, Investments

    Prior to Aker, Brian was a Vice President at Vornado Realty Trust and an Analyst at AllianceBernstein. His education includes a BS from Cornell University and a Master in Real Estate at Georgetown University.

  • Katie Tang

    Director, Operations

    Prior to Aker, Katie was a Director at KKR, a Vice President at Rockwood Capital, and an Analyst at JP Morgan. Her education includes a BS from New York University.

  • Tina Ladd

    Sr. Vice President, Development

    Prior to Aker, Tina was a Senior Project Manager at The Related Companies, a Project Architect at Morris Adjmi Architects and a Design Architect at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Her education includes a B.Arch from Cornell University and a Master of Real Estate Development from Columbia University. Tina is a licensed architect in the state of New York.

  • Paula Bracci

    Vice President, Property Operations

    Prior to Aker, Paula was a Senior Regional Manager at Cushman & Wakefield, a Regional Manager at Greystar, a Property Manager at Toll Brothers, and an Associate at Bozzuto. Her education includes a BFA from George Washington University and a Master of Real Estate from Georgetown University.

  • Vasily Chernoplekov

    Acquisitions & Asset Management

    Prior to Aker, Vas was an Associate at Mubadala Capital, an Analyst at VTB Capital, and an Analyst at Ernst & Young. His education includes a MiM from ESCP Business School and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Vas is a CFA charterholder.

  • Michael Fairest

    Vice President, Revenue & Analytics

    Prior to Aker, Michael was a Senior Manager at Sonder USA. His education includes a BA from the University of Michigan.

  • Ceva Makarenko

    Vice President

    Prior to Aker, Ceva was a Director of Construction at DOMIO Inc., a Director of Redevelopment at AIMCO, and held numerous roles with The Related Companies. His education includes a BA from Bucknell University.

  • Gary Williams

    Vice President, Construction

    Prior to Aker, Gary was a Senior Project Manager at Fairstead, a Co-Founder of BAMM Solutions, a Project Manager at UA Builders Group, and a Project Manager at Consulting Engineering Services. His education includes a BS from Trinity College.

  • Stephanie He

    Sr. Project Manager, Design & Development

    Prior to Aker, Stephanie was an Associate at Henning Larsen and an Architectural Designer at ZGF Architects. Her education includes a BSc in Architecture from McGill University and an M.Arch from University College London. Stephanie is a licensed architect in the state of New York.

  • Harrison Mack

    Associate, Investments

    Prior to Aker, Harrison was an Analyst at Madison International Realty. His education includes a BS from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and he is an MCIT Candidate at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science.

  • Alex Rellos

    Project Manager, Construction

    Prior to Aker, Alex was an Assistant Project Manager at The Walsh Group and an Assistant Construction Manager at Gilbane Development Company. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • Emily Wieczorek

    Accounting Manager, Real Estate

    Prior to Aker, Emily was an Accounting Supervisor at InCrowd, an Accountant at Waypoint Residential, and a Senior Accountant at Critical Mix. Her education includes a BA from Fairfield University.

 

Get in touch.

 

Want to partner with Aker? If you’re interested in what we’re building, looking to invest in our projects, or simply wanting more information on our organization, reach out.