SHEA PROPERTIES COLORADO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Sales and Leasing
Aaron Koury is a relationship builder and skilled communicator in the sourcing and execution of Shea Properties' Colorado office, retail, and industrial project development and land acquisition activities.
A talented negotiator, Aaron sees past numbers, connecting people and ideas by understanding participant aspirations and priorities to promote the deal and close negotiations. Key accomplishments in Aaron's tenure with Shea Properties include the successful development of Village Center Station's Phase II and III projects and associated contract negotiations with long-term investment partners CoBank and Spectrum Communications. Aaron's 15 years of experience in contract review and execution has instilled an intense focus on the details; not only for the near-term but so that contracts are beneficially structured to investment interests for their entire lifecycle. Aaron is honored to contribute to Shea Properties' well-earned legacy of exceptional development based on earning the trust and respect of clients and partners - delivering excellence in every effort.
Aaron is a graduate of the University of Denver holding a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Real Estate.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Development
Dave Witte leads development success by building mutually beneficial relationships focused on maximizing user value and investment return.
A team leader at Shea Properties, Dave's extensive exposure to many market sectors and building programs provides a broad perspective on risks and opportunities. Dave's multi-dimensional knowledge base keeps him actively engaged in every aspect of development. From existing conditions due diligence to managing entitlements through local jurisdictions and coordinating the cross-functional execution of design and construction, Dave skillfully focuses a project's many participants on a singular version of success. Leveraging building and energy modeling technologies to enhance building efficiencies and predictability and infusing Shea's assets with practical long-term sustainability solutions are among Dave's professional strengths. Over more than 18 years with Shea Properties, Dave has led numerous office developments that populate both the Denver Tech Center and Meridian International Business Center.
Dave is a Professional Engineer registered in Colorado and a LEED Accredited Professional. He has an MBA from Rollins College as well as undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration from Utah State University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Development
David Vasquez is a tenacious facilitator of big-picture success focused on land planning, permitting, and approvals for horizontal development and below-grade infrastructure.
David's 40-year professional trajectory began as boots on the ground and progressed through a multitude of roles including designer, builder, and developer to amass an exceptionally well-rounded land planning perspective. A shrewd steward of resources, David pilots projects through the many layers of regulatory and stakeholder scrutiny required to ready greenfield assets for vertical development. A can-do, ready-for-action attitude leads the way in David's work, which is beneficially enhanced by his penchant on building lasting relationships with individuals and organizations along the way. David is most proud of his association with the birth, growth, and maturation of Highlands Ranch, where he began his career as a land surveyor and has been involved in many ways since. He appreciates Shea Properties' creative, collaborative, and encouraging company culture where everyone's two cents is understood as a wise investment in the greater whole.
David grew up in Pueblo, CO and earned a degree in engineering technology from the University of Southern Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Operations
A many-faceted professional, Eric Hecox, is a keen facilitator of collaboration across diverse interests who propels people, processes, and resources to mutual success.
As the Senior Vice President of Operations Eric is engaged in everything from business operations and project piloting to strategic visioning and political outreach in pursuit of Shea Properties' sustained success. An implementor of holistic consideration, his well-rounded understanding of market analysis, legal processes, finance, construction, and District oversight supports the synchronized synthesis of each project's many disparate influences. An expert in water resources, rights, and supply, Eric is heavily involved in many of Shea Properties' water issues and complex rezoning or entitlement efforts where his savvy enhances efficiency. A central presence connecting many perspectives, Eric helps Shea eliminates internal silos and serves as a vital bridge between the firm's different divisions.
Eric completed two Masters' degrees (Environmental Sciences and Public Affairs) from Indiana University following a degree in Biology from Lawrence University. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Zimbabwe.
Job Titles:
- Regional Vice President / Regional
A savvy actualizer, Jennifer's more than 26 years of multifamily property management experience includes marketing, training, and operations programs for new developments and property acquisitions. In overseeing all facets of regional multifamily operations - revenue management, expense control, capital expenses, and property performance - Jennifer assures the Colorado Multifamily Housing portfolio maintains the Shea sheen and standards. Appreciating the power of a positive experience, Jennifer focuses on putting people first to instill Shea's premium expectations for quality in the people who manage each asset. Having been the Vice President of Brand and Culture for several different companies, Jennifer knows how to help property management teams flourish. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Apartment Association of Metro Denver and has been recognized as a thought leader through publications and speaking engagements on the national level.
John Kilrow is integrally involved in all of Shea Properties' development activities, leading forward planning, risk assessment, and profit analysis across the spectrum of assets.
A figurehead in Colorado real estate, John has led Shea's Highlands Ranch development activities for more than 30 years, successfully closing on more than 10,000 lot transactions. A keen facilitator of fair negotiation, John's business acumen revolves around understanding all aspects of the deal and driving it toward mutually beneficial fruition. As a steward of development excellence, John serves on the Denver Tech Center and Meridian Business Center architectural review boards where he helps preserve each district's high standards for quality and design. John extends his virtuous consensus-building skills through leadership roles on numerous community-facing boards including the Centennial Water and Sanitation District, the Chatfield Reservoir Mitigation Company, and the Metro-Denver Economic Development Corporation.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Finance
Jon Todd is a critical cog with responsibility for oversight of Shea Properties' financial activities through clear analysis and cohesive communications.
Over more than 17 years with Shea, Jon's career has been defined by attention to detail and a beneficial ability to distill financial complexities down to easily digestible specifics. Jon is deeply involved in every aspect of Shea Properties' financial decision-making including budgets, loans, acquisitions, dispositions, modeling, formations, and joint-venture contracts. Before joining the Denver office, Jon was the Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for JF Shea's corporate office where he oversaw the acquisition of more than $3 Billion in real estate over a decade. His wealth of transactional understanding enables Jon to lead the many development loans, municipal bonds, and joint venture partnerships that exist in Shea Properties' financial ecosphere. Jon's work is intricately intertwined with Shea Properties' successful development of assets in Highlands Ranch, Meridian, and the Denver Tech Center since his arrival.
Jon is a Certified Public Accountant and holds both a Masters and Bachelors in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Asset Management
Kelly Cook manages 1.7 million square feet of office, retail, and industrial assets in Colorado while building stakeholder trust through thoughtful solutions.
Kelly leads the Colorado Commercial Management Group in actualizing operational success for a large portfolio across a combination of Shea-owned and third-party managed properties and many stakeholders. With more than 30 years of experience managing commercial properties, Kelly is at her best when tasked with breaking an issue down into digestible pieces to build participant buy-in. Kelly's intuitive situational approach across a complex array of property management issues instills confidence among associates. She recently led the opening of a new, large, single-tenant office building at Village Center Station II for signature occupant Charter Communications. An ardent adopter of Shea's ethos of always doing the right thing, Kelly is proud to be a strong contributor to a well-rounded team of professionals.
Kelly is a past President of BOMA, a Licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker, and a LEED Accredited Professional. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor's in Business Administration.
Job Titles:
- Professional Engineer With a Master of Science
- Vice President, General Manager of Special Districts
Ken Lykens draws on a diverse professional background to ensure effective community infrastructure and resource allocation across Shea's Colorado assets.
As the General Manager of Special Districts, Ken is responsible for everything from government affairs and political outreach to the day-to-day management of Shea Properties' special districts. These include Meridian, Meridian Village, Goldsmith (DTC), and Lyons Ridge Metropolitan Districts, a collection of assets encompassed by 3,635 acres and valued at more than $4.1 Billion. An expert in water/wastewater utilities, Ken has been integrally involved in water resource development in Meridian Metro Village. He is proud of his 30-year career in water/wastewater engineering on projects spread across the western United States.
Ken is a licensed Professional Engineer with a Master of Science in Finance from Denver University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Development
A veteran project leader, Lee's wealth of knowledge draws on more than four decades of involvement over a cross-section of responsibilities in architecture, general contracting, consulting, and project management. Having led both Shea-owned and client-driven developments in his Shea tenure, Lee is a strategic custodian of project resources who builds trust by instilling tangible return value in every investment. Guiding projects from concept to completion, Lee is intricately involved in entitlements, design development, and construction execution as a seamless presence. His Shea successes include commercial office development, DTC 5, and multifamily housing properties, Monaco Row and The York. Lee takes pride in his contribution to Shea's thoughtful consideration of each project's physical, financial, and aspirational ecosystem in pursuit of ideal solutions unique to the application, context, and ambition.
Lee has a Master's in Architecture from The University of Colorado and a Bachelor's in Design from the University of Florida.
Peter Culshaw leads Shea Properties' Denver office in development and operations by cultivating a collaborative atmosphere populated by proven professionals tackling tough challenges.
A veteran real estate developer of nearly 40 years, Peter successfully established both the Denver Technological Center and Meridian International Business Center, each a catalyst in the growth of greater Denver South. As the leader of Shea Properties Colorado, Peter exemplifies our resolute determination to do the right thing through a personal commitment to integrity and fostering a culture of community consciousness. Assembling a top-tier team of talented professionals, recognizing individual strengths, and compelling each to perform at their best to the better of the whole is fundamentally Peter's responsibility. Visionary leadership in the identification, analysis, and profitable execution of land asset development as reoccurring revenue is where Peter's talents coalesce to create long-term value for Shea Properties and investment partners.
Peter holds a bachelor's degree in Urban Land Administration from Portsmith University in England. He is a chartered surveyor and a Licensed Real Estate Broker in Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Construction and Development
Throughout his 35-year career, Randy has earned trust and built relationships by putting each project's best interests at the center of every decision. Cost-conscious and focused, Randy works with clients to understand must-haves and ensure the project's resources are allocated to the greatest benefit. Attention to detail and a profound intuition for particulars facilitate Randy's ability to assemble right-fit design and construction resources and foster a collaborative team atmosphere. Randy proudly led Shea Properties' successful dual-asset delivery of The Quincy and Prism, which included 359-units of luxury-living conjoined with a 100,000-SF premium-rate office building in downtown Denver.
Before joining Shea Properties in 2005, Randy worked as a Project Manager for a large General Contractor and also worked as a Facilities Manager at a large insurance company. Randy is a Facilities Management Associate through the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and graduated from Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor's in Business Management.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Construction and Development
A veteran developer and builder of nearly 40 years of combined experience, Ron's wealth of exposure to challenging sites, government requirements, and complex building systems have taught him to recognize and avoid pitfalls. Beginning with site and opportunity analysis, into consultant and contractor selection, through design and construction to completion and turn-over, Ron shepherds staff and resources every step of the way. He thrives on the intellectual stimulation of nurturing a development vision to fruition by steering team decision making toward best-fit solutions. Taking a long-term perspective on operational efficiency and durability, Ron infuses every project he touches with an appreciable sense of quality and lasting value. Key assets developed under Ron's leadership include a significant number of premium offices, multifamily, and retail properties throughout the Front Range.
Ron is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado, a LEED Accredited Professional, and earned a degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Job Titles:
- Developer
- Vice President of Acquisitions and Development
Will Little is a key figure in Shea Properties Colorado's pursuit of new markets, asset classes, and development opportunities in existing markets. Will is leading the acquisitions efforts here in Colorado, and will be expanding the current project pipeline by diversifying the project type executed by the Shea team.
A skilled developer Will is well-versed in all aspects of commercial real estate from sourcing and acquisition, to design and construction management through final occupancy and asset disposition. In addition to significant relationships and experience in many of Colorado's mountain markets including Vail, Aspen, Telluride, and Snowmass, Will also enhances Shea's position across Colorado's Front Range and other attractive markets nationally. Before joining Shea, Will's 17 years of experience in commercial real estate development concentrated on complicated, constrained sites and urban in-fill developments where the margin of victory is achieved by harmoniously maintaining rigorous control over a project's many disparate variables. His connections to potential financial partnerships and capacity to structure equitable joint ventures and secure municipal support round out his expertise.
Will graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Construction Management with a minor in Business.