About

Since founding Preiss in 1987, Donna Preiss has been a pioneer in student housing, spearheading the creation of groundbreaking practices in development, financing, technology, operations, and marketing.

Tempered by her hands-on experience in all phases of student housing, Donna is a highly sought-after speaker and has represented the industry at conferences worldwide. She is a member of the NAA National Student Housing Committee and the NMHC National Student Housing Committee. Donna currently serves on the Executive Committee of the NMHC, the Board of Advisors for the UNC Wood Center for Real Estate Services, UNC Board of Visitors, Rams Club Board of Advisors, the NC Veterinary Medical Foundation Board and the Board of Trustees for Ravenscroft School, and is active in a wide array of charities. She is also a recipient of one of Triangle Business Journal’s CEO of the Year Awards and was recognized among the Women of Influence by Globe St. She has been recognized as one of the top women in our industry by Business Leader Magazine and Women in Business.

Donna received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA from the University of Maryland.

Principal Kirk Preiss provides decision-making authority on behalf of Preiss and oversees both property and corporate-level technology. As a 20-plus-year real estate veteran, he has contributed to the growth of Preiss’ current portfolio size. Before joining Preiss, he held an executive position in technology at IBM, which involved him heavily in the LAN and internet movement of the 80s and 90s. He produced patents and led international standards in his field.

Kirk received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, a Master of Science in Mathematics from George Mason University, and an MBA from Duke University. In 2002, he was appointed by Governor Mike Easley to the North Carolina Science and Technology Board. He is an Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and holds a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.

With more than 25 years at Preiss, John Preiss has held a progression of key leadership roles, including Broker, Vice President, Executive Vice President of New Business Development, and Chief Investments Officer. In these roles, he has played a pivotal part in driving the company’s investment strategy and managing its joint ventures. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. He currently serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC), is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and is an active member of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Student Housing Council.

Adam Byrley joined Preiss in 2003 and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer.

In his role, Adam oversees all day-to-day operations of the 32,000+ bed Preiss property management portfolio in over 14 states nationwide. These duties include the direct oversight of all day-to-day management operations and all corporate Marketing, Human Resources, and IT teams. Additionally, Adam plays a key role in implementing company-wide strategic initiatives and is a key contributor in the operational underwriting for all acquisition and development opportunities at Preiss.

Adam received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Susan’s role as Chief Acquisitions & Development Officer includes oversight of all acquisitions and ground-up developments, as well as substantial upgrades and renovations of both new and existing assets and dispositions. Susan’s team is also responsible for sourcing equity and debt for new projects and asset management oversight for existing joint venture partners. Susan brings over 40 years of development, construction, operations, new business development, and investment sales experience to the Preiss team.

Prior to joining Preiss 22 years ago, Susan served as a Regional Senior Director with CB Richard Ellis, covering the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Susan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business at North Carolina Wesleyan. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and as Chair of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation at NCSU (HSCSC).

Chad West serves as the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for accounting, financial reporting, and tax compliance, as he also directs the treasury management function and the company’s internal controls.

Prior to joining Preiss, he worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers as an Audit Manager serving construction, manufacturing, and real estate clients. He also served as a Controller for several private companies, primarily in the construction industry.

In 1997, Chad graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Sara Clark joined Preiss in 2005 and currently serves as Executive Vice President of Property Management. In this role, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the company’s national portfolio, which includes over 40,000 beds across 80+ student and multifamily housing communities. Sara also leads the Corporate Property Operations Team, ensuring seamless support for site-level teams and consistent execution of company standards.

A valued member of the Preiss Executive Team, Sara plays a key role in shaping organizational strategy and driving company-wide initiatives.

Throughout her tenure at Preiss, Sara has held various leadership positions, including Property Manager, Regional Manager, and multiple Vice President roles, contributing to her deep expertise in property operations and team development. Sara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Housing and Interior Design, with a concentration in Property Management, from Virginia Tech.

John joined Preiss in 2007 and serves as the Executive Vice President of Investments. As part of his role, John oversees the underwriting of new acquisition and development opportunities. Other key aspects of his position include market analysis, managing debt placement and execution efforts, and general transaction process oversight.

Prior to his current appointment, John served as Preiss’ Asset Manager and was responsible for the oversight of annual budget efforts, management of insurance programs, and creating tracking tools to assist property management with day-to-day operations.

John graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Business Finance.

Kyle joined the company a decade ago as head of Construction Management Services. In his role as Executive Vice President of Construction Management, he oversees all capital improvement projects for Preiss’ portfolio. While with Preiss, Kyle has provided various services, including due diligence, property need evaluations, ongoing capital improvement plans, budget analysis, and project management for existing student housing projects. Kyle is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management.

Jeff Bartholomew joined Preiss in 2020 and serves as the Vice President of Development & Construction Services. He is responsible for overseeing both current and under-construction development projects throughout the development phase and collaborating with the company’s Chief Acquisitions & Development Officer on potential new development projects.

Prior to joining Preiss, Jeff served as the Vice President of Development at Excel Group, leading development and project management functions. He has also held positions as Financial Analyst, Assistant Development Manager, Development Manager, and Senior Asset Manager.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Sally’s role as VP of Human Resources focuses specifically on Compliance, Employee Relations, and Benefit Strategies within the company. She oversees a team of HR professionals, who together manage all components of the end-to-end lifecycle of our employees.

Prior to joining Preiss, Sally worked for an international telecommunications business for over 20 years, where she held various HR roles during her time. These positions included America’s Recruiting Manager, North American HR Shared Services Manager, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor, and HR Business Partner.

Sally graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development.

David Leake has been part of Preiss since 2000 and joined the New Business Development Team in 2009.

He helps bring on new acquisitions, developments, and third-party management sites in the industry. He also plays a huge role in market studies and the due diligence process with new potential properties. David has been on all sides of the student housing real estate spectrum, including Real Estate Broker, Acquisition and Development, Leasing Agent, Property Manager, Project Manager, and Construction Management.

David graduated from Appalachian State University.

DeWana joined the company in 2008 and oversees two regional managers responsible for a portion of Preiss’ portfolio, including day-to-day student housing operations oversight. Since joining the company, she has helped to develop a scalable platform that has enabled the company to grow over the last several years.

A 28-year apartment industry veteran, DeWana previously served as a Regional Manager for Campus Advantage, where she operated a portfolio of seven on and off-campus student-housing communities comprised of 6,000 beds. She has held various increasingly essential positions within the industry, including Regional Manager for both Stokes-McCaleb and Place Properties.

Whitney joined Preiss 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 Preiss portfolio and broader multifamily markets.

Prior to Preiss, Kidd co-founded the connectivity scoring company, ROVR Score, which provides owners and operators a platform to monitor, score, and promote the quality of Wifi connectivity at multifamily dwellings. During her time as an active partner, she oversaw the operations, sales, and go-to-market strategy for the organization, which expanded to 50,000 student housing beds, 16,000 multifamily units, and 75 communities in the first year of business.

Whitney joined ROVR Score from RealPage, where she managed integrated business solutions across 70+ products to improve performance and drive top-line revenue growth for the Student, Military, and Urban markets. Prior to her departure, the business unit she oversaw achieved 30% YOY growth, resulting in $20 million in recurring revenue. 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.

She has over 15 years of professional experience in prop-tech and property management and is a founding board member of the W. Collective, a women in leadership network for the student housing industry.

Chloe Rasmussen joined Preiss in 2006 and currently serves as Vice President of Property Management. She oversees a team of Regional Managers, as well as the Raleigh and conventional multifamily portfolios.

Prior to her current role, Chloe served as a Regional Vice President, Regional Manager, Area Property Manager, and Property Manager.

Chloe is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Business.

Chelsey Harper joined Preiss in 2011 and currently serves as Vice President of Property Management. She oversees 24 of the properties within our portfolio across 3 Regional Managers.

Prior to her current position, Chelsey has worked in the student housing industry for 17 years as a Leasing Consultant, Business Manager, Assistant Property Manager, Property Manager, Area Property Manager, Regional Manager, and Regional VP.

Chelsey graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile and Apparel Brand Management and Marketing with a minor in Spanish.

Colton Lassinger joined Preiss in 2008 and currently serves as Regional Vice President. He oversees a number of assets within our portfolio and assists with strategic company initiatives and third-party management assignments.

Prior to his current position, Colton worked in the student housing industry for 20 years as a Leasing Consultant, Assistant Property Manager, Leasing Manager, Property Manager, Area Property Manager, and Regional Manager.

Colton graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

Mike Kivitz joined Preiss in 2010 and currently serves as the Director, Strategic Partnerships. Mike is primarily responsible for initiating and executing strategic growth opportunities for Preiss’ third-party management platform. Mike will continue to maintain close relationships with existing partners and clients, as well as seek new relationships in both student and conventional multifamily housing. Additionally, Mike assists the New Business Development Team with market research and due diligence efforts for both acquisitions and dispositions.

Prior to his current position, Mike has worked in the student housing industry as a Leasing Consultant, Assistant Property Manager, Area Property Manager, Regional Manager, and most recently Regional Director.

Lauren Dalia joined Preiss in 2006 and currently serves as Regional Manager. She oversees 8 of the properties within our portfolio.

Prior to her current position, Lauren worked in the student housing industry as an Assistant Property Manager, HOA Manager, Executive Assistant, and Property Manager.

Lauren graduated from Peace College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Mariana Morton joined Preiss in 2008 and currently serves as Regional Manager. She oversees 8 of the properties within our portfolio.

Prior to her current position, Mariana worked in the student housing industry as a Corporate Receptionist, Leasing Consultant, Business Manager, Assistant Property Manager, and Property Manager.

Mariana graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles Brand Management and Marketing, achieving Magna Cum Laude.

Jessica Decker joined Preiss in 2014 after seven years of previous student housing experience. She was promoted to Property Manager at Orion on Orpington in Orlando, FL, in 2015. Then, she quickly moved into an Area Property Manager role for two properties when Preiss acquired management at Arden Villas in 2018. She has led her teams through extremely successful leasing seasons and multiple extensive renovation projects.

Tyler Hey joined Preiss in 2015 as a Leasing Agent at Orion on Orpington and has since worked his way up the property management organizational chart, serving in a variety of roles and multiple different markets. Tyler served as Property Manager at Park on Morton in Bloomington, IN, as well as at University Park in Boca Raton, FL. Most recently, his time has been spent as a Management Specialist, where he’s traveled to sites to provide additional training to staff, onboarding new teams, and has played a critical role in filling a variety of on-site positions.

Marissa Sepulveda joined Preiss in 2014 and currently serves as Regional Manager, overseeing eight properties across five markets nationwide.

With over a decade of experience exclusively with Preiss, she has held various roles, including Leasing Agent, Leasing Manager, Assistant Property Manager, and Property Manager. Specializing in leasing, marketing, and new developments, Marissa has been instrumental in both on-site operations across multiple markets and the successful launch of three student housing communities in Greenville, NC, as well as a multifamily asset in Nashville, TN.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master’s Certificate in Organizational Leadership from East Carolina University.

Andrew Belter joined Preiss in 2011 and currently serves as Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Operational Strategy. He is building out Preiss’ business intelligence data platform while also developing the company’s overall strategy for operational excellence, with a focus on developing efficiencies to simplify team members’ day-to-day work and support the company’s continued portfolio growth.

Andrew previously served as Co-Director of Property Operations, where he jointly oversaw Preiss’ core property management and leasing systems, including the company’s 2024 migration to Entrata, alongside reporting, training, support, policy & procedure, and additional property systems.

Andrew has operated within Preiss as a Leasing Agent, Assistant Property Manager, Area Business Manager, Area Property Manager, and Operations Specialist since he joined.

Lane Sheer joined Preiss in 2011 and currently serves as Senior Director of Management Systems & Business Processes. She oversees Preiss’ property management and leasing systems, reporting, support, and policy and procedure.

She also oversees the company’s Operations Team, whose primary responsibilities include property support, managing system access, new property system setup, and auditing the compliance of leases, policies, and deadlines across the portfolio.

Lane is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.

Toni Yrlas joined Preiss in 2017 and currently serves as Director of Training. She oversees all of Preiss’ training processes, which include training on new software, creating thorough internal tutorials, and developing training videos to ensure all employees have access to a variety of resources to excel in their positions.

Prior to her current position, Toni operated within Preiss as a Leasing Manager, Assistant Property Manager, Area Business Manager, and Property Training Specialist.

Toni graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication Studies and obtained her Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Organizational Rhetoric.

Telsherree Hurd joined Preiss in 2006 and currently serves as Director of Management Specialists. She is a liaison to our Corporate Property Operations Team to ensure standardization and efficiency of corporate systems, protocols, and policies across the portfolio.

Prior to her current position, Telsherree has worked in the student housing industry as a Leasing Consultant, Assistant Property Manager, Regional Business Manager, Property Manager, Management Specialist, and Regional Manager.

Telsherree graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Government Pre-Law with a minor in Business Foundations.

Chantele Hawkins joined Preiss in 2005 and currently serves as the Director of Property Financial Management. She oversees the analysis of existing revenue operations and acts as the liaison between the Accounting and Property Management teams, helping our Regional Managers with accounting-related procedures. Additionally, she provides analysis and support to Regional and Property Managers on property financials.

Chantele graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Joe Woo originally joined Preiss in 2007, and after a brief time away, rejoined the company in 2018. He currently serves as Employee Success Manager.

In his role, Joe partners closely with Preiss leadership to take a strategic yet empathetic approach to shaping the employee experience. Known for aligning people initiatives with business goals, Joe plays a key role in driving engagement, enhancing retention, fostering company culture, and supporting long-term company growth. He is deeply committed to ensuring every employee’s experience reflects the company’s mission and values.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management with a Minor in Business from North Carolina State University.

Kasey began her career in operations as a Leasing and Marketing Manager while still attending college full-time. Joining Preiss in 2010, she has held increasingly more prominent positions supporting the company’s innovative marketing efforts. Leading an internal team of specialized marketing professionals, she oversees brand development, marketing and leasing strategy, creative messaging, and both corporate and property-level marketing. She is also responsible for overseeing resident programming initiatives, communications, sports marketing partnerships, and corporate events.

Kasey also works closely with the New Business Development Team to support new business presentations and strategies. She plays a key role in company functions and conference planning and implements the company’s philanthropic initiatives.

Kasey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication & Public Relations from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

Emily Endress serves as Creative Director for Preiss, where she leads the Corporate Design Team and oversees all aspects of brand development and creative execution, both at a corporate and property level. Since joining the company in 2015 as a Creative Marketing Specialist, she has steadily grown within the organization, previously serving as Creative Marketing Manager before advancing to her current role.

In collaboration with the Digital Marketing Team, Emily creates print and digital advertisements and campaigns to support portfolio-wide marketing initiatives. She’s also responsible for the design of property signage and essential marketing resources to align with brand standards, as well as Preiss’ corporate-level advertising. She also serves as a Project Manager for creative services, including website design and development for Preiss and all Preiss communities.

Over the years, she’s developed more than 30 unique brands for assets around the country and worked with her team to complete the company’s recent rebrand entirely in-house.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design with a minor in Communication & Social Interaction from the State University of New York at Oswego.

Dayvon Taliaferro joined Preiss in 2007 and currently serves as Senior Corporate Controller and oversees the Corporate Accounting Team.

She oversees the accounting, treasury, budgeting, and financial reporting for Preiss, all its subsidiaries, as well as over 100 affiliated real estate partnerships.

Additionally, her team’s responsibilities include processing payroll for Preiss and all the properties it manages, encompassing over 750 employees, administering the American Express corporate program, tax returns, chargebacks of corporate costs to properties, and accounting and reporting for projects in our AppFolio portfolio.

Dayvon graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

As Vice President of Product Strategy with over 10 years of experience in the industry, Ed has demonstrated a strong aptitude for leveraging technology to drive organizational success. He brings a passion for sports, gaming, and outdoor activities to his work and the valuable skills and discipline honed as an Eagle Scout.

Ed’s career with Preiss began in 2012 as a leasing agent, where he quickly distinguished himself as a driven and results-oriented professional. Through a combination of hard work, strategic thinking, and a commitment to excellence, he steadily progressed through the ranks, taking on roles of increasing responsibility and scope.

Today, as Vice President of Product Strategy, Ed plays a critical role in shaping the company’s technology strategy and driving innovation across the organization. From identifying emerging trends and technologies to overseeing the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions, He is dedicated to ensuring that Preiss remains at the forefront of the industry.

With a deep understanding of the complex interplay between business needs, user experience, and technical requirements, Ed is able to bridge the gap between varying stakeholders, helping to align goals and achieve success. Whether working with Executive Leadership or front-line staff, he is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation that supports growth and drives results.

Adam currently serves as the Director of Information Security, managing the Google Workspace environment, VOIP phone systems, Office networks, and other critical infrastructure. With over 16 years of experience in the IT industry, he has a wealth of knowledge in managing office networks, corporate servers, and other operational infrastructure. His expertise includes deploying and maintaining VOIP phone systems, Ubiquiti networks, Microsoft servers, and property management software. His passion for technology and commitment to quality have enabled me to excel in his role and deliver exceptional client results.

Javier Ginestra is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in student housing and a passion for technology, gaming, and Mixed Martial Arts. With nearly two decades of experience in the student housing industry, he has honed his skills in creating safe and vibrant living communities for students. Since 2003, Javier has been dedicated to improving the student living experience, consistently achieving high occupancy rates and resident satisfaction.

Javier’s interests extend beyond student housing. He is an avid gamer, finding inspiration in the strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork that gaming fosters. His commitment to discipline and personal growth led him to the world of Mixed Martial Arts, where he has honed skills in focus, resilience, and goal-setting. These qualities have proven invaluable in both his personal and professional life.

With a degree in Computer Science and Math, Javier has a strong foundation in technology and analytical thinking. He is enthusiastic about leveraging his technical expertise to enhance the student housing industry through technology-driven innovation and meet the ever-evolving needs of students and the communities they inhabit.

With over 20 years of experience in the Multifamily industry, Gavin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Preiss x IRIS Team. Having been in the Property Management industry since 2004, Gavin has held numerous roles from Property Manager, to Construction Manager, to Regional Manager over the years. Joining Preiss in 2007, Gavin has gained vast experience in portfolio management, organizational leadership, and owner relationships that greatly assist in leveraging perspectives from all stakeholders when analysing the goals of prospective projects.

Outside of work, Gavin enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids, participating in church activities, and working on classic cars. Gavin has a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Auburn University, and an MBA from Wake Forest University.