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Smart Spaces features high-level executives from the tech, services, multifamily, and hospitality industries. Interested in speaking at an upcoming event?
Leaders in Multifamily and Hospitality Tech
Smart Spaces brings together property owners, building managers, and technology leaders to discuss key trends, network, and share insights.
Kaushik Mani is the Director of Amazon Key. After founding Amazon Key's devices business, he scaled it to be one of Amazon's largest property technology businesses. Kaushik holds 15+ patents and has invented numerous technologies over the last 10+years. He joined Amazon as part of an acqui-hire deal to evaluate integration opportunities of his latest home invention - a gift-wrapping robot. Today, Kaushik’s organization builds disruptive access and secure delivery devices, software, and services for residential and commercial properties. In January 2020, Amazon Key’s technology was recognized as the Best Smart Security Product at CES. Amazon Key enables on-time and reliable deliveries to over 15MM locations across 10 countries. Kaushik and his team work with the top real estate and operations executives around the world to solve their access and secure delivery challenges, increase operational efficiency, and improve their customer experience. Kaushik regularly speaks to global audiences of technologists and holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.
Ian Mattingly
President Luma Residential
Ian Mattingly
President | Luma Residential
Ian Mattingly is the president/CEO of LUMA Residential, a private multifamily investment and property management firm based in Dallas. He also serves on the board for Bob.ai, an AI-enabled ERP for assisted renters and the housing providers and non-profits who serve them. Ian is a partner/advisor with Alloy Investments, an early-stage prop-tech focused VC firm, and is frequently tapped to advise early and seed-stage prop-tech startups. He was named one of 2021’s Best Bosses by Globe Street, a national real estate publication. Ian frequently speaks and writes about technology and leadership in the real estate industry across the country.
Thomas Stanchak
Managing Director of Sustainability Stoneweg US
Thomas Stanchak
Managing Director of Sustainability | Stoneweg US
Tom began his career with Stoneweg US in 2017 as an Asset Manager, where he was responsible for overseeing operations, maximizing occupancy, and maintaining budgets for 17 assets in the Midwest region. In 2019, Tom was promoted to Senior Asset Manager assuming operational responsibility for more than 50% of total AUMs; where his operational leadership was hugely impactful in the Company’s ability to deliver healthy returns to its investors that year. In 2020, Tom began focusing his efforts on implementing various energy-efficient and innovative practices to his portfolio by introducing water use conservation, LED retrofits, and effective recycling methods that would not only incorporate sustainability, but also provide key value-add for residents. Tom is now the Managing Director of Sustainability at Stoneweg US due to his success and influence in reshaping the Company’s ESG strategy.
2024 Speakers
Noel Arvizu
Director of Sales ADT Multifamily
Noel Arvizu
Director of Sales | ADT Multifamily
Noel Arvizu, Director of Sales, ADT Multifamily
Dean Fung-A-Wing
Founder & CEO Kairos
Dean Fung-A-Wing
Founder & CEO | Kairos
Dean founded a luxury home service company in Atlanta, serving 40k+ customers, which inspired the creation of Kairos, a digital water tech firm. Focused on asset protection and water conservation, Kairos utilizes a patented metering and leak detection system. With experience from 3,000+ water damage cases and insights from insurance providers, Dean understands the importance of reducing insurance claims. Kairos has safeguarded 17k+ units from water-related insurance claims and aims to bolster real estate resiliency and sustainability through advanced technologies.
Florian Gallini
CEO Interel
Florian Gallini
CEO | Interel
Florian Gallini, CEO, Interel
Robert Gaulden
Go To Market Director, Zentra Access Solutions Allegion
Robert Gaulden
Go To Market Director, Zentra Access Solutions | Allegion
Robert loves application of technology to deliver a stronger customer experience, drive operational efficiency or solve a market specific need. With more than 20 years of security industry experience, Robert has focused on technology partnerships, business development and security policy. As the Go-to-Market leader of Allegion’s Zentra Access Solutions business unit, he brings a unique perspective and understanding of the role technology plays in delivering a seamless experience in multifamily for owners, developers, property managers and residents. Robert has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. He has been featured in Security Sales & Integrator (SSI), A&S International and Security System News, where he was chosen as a “20 under 40” honoree in 2013. Most recently, Robert was recognized by Globe St as a 2023 Multifamily Influencer.
Preston Grutzmacher
Residential Business Leader, North America Salto Systems
Preston Grutzmacher
Residential Business Leader, North America | Salto Systems
I love helping others discover interesting solutions to the facility challenges they face. It's even more fulfilling to help them identify and rectify hidden building inefficiencies. Take a look at the mechanical key as an example; it was invented thousands of years ago with only small tech improvements in the last few decades So why does almost every building still use outdated technology? The answer is probably because they don’t know any better. Here at SALTO, we help solve the problem of managing mechanical keys and delivering exceptional access control. My enthusiasm is on full display when working through these challenges, whether on a phone call, hosting a webinar, or leading a meeting, I'm excited! Outside of work, I'm a dedicated father, husband and enjoy discovering all that Minnesota has to offer.
Nikki Harper
Area Director of Sales Aimbridge
Nikki Harper
Area Director of Sales | Aimbridge
Have 20+ years in Hospitality. Graduated from Southern University with my Associate Degree, then went on to Wiley College where I got my BA. Native of Louisiana. Started out as front desk agent in 1995 for Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Bossier City, LA. Move to Dallas in 2008 where I raised my daughter and son. Both graduated from Plano West. Daughter is a Talent Acquisition Coordinator at Methodist Hospital and Son is a Manager for Liberty Mutual in Plano. I have worked Hotel Taskforce for 5 years. Which allowed me an opportunity to travel from West to the East coast to work in beautiful hotels and develop relationships with some awesome people. Have a very diverse background. From Public Relations, Fraud Investigator, Planner, to Sales. All of the jobs I have worked lead me back to hospitality.
Michael Harrison
President Native Smart Properties
Michael Harrison
President | Native Smart Properties
For over 25 years, I have led several business entities focused solely on the security and smart home vertical. From becoming an active security dealer and finance director to a security brand partner, the rental market is the most exciting of all to benefit from the delivery of smart community products and services.
Kara Heermans leads SONIFI's product strategy and creation of end user experiences. She and her team work closely with hotels of all sizes, from major brands to casinos to small boutiques, to build personalized, scalable technology and memorable guest experiences. Heermans joined SONIFI in 2005 to manage the design team and transitioned to her role in Product Management in 2015. Heermans holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies from Penn State University.
Adam Hepworth
President Della Connect
Adam Hepworth
President | Della Connect
Adam Hepworth, a trailblazer in the smart building industry since 1999, long before the era of smartphones. With visionary foresight, Adam pioneered web interfaces for building management, laying the foundation for today's intelligent infrastructures. Through highs and lows, Adam's resilience has been unwavering. A founding partner of Solexica, Connectrix Citylink & Della Connect, and a distinguished Senior Executive, he boasts a stellar track record in the global automation and smart building sectors. Throughout his illustrious career, Adam has masterfully navigated challenges, transforming them into opportunities and leading businesses to unparalleled success.
Neha Jaitpal
Global General Manager - Hospitality Honeywell
Neha Jaitpal
Global General Manager - Hospitality | Honeywell
Neha Jaitpal serves as the Global General Manager for Honeywell's Hospitality business, where she leads the delivery of transformative leadership and operational strategies. In her role, Neha is instrumental in shaping customer-centric initiatives and driving P&L results for the Hospitality vertical, including INNCOM, a renowned Honeywell brand specializing in connected hospitality solutions.
With nearly 15 years of experience in hospitality technology and sustainability, Neha is recognized as a thought leader in innovation and growth strategies. She has a proven track record of enhancing guest experiences and fostering green, efficient hotel operations. Her leadership has been pivotal in working with top global clients such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Accor.
Before joining Honeywell in 2021, Neha was the Global Account Director for the Hospitality segment at Schneider Electric. Her career is distinguished by her expertise in creating best-in-class strategies and driving dynamic team performance, revenue growth, and customer turnaround.
Neha holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai, a certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management from Cornell University, and studied International Business Management at the University of California, San Diego.
Originally from Mumbai, Neha’s career has spanned across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. She enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and immersing herself in diverse cultures.
Dennis Jakubowicz
SVP Healthcare Sales Care Daily
Dennis Jakubowicz
SVP Healthcare Sales | Care Daily
Dennis’s career has been focused on serving the senior living industry with clinical, pharmacy, technology and engagement Solutions and services for more than 25 years.
He has held sales leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry with award-winning careers at Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, inVentiv Health and Astellas. Then, he moved to technology to serve the industry with automated medication dispensing to LTC pharmacy with Omnicell as the VP of Sales Specialty Care. He also provided consulting services for AutoMed, Talyst and OnSiteRx.
More recently, Dennis held leadership roles with major EHR and SaaS providers in the senior living space as Senior VP of Sales and SVP of Business Development with MatrixCare and General Manager of Senior Living with Netsmart. The EHR/EMR experience touched on every aspect of technology to support the senior living industry, including clinical, pharmacy, operations, finance, marketing, resident engagement and caregiver support. He also supported several start-up organizations as Chief Growth Officer for Anavah Health, EyeClick, Embodied Labs and as Advisor to etectRx.
Staying on the cutting edge of technology and market trend, Dennis is currently serving as Senior VP of Healthcare Sales for Care Daily, a leading provider of AI technology introducing a solution designed to maintain the health, safety and well-being of seniors aging in place.
Dennis resides in Austin, TX where he supports Aging 2.0, Austin Opera, American Legion and the local Chamber of Commerce.
Scott Jamison
Chief Experience Officer WorldVue
Scott Jamison
Chief Experience Officer | WorldVue
Scott is a growth-oriented and customer-focused leader with extensive experience in the hotel/hospitality technology sector. Throughout his career, Scott has garnered multifaceted expertise and achieved success by forging strategic partnerships and implementing technological solutions.
Scott has over 25 years technical, management and business development experience in computer and broadband networking, telecom, and has extensive background in Wi-Fi network engineering, planning, and deployment specifically as it relates to high-density and hospitality environments. Recognized for his proactive approach, Scott has excelled in developing key partnerships within the hospitality sector, aligning strategies, objectives, and visions set by senior leadership teams. His effective leadership has led to the discovery of new product opportunities aimed at enhancing guest, client, and business outcomes, encompassing various communication platforms, technological applications, and tailored messaging solutions.
Before joining WorldVue, Scott has held multiple executive positions within the hospitality technology sector, focused on guest and resident facing technology, with expertise in Wi-Fi, Telecommunications & Infotainment. Scott was also a co-founder and Vice President of Operations of Ze-Net Technologies, Inc. for 16 years.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of North Texas and remains active at UNT as an advisor at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business.
Kyle Johnson
Director, Smart Building Technology Greystar
Kyle Johnson
Director, Smart Building Technology | Greystar
Kyle Johnson, Director, Smart Building Technology, Greystar
Theresa Kaiser-White
Vice President Asset Management Willow Bridge Property Company
Theresa Kaiser-White
Vice President Asset Management | Willow Bridge Property Company
Theresa Kaiser-White, CPM® Vice President Asset Management Ms. Kaiser-White’s more than 30 years of multifamily experience is foundational for her role as VP of Asset Management at Willow Bridge Property Company. Theresa provides executive-level, strategic support, and oversight for Willow Bridge’s largest institutional portfolios nationally. Theresa serves as an asset management liaison, collaborating closely with key partners and regional teams to ensure the highest level of service and support across Willow Bridge’s management platform. Theresa is responsible for planning and implementation of management best practices and works closely with executive leadership, risk management, leaning, marketing, talent, systems, legal, and auditing departments on special projects, and task force initiatives. Theresa’s ability to provide operational expertise and support across the management platform is instrumental to Willow Bridge’s partnership growth and success. Theresa most recently, also held responsibilities leading national procurement efforts at Willow Bridge Property Company. Her strategic emphasis on procurement benefited Willow Bridge Property Company and their partners through reduced risk exposure, continuous innovation in technology, consistency in process, quality control and competitive pricing through robust vendor partnerships. Consistent evaluation of national purchase platforms ensured the best quality, value, and ROI always for Willow Bridge clients, partners, and residents. Theresa is a graduate from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in Management. Theresa holds the CPM® designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management as well as a CCIM® designation through the CCIM Institute.
George Karakatsanis
VP, Sales Toi Labs
George Karakatsanis
VP, Sales | Toi Labs
George comes with over 20 years of experience bringing cutting edge products to the Senior Living Market such as Accushield, Relias Learning, Nymbl Science and now Toi Labs. The goal has always been to help bring the best tools to care teams in order to offer our seniors the best care possible. Being a key player in extending their enjoyable life and aging in place through better care has always been George's passion.
Director, Sales Strategy and Enablement Cox Communications
Mathew Koenig
Director, Sales Strategy and Enablement | Cox Communications
Mathew Koenig, Director, Sales Strategy and Enablement, Cox Communications
Jeffrey Kok
Chief Executive Officer Aerwave
Jeffrey Kok
Chief Executive Officer | Aerwave
Jeffrey Kok, a recognized real estate thought leader, has a proven track record of scaling organizations to achieve results and educating and expanding technology use as a competitive advantage. He was previously Managing Partner and Chief Innovation & Information Officer at Mill Creek Residential and responsible for building and overseeing Innovation, PropTech, Information Technology, Cybersecurity and ESG. Kok transformed how Mill Creek leveraged technology and increased community value by driving revenue and cost-saving operational efficiencies.
Chris Laughman
Senior Director, Energy & Sustainability Greystar Real Estate Partners
Chris Laughman is the Senior Director of Energy & Sustainability for Greystar. An accomplished industry veteran with 20 years of real estate experience and a decade in sustainability, he is considered a subject matter expert in sustainable real estate operations, utility bill management, cost recovery, data analytical analysis, water conservation, waste stream optimization, energy procurement, carbon impact reduction, and energy strategies that enhance the human experience while positively impacting the triple bottom line. Chris holds an MBA in Business Sustainability from Marylhurst University and a Masters in Management from Webster University.
Kyle Leissner
President & CEO WireStar Networks
Kyle Leissner
President & CEO | WireStar Networks
Kyle W. Leissner serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of WireStar, Inc., a leading player in the communications industry. With a rich history of entrepreneurship, Mr. Leissner has demonstrated a profound understanding of launching and managing businesses in the telecommunications sector. His venture, WireStar, Inc., founded in 2007, embodies his commitment to introducing innovative communication technologies to a broader audience.
Early in his career, Mr. Leissner founded MailService.MS, a premium email service renowned for its cost-effective business model utilizing open-sourced technology. Under his leadership, the company flourished, reaching over twenty thousand accounts within a year. The domain was eventually acquired by FastMail.FM, a competitor, and continues to operate successfully.
In 2002, Mr. Leissner established Ziox Networks, a local computer consulting group specializing in designing and maintaining web presences for small to medium-sized businesses. Ziox played a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiencies for its clients through the strategic deployment of cutting-edge technologies.
Driven by his fascination with the Internet, Mr. Leissner launched DIALUP.CC Internet Services in 2005, offering a low-cost alternative for internet connectivity. The venture gained rapid success, amassing over a thousand customers in just six months, all achieved without capital-intensive advertising. Mr. Leissner's commitment to customer satisfaction led to strategic investments in a call center and an automated operational support system, distinguishing DIALUP.CC from competitors. The company expanded to over three thousand accounts solely through word-of-mouth advertising from satisfied customers.
Mr. Leissner, an alumnus of Texas A&M University's Mays Business School, holds two Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. In 2011, he earned a Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) from the same institution. An enthusiastic learner, Mr. Leissner
continues to deepen his knowledge in technology, focusing on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, Customer Relations Management (CRM) Systems, VoIP protocols, and optical networking.
Currently overseeing WireStar, Inc., Mr. Leissner directs the overall management of the company. WireStar has evolved into a nationwide network, concentrating on multi-family and student housing communities. The company's offerings include Fiber & Ethernet to the unit, property-wide managed Wi-Fi systems, Television, smart home technology, and business services for leasing offices, including VoIP.
Michele Levy Berlove
Assistant Division Chief Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Michele Levy Berlove
Assistant Division Chief | Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Michele Levy Berlove, Assistant Division Chief, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Darien Long
SVP of Specialty Access Solutions dormakaba
Darien Long
SVP of Specialty Access Solutions | dormakaba
Darien Long is the Senior Vice President, Specialty Access Control Solutions for dormakaba North America. She leads complex customer and sales organizations for dormakaba’s Hospitality, Vacation Rental, and Workforce Solutions business. Under her leadership, these businesses have experienced accelerated growth, new product launches, and new go-to-market strategies. Darien has extensive experience with hospitality software, the guest experience, and hotel operations. In addition, she is active in the security and hospitality industry, speaking at events on various access control topics like understanding guest access, managing credentials, and human trafficking.
Before joining dormakaba, Darien worked as the North American sales leader at ALICE Platform, a cloud-based hotel operations software used by hotel teams to manage guest requests, maintenance programs, and housekeeping teams. She is a graduate of Tarleton University, a member of Texas A&M, and began her career working with the Oldham Goodwin Group, a franchise owner/operator of many hotels in Texas. Darien later transitioned to TravelClick, a global hotel software company specializing in business intelligence and hotel reservation systems, where she was a top sales contributor.
Kaushik Mani
Director Amazon Key
Kaushik Mani
Director | Amazon Key
Kaushik Mani is the Director of Amazon Key. After founding Amazon Key's devices business, he scaled it to be one of Amazon's largest property technology businesses. Kaushik holds 15+ patents and has invented numerous technologies over the last 10+years. He joined Amazon as part of an acqui-hire deal to evaluate integration opportunities of his latest home invention - a gift-wrapping robot. Today, Kaushik’s organization builds disruptive access and secure delivery devices, software, and services for residential and commercial properties. In January 2020, Amazon Key’s technology was recognized as the Best Smart Security Product at CES. Amazon Key enables on-time and reliable deliveries to over 15MM locations across 10 countries. Kaushik and his team work with the top real estate and operations executives around the world to solve their access and secure delivery challenges, increase operational efficiency, and improve their customer experience. Kaushik regularly speaks to global audiences of technologists and holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.
Linsey Miller
Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Marketing Resideo
Linsey Miller
Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Marketing | Resideo
As the Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Marketing for Resideo, Linsey identifies potential partnerships, technology innovations and solutions to provide comfort, security, energy efficiency, control and life-saving monitoring to customers worldwide. She also serves on the board of directors of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), where she plays a vital role in shaping the future of smart home connectivity and interoperability. A lifelong learner who is passionate about driving the technology and energy industries forward, Linsey can offer insights into topics including energy transition, incubating and growing SaaS businesses, advancing women in tech and the practical application of artificial intelligence for business value creation.
Lee Miller
Vice President of Multifamily Brivo
Lee Miller
Vice President of Multifamily | Brivo
Lee Miller is the Vice President of Multifamily at Brivo. Before Brivo, Lee served as the vice president of sales for WhiteSky and Stratis, both RealPage companies, and was responsible for overseeing and directing the strategic direction of the smart building platform. He oversaw a global team of technical sales directors and solutions representatives. Before joining RealPage, Miller was Regional Sales Director for Control4 Europe. Based in London, he collaborated with some of Europe’s most elite developers. His perspective of the European and US multifamily markets is pivotal as Brivo responds to growing global demand in this space.
Tiffany Mittal is a distinguished businesswoman with over 13 years of multifamily real estate experience, excelling as an owner-operator and proptech executive. Her visionary leadership has driven exponential growth in utility billing and payments technology startups, establishing her as a trailblazer in the field. In 2020, Tiffany, founded Utility Ranger, a groundbreaking resident utility billing software company. This venture gained significant attention, leading to a partnership with 10X Incubator in 2021. In March 2023, they launched their new proptech startup, setting a precedent as industry leaders committed to innovation and empowering multifamily operators.
Francisco Moreno
Associate Vice President, Product Line Leadership Calix
Francisco Moreno
Associate Vice President, Product Line Leadership | Calix
Francisco Moreno, Associate Vice President, Product Line Leadership, Calix
Dan is a loving husband and father, and a serial entrepreneur with experience in all aspects of running and growing capital-intensive businesses from startup to cash flow positive. He is a dynamic, results-oriented leader with a strong record in growing technology-related businesses. Dan’s expertise lies in customer service, strategic planning, IT management, software development and deployment, in addition to cost management, business development, contract negotiation and digital advertising. Dan understands the entire tech stack from networking, to hardware and software and has been involved in the tech and computer industry since 1980 and involved in wired networking for almost 40 years. Dan began developing websites and online applications in 1994 and launched his ISP in 1996. He was a pioneer in WiFi having built massive indoor and outdoor WiFi deployments as early as 2004 and also a pioneer deploying commercial pre-wifi wireless networking technologies since 1998 when he launched one of the world's first WISPs using FWA. In 2000, Dan deployed high speed internet to his first MDU client, over 24 years ago. Today, DojoNetworks is one of the leading ManagedWiFi providers for MDUs nationwide with 100% customer retention over a 24 year period. Dan's focus is on delivering very high-quality fiber backed Internet and ManagedWiFi as an amenity to Multi-Dwelling housing. Dan also sits on multiple boards of a variety of businesses from mature to startups.
Mary Nitschke is the Chief Sustainability Officer of GreenT Climate Software, focused on decarbonizing the Multifamily industry. She is also a featured author for the “Energy Made Simple” weekly column at YieldPRO magazine. Prior to joining GreenT, Mary serviced as the Vice President of Sustainability at Real Page, where she created three successful, award winning SaaS sustainability products, won EPA Partner of the Year for RealPage for three consecutive years, and hosted podcasts and webinars to drive though leadership in Sustainability for the Multifamily industry. Before RealPage she was the director of ancillary services at Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc. collaborating directly with vendors, clients and property teams to reduce consumption, increase revenue and ensure compliance with State, County and City requirements. She led the Prometheus Sustainability Committee, was the founding member and the first President of UMAdvisory, created an EV Charging in Multifamily working group, and created a new waste program that increased portfolio wide recycling diversion rates from 37% to 63%. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, a certificate in Energy Resource Management from the engineering department of the University of California at Davis, is a LEED AP, a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, and a GRESB AP O&M. Mary also holds certifications for Carbon Accounting from TCFD, ESG from BOMA, and Sustainable Supply Chain Management from LUNDT University.
Dustin Orr
Vice President of Business Development ZoJacks Flood Prevention Systems
Dustin Orr
Vice President of Business Development | ZoJacks Flood Prevention Systems
Dustin Orr is the VP of Business Development at ZoJacks, an InsurTech firm focused on preventing water damage and freeze events in residential and commercial properties. With over 15 years of experience in business leadership and technology integration, Dustin has successfully led initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and reduce risks. Before joining ZoJacks, Dustin was pivotal in launching and scaling successful ventures in the veterinary and renewable energy industries, where he led business development and consulting. His expertise in leveraging emerging technologies to address complex industry challenges has been instrumental in positioning ZoJacks as a leader in flood prevention solutions. Holding an MBA-MTI (Management of Technology and Innovation) and recognized as a Top Tech Leader in 2023 by Parks & Associates, Dustin now focuses on partnering with insurers and facility owners to mitigate water damage risks and reduce costly claims through ZoJacks' innovative technology for properties.
Reza Raji is the Senior Vice President of the Smart Spaces-IoT division at Vantiva, where he leads the delivery of innovative end-to-end connectivity and IoT solutions for commercial enterprises. With decades of experience in the IoT space, Reza is a distinguished thought leader known for his ability to transform and scale products and services in the industry. Before joining Vantiva, Reza served as the Chief Business Development Officer at Brilliant, where he played a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive consumer platform for the smart home market. His tenure as CEO at Xenio Systems saw the company merge the online and physical worlds through a precision indoor positioning platform, earning industry accolades. With over 42 patents and 38 pending patent applications, Reza's expertise is well-recognized. He holds a BSEE from Stony Brook University and an MSEE from Cornell University. Reza Raji is a sought-after speaker and advisor, offering invaluable insights into the future of IoT and connectivity solutions.
Mariam Rogers Walker
Director, Access Solutions Chamberlain/MyQ
Mariam Rogers Walker
Director, Access Solutions | Chamberlain/MyQ
Mariam Rogers Walker is a trailblazing visionary in the property technology sector, renowned for her transformative impact on multifamily living. As the Director of Community Access Solutions at Chamberlain Group, Mariam leads the charge in integrating cutting-edge technologies that redefine the resident experience and elevate community living standards.
Throughout her distinguished career, Mariam has held pivotal roles such as Vice President of Channel Sales at SmartRent and Director of Multifamily Sales at Brivo. In these capacities, she has not only driven substantial growth but also spearheaded innovative solutions that have become benchmarks in the industry. Her strategic foresight and unwavering commitment to excellence have positioned her as a vanguard of smart building solutions.
Mariam's influence extends far beyond her professional achievements. With a noteworthy LinkedIn network of over 30,000 followers, she is a sought-after thought leader and a powerful voice in proptech. Her insights resonate across the industry, inspiring peers and shaping the future of property technology.
Balancing her remarkable career with personal endeavors, Mariam is a devoted mother and a certified Golf Fitness instructor. Her dedication to family and personal well-being underscores her holistic approach to leadership and life.
Mariam Rogers Walker's relentless pursuit of innovation and her passion for community-centric solutions make her an exemplary figure in the proptech arena. Her insight promises to ignite new perspectives, challenge conventional thinking, and inspire action towards a smarter, more connected future in multifamily living.
Jeff Shaw
VP, Product Management Nice
Jeff Shaw
VP, Product Management | Nice
Jeff Shaw, VP, Product Management, Nice
Dan Simpkins
Founder and CEO Dwellwell Analytics
Dan Simpkins
Founder and CEO | Dwellwell Analytics
Dan Simpkins is the founder and CEO of Dwellwell Analytics, which has created a transformational sensing, AI and analytics technology that is suitable for many industries, but is currently focused on disrupting the residential real estate market. Simpkins has previously built and sold two highly successful companies: SALIX Technologies and Hillcrest Labs. SALIX Technologies, founded in 1990, was a pioneer in optical communications and VoIP technologies and one of the most successful technology exits of the 1990’s. Simpkins bootstrapped the company until it’s first round of VC financing in July of 1998. Led by NEA and Grotech, the Series A investment of $8 million allowed Simpkins to scale the business and subsequently sell the company for $300M in November of 1999, generating a 15X return for investors. His second venture, Hillcrest Labs, was a natural evolution of SALIX. Recognizing that the emergence of video on the web would cause entertainment content to explode in quantity, his team created the first Smart TV operating system that combined broadcast, broadband and personal content. The OS was the first to use a 3D motion-controller for television. This innovation enabled the team to become a leading supplier of sensor processing software for consumer electronics, which is now used in more than 200 million products worldwide. Hillcrest was acquired in 2016 and is now part of CEVA, a NASDAQ-listed Israeli silicon technology company. In 2015, when a preventable catastrophe destroyed a portion of Simpkins’ Easton home, he conceived of the idea for a remote preventative maintenance platform powered by IoT sensors. As part of his exit from Hillcrest, Simpkins acquired this intellectual property, which he used to found Domusys. As the first “check engine” light for the home, Domusys is poised to fill a significant void in the real-estate technology market.
Mike Smith
CEO WhiteSpace
Mike Smith
CEO | WhiteSpace
Mike is a real estate technology expert with more than 25 years of experience focused on technology, operations, infrastructure, innovation, and energy saving solutions specifically as it relates to the real estate industry. He launched WhiteSpace – Building Technology Advisors in 2015 to provide a single-source for building technology solutions for the real estate market. Mike has served as co-chair of iBcon and as advisory council to Realcomm, NMHC, Broadband Communities and the Building and Energy Summit as well as being a featured speaker at these and other industry conferences focused on intelligent buildings. Mike partners with building owners, developers, construction managers and architects to bring smart building technology (IoT) to their projects. He will assist with the budgeting, designing, bidding and inspecting for building and energy programs that will maintain optimal energy efficiency and provide cost-savings to building owners.
Rick Sousa
Director of Design Services Brooks Building Technology Advisors
Rick Sousa
Director of Design Services | Brooks Building Technology Advisors
Rick Sousa, RCDD, WS AP is the Director of Engineering at Brooks Building Technology Advisors. BrooksBTA leads owners and developers in successfully implementing revenue-increasing low-voltage technology and security solutions with a dedication to creating safe neighborhoods that positively impact families and communities. Rick is our subject matter expert in the area of smart, sustainable low-voltage systems. He brings over 20 years of both design and direct project implementation experience in mixed-use and multi-family spaces as well as retail and Class A offices. His prior work experience as a structured cabling contractor and integrator allows Rick to bring real-world expertise to both the design and administrative process. Rick has been actively involved in the design of many multi-family projects and his company’s work dots the nation. His invaluable expertise in smart building solutions makes him an integral team member. His knowledge of garden-style, mid-rise and high-rise multi-family and the smart integrated low voltage components such as: parking systems, structured cabling, security, audiovisual, carrier networks, cellular DAS and emergency responder wireless networks is unparalleled in the market.
Paul Spinella
National Account Manager ASSA ABLOY Group
Paul Spinella
National Account Manager | ASSA ABLOY Group
Paul Spinella, National Account Manager, ASSA ABLOY Group
Brad Stutzman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of O3 Energy Corporation, a renewable energy services company founded in 2011. With Brad’s expertise, the company has grown from the project development and solar project finance to adding both an EPC and Residential Solar division. Prior to founding O3 Energy, Brad held executive positions in the finance, construction, and renewable energy industries. He has held positions at both Blue Renewable Energy and Folium Energy, where he led the development of over 100 megawatts of commercial and small utility scale photovoltaic projects - notably leading the development team for the Eubank Landfill Solar Array in Albuquerque, New Mexico - making it the first dual axis tracking system installed on a capped landfill and largest, at the time, behind-the-meter solar project in New Mexico.
Todd Thorpe
Director of Business Development Cambium Networks
Todd Thorpe
Director of Business Development | Cambium Networks
Todd Thorpe is the Director of Business Development for Cambium Network’s Multifamily and Student Housing group. As a trusted advisor with over 20 years of industry experience, Todd helps owners and developers assess their opportunities, increase NOI, and maximize ancillary revenue by leveraging Cambium’s One Network solution for property-wide managed Wi-Fi. He’s passionate about technology and its potential to enhance resident satisfaction and enhance property value.
Tony Vala-Haynes
Director, Product Marketing LifeLoop
Tony Vala-Haynes
Director, Product Marketing | LifeLoop
Tony Vala-Haynes is the Director of Product Marketing at LifeLoop, a comprehensive experience platform for senior living communities. He is a former public school educator who has taken his passion for service into helping technology providers in the privacy and senior living space demonstrate their inherent value to people. Tony specializes in helping senior living operators realize improved business outcomes and increased satisfaction across staff, residents, and families through innovative, future-looking solutions that deliver strong ROI. He has a BA in English from St. Mary’s College of California and an MEd from Portland State University.
Savin Ven Johnson
Regional Director, Office of Community Planning and Development U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Region VI (TX, NM, LA, OK, AR)
Savin Ven Johnson is the Regional Director for HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) Region VI. The region comprises the five Southwest states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. In her role, Savin leads the implementation, administration, and management of CPD’s portfolio of community development, housing, and homelessness assistance programs assigned to the seven CPD field offices in the Region. Prior to HUD, Savin spent seven years with FEMA where she led several initiatives in the Agency’s response, recovery, and resilience mission areas. She holds a Master in Global Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, MSc in Environmental Economics from Hiroshima University, Japan, and BA from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.
Sean Vo
National Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships Levven
Sean Vo
National Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships | Levven
Sean Vo, National Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships, Levven
Grant Warner
Senior Living Thought Leader BKV Group
Grant Warner
Senior Living Thought Leader | BKV Group
Grant is a passionate designer who cares deeply about seniors and making their environments better for living. His passion and experience are integral to the design process and represent three decades of senior living architecture. He has worked on all facets of a project, designing award winning projects across the country. He takes special pride in helping communities breathe new life into their existing buildings as well as developing new communities. He is an active participant in the Sleepover Project®, where he spends 24 hours experiencing life as a resident in senior living communities across the nation. His time living in senior living communities have been inspirational to him, helping him better understand the importance of empathy, respect and flexibility. He works closely with numerous owners, residents and officials throughout all project phases including master planning, feasibility studies, new building design, and renovation design, construction administration, and code compliance.
As an experienced innovator and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience, Taylor has propelled both Fortune 500 and multifamily companies to new heights through his unwavering dedication to technological advancements. As a trailblazer in the multifamily industry, Taylor has held key innovation leadership roles at two of the NMHC’s top ten largest multifamily management companies in the United States. Under his guidance, his team at Alliance Residential Company gained national recognition for their groundbreaking partnership with Google/Nest and Dwelo. This collaboration revolutionized the adoption of smart home technology in the multifamily industry, setting a new standard for resident experiences. Taylor’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the multifamily realm. His exceptional leadership skills and technical abilities were demonstrated throughout his college career, leading the design & development of Ford Motor Company’s Consumer Digital Data Collection & Distribution System. This transformative system digitized Ford’s grassroots marketing data acquisition channel, solidifying Taylor’s reputation as a forward-thinking innovator early on, before obtaining a BS in Computer Information Systems from Tarleton State University. His contributions as a founding member of the NMHC Innovation Committee and the RETA Emerging Technologies Committee showcase his commitment to driving industry-wide innovation. Through his leadership and technical expertise, Taylor continues to revolutionize the industry as the visionary Founder & CEO of PropTech IQ, driving positive changes and setting new standards for operational excellence and resident experiences through the democratization of proptech data. This passion for innovation and sustained entrepreneurial drive has positioned him as a key driving force in shaping the future of the multifamily industry.
Nate Wysk is the General Manager at PointCentral, an Alarm.com subsidiary. PointCentral is a platform built to provide enterprise-class smart property technology for property managers. Prior to PointCentral, Nate held the role of Director of Global Business Development at Alarm.com where he led the international go-to-market strategy and expansion of smart home and smart business security solutions into 30+ countries. Nate has a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was also the captain of the men’s soccer team. Nate is originally from the Gulf Coast of Florida and currently resides in McLean, Virginia.
2024 Virtual Speakers
Pratik Dhebri
VP and Head, Product Management AvalonBay Communities
Pratik Dhebri leads Product Management at AvalonBay Communities to reimagine our operating model and build streamlined and personalized customer experiences. Before AvalonBay, Pratik was Vice President of Products at CBRE creating innovative products for owners, investors, and occupiers. Before CBRE, Pratik led efforts for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Veritone (startup to IPO) and Polaris Wireless. Pratik has an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and an MS from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He has six granted USPTO patents.
Jeff Hoch
Chief Revenue Officer ePropertyCare
Jeff Hoch
Chief Revenue Officer | ePropertyCare
Jeff Hoch is a seasoned PropTech and Technology Executive with over 25 years of experience. In his role at ePropertyCare he focuses on Alliance Partnerships, Go To Market Stategy and Sales and Marketing Enablement. Outside of work he enjoys going to the gym, car shows and BBQ. He lives in NY with his wife Nina and is the proud father of 5 children.
VP/GM - Access Control Solutions Chamberlain Group (Liftmaster/myQ)
Jennifer Lytle
VP/GM - Access Control Solutions | Chamberlain Group (Liftmaster/myQ)
Jenny Lytle is the Vice President and General Manager of Access Control Solutions at Chamberlain Group. With more than 15 years of experience in growth strategy, product management and innovation, Jenny leads the Liftmaster multi-family access control hardware and software portfolio and the Facility Enterprise software business. Prior to joining Chamberlain Group, Jenny led the Global Product & Pricing at Performance Health, a Madison Dearborn Partners Portfolio Company. Previously, she spent 7 years at The Boston Consulting Group. She began her career as a private equity investor and as an investment banking analyst for JPMorgan. Jenny holds an MBA with honors from The University of Chicago-Booth School of Business and holds a B.S. in Finance from The University of Illinois.
Michele McWilliams-Tate
National Director of Leasing Toll Brothers
Michele McWilliams-Tate
National Director of Leasing | Toll Brothers
Michele McWilliams-Tate, National Director of Leasing, Toll Brothers
Lance Platt
President & CEO Groove Technology Solutions
Lance Platt
President & CEO | Groove Technology Solutions
Lance is currently the CEO of three technology companies - Groove Technology Solutions, a systems integrator servicing the hospitality, healthcare and residential multi-family industries, Della Connect providing smart building technology solutions for the MDU industry and EpicVue which services connectivity and television service for the long-haul trucking industry.
Aaron specializes in building high-performing teams to launch and grow new technology products. He was a cofounder of Citymaps, which was acquired by TripAdvisor in 2016, and is an investor in Reddit, Button, Omaze, Henry The Dentist, Parallel Wireless, Clear Ballot, Pinata, and FilmRise. He is an angel investor, board member, advisor, author, and a results-oriented technology executive with extensive experience at startups, growth-stage, and publicly traded companies. Aaron holds an MBA from Harvard.
Pierre Trudeau
President and CTO Positron Access
Pierre Trudeau
President and CTO | Positron Access
Pierre is a seasoned Networking and Technology Executive and Board Member with over 35 years of experience. Pierre Trudeau was selected as one of the “Top 50 Broadband Influencers, Innovators and Disrupters who are Connecting the World” (Informa Tech) in 2021. Prior to joining Positron in 2013 to lead the development of Positron’s GAM, Pierre founded Colubris Networks, a leader in advanced Wi-Fi solutions for Wireless ISP, Carriers and Enterprises in March 2000. Colubris was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2008. Pierre is a respected presenter in international conferences and an expert on data communications. He holds multiple networking related patents. Pierre has an M.Sc and B.Sc degree in Computer science from Sherbrooke University in Quebec (Canada).
Nate Wysk is the General Manager at PointCentral, an Alarm.com subsidiary. PointCentral is a platform built to provide enterprise-class smart property technology for property managers. Prior to PointCentral, Nate held the role of Director of Global Business Development at Alarm.com where he led the international go-to-market strategy and expansion of smart home and smart business security solutions into 30+ countries. Nate has a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was also the captain of the men’s soccer team. Nate is originally from the Gulf Coast of Florida and currently resides in McLean, Virginia.
Steve Yahnke
Director of IT Continental Properties
Steve Yahnke
Director of IT | Continental Properties
Director of IT at Continental Properties for the past 15 years with 25 years of experience in the IT industry. Steve has been worked closely with Continental Properties' Multifamily operations team for the past 15 years implementing software systems, hardware innovations for the business and managing the resident experience.
Moderators
Ashton Gambrell
Director of Sales, Sponsorships Parks Associates
Ashton Gambrell
Director of Sales, Sponsorships | Parks Associates
Ashton joined Parks Associates with over 15 years experience in sales, business development, account management and sponsorship sales within the hotel and sports industries. She is now part of the business development team managing event sponsorships and custom marketing services.
Ashton graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Business Administration and concentration in Marketing. After working for Four Seasons Resorts for nearly 10 years, Ashton spent the next seven years working with PGA TOUR pro golfers and their corporate sponsors/partners before joining Parks Associates.
Kristen Hanich
Director of Research Parks Associates
Kristen Hanich
Director of Research | Parks Associates
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE: Consumer electronics, mobility services and devices, connected health and wellness.
Kristen Hanich heads Parks Associates' consumer electronics and mobility research, with expertise in other verticals including connected cars, mobile networking, healthcare, wellness, and independent living. She leads a mix of custom and syndicated research projects throughout the year, with a focus on major players and emerging trends. Kristen specializes in bridging the gap between data-driven and narrative approaches to understanding the consumer markets via a mix of qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
Kristen has dual master's degrees in applied anthropology and public health from the Universities of North Texas in Denton and Fort Worth. She earned her BSc in health at the University of Texas at San Antonio and has a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems.
Daniel Holcomb
Senior Analyst, Smart Home Research Parks Associates
Daniel Holcomb
Senior Analyst, Smart Home Research | Parks Associates
Daniel is responsible for smart home research involving market trend analysis, competitor and positioning assessments, technology evaluations, and forecasts of relevant industry metrics.
Daniel is a market research industry veteran with 13 years of experience across multiple research types such as shopper insights, brand equity and brand health tracking, and customer experience. Daniel has also conducted research across multiple sectors such as consumer packaged goods, consumer electronics, specialty retail, and transportation, travel, and hospitality.
Daniel has a BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington, with specializations in Research and Evaluation, Diversity, and Family and Gender Studies.
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE: Connected Health, Connected Home Technologies and Services, Connected Entertainment Products and Services.
Jennifer manages the research department and Parks Associates' process for producing high-quality, relevant, and meaningful research. Jennifer also leads and advises on syndicated and custom research projects across all connected consumer verticals and guides questionnaire development for Parks Associates’ extensive consumer analytics survey program. Jennifer is a certified focus group moderator, with training from the Burke Institute.
Jennifer earned her PhD in religion, politics, and society and an MA in church-state studies from Baylor University. She earned her BA in politics from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Jason Paris
VP, Business Development Parks Associates
Jason Paris
VP, Business Development | Parks Associates
Jason Paris joined Parks Associates as an analyst studying international telephone, cable, and satellite providers and is now a member of the business development team.
Jason graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in psychology and government. After working for the Texas House of Representatives, Jason spent the previous seven years in New York City working with portable and enterprise healthcare technologies.
As the President and Chief Marketing Officer at Parks Associates, Elizabeth Parks plays a pivotal role at Parks Associates. With over two decades of dedication to the company, she has been instrumental in shaping its growth and success, along with the continued focus of delivering timely and quality industry and consumer insights on the connected home and SMB industries.
Elizabeth's leadership extends across a diverse range of responsibilities. She is a driving force behind the company's research focus and coverage areas, ensuring that Parks Associates remains at the forefront of industry trends and insights for the broadband, consumer electronics, and home service markets. Her expertise is showcased in the strategic communication plan she orchestrates, encompassing advertising, public relations, and marketing efforts.
A cornerstone of her role is as the key organizer of Parks Associates' prestigious events, including Parks Associates signature event, CONNECTIONS™, Smart Energy Summit, Future of Video, Connected Health Summit, and Smart Spaces.
Elizabeth's commitment to Parks Associates' overarching mission is unwavering. She is dedicated to providing clients with the most reliable and comprehensive consumer and industry research and analysis. Parks Associates syndicated and custom research work helps empower businesses to make informed decisions in an ever-evolving landscape.
Elizabeth's journey with Parks Associates began after graduating with a BA in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Plano Texas with her husband and three children.
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