Leadership

Carlos D. Michan is the Founder and Chairman. Carlos and his two brothers first invested in US commercial real estate as early as 1976. Over the course of over 40 years, Carlos has been the visionary behind the company’s growth by successfully navigating through multiple market cycles. Today, Carlos oversees his trusted institution, recognized as one of the largest US multifamily operator and a major land developer in California with over $4 billion AUM.

Prior to immigrating from Mexico and founding Strata in 1983, Carlos’ entrepreneurial spirit helped establish a variety of businesses not just in real estate, but also in textile manufacturing, construction, and currency exchange.

Carlos holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Carlos has been a licensed real estate broker in California since 1982 (DRE#: 00839786). Carlos was awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and devotes his spare time to advising promising entrepreneurs and supporting various charitable causes.

David C. Michan is the Chief Executive Officer serving as second-generation leadership preserving the culture and furthering the vision of the company. Since taking the role as President in 2008, David has grown the company from $150 million AUM to over $4 billion today, by expanding the company’s institutional capabilities and establishing a nationwide portfolio. David also focuses on fostering relationships with strategic investors and joint venture partners having raised over $1 billion of equity.

Prior to joining Strata in 2003, David started his real estate career at Colony Capital, a private equity real estate investment firm, financing their diversified funds. David also spent two years equity trading in New York City.

David holds a Master of Science in Real Estate from the University of San Diego. David also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics specializing in Latin America, along with a Minor in Accounting, from the University of California Los Angeles. David has been a licensed real estate broker in California since 2007 (DRE#: 01749190). In addition, David is a member of Young Presidents Organization, and is regularly in various leadership roles supporting foundations and institutions in the local San Diego community.

Zuri Michan is a Managing Partner, based in New York City. Zuri focuses on capital raising and as fund manager, in addition to developing asset class strategies and strengthening the company’s alternative investment management.

Prior to joining Strata in 2019, Zuri spent nearly a decade in institutional investing in real assets at Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, the largest global infrastructure investor, and GE Capital Energy Financial Services, the leading principal energy investor, particularly focused on alternative energy, regulated utilities, transportation, and logistics across North America and Latin America. Zuri was responsible for M&A and asset management of real assets and portfolio companies, corporate and asset financings, and management of both publicly-listed and private funds collectively amounting to over $10 billion in AUM.

Zuri holds dual degrees, with distinction, from the University of Pennsylvania – a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School, along with a Minor in Mathematics. Zuri holds a FINRA Series 65 license (inactive) and further serves in an external fund advisory role.

Alejandro (Alex) Krongold is the Director of Investor Relations. Alex is responsible for sourcing private capital and for providing boutique quality service to both domestic and foreign investors by managing and maintaining constant communication through tailored operational and financial reporting.

Prior to joining Strata in 2009, Alex established a variety of businesses in textile manufacturing and customer service, gaining over 20 years of experience in managing operations, sales, manufacturing, systems implementation, and customer service.

Alex holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). Alex also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Anáhuac del Norte in Mexico City.

Andrew Gordon is the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the strategic and functional oversight of the company’s real estate portfolio and operations. Andrew leads the company’s asset management, FP&A, and risk management teams, in addition to directing all financing and disposition activity.

Prior to joining Strata in 2014, Andrew was a Principal with a national multifamily real estate platform that successfully catered to both private and institutional investors, where his responsibilities ranged from deal sourcing and capital raising, to the formation of investment strategy and the oversight of asset management and operations. Andrew began his career working with a fully-integrated firm involved in the acquisition, development, management, and brokerage of commercial real estate across all product types in Southern California.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University. Andrew has held a real estate broker license in California (DRE#: 01505305). Andrew also founded and chairs the Celebrating Futures Fund, supporting Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, having raised nearly $3 million.

Scott Wittman is the Chief Investment Officer and is responsible for shaping the firm’s investment strategy, leading all real estate transactions and venture related activities across the US. Since 2015, Scott has led more than $6.0 billion of transaction activity for the company.

Prior to joining Strata in 2014, Scott’s primary activities included the sourcing, underwriting, and closing of both structured and opportunistic direct real estate investments across various industry sectors, including the acquisition of sub-performing and non-performing commercial real estate secured loans. Earlier in his career, Scott managed a wide range of residential entitlement, acquisition, and merchant builder activities for Standard Pacific Homes in Southern California.

Scott holds an MBA from the University of San Diego, having earned a dual emphasis in Real Estate and Finance. Scott also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. Scott has been a licensed real estate broker in California since 2004 (DRE#: 01296809).

Rezlyn Palma is the Chief Accounting Officer and is responsible for accounting, tax, and treasury management matters affecting the company.

Prior to joining Strata in 2015, Rezlyn spent eight years as a fund reporting manager for a private multifamily owner, developer, and manager. Rezlyn was responsible for financial reporting to both institutional and boutique investors and lenders of several different funds, with a combined total equity commitment of $2 billion. Rezlyn also brings finance and accounting knowledge from time spent at both publicly-traded and privately-held real estate companies over the course of five years. Rezlyn started her career at KPMG focused on auditing public and private companies in the financial services and real estate industries.

Rezlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting from California State University Hayward.

Eric Flodine is the Director of Community Development. Eric oversees the visioning, land planning, entitlement processing, community outreach, and government approval of the company’s master planned communities and mixed-use projects. Eric’s hands-on experience in planning and development includes over 100 projects ranging across residential, commercial, recreational, solar energy, and open space land uses throughout California.

Prior to joining Strata in 2006, Eric was a Director of Planning at a land planning and landscape architecture firm managing the entitlement of many award-winning communities throughout Southern California.

Eric holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Eric also holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Eric has been a licensed real estate salesperson in California since 2012 (DRE#: 01917974). Eric actively engages his civic responsibility as an appointed member of the Planning Commission for the City of San Marcos, California.