Richard Kaplan's Bio

Richard Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Syndicated Equities, has been active in Chicago and national real estate markets for over 45 years. To date, Richard and the companies he has founded have participated in over $4 billion of real estate transactions. These transactions involve commercial and residential properties nationwide, condominium and apartment development, Section 1031 exchanges, and global real estate opportunity funds. Richard founded Syndicated Equities in 1986. Under Richard's leadership, Syndicated Equities has acquired approximately $3 billion of real estate assets on behalf of its investors.These assets have included retail, government, student housing, office, parking, and hotel properties throughout the country. The firm has assisted numerous 1031 exchange investors find suitable replacement property, including over 1,000 net leased properties. Richard also designed and implemented the Syndicated Access Funds, a series of global, real estate opportunity fund-of-funds. Prior to Syndicated Equities, Richard founded (1972) Kaplan & Associates Realtors, which represented thousands of clients in the purchase and sale of personal and investment properties. Richard successfully sold Kaplan and Associates Realtors in 1986. Richard has also been active in the acquisition, renovation and conversion of more than 1,000 Chicago-area apartment and condominium units, including 71 East Division, 2850 North Sheridan Road, 33 East Cedar and 2700 North Hampton. Richard is frequently quoted in national and local real estate publications and has spoken on a wide variety of topics at Northwestern University, University of Illinois, DePaul University, Loyola University, the Chicago Real Estate Board, Francis W. Parker School, The Latin School and the Chicago Bar Association. He also participates in numerous roundtables for industry, law and accounting forums. Richard graduated from the University of Illinois in 1969 with a diploma in Psychology. He has served on the Board of Directors for Cole Taylor Bank. He is an active member of The Standard Club of Chicago where he has served as board member and as President (1994-1996). Richard has served as Varsity Tennis Coach for Francis W. Parker School and as a mentor for Chicago Hoops Express Girls Club Basketball Program. He supports Woodlawn Children's Promise Community, Working In the Schools (WITS), the Rocky Mountain Institute, Chicago Sinai Congregation, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Jewish United Fund, The Kovler Diabetes Foundation, JDRF and Children’s Memorial Hospital. He is a member of Lake Shore Country Club, Northmoor Country Club, and the Maroon Creek Club (Aspen). Richard and his wife Kathy, a former freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune, live in Chicago. They have two children, David and Lizzie, and seven grandchildren. Richard is an avid athlete who enjoys basketball, fly fishing, paddle tennis, skiing and tennis. In 1993, Richard represented the United States in Tennis at the Maccabian Games in Israel.

Matt McCulloch's Bio

Matt McCulloch is a Managing Partner at Syndicated Equities and is based in Washington, DC. Matt joined the firm in Chicago in 2001. Matt manages the firm's acquisition program, where he coordinates the due diligence, structuring and financing of investment transactions. Matt has been principally involved in all of the firm’s transactions, which include retail, government, student housing, net-leased, office, parking, and hotel properties throughout the country. Additionally, Matt works closely with Syndicated Equities' asset managers, monitoring the performance of the firm's investments. Matt holds a B.A. in Political Science from Williams College, Williamstown, MA. He is an alumni class representative for the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC and volunteers with the Guitars Not Guns National Capital Area program. Matt, his wife Jill, and their two children live in Chevy Chase, MD.

Jason Schwartz's Bio

Jason Schwartz, Managing Partner and COO of Syndicated Equities, oversees financial modeling, capital structuring, investor relations, and brokerage.  Jason joined the firm in 2010 and since then, has been actively involved in the acquisition of more than $200 million of commercial assets throughout the country, including retail, office, industrial, medical, student housing, co-living, multifamily, hotels, parking, and self-storage.  Jason also works closely with Syndicated Equities’ asset management team to monitor each investment’s performance throughout its hold period.  Jason graduated from the Fischer College of Business at The Ohio State University.  Jason, his wife Erica, and their two children live in Chicago.

René Ristau's Bio

René Ristau is a Principal and the Director of Asset Management for Syndicated Equities. René joined the firm in 2008 and oversees its portfolio of property investments, which includes retail, office, government, hotel, parking, and multi-family assets. René works with operating partners, managers and outside professionals to provide strategy and direction for leasing, budgeting, cash flow, facility enhancement, property tax and insurance matters. René also provides investor reporting and manages consent processes. As part of Syndicated’s executive team, René helps to develop refinance and disposition plans. René earned her B.A. in Public Policy/Economics from the University of Chicago in three years. She is a founding and active member of Real Estate to the Rescue, which benefits Save-A-Pet; a past member of CREW; and a past board member of the CAIC. René, her husband Chris and their young daughter reside in Chicago.

Robert Handler's Bio

Robert Handler, Vice President & Controller for Syndicated Equities, is responsible for all aspects of investment accounting and financial reporting. Additionally, he is charged with managing the company's professional accounting relationships and the coordination of accounting systems with on-site property managers. Robert started his professional career as an Audit Manager for a public accounting firm based in Chicago. Prior to joining Syndicated Equities Corporation, he spent over 13 years as Director of Accounting with a national real estate auction and brokerage company, where he was responsible for all finance and accounting projects. He has extensive experience in the management and coordination of human resource benefits and in the design and implementation of accounting systems. Robert received his B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and is a Certified Public Accountant. Robert has served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for a local homeowners association, religious organization and parent support group for a high school band.

Terri Leslie's Bio

Terri Leslie, Syndicated Equities' Chief of Staff, is charged with making sure the office runs smoothly. Her responsibilities include payroll, accounts payable and purchasing. She also serves as Richard Kaplan's personal assistant and has been with Syndicated Equities since 1989. Terri enjoys world travel, gardening and singing and she supports several animal and wildlife organizations. Terri attended both Indiana and Purdue Universities and holds a B.A. in Secondary Education.

Tracy Treger's Bio

Tracy Treger is a Principal at Syndicated Equities. Tracy helps high net worth individuals and family offices to profitably invest in real estate. She also assists investors in identifying appropriate replacement property to complete tax-deferred exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Drawing upon her 20 years of legal experience in the areas of real estate, bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, finance, and commercial law, Tracy seeks out opportunities to improve the relationship between Syndicated Equities and its investors, to cultivate new investors, and to identify new investment opportunities and align them with investors' goals. Tracy joined the Syndicated Equities team in 2013 after serving as vice president and assistant general counsel for a private REIT, where she handled all legal aspects of the company’s daily operations and its joint venture relationships in the U.S. and Mexico. Prior to working with the REIT, she was a partner in two large Chicago-based law firms with national and international practices. Tracy holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Psychological Services from the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from Chicago Kent College of Law. She is the National Leadership Co-Chair and a longtime Regional Board member of the Anti-Defamation League.

Ashley Szatkowski's Bio

Ashley Szatkowski is the Director of Finance and Acquisitions at Syndicated Equities. Ashley joined the firm in August 2015 and focuses on developing strategic relationships with lenders and acquiring strong cash-flowing properties for our investors. She works with new and existing lender relationships to structure financing for the firm's investments as well as coordinate due diligence and negotiate PSA's during the acquisition process. Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team from her many years as a Commercial Banker with MB Financial Bank. Ashley earned her B.S. from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a specialty in Finance and Management. She is an active member of CREW Chicago (Commercial Real Estate Women) and REEF (Real Estate Finance Forum). Ashley and her family live in Crystal Lake.

Jessica Healy's Bio

Jessica has been helping clients defer capital gains taxes since 2013 and is the Director of Business Development at Syndicated Equities. She is responsible for finding both on and off-market investment opportunities. Additionally, Jessica manages growth initiatives by expanding our investor base, which includes individuals and families seeking to place capital from a Section 1031 ("like-kind") exchange. Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a graduate certificate in Management from Northwestern. She holds her Series 63 and Series 22 certifications and is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Illinois. Prior to joining Syndicated, Jessica worked in sales for United Airlines and Insight Global. Jess lives with her partner, Dr. Tom Kaminsky, their two sons, their hunting dog and several backyard chickens in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bibi Barrera's Bio

Bibiana Barrera joined Syndicated Equities in August 2016. Bibiana attended Saint Xavier University, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. She began her career as a Paralegal in criminal and class-action law and later, an Office & Paralegal Manager. As the Director of Investor Relations, Bibiana works primarily with the accounting & acquisitions department managing the investment and investor platforms. Bibiana spends her free time with her son, reading, writing, baking and painting.

Miranda Parker's Bio

Miranda Parker joined Syndicated Equities in September 2016. She is on the acquisition team and sources new investment deals for Syndicated. She is focused on growing Syndicated’s new investor base including reach-out with attorneys, public accountants, and other high-net worth individuals in the syndication and 1031 world. Miranda holds a B.S. degree of “Planning and Real Estate development” from the University of Southern California. She is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Illinois and is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, ICSC, U.S. Green Building council. She loves traveling, exploring Chicago neighborhoods, and has a passion for sustainability and green energy.

Taylor Ligenza's Bio

Taylor Ligenza joined Syndicated Equities as its Real Estate Administrator in July 2018. Taylor primarily works in asset management overseeing portfolio-wide operational activities and assisting René Ristau. She holds an MA (Hons) in Management from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Taylor is a native Chicagoan, and is happy to be back in the Windy City. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time outdoors.

Jenna Rivera's Bio

Jenna Rivera joined Syndicated Equities in December of 2019. She acts as the 1031 exchange coordinator for Syndicated Equities and assists in placing accredited investors into DSTs throughout the market. Jenna was a collegiate soccer player at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside while earning her bachelor’s degree in History. In her free time she enjoys doing crossfit, reading, yoga.

Joshua York's Bio

Joshua York joined Syndicated Equities in April of 2020. Josh serves on the net lease brokerage team and focuses on representing 1031 exchange clients, high net worth individuals, and institutional investors in the purchase of net lease real estate. He also assists the acquisitions team in sourcing deals for Syndicated’s own account. Josh graduated with honors from Trinity Christian College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance, served as President of the Innovation Club and as a member of the baseball team. He is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Illinois and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and ICSC. He enjoys reading, fishing, and eating elephant ears at the Tulip Time Festival in his hometown of Holland, MI.

Katie Donovan's Bio