Syndicated Equities is a private real estate investment firm that was founded in 1986. Since its inception, Syndicated Equities has acquired over $2 billion of institutional-quality and government-leased real estate on behalf of its clients. We provide investment opportunities to accredited investors, family offices and institutions that seek attractive cash flow and long-term appreciation from real estate.
Since 1986, Syndicated Equities has been dedicated to the performance of its investments and has earned a reputation for integrity throughout the marketplace. Our personal commitment has resulted in successful, long-standing relationships with our clients, many of whom have invested with us for three decades.
Richard Kaplan
- FOUNDER & CEO -
Featured Properties
Since 1986, Syndicated Equities has acquired over $2 billion of real estate on behalf of its clients. These assets include stabilized retail, residential, office, parking, government, net leased and hotel properties. Please see a partial listing of the assets within our portfolio below.
University of Georgia – Athens, University of Minnesota – Minneapolis
Port Chester Shopping Center
493,459 Square Foot, Whole Foods Anchored Shopping Center
Port Chester, New York
Wells & Huron CVS
9,975 SF
Chicago, Illinois
DoubleTree & Embassy Suites
663 Combined Rooms
Rosemont, Illinois
Stone Falls of Ada
210 units
Ada (Grand Rapids), Michigan
Merit Biomedical Manufacturing Facility
95,480 square feet
Pearland (Houston), Texas
Investing with Syndicated
Syndicated Equities provides accredited investors and family offices with opportunity to acquire interests in institutional-quality real estate. Since 1986, Syndicated Equities has acquired over $2 billion of real estate assets on behalf of its clients. Investments are structured to provide attractive current returns and preserve capital through multiple market cycles.
Full Service Investment Management
Strong Asset Management and Experienced Operating Partners
Low Leverage, Conservative Financing
Current Cash Flow
Access Fund and Current Offerings
Our Team
Syndicated Equities’ senior management team combines over 100 years of principal-oriented real estate experience, including expertise in acquisitions, finance, development, asset management, leasing, brokerage, institutional advisory services and 1031 Exchanges. The depth of this experience is called upon as we evaluate new investment opportunities and manage existing assets within our portfolio. Our reputation for integrity, coupled with our commitment to the performance of our investments, has served our clients well for 25 years and continues to do so today.
Richard Kaplan
CEO & Founder
X
Richard Kaplan
CEO & Founder
University of Illinois
Psychology
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
Managing Partner
X
Matt McCulloch
Managing Partner
Williams College
B.A. Political Science
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
Managing Partner
X
Jason Schwartz
Managing Partner
Ohio State University
Bachelor’s in Real Estate and Urban Analysis
Jason Schwartz's Bio
Jason Schwartz, Managing Partner 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
Principal & Director of Asset Management
X
René Ristau
Principal & Director of Asset Management
University Of Chicago
B.A. in Public Policy/Economics
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
Principal & Controller
X
Robert Handler
Principal & Controller
University of Illinois
B.S. in Accounting
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
Chief of Staff
X
Terri Leslie
Chief of Staff
Purdue University
B.A. in Secondary Education
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
Principal
X
Tracy Treger
Principal
University of Pennsylvania
B.A. in Psychology
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
Director of Finance and Acquisitions
X
Ashley Szatkowski
Director of Finance and Acquisitions
University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Science
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
Director of Business Development
X
Jessica Healy
Director of Business Development
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor's Degree in History
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
Director of Investor Relations
X
Bibi Barrera
Director of Investor Relations
Saint Xavier University
Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice
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
Director of Acquisitions
X
Miranda Parker
Director of Acquisitions
University of Southern California
Bachelor's Degree in Planning and Real Estate Development
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
Associate Asset Manager
X
Taylor Ligenza
Associate Asset Manager
University of St Andrews
Masters in Management
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
Business Development Associate
X
Jenna Rivera
Business Development Associate
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Bachelors Degree in History
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
Investment Associate
X
Joshua York
Investment Associate
Trinity Christian College
Bachelor's Degree in Finance
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
X
Katie Donovan
Katie Donovan's Bio
Andrew Killian
Acquisitions Analyst
X
Andrew Killian
Acquisitions Analyst
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Masters in Business Administration
Andrew Killian's Bio
Andrew is an Acquisitions Analyst at Syndicated Equities, assisting with sourcing, analyzing, and underwriting new deals. Andrew spent 5 years in consulting and corporate strategy before switching into real estate, where he spent about a year performing valuations for a large industrial portfolio prior to joining Syndicated. He has his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his MBA from Chicago Booth. In his free time, Andrew enjoys hiking, reading fiction, cooking new recipes, and walking his dog.
X
Susan Plichta
- Legal & Accounting Administrator -
Susan's Bio
Susan Plichta, Legal & Accounting Administrator for Syndicated Equities', manages the investment
platforms. Her responsibilities include providing investor support, coordinating with Qualified
Intermediaries/Third Party IRA Administrators, and public relations. Susan has been in the real estate
field for over 20 years, many of which were spent working with a global law firm.
We believe that investing in professionally managed real estate is essential to both a well-diversified portfolio and the creation of personal wealth.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Access News of Interest for Investors and Industry Professionals
We email occasional newsletters concerning our company and the industry. You can unsubscribe anytime, and we will never sell or share your email with another company.