According to Arthur Winn, principal and founder of WinnCompanies, his son, Gilbert Winn, has been named the company's chief executive officer effective immediately. Gilbert was most recently the company's managing principal. Founded in 1971, WinnCompanies is an award-winning national real estate development and property management company.
"Since joining the company 12 years ago, Gilbert has shown an in-depth understanding of real estate development and a deep commitment to the values and spirit of this company," said Arthur Winn. "I am proud to see Gilbert lead our company's efforts to pursue the creation and management of meaningful and quality real estate throughout the country."
As a result of Arthur Winn's core beliefs in excellence and community building, WinnCompanies has been a pioneer in the fields of affordable housing and residential property management, and has expanded operations across 23 states employing over 3,000 people. The company is renowned for forging public-private partnerships that use innovative financing and government subsidy programs, coupled with industry expertise, to revitalize communities and turn around troubled properties.
"My father started with a unique vision for this company, and I feel very fortunate to take the reins and build on the company's very successful platform," said Gilbert Winn. "The core values that were established decades ago, the groundbreaking efforts in the industry and commitment to our residents and clients are things we take very seriously and which help guide all future endeavors."
An industry veteran, Gilbert has built a long list of accomplishments. Prior to joining Winn, he helped originate and implement more than $150 million of equity investments nationwide for Related Capital Company. Since joining Winn in 2003, he has focused his efforts on overseeing high-impact historic and environmentally sustainable redevelopment projects, many of which have received numerous awards from city and state agencies, as well as non-profits and industry associations for their impact on the community, design, sustainable features and historic preservation. He is the 2015 President of the Rental Housing Association (RHA), an appointee to Urban Renewal Task Force of City of Boston, an advisor on the Real Estate Council of B'nai B'rith New England, a member of the board of directors for the Combined Jewish Philanthropies' (CJP) Next Generation Real Estate Board, and board member of Heading Home, Inc., a homelessness prevention non-profit serving greater Boston. Gilbert is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology.
In his new role, Gilbert will be responsible for overseeing the company's management and investment activities, as well as the real estate development activities of WinnDevelopment alongside his partner Larry Curtis. He will also play an integral role in the creation, planning, implementation and integration of the strategic vision of WinnCompanies. Gilbert succeeds former CEO Samuel Ross, who after 21 years of dedicated and valuable work at WinnCompanies announced his retirement at the end of 2014.
Additional leadership changes that are effective immediately include: William Wollinger will move from president of WinnResidential to chief operating officer of WinnCompanies; Deirdre Kuring, formerly COO of WinnResidential, will become president of WinnResidential; and Patrick Appleby, formerly COO of WinnMilitary, will take over as president of WinnMilitary. Winn is also pleased to welcome Cynthia Tanner as the new chief financial officer of WinnResidential. Tanner was formerly the chief accounting officer at Bozzuto Group.
The Winn executive team continues to benefit from the expertise of Michael Putziger, chairman of WinnCompanies. Larry Curtis, president and managing partner of WinnDevelopment, will continue leading development and acquisition opportunities. Michael O'Brien, executive vice president of WinnCompanies, will be working closely with COO William Wollinger and Gilbert Winn on corporate management, strategic planning, and financial and client relationships.