TRACE MCCREARY
CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Trace McCreary is the Co-CEO of Fortis Property Management and is also the CEO of Varden Capital Properties (VCP), which he founded in late 2011. He has been responsible for the acquisition of approximately 18,000 apartment units in the Southeast since the beginning of 2012 and the sale of more than 10,000 units. Trace has overseen all aspects of the apartment investing business, including acquisitions, financing, operations, renovations, divestiture and investor relations.

Prior to Fortis and VCP, Trace had a nearly 20-year career on Wall Street as an investment banker doing mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance as a partner at top firms including Salomon Brothers/Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston and Barclays Capital. Prior to being an investment banker, Trace was a corporate lawyer at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in New York.

Trace graduated with a B.A. Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Carleton College in Minnesota in 1989 and with a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1992.

MIKAEL LEVEY
CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mikael is the Co-CEO of Fortis Property Management and the founder, owner, and CEO of JEM Holdings, a New York City-based real estate investment company focused on acquiring value-add multifamily properties in the Southeast. In addition to JEM’s value-add multifamily portfolio, JEM is currently growing its office portfolio, developing multifamily, and through its subsidiary, JEM Joint Ventures, redeveloping an Opportunity Zone hotel deal. Since its inception in 2011, JEM has acquired thirty-five properties, comprised of over 8,000 multifamily housing units and two office buildings. Mikael oversees all aspects JEM Holdings, JEM Joint Ventures and Fortis Property Management. Prior to Fortis and JEM, Mikael worked at Silverstein Properties, Urban America, Cushman and Wakefield and CB Richard Ellis and has been involved in well over $3B in transactions.

Mikael earned his Master in Real Estate Development from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Boston University.

CHRIS HADARITS
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Chris serves as CFO of Fortis and brings over 15 years of industry experience in the financial management and oversight of multifamily properties. Chris has been involved in several disciplines of property management including new construction, development, rehabilitations, and lease-ups. Prior to entering property management, Chris enjoyed a three-year tenure as Controller of Atlanta’s MGA Insurance Company. His diversified background gives Chris excellent perspective, and he plays an integral role in overseeing the accounting staff and providing valuable counsel regarding all financial matters.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, specializing in Finance.

KATHRYN ASHLEY
CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER

Kathryn (Katie) serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Fortis multifamily portfolio in the Southeast and oversees approximately 200 property management and regional support staff. She is responsible for all aspects of Fortis on-site due diligence for new acquisitions, on-site operations, employee training, and capital projects. Her expertise includes new construction, lease ups, acquisitions, renovations, and repositions, and she has over 25 years’ experience in property and portfolio management, operations, and employee training and development. Prior to joining Fortis in 2021, Katie served as VP of Operations for a 7,000 unit workforce housing portfolio with assets located across the Southeast.

Katie graduated from Midlands Technical College with an Associates of Science in Accounting and attended George Mason University with coursework emphasis in Education. Katie holds CPMc®, and CAM designations, as well as a South Carolina PMIC license.

CHRISTOPHER M. HIGINGBOTHAM
VICE PRESIDENT/JEM MULTIFAMILY OPERATIONS

Christopher (Chris) serves as a Vice President for Fortis multifamily portfolio in the Southeast. Prior to joining Fortis in 2021, Chris was a Regional Manager for First Communities and oversaw the takeover and management of over 30 properties for First Community’s client JEM Holdings. His current focus is on the regional management of Fortis assets in Nashville, Huntsville and Maryland. Along with Kathryn, Chris is also responsible for various aspects of Fortis on-site due diligence for new acquisitions, onsite operations, employee training, and capital projects. Prior to joining First Communities, Chris was a regional property manager for a portfolio of distressed Conventional, HUD and LIHTC multifamily properties throughout the Southeast.

Chris served honorably in the United States Marine Corps for eight years including multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan where he was awarded several Combat Service Awards during his tenure. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology from the University of Georgia.

KATHRYN MOODY
CONTROLLER

Kathryn serves as the Controller for Fortis and is responsible for managing accounting records and overseeing the production of financial reports. Kathryn oversees all employees involved in the accounting process, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and inventory. Prior to Fortis, Kathryn served as the controller for Hammond Residential Group for over 10 years.

Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of South Carolina.