Our Mission

Bob Brown is a Principal and joined CREA in 2017. He is a member of the Investment Committee and responsible for all aspects of CREA’s multifamily and mixed-use development in the Denver and Nashville markets. Prior to joining CREA, Bob co-founded an engineering firm and managed operations in Austin and Houston. Bob is from Texas, is a graduate of Texas State University and has a master’s degree in real estate development from Georgetown University. He is a member of Urban Land Institute and the American Planning Association.

John Burnham is a Managing Principal and joined CREA in 2009. He is a member of the Investment Committee and responsible for CREA’s acquisition and development pipeline. Prior to joining CREA, John was a Partner at Simmons Vedder Partners and responsible for development and acquisition of multifamily properties. He also spent time with Bozzuto Group as a development associate. John is from Washington D.C. and is a graduate of Princeton University. He is a member of Urban Land Institute, National Multi Housing Council, Pension Real Estate Association, previously served on the board of JDRF Austin and currently serves on the board of Explore Austin.

Denise Daiello is the Senior Asset Manager and joined CREA in 2019. She is responsible for monitoring operations for CREA’s properties and implementing strategies to maximize performance. Prior to joining CREA, Denise worked for Stream Realty as an area manager where she supervised multiple properties in San Antonio and Austin. She also spent time with Gables as an operations and development assistant. Denise is from Texas and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of the National Multi Housing Council, Real Estate Council of Austin, and previously served as a child advocate with CASA of Travis County.

Karen Dallman is the Tax Manager and joined CREA in 2018. She is responsible for tax preparation and reporting for CREA funds and investments. Prior to joining CREA, Karen worked for Ernst & Young as a tax manager performing various services for real estate clients. Karen is from Texas, is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has a master’s degree in professional accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.

Emily Guillory is the Office Manager and joined CREA in 2021. She is responsible for coordinating daily activities at CREA’s Austin office and provides accounting support. Prior to joining CREA, Emily worked for Texas Legal as a member services specialist managing a panel of attorneys and providing customer service to members. Emily is from Texas and attended Austin Community College and the University of Texas at El Paso.

Brent Heath is a Principal and joined CREA in 1999. He is a member of the Investment Committee and responsible for the company’s operations and finances.  Prior to joining CREA, Brent briefly worked for Heerema Marine Contactors as a project accountant.   Brent is from Oklahoma and is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University.  He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Urban Land Institute, Real Estate Council of Austin, and Pension Real Estate Association.

Emily Leidolf is an Associate and joined CREA in 2022. She is responsible for various aspects of investment management and fundraising. Prior to joining CREA, Emily worked for PGIM Real Estate where she structured, priced, and closed $1.5 billion in multifamily bridge loans. Emily is from Washington D.C., is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has a master’s degree in real estate finance from Georgetown University. She is a member of Urban Land Institute, Real Estate Council of Austin and serves on the Young Professional Board for Special Olympics in Austin.

Amber Meinzer is the Risk Manager and joined CREA in 2012. She is responsible for risk management and performance measurement for CREA funds and investments. Prior to joining CREA, Amber was co-owner of Hill Country Concrete Products and served as President of the company. Amber is from Texas and is a graduate of the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar.  She currently serves on the executive committee for Beyond Batten Disease Foundation’s Development Board.

Michelle Musil is Treasurer and Controller and joined CREA in 2007. She is responsible for treasury management, financing reporting and accounting for CREA funds and development projects.  Prior to joining CREA, Michelle worked for KPMG as a senior associate performing audit work for clients in various industries. Michelle is from Texas, is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has a master’s degree in professional accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Zachary Riola is a Senior Financial Analyst and joined CREA in 2023. He is responsible for financial reporting of CREA funds and multifamily development projects. Prior to joining CREA, Zachary worked for Standish Management as a fund controller responsible for fund administration activities for private equity and real estate private equity clients. He also spent time with KPMG working on assignments for private equity and real estate clients. Zachary is from Texas and is a graduate of St. Edwards University.

Dudley Simmons is a Managing Principal and joined CREA in 2010. He is a member of the Investment Committee and is responsible for CREA’s development activity. Prior to joining CREA, Dudley was a Partner at Simmons Vedder Partners and was responsible for development and acquisition of multifamily and commercial properties. He also spent time with JPI Apartment Communities as a development associate. Dudley is from Texas and attended Princeton University before graduating from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of Urban Land Institute, National Multi Housing Council, Pension Real Estate Association, and is currently a Sustaining Member of The Zell Lurie Real Estate Center at Wharton.

Wendy Stephenson is the Valuation Manager and joined CREA in 2007. She is responsible for underwriting and valuation of CREA’s investments. Prior to joining CREA, Wendy worked for NorthMarq Capital as a senior investment analyst performing various services for real estate clients. Wendy is from Texas, is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has a master’s degree in land economics and real estate from Texas A&M University. She is a licensed real estate broker in the State of Texas.

Ed Wendler Jr. is a Vice President and joined CREA in 2009. He is responsible for risk mitigation, market analysis, and property dispositions.  Prior to joining CREA, Ed developed and managed residential projects in central Texas. Ed is from Texas and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

John Burnham is a Managing Principal and joined CREA in 2009. He is a member of the Investment Committee and responsible for CREA’s acquisition and development pipeline. Prior to joining CREA, John was a Partner at Simmons Vedder Partners and responsible for development and acquisition of multifamily properties. He also spent time with Bozzuto Group as a development associate.  John is from Washington D.C. and is a graduate of Princeton University. He is a member of Urban Land Institute, National Multi Housing Council, Pension Real Estate Association, previously served on the board of JDRF Austin and currently serves on the board of Explore Austin.

Stephen Clark is a Founding Principal of CREA and a member of the Investment Committee. Prior to founding CREA in 1995, Steve was a Managing Director at Harvard Private Capital Group, a subsidiary of Harvard Management Company, where he directed the group responsible for all real estate investment activities. Before joining Harvard in 1991, Steve was a partner with an affiliate of Harvard Management Company in Clark-Pilgrim Limited Partnership. From 1982 through 1989, Steve was employed by the Trammell Crow Company, where he was the partner in charge of Philadelphia commercial activities at the time of his departure. Steve received his undergraduate degree in Management Science from Duke University in 1976 and a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1981.

Tim Clark is a Founding Principal of CREA and a member of the Investment Committee. Before joining CREA in 1995, he was President of Helios Property Company, a developer and owner of residential, golf course and industrial properties. Prior to that, Tim was a Manager at Andersen Consulting in its Financial Services division. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Florida and a Masters in Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Tim is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Real Estate Council of Austin and the Board of Directors for Scenic Austin, the local chapter of Scenic Texas, Inc.

Dudley Simmons is a Managing Principal and joined CREA in 2010. He is a member of the Investment Committee and is responsible for CREA’s development activity. Prior to joining CREA, Dudley was a Partner at Simmons Vedder Partners and was responsible for development and acquisition of multifamily and commercial properties. He also spent time with JPI Apartment Communities as a development associate. Dudley is from Texas and attended Princeton University before graduating from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of Urban Land Institute, National Multi Housing Council, Pension Real Estate Association, and is currently a Sustaining Member of The Zell Lurie Real Estate Center at Wharton.

Tom Simmons co-founded Simmons Vedder & Company in 1992 where he served as Chairman from 1992 through 2014. The company successfully developed vertical mixed-use, office, warehouse, multi-family, student housing, senior housing, and land development projects. It was responsible for the development and acquisition of over 8 million square feet of office, industrial, and residential projects with an aggregate value of over $2 billion. These projects span such markets as Atlanta, Austin, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Oklahoma City, Orlando, San Antonio, and Washington. Prior to forming Simmons Vedder & Company, Tom spent 21 years with the Trammell Crow Company. He joined as an assistant to Trammell Crow in April of 1970 and was promoted to Managing Partner of the Houston Industrial Division. In 1975, Tom’s territory was expanded to include the southeastern United States. He helped to open offices in Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa and Birmingham. In 1980, Tom assumed responsibility for company operations in Austin and the northeastern United States including operations in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington. In 1987, Tom was promoted to Group Managing Partner of the East Group, which again expanded his area of responsibility to include company operations in Minnesota, Ohio, and Kentucky.  While a partner at Trammell Crow Company, Tom was responsible for the development of office, industrial, and retail projects totaling in excess of 50 million square feet. From 1987 to 1989, he was a member of the fourteen-man Management Board which ran the Trammell Crow Company. From 1990 to 1991, was a member of the eight-man Executive Committee. Tom currently runs his family office, T.D. Simmons Company; which invests in real estate development and acquisition, private equity, hedge funds, and stocks and bonds.