Our Team

Bob Brown is a Managing Principal of Acquisitions/Development and has been with Cypress since 2017. He is a member of the Investment Committee and responsible for all aspects of Cypress’ multifamily and mixed-use development in the Denver and Nashville markets. Prior to joining Cypress, Bob co-founded a civil engineering firm and managed operations in Austin and Houston. Bob 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 National Multi Housing Council.

John Burnham is a Director and a member of the Investment Committee. He has been with Cypress since 2009. 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 JDRF Austin Board of Directors and currently serves on the Explore Austin Board of Directors.

Stephen Clark is a Director and Founder of Cypress and a member of the Investment Committee. Prior to founding Cypress 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 of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1981.

Tim Clark is a Director and Founder of Cypress and a member of the Investment Committee. Before joining Cypress 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 Master of 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.

David Cox is a Managing Principal of Acquisitions/Development and has been with Cypress since 2003. He is a member of the Investment Committee and is responsible for sourcing, planning and developing Cypress’ land, multifamily and mixed-use real estate investments. Prior to joining Cypress, David worked with Perry Homes and Carter & Burgess. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas.

Denise Daiello is the Vice President of Asset Management and has been with Cypress since 2019. She is responsible for monitoring operations for Cypress’ properties and implementing strategies to maximize performance.  Prior to joining Cypress, 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 Residential as an operations and development assistant. Denise is a graduate of the University of Texas.  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 has been with Cypress since 2018. She is responsible for tax preparation and reporting for Cypress’ funds and underlying investments.  Prior to joining CREA, Karen worked for Ernst & Young as a tax manager performing various services for real estate industry clients. Karen is a graduate of the University of Texas and has a master’s degree in professional accounting from the University of Texas.  She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.

Emily Guillory is the Office Manager and has been with Cypress since 2021. She is responsible for coordinating daily activities in Cypress’ Austin office and performs various accounting support activities. Prior to joining Cypess, Emily worked for Texas Legal as a member services specialist managing a panel of attorneys and providing customer service to members. Emily attended Austin Community College and the University of Texas at El Paso.

Brent Heath is a Managing Principal of Capital Formation/Operations and has been with Cypress since 1999. He is a member of the Investment Committee and responsible for capital market activities, investor relations, as well as the company’s operating and reporting requirements. Prior to joining Cypress, Brent briefly worked for Heerema Marine Contactors as a project accountant. Brent 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 a Vice President of Capital Formation and has been with Cypress since 2022. She is responsible for various aspects of investment management and fundraising. Prior to joining Cypress, 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 has been with Cypress since 2012. She is responsible for risk management and performance measurement for Cypress’ funds and underlying investments. Prior to joining CREA, Amber was a co-owner of Hill Country Concrete Products and served as President of the company.  Amber 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 the Treasurer/Controller and has been with Cypress since 2007. She is responsible for treasury management, financial reporting and accounting for Cypress’ funds and underlying investments.  Prior to joining Cypress, Michelle worked for KPMG as a senior associate performing audit work for clients in various industries. Michelle is a graduate of the University of Texas and has a master’s degree in professional accounting from the University of Texas.  She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Memory Pohl is the Controller - Investment Accounting and has been with Cypress since 2015. She is responsible for financial reporting at the investment level within the Cypress funds, as well as various aspects of development and acquisition accounting. Prior to joining Cypress, Memory worked in the Audit Group of the KPMG Atlanta office. Memory received her Master of Accounting degree from the University of Mississippi, and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Texas.

Zachary Riola is a Vice President of Operations and has been with Cypress since 2023. He is responsible for financial reporting of Cypress’ 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 various assignments for private equity and real estate clients. Zachary is a graduate of St. Edwards University. He is a member of Urban Land Institute and Real Estate Council of Austin.

Dudley Simmons is a Director and a member of the Investment Committee. He has been with Cypress since 2010. Prior to joining Cypress, Dudley was a Partner at Simmons Vedder Partners and was responsible for development and acquisition of multifamily and commercial properties. He was also with JPI Apartment Communities as a development associate. Dudley 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 has been with Cypress since 2007. She is responsible for underwriting and valuation of Cypress’ investments. Prior to joining Cypress, Wendy worked for NorthMarq Capital as a senior investment analyst performing various services for real estate clients. Wendy 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.

Jessica Villareal is the Administrative Manager and has been with Cypress since 2006. Jessica plays a key role in overseeing daily operations and ensuring organizational efficiency. She has expanded her responsibilities to include payroll and benefits administration, along with treasury management for a portfolio of privately held entities. She attended the University of Houston, where she studied Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Consumer Sciences.

Ed Wendler Jr. is a Vice President of Development and has been with Cypress since 2009. He is responsible for asset management, including market analysis, asset operations, risk mitigation and various property acquisitions/dispositions activities.  Prior to joining Cypress, Ed developed and managed residential projects in central Texas.  Ed is a graduate of the University of Texas.