MERIT HILL CAPITAL

Liz Raun Schlesinger

Founder & CEO

Ms. Elizabeth Raun Schlesinger is the founder and CEO of Merit Hill Capital and also has served on the Merit Hill Capital Board of Directors since its inception in 2016. Ms. Schlesinger has been investing in the self-storage sector exclusively since 2006. She was formerly the Head of Self-Storage Investments at W. P. Carey Inc., where she worked for over eleven years and, together with her team, built from inception the eighth largest self-storage operator in the U.S. Ms. Schlesinger co-founded WPC’s self-storage investment platform as the firm’s first independent investment vertical outside of triple net lease and helped to raise the initial capital for the self-storage platform.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Schlesinger has evaluated over 4,700 self-storage acquisitions totaling over $25 billion in asset value. Ms. Schlesinger has sourced, executed, and been responsible for the investment decision of 207 self-storage investments acquiring 402 separate self-storage properties; completed 17 full cycle portfolio and single-asset exits of 105 properties, realizing significant returns on the investments she made; and 189 separate financings comprising 466 properties, altogether totaling more than $5.9 billion in self-storage transaction volume. She also helped to invest in 25 self-storage facilities in 18 transactions before she was the lead investment person responsible for sourcing, selecting and determining the appropriate value to pay for each investment.

Prior to W. P. Carey, she spent four years as an Analyst and then an Associate in the Private Equity Group at Brown Brothers Harriman where she was responsible for sourcing, executing and monitoring investments for the 1818 Funds. Ms. Schlesinger serves on the Penn Fund Executive Board and the Board of Trustees of Poly Prep Country Day School. Ms. Schlesinger graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and received her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Anne Hawkins

Chief Operations Officer

Ms. Hawkins is the Chief Operating Officer of Merit Hill Capital. Ms. Hawkins brings nearly two decades of operational leadership and investing experience to Merit Hill. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer of Self Storage at Morningstar Properties, a top private operator with over 85 owned and operated facilities. At Morningstar, Ms. Hawkins led a team of over 200 employees across more than 10 states and drove a number of strategic initiatives to deliver exceptional financial performance. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President at STR, Inc., helping to build out STR’s competitive benchmarking and analytics in new sectors, including self storage. Ms. Hawkins also was an investor with Great Hill Partners, a growth equity fund, and Thoma Bravo, a private equity fund focused on software and technology.

Ms. Hawkins graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Georgia, where she was a Foundation Fellowship Scholar, and received her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Michael Linn, CFA®

Chief Financial Officer

Michael Linn is the Chief Financial Officer at Merit Hill Capital.  Mr. Linn has over twenty five years of experience in product and financial control and has worked at top tier financial services firms including Deutsche Bank, Cantor Fitzgerald and Fortress Investment Group. With a strong background in both finance and technology, Mr. Linn has successfully led the finance and operations team of several growth stage companies in highly regulated industries including an insurance company, a broker dealer and a mortgage servicer. In his time at Fortress Investment Group, Mr. Linn supported New Residential Mortgage LLC, a publicly traded REIT, as both Director of Finance and Operations and Director of Finance Transformation.  While at Cantor Fitzgerald, Mr. Linn served as the Controller for a commercial real estate origination and securitization business, where he helped build the financial and operational control framework.

Mr. Linn earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Binghamton University and earned his CFA charter in 2006.

Jennifer Builes

Director, Operations & Human Resources

Jennifer is the Director of Operations and Human Resources at Merit Hill Capital where she oversees the business operations of the company and manages the deal acquisition process.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital, Jennifer served as the Deal Operations Manager for the Self-Storage Investment Group at W. P. Carey Inc from 2015 to 2017 where she assisted with 22 acquisitions, eight loan assumptions and four dispositions.  Additionally, while at W.P. Carey, Jennifer worked as an Analyst in their Treasury department from 2014 to 2015. Prior to W. P. Carey, Jennifer worked in the finance group at Veeco Instruments, Inc. for several years, focusing primarily on Domestic and International Treasury. Jennifer received her B.A. from Eastern Michigan University in Communications and History

Cole Jackson

Director, Head of Investments

Mr. Cole Jackson is Director, Head of Investments at Merit Hill Capital. He assists in the evaluation, underwriting, closing, and financing of investments, the management of the Investment Department as well as the portfolio, and financial analysis of the firm’s operations.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in 2017, Cole was part of the Self-Storage Investment Group at W. P. Carey Inc. for nearly six years. During his career, he has worked on 73 self-storage investments comprising 152 properties, five portfolio and single-asset exits comprising 28 properties and 66 financings totaling more than $1.9 billion in self-storage transaction volume.

Cole graduated cum laude with honors from Arizona State University and Barrett, The Honors College in 2011, with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Economics from the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Christina M Smith, CFA®

Assistant Vice President, Investments

Christina M Smith, CFA serves as Assistant Vice President of Investments at Merit Hill Capital. She assists in the evaluation, underwriting, closing, and financing of investments, the strategic sales of assets, and the management of the portfolio.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in 2017, Christina worked in the Self-Storage Investment Group at W. P. Carey Inc. During her career, she has worked on 26 self-storage investments comprising 39 properties, six portfolio and single-asset exits comprising 29 properties and 28 financings totaling more than $800 million in self-storage transaction volume.

Prior to joining WPC, Christina was an Experienced Associate in the Financial Instruments, Structured Products, and Real Estate Group at PWC.

Christina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bucknell University with a B.S.B.A. in Management with a Finance concentration and passed all three levels of the CFA exams consecutively.

Andrew Fiepke

Assistant Vice President, Investments

Mr. Andrew Fiepke is an Assistant Vice President at Merit Hill Capital. He assists in the evaluation, underwriting, closing, and financing of investments, the management of the portfolio, financial analysis of the firm’s operations, raising capital for investments, and advising on the firm’s investment strategy.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in 2017, Andrew worked in the Self-Storage Investment Group at W. P. Carey Inc., for nearly three years. During his career, he has worked on 60 self-storage investments comprising 99 properties, three portfolio and single-asset exits comprising 42 properties and 44 financings totaling more than $1.7 billion in self-storage transaction volume.

Andrew graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A. in Finance from the Cox School of Business, a B.A. in Markets & Culture and a minor French. While at SMU, Mr. Fiepke was a member of the University Honors, B.B.A. Honors and Alternative Asset Management programs.

John Colella

Assistant Vice President, Investments

Mr. John Colella serves as Assistant Vice President of Investments at Merit Hill Capital where his responsibilities include underwriting, evaluating, closing and financing investments. Mr. Colella is also responsible for assisting in the sourcing and structuring of financing for the firm.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in 2019, John worked in the CMBS group at J.P. Morgan Chase where he helped underwrite commercial real estate loans for both balance sheet and CMBS securitizations. During his time at the firm, he underwrote more than 175 properties totaling over $1.6 billion in total loan volume across all asset types.

Since joining Merit Hill Capital, John has worked on nine self-storage investments comprising 11 properties, and 10 financings totaling more than $430 million in self-storage transaction volume.

John graduated from The College of the Holy Cross in 2013 with a B.A. in History and received his MPS in Real Estate Finance from Georgetown University in 2017.

Steven Teixeira

Vice President, Asset Management

Steven is Vice President of Asset Management at Merit Hill Capital. He has oversight of the Merit Hill Analytics team and, in partnership with the property management companies, he helps oversee day-to-day activities and operations at the 220+ properties currently under ownership. Additionally, he participates in identifying and underwriting potential value-add capital expenditure projects as well as providing support throughout the completion of capital projects and expansions across the portfolio.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital, Steven worked in the Self-Storage Investment Group at W. P. Carey Inc., where he was involved in 13 self-storage investments comprising 20 properties, three portfolio exits comprising 31 properties, and 15 financings totaling more than $670 million in self-storage transaction volume. Steven graduated cum laude from the Villanova School of Business with a B.B.A. degree in Finance and Economics. He is also fluent in Portuguese.

Corey Schiffres

Senior Associate, Asset Management

Corey serves as Senior Associate, Asset Management at Merit Hill Capital. His responsibilities include assisting in the management of the firm’s portfolio and working on asset management level underwriting and analysis.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital, Corey held a variety of positions at SITE Centers. He most recently worked in the Financial Planning & Analysis group, where he contributed to portfolio underwriting, corporate strategy and ad hoc analysis. Prior to that role, Corey worked in the National Accounts Department, cultivating relationships with current and potential tenants. He graduated from Colgate University with a B.A. in Political Science

Matthew Lucarelli

Associate, Asset Management

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital, Matt held a variety of positions at Kimco Realty Corporation. He most recently worked as an Asset Management Analyst, where he evaluated development opportunities and contributed to portfolio underwriting, dispositions, and ad hoc analysis. Prior to that role, Matt did a rotational program as a Management Associate, where he worked in five different departments including Asset Management, Leasing, Development, Construction and Property Management. He graduated from Siena College with a B.A. in Finance.

Bradley Korzelius

Analyst, Investments

Bradley serves as Analyst, Investments at Merit Hill Capital where he assists in the evaluation and underwriting of new self-storage investments.

Before joining Merit Hill Capital in 2019, Bradley was a Summer Analyst at Starwood Property Trust in their Capital Markets Group where he assisted in the acquisition of CMBS B-Pieces and performed research on the performance and impact of malls on the CMBS portfolio. Prior to that, he worked as a Summer Analyst for Cerberus Capital Management in their Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Group where he assisted in the trade and acquisition of CMBS. Bradley graduated from Cornell University, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management with a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management and a minor in Real Estate.

Alexander Konopka

Senior Analyst, Asset Management

Alexander Konopka serves as a Senior Analyst, Asset Management at Merit Hill Capital where he assists in the management of the firm’s portfolio and works on asset management level underwriting and analysis.

Prior to joining the firm, Alexander was a part of the Real Estate Team at Iron Mountain where he worked on the underwriting, analysis, financial planning, and over-all strategy of their real estate portfolio. Previously, he worked at Management Solutions as a data management consultant for large multi-national banks working on projects related to Risk Data Aggregation, Data Management, and Capital Planning.

Alexander received a B.S. degree from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College where he graduated with a double major in Finance and Management & Leadership.

Zac Curtis

Analyst, Investments

Zac serves as Analyst, Investments at Merit Hill Capital where he assists in the evaluation and underwriting of new self-storage investments.

Before joining Merit Hill Capital in 2021, Zac worked at Retail Resource Group where he assisted in restructuring retail and restaurant Real Estate portfolios. Prior to that, he studied Debt and Capital markets at the London School of Economics. Zac graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler School of Business with a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in Real Estate and Finance as well as a minor in History.

Nick Savignano

Analyst, Investments

Nick serves as Analyst, Investments for Merit Hill Capital where he helps to underwrite and examine new self-storage investments.

Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in July of 2021, Nick was a summer analyst at RBC Capital Markets in Dallas, TX where he worked with the Real Estate Capital Partners office helping to evaluate various debt investments in a variety of different classes of real estate. Prior to that, Nick worked as a summer associate at Revelstoke Capital Partners in Denver, CO where he assisted in reviewing and researching investments in various Healthcare IT entities. Nick graduated Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business with a BBA in Finance, a concentration in Real Estate Finance, and a specialization in Alternative Asset Management.

Jane Jones

Investor Relations Coordinator

Ms. Jane Jones is the Investor Relations Coordinator at Merit Hill Capital. She brings over 20 years of financial industry experience to Merit Hill’s Investor Relations team, with emphasis in building and maintaining relationships, as well as top level administration. Her diverse industry skill set provides a comprehensive and attentive experience for advisors and investors alike.

Before joining Merit Hill Capital, Ms. Jones previously served as the Business Development Coordinator for Dynamic Advisor Solutions and as Senior Sales Administrator for Bluerock Capital Markets. Prior to her time at Bluerock, she spent nearly 15 years as an Internal Wholesaler and Territory Administrator for Carey Financial, a fully owned subsidiary of W. P. Carey, and leading publicly traded REIT on the NYSE.

Jane earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration and resides in Colorado Springs.

Denisse Mogollon

Vice President, Finance

Denisse serves at Vice President, Finance at Merit Hill Capital. Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in 2020, Denisse worked with the Enterprise Capital Management team at Bank of America. Denisse has extensive experience in senior management and regulatory reporting for GSIB institutions with a focus on reporting enhancements, risk mitigation, and automation.

She began her career with JPMorgan Chase initially with the Private Bank under Asset management, followed by Financial Controls at the Corporate & Investment Bank.

Denisse attended Villanova University graduating with a B.A. in Economics and minors in Spanish and Business. She is fluent in Spanish and has working-knowledge Portuguese.

Chris Hildebrand, CPA

Vice President, Controller

Chris Hildebrand serves as Vice President, Controller for Merit Hill Capital and is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.  Mr. Hildebrand graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004 with both a B.B.A. and M.S. in Accounting from Mays Business School.  Mr. Hildebrand began his career in Audit at Ernst & Young, LLP in Dallas, Texas from 2004-2008.  From 2008-2017, Mr. Hildebrand served as the Accounting Manager for Capstead Mortgage Corporation, a Dallas-based publicly-traded mortgage REIT.  Mr. Hildebrand joined Merit Hill Capital in December 2017 and resides in Dallas with his wife and two children.

Ashley Bosworth, CPA

Accounting Manager

Ashley Bosworth is the Accounting Manager for Merit Hill Capital. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and graduated with both a B.B.A and M.S.A. in Accounting from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in 2014. She has previously served as the Lead Fund Accountant for Lantern Asset Management, LP, a middle-market private equity firm specializing in distressed asset investments. She began her career at KPMG, LLP in Austin, Texas, where she served as a Senior Audit Associate.

Matthew Butler

Senior Accountant

Matthew serves as Senior Accountant at Merit Hill Capital where he assists with the preparation of the accounting and tax work for the Firm’s investment portfolio.  Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in October 2018, Matthew was a Project Accountant for Stillwater Capital Investments, a real estate development firm in Dallas, TX.  He graduated from Concordia University with a B.B.A in Accounting and currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Alex Lorei

Accountant

Born and raised in Kansas City, KS, he later moved to Dallas in 2013 where he finished high school and attended the University of North Texas for two years. After that, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma graduating with a B.S. in Accounting. He has lived in Dallas, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Denver, and Austin. He started his career in Denver as an internal auditor before moving back to Dallas and joining Merit Hill Capital. Alex is a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Oklahoma Sooners. He is the proud owner of two pugs who he adores.

Jorge Sanchez

Financial Analyst

Jorge is a Financial Analyst at Merit Hill Capital where he assists with the preparation of reports and helps evaluate current financial data. Prior to joining Merit Hill Capital in February 2021, Jorge was an Accounting Intern at Berdon LLP. During his time at the firm, he assisted the team with estimated projections and tax preparation. Jorge graduated from Baruch College with a B.B.A in Finance.

Gisselle Medina

Executive Administrator

Gisselle Medina is the Executive Administrator at Merit Hill Capital for Liz Schlesinger, the CEO and Founder of the Firm.  Gisselle provides high level confidential administrative support, manages Liz’s day-to-day schedule and oversees organizational projects.

Gisselle has over 15 years of experience in the real estate arena and ten years providing support to C-Level Corporate Officers. Before joining Merit Hill Capital, Gisselle worked at a start-up real estate firm where she played a pivotal part in the growth of the organization and demonstrated her ability to perform more than one role.  In this role, Gisselle obtained her New York Real Estate Salespersons License.