The future belongs to those who can see it
The Pizzuti Companies specialize in real estate development, marketing, and management. Family-owned and operated for nearly five decades, Pizzuti moves companies and neighborhoods forward by creating environments that balance function and form.
Our uncompromising commitment to excellence and long-standing values in people, purpose, and design inspire us to think deeply about the many aspects of every project we build. In both the public and private sectors, our work is drawn from that thoughtful approach; it comes to the right answer in ways that are profitable, timely, and enduring. Because of that, we're proud of what we build.
Our Team
Ronald A. Pizzuti
Chairman
Ron founded The Pizzuti Companies in 1976 in Columbus, Ohio. For over the past four decades, he has built an organization of highly motivated and exceptionally qualified professionals, who have been the key to every project's success. Ron's planning, guidance, and vision have provided the foundation for linking the disciplines of commercial real estate development within The Pizzuti Companies.
Joel S. Pizzuti
President & Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pizzuti Companies since 2006, Joel's leadership has cultivated strong working relationships and strategic partnerships with clients, prospective clients, and Pizzuti team members across the nation. Overseeing the Senior Executive Team, he manages all day-to-day operations of the company while guiding development activity for the business across all project types and locations. Joel's entrepreneurial vision enables him to play a pivotal role in the creation of strategic partnerships for future growth.
Bill Brennan
Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
Bill provides strategic insight and direction, leads investment strategies, manages the firm’s discretionary real estate funds, and effectively manages portfolio assets. Bill possesses a sound understanding of all investment policies and guidelines and establishes effective and well-organized investment processes.
Mike Chivini
Executive Vice President, Development
Mike manages Pizzuti’s development group and oversees the firm’s development operations throughout the country. With over 30 years of real estate experience, Mike has coordinated the development and/or negotiation of more than 15 million square feet of industrial space, 1.6 million square feet of office space, 900,000 square feet of retail space, and several hospitality and large residential projects.
Leslie Kalb
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
With over 20 years of experience at Pizzuti, Leslie directs and oversees all financial activities of the firm, directs the preparation of current financial reports and summaries, and projects future growth. Leslie is responsible for the preparation of all financial statements, tax compliance reporting, accounting system controls, and audit activities of the firm.
Jim Russell
Executive Vice President, Public/Private Partnerships
Jim provides strategic oversight of the firm’s real estate development, consulting, and community participation. After nearly a decade of working in the public sector, Jim joined Pizzuti in 1997 and he was instrumental in the 2005 establishment of Pizzuti Solutions, the firm’s public/private development and consulting division. A nationally recognized economic development expert, Jim is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).
Adam Okuley
Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel
Adam joins The Pizzuti Companies with more than nine years of experience in the practice of law. A graduate of Ohio State University, Adam received his Juris Doctorate from the Moritz College of Law and was a Super Lawyers Rising Star for real estate from 2020-2021. Adam’s experience spans an array of property types including multi-family, industrial, student housing, and mixed-use/office. In his role, Adam supports Scott West, Executive Vice President and General Counsel and helps manage and document all real estate transactions including purchases, sales, leases, and loans.
Ed Woods
Senior Vice President, Construction
With over 35 years of experience in the construction industry, Ed ensures the successful transition of all projects from the development phase through completion of construction and occupancy. Working closely with the Executive Vice President of Development, Ed focuses on the progression of the project feasibility analysis, project planning, implementation, and monitors all aspects with the multi-family and mixed-use developments.
Dan Gore
Senior Vice President, Development
Dan leads a variety of vertical development initiatives for Pizzuti including the advancement of its hospitality portfolio. With more than 25 years of industry experience across multiple markets, Dan has lead the design and development of numerous award winning projects. His mixed-use portfolio includes luxury residential, multi-family, boutique commercial, and larger-scale planning initiatives.
Kristin Randall
Senior Vice President, Finance
As the Senior Vice President of Finance, Kristin facilitates all aspects of underwriting, financing, and asset management for Pizzuti’s diverse real estate portfolio. Her unique background and experience lend a deep knowledge of the commercial real estate life cycle from conception to disposition. In her role, Kristin works closely with the Chief Investment Officer and Executive Committee in evaluating real estate investments and sourcing and maintaining lender relationships, venture partners and investor relationships.
Don Wheat
Senior Vice President, Operations
As a registered architect with more than 30 years of experience, Don has a strong background in project management, strategic master planning, programming, and cost management. In his role with Pizzuti Solutions, Don provides oversight and management of all project activities. His projects include the Franklin County Courthouse, Franklin County Government Center Master Plan, the new Michael B. Coleman government office building, Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Vision 2020 Plan, and the development of a new business hotel in northwest Ohio.
Cig Parks
Vice President
Cig provides oversight for teams, budgets, schedules, and facilitates communication between Owners, design professionals, construction managers, and stakeholders. She collaborates with project teams on LEED administrative functions, including evaluation of design and construction phases, supporting documentation, and credit calculations. Cig is a retired Commander with 21 years of U.S. Navy service and is a Registered Contractor in the City of Columbus.
Mia Keller
Vice President, Development
Mia leads the development of all industrial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects in the Nashville market. Her responsibilities include site selection, contract negotiations, project due diligence, governmental approvals, and predevelopment budgets for land closing. Mia has completed $690 million in transactions in her career and is exclusively focused on growing Pizzuti’s presence in the Nashville market across multiple product types.
Shawn McGorry
Vice President, Development
Shawn is primarily responsible for sourcing new industrial development opportunities in the Midwest & Midsouth markets including Columbus, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, & Louisville. In his role he is responsible for site selection, contract negotiations, project due diligence, governmental approvals, and predevelopment budgets for land closing. Throughout Shawn’s career, he has led the execution of over 400 transactions totaling over 5 million square feet with a lease value of over $1 billion.
Eric Buck
Vice President, Development
Eric leads the development of Pizzuti’s multi-family and mixed-use projects in Columbus and Cincinnati, overseeing the development process from conception to completion. Eric is responsible for sourcing opportunities, program development, and project design, government approvals and entitlements, project oversight, and project execution. Throughout his career, Eric has managed projects of various scales and product types including mid- to high-rise residential, adaptive reuse, for-sale condominiums, office, and hospitality.
Amy McCluer
Vice President, Human Resources
As Vice President of Human Resources, Amy supports the work of Pizzuti’s Managers who supervise and lead a team of Associates. She is also heavily involved in defining and developing Pizzuti’s culture, which evolves as associates are hired, developed, and empowered. Amy works to develop policies and procedures, complete annual performance evaluations, determine the best benefits to promote wellness, and to set annual, companywide goals for the firm.
Julie Martinelli
Property Manager
As Property Manager, Julie facilitates operations for Pizzuti’s diverse portfolio of properties as well as several third-party ventures. With a background in residential property management Julie has a track record of expertly managing resources to maximize return on investment. She also excels in providing excellent customer service to tenants and vendors, ensuring a positive and productive experience for all stakeholders.
Our History
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio and with offices in Chicago and Nashville, The Pizzuti Companies was founded in 1976 by its Chairman, Ron Pizzuti. Over the course of nearly fifty years, the Pizzuti team has developed more than 100 million square feet in projects poised to thrive long-term.
Pizzuti transforms communities and bolsters businesses by balancing high standards for both function and form. It is by that nuanced approach that Pizzuti continues to build things that matter.
