About Pac West
The Management Team
William Pennington
Senior Partner
Founder
A real estate development and construction professional since 1983, Bill founded Pacific West in 1991. Bill is always looking for a way to “go one better.” Sometimes that requires a complete paradigm shift in an industry notorious for its conventional and rigid ways.
His affinity for efficiency is legendary, and has inspired everyone to rethink our industry’s wasteful ways. Several years ago, Bill began an ambitious project to “re-wire” development and construction management. Today, that project has become known as MicroCraft™. The most sophisticated construction management program available, MicroCraft™ gives Pacific West, clients, subcontractors, and business partners unprecedented access and control over all aspects of their projects. From top to bottom and everywhere in between, Bill’s focus is to get things done faster with fewer resources and less money than is required with conventional means. It all translates into a more efficient project for all parties involved. Once a project is complete, Bill oversees the asset managers and property managers to ensure existing projects stay on course and are run in the most efficient way possible.
Particulars:
Founded Lighting Bolt
Creator of MicroCraft™ construction management software
Creator of ownerCare® on-line customer service program
Licensed general contractor Nevada
John Burkett
Senior Partner
Design, Estimating, & Approvals
John is obsessed with designing the perfect community and the most efficient development process. Night or day, you can usually find John scrutinizing plans, poring over new material catalogs, studying project sites, meeting with subcontractors and local agencies, working the numbers, anything it takes to get him one step closer to perfection.
Each new community starts with a meeting between John and other members of the team. Then, with little more than a location and a concept (sometimes just a scribble on a napkin), John visits the site and considers all the variables, including topography, vegetation, wild life, utilities, traffic flows, visibility, the neighborhood, available resources and more. John then meets with local officials to get an understanding of what they want and what they need. With that information — and the insight that comes from more than 25 years in development (John has been with Pacific West since its creation in 1991) — he begins working with designers, architects, engineers, financial experts, and what seems like countless others who might have some influence on the ultimate outcome.
John oversees entitlement, bidding and permitting process until the project is born, the building permit is issued, and the earth moves (literally). Once construction has begun, John oversees the construction management team through completion.
Particulars:
Has more than 25 years in multifamily construction design and management
Has overseen the development and construction of more than 10,000 units
Jim Zaccheo
Partner
CFO
Jim is a gifted Chief Financial Officer, but just as important, he’s a natural leader with a resolute work ethic. From the time he was two, Jim wanted to be the starting quarterback for a major college. He succeeded, directing the University of Nevada under Hall of Fame Coach Chris Ault. After receiving his BS degree in accounting, Jim got his fill of pure number crunching with five years service at the international accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick. He was a manager in the audit department where he, among other things, supervised SEC audits and IPOs. Jim knew he needed something more, so he dedicated himself to real estate development, and by 1997 he was the CFO of two major development companies.
Since 2004, Jim has been the chief financial officer for Pacific West. He oversees all aspects of financing for the company and every project we develop.
Jim likes to kick the tires. Rather than just sitting in the office and relying entirely on an appraisal and market study, or even analysis from his own team, Jim personally visits each site and studies the competition to make sure the numbers are accurate before he signs off. From preliminary project modeling to structuring and closing the financing, Jim oversees and directs the financial team as any great leader would, with efficiency, precision, confidence and a personal understanding of the deal from the dirt up.
Particulars:
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, University of Nevada
Accountant, KPMG Peat Marwick, San Jose, CA
CFO, Tanamera Development
CFO, Somersett Development
Michelle Erlach
Partner
Deal Creation/Oversight
Michelle’s involvement in real estate started when she began working for the family development business, which she later owned and operated. While that might equal a lifetime of achievement for many people, for Michelle it was just a start. Michelle widened her real estate expertise by getting a degree in law from the University of Santa Clara. For the next 12 years, she represented major local and national developers, as well as lenders, as their legal counsel. Using this wealth of knowledge, Michelle is now focused on strategic planning and new business growth. That growth includes expanding the company’s opportunities by helping to analyze and structure new deals from the beginning. She makes sure all the issues are addressed up front and deals can close on schedule with no last minute surprises.
Michelle is fluent in French, and travels the world, keeping exposed to different ideas and different ways of thinking. To maintain both her mental and physical endurance, Michelle runs marathons, including the Boston marathon.
Particulars:
Bachelor of Science, University of Nevada
Juris Doctorate, University of Santa Clara
Law Firm of Walther Key, Cox, Legoy
Bret Dowty
Head of Construction
With more than 30 years of residential construction experience, Bret oversees all construction for Pacific West. Bret is our direct link to the front lines. It’s his job to make sure the team overcomes any obstacles (and they do), which is testament to his work ethic and goal-driven passion. By utilizing state-of-the-art time management techniques, including instant, online contact with our superintendents, Bret makes sure all jobs are run efficiently and with the highest-possible regard for quality. He has hired and manages the best multifamily superintendents in the region.
Known around the area as a “tough manager,” Bret has a knack for quickly cutting through what he describes as “bulls---t” excuses. He gets things built quickly and with the highest-possible quality. Bret has worked with all of our superintendents for more than 10 years, and has overseen the production of more than 8, 000 units of multifamily housing. Bret flies his own personal aircraft and is on site at every job every week. He leaves nothing to chance.
Particulars:
Attended Northern Arizona University
Attended the University of Nevada Reno
General Contractor NV since 1982
Donald J. Burke, AIA
In-House Architect
A licensed architect and member of the American Institute of Architects since 1972, Don is the architect-of-record for more than 220 projects totaling more than 25,000 units of multifamily production. But Don brings much more to Pacific West than decades of experience. Don is one of the country’s most innovative multifamily designers. His concepts are cutting edge, yet void of experimentation. Like so many others within Pacific West, Don values efficiency over flamboyance. His designs are as provocative and as aesthetically alluring as you’ll find, but it’s their “livability” that truly sets them apart. Don joined Pacific West in 2004.
Particulars:
Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) since 1972
Certification National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Professional Member of the International Code Council (ICC)
Environmental Planning Certificate, University of California, Irvine
Mike Daniels, P.E.
Head of Engineering
With over 25 years of civil design experience in the field of land development, Mike has a vision as to how today’s communities should be developed. This vision includes efficient, cost-effective projects that our buyers and tenants can call home.
A Professional Engineer, Mike works as an integral part of the Pacific West design team developing the site plans for each project maximizing development potential while at the same time providing livable spaces outside of the units themselves.
Mike also has over 20 years experience working as a design consultant and knows the ins and outs of getting projects done, right from the entitlement and the permitting process in a multitude of jurisdictions. In addition, his vast knowledge of how site improvements are developed and his background in generating civil improvement plans keeps plan errors to a minimum, keeps delays out of the field, and keeps costly change orders out of the budget.
With Mike’s experience in land development, he also spearheads the due diligence potion of the Pacific West equation, which includes review of a diversity of materials, reports and plans to insure the properties are able to be developed from an engineer’s point of view. This, when coupled with our financial and building experience, insures projects are built on time and within budget.
Particulars:
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno
Registered Professional Engineer, State of Nevada PE#8437
Vice President, Summit Engineering Corp.
Jason Hadnot
Vice President Land Acquisition & Project Management
Snowboards. Wakeboards. Planning boards. Jason loves them all. His passion for extreme excitement and the outdoors helps make him one of the most effective — and interesting — “land guys” you’ll ever find. Jason truly understands the need to preserve open space.
Before “seeing the light” and recognizing the advantages of multifamily housing, Jason was in charge of land acquisition and project management for Standard Pacific Homes of Northern California. He also helped direct the planning department at Western Pacific Housing/Porter Homes.
Over the years, Jason has managed the development of more than 1,000 homes, and has been involved in the purchase and sale of more than 4,500 lots throughout the Bay Area and central California. Jason has a construction background, having worked as both a project engineer and a superintendant.
Particulars:
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management, Cal Poly State University
California Class B general building contractor’s license
Elected member, Concord Naval Weapons Station Community Advisory Committee
Hubert Hultgren
Asset Manager
As the asset manager for Pacific West’s apartment portfolio, Hubert is responsible for the financial analysis and feasibility of all existing and future projects. He manages the financial reporting and the budgeting process. Before joining Pacific West, Hubert worked for East West Partners as a project controller. He was responsible for all of the accounting, financial reporting, feasibility and budget analysis of the condominium mixed-use Northstar Village Development in Lake Tahoe. Previously, Hubert worked for Ernst & Young LLP in Denver as a senior auditor in the real estate group, and the REIT AIMCO.
Particulars:
Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Colorado
Masters in Accounting, University of Virginia
Taylor Cohee
Vice President Sales & Financial Operations
Still in his twenties, Taylor has a much “older” resume. Already a vice president, Taylor has accomplished a lot even if he were to retire today. But don’t count on that happening for some time. Taylor is eager to help turn Pacific West into THE major player in the attached housing business in our region. And he’s willing to put in the work required.
Taylor joined Pacific West in 2005 as a financial analyst. Within three months, Taylor was promoted to closing manager, and was named vice president of sales and financial operations eight months later.
Taylor studied finance and marketing for three years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and earned a degree in finance from the University of Nevada.
Particulars:
Bachelor of Science, Finance, University of Nevada
Oversaw sales of $500 million in inventory
Marissa Haley
Vice President Marketing
Marissa joined Pacific West in 2002, bringing with her more than 10 years of experience in the multifamily real estate industry. Marissa has worked for one of the leading marketing experts in multifamily real estate. She currently manages the marketing and advertising for all projects in all mediums, from print to electronic. She also manages the corporate marketing and branding.
Particulars:
BS degree in Marketing & Psychology, with a minor in Computer Science, University of Nevada
Marketing Director of the Year 2006 – The Builders Association of Northern Nevada
Marketing Director of the Year 2007 – The Builders Association of Northern Nevada
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