About Us Home
Management Team
C Dennis Knight
Brian D. Hegardt
John F. Suriano
Jami L. Schulman
Jay Pennypacker
Michael J. Kern
Luka Vignjevic
Our Companies

Management Team

C. Dennis Knight
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Knight provides strategic direction for Communities Southwest and is involved in all land acquisitions and financings undertaken by the company. Mr. Knight has been active in the real estate development business since the early 1970's and has developed housing, apartments, office and industrial properties and several thousand acres of residential land, primarily in Arizona and California. Mr. Knight holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and is a Chartered Accountant. He has been very active in the community having served on the boards of numerous civic organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arizona Science Center.


Brian D. Hegardt
President

Mr. Hegardt directs the acquisition, development, operations and marketing of all Communities Southwest's Arizona projects and serves as a member of the company's Executive Committee. Prior to joining Communities Southwest, Mr. Hegardt served as Associate General Counsel for Del Webb Corporation. He received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Santa Clara University, his J.D. from University of San Diego, and is a member of both the Arizona and California bar associations.



John F. Suriano
Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Suriano is responsible for financial forecasting, budgeting and reporting for Communities Southwest. He previously served as Director of Financial Reporting for SunCor Development Company, a developer of residential, commercial and industrial projects, and was also a Senior Accountant, specializing in real estate development clients, with Deloitte & Touche. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as a member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants.


Jami L. Schulman
Chief Operating Officer

Ms. Schulman is responsible for the entitlement and operations of new acquisitions and projects for Communities Southwest's Arizona division. Ms. Schulman is also responsible for managing the company's legal issues. Before joining Communities Southwest, Ms. Schulman served as Area Counsel for Pulte Homes and Corporate Counsel for Del Webb Corporation. In her previous positions, Ms. Schulman worked on all aspects of large scale master-planned communities and has specialized expertise in land use, natural resource and water issues. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington University and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. She is a member of the Arizona Bar Association.


Jay Pennypacker
Vice President, Operations

Mr. Pennypacker is responsible for entitlement, development, marketing and sales for The Aerie in Sedona, Arizona and Storm Ranch in Prescott, Arizona. In addition, he is responsible for all of the company's golf course assets. Prior to joining CSW, Mr. Pennypacker served as the President of Platinum Golf Properties, and was the General Manager for the Golf Club at Eagle Mountain and Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Arizona. He is the 1999 and 2002 Southwest Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year and has served on the board of directors for that association. Mr. Pennypacker graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science.


Michael J. Kern
Vice President, Operations

Mr. Kern is responsible for entitlement, development, marketing and sales for Clearwater Shores in Bullhead City, Arizona and The Meadows in Peoria, Arizona. In the past he has entitled and marketed three other Communities Southwest projects, Avian Trails and Artesian Ranch in Chandler, Arizona and Country Place in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Kern graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Design from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Arizona State University . Mr. Kern is active in Valley Partnership, the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, and the Urban Land Institute

 

Luka Vignjevic
Vice President, Finance

Mr. Vignjevic is responsible for budgeting, cash management, financial reporting, and acquisition analysis for Communities Southwest's Arizona and California divisions. He began his career in real estate development as a Financial Analyst with Alterra Healthcare, a builder and operator of assisted living residences. Later he served as an Accounting Manager for Phoenix Restaurant Group, Inc., an owner and operator of 190 full service restaurants, and Senior Financial Analyst for CSK Auto, Corporation, an auto parts retailer with 1,100 stores. Mr. Vignjevic graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equal Housing Opportunity Equal Housing Opportunity Disclaimer