Specializing In
Our Key Strengths
Our communities embody a tailored design focus, an enduring presence and an inspired way of life.
OUR HISTORY BY THE NUMBERS
Leadership
BEN PISKLAK
Ben Pisklak is a founding principal of Slate Real Estate Partners. In his role, Ben is responsible for all aspects of the company’s development, financing, construction and acquisition activities. Prior to founding Slate Real Estate Partners, Ben served as the Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President for Gables Residential, where he led all aspects of the company’s development, construction and acquisition activities. […]
BEN PISKLAK
Ben Pisklak is a founding principal of Slate Real Estate Partners. In his role, Ben is responsible for all aspects of the company’s development, financing, construction and acquisition activities.
Prior to founding Slate Real Estate Partners, Ben served as the Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President for Gables Residential, where he led all aspects of the company’s development, construction and acquisition activities. In his 16-year career with Gables, Ben sourced and developed more than 12,000 apartments and 600,000 square feet of retail in markets across the country with a total capitalization of more than $2.2B. Many of the projects Ben was involved in have won awards for design, sustainability and architectural significance. In addition to his project level involvement, Ben helped lead the company through two recapitalization events (one public to private conversion and one entity sale).
Prior to Gables, Ben was an associate with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, a Houston based commercial mortgage banking firm, where he sourced debt and equity for a variety of commercial real estate ventures. Prior to Holliday Fenoglio, he was with the Hanover Company; a Houston based multifamily development and management company. While at Hanover, he worked in the Houston, South Florida and North Carolina development operations. Prior to his tenure with Hanover, Ben was a staff accountant for Ernst & Young, LLC.
Ben graduated from Texas A&M University with a BBA in Accounting (cum laude) and a MS in in Accounting and Taxation. He is a Certified Public Accountant (dormant status).
Ben lives in Houston with his wife Carrie and three children, Katie, Abby and Connor. In his free time, he is an avid outdoorsman, devotes time to his charitable causes, and is involved with his church.
STEVEN WEBSTER
Steven Webster is a founding partner for Slate Real Estate Partners. Mr. Webster also co-founded Avista Capital Partners in 2005, and previously served as the Chairman of Global Energy Partners, a specialty group within DLJ Merchant Banking, which sourced, executed and managed DLJMB’s energy-related investments beginning in 2000. Mr. Webster has been an active investor in real estate, energy and private equity investments throughout his business career. […]
STEVEN WEBSTER
Steven Webster is a founding partner for Slate Real Estate Partners. Mr. Webster has been an active investor in real estate, energy, and private equity investments throughout his business career.
He began his career in 1975 as an investment banker. In 1979, Mr Webster co-founded Jones, Loyd & Webster, a firm specializing in finance and venture activities in the energy industry. In 1988, he founded and served as CEO of Falcon Drilling Company, an offshore drilling contractor which executed an aggressive consolidation strategy. Falcon was publicly-listed in 1995 and then merged with Reading & Bates in 1997 and Cliffs Drilling in 1998, creating R&B Falcon Corporation (FLC:nyse), one of the world’s largest offshore drilling companies. Mr Webster was a founder and lead investor in various other energy companies, including Carrizo Oil & Gas (CRZO:nasdaq), Grey Wolf Drilling (GW:ase), Basic Energy Services (BAS:nyse), Hercules Offshore (HERO:nasdaq), Laredo Energy, Peregrine Oil & Gas, and, most recently, Enterprise Offshore Drilling and Gran Lago Services.
Mr Webster has also been a lead investor in non-energy companies including Crown Resources (CRCE:nasdaq), Encore Bancshares (EBTX:nasdaq ), Gow Media, Savage Arms (hunting rifle manufacturer), and ELV Holdings (wine producer). In 1993, he became a founding trust manager of Camden Property Trust (CPT:nyse), one of the industry’s leading multi-family housing real estate investment trusts.
Following the merger of R&B Falcon with Transocean in 2000, Mr Webster joined DLI Merchant Banking to develop and lead Global Energy Partners, DLI’s entry into energy private equity. After DLI’s sale to Credit Suisse, Mr Webster co-founded Avista Capital Partners in 2005, which invested in healthcare, energy, and media. Through four institutional funds in the two entities, over $10 billion in equity was invested during his tenure. In 2018, Mr Webster led the spin out from Avista of both AEC Partners to focus on energy and JTS Capital, Avista’s lead investment in the successor to First City Financial (FCF:nyse), which had acquired and managed distressed debt for over 20 years.
Mr Webster has served on numerous public company boards including Chairman of Falcon, Carrizo and Basic. He currently serves as a director of Callon Petroleum (CPE:nyse and successor to Carrizo), Oceaneering International (OII:nyse), Camden and various private companies.
For over 30 years, Mr Webster has been an active real estate investor. Most of his focus has been in the multi-family housing space. With Slate, he has joined with highly accomplished partners to focus on merchant development with leading institutional fund investors as partners.
In 1973, Mr Webster graduated with a BSIM degree with Distinction from Purdue University and in 1975, he graduated with an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar. In 2009, Mr Webster was awarded an honorary doctorate from Purdue. Mr Webster and his wife live in Houston, as do his four married children.
MARK STEVENSON
Mark Stevenson is a founding principal of Slate Real Estate Partners. Mark’s primary role is responsibility for the company’s financing, debt placement, joint venture negotiations, acquisitions, land assemblage and development concepts. Prior to the founding of Slate Real Estate Partners, Mark has enjoyed a 35-year career in varied aspects of real estate development, investment and finance. […]
MARK STEVENSON
Mark Stevenson is a founding principal of Slate Real Estate Partners. Mark’s primary role is responsibility for the company’s financing, debt placement, joint venture negotiations, acquisitions, land assemblage and development concepts.
Prior to the founding of Slate Real Estate Partners, Mark has enjoyed a 35-year career in varied aspects of real estate development, investment and finance. For the past 18 years, under the entities of MSI Development LLC, JMS Consulting, SWK Real Estate Partners LP, and other property specific companies, Mark has been active in multi-family and retail development and investment. The most significant alliance during this period has been development partnerships with Gables Residential. Mark developed the concept and assembled and acquired development sites in more than 27 separate land transactions over a 15-year period with Gables. He worked in an arms-length capacity from concept to acquisition and construction for such notable projects as Gables West Ave, Gables Upper Kirby, Gables Post Oak, Gables Tanglewood, Gables Jackson Hill, Gables Republic Park Austin and many others. During this process, Mark and Ben Pisklak developed a close working relationship and an effective partnership in project execution.
Prior to and during the Gables years, Mark invested along with financial partners in the acquisition of investment real estate for long term hold and value-add short term investments. Mark’s investment and financial partner in numerous deals, was Steve Webster, who is also a principal in Slate Real Estate Partners. The Pisklak, Stevenson, Webster professional relationship has been developing over almost 20 years with a high level of success and trust.
During the early and mid 1990’s, Mark was the founder and manager of MSI Financial Group, Inc. MSI Financial purchased pools of financial instrument assets from the RTC and FDIC and subsidiary clearing partners. The asset pools contained loan assets from failed banks and Savings and Loan companies. The area of concentration for MSI Financial was real estate backed loan pools of $5 to $10 million. These loans were all non-performing and charged off assets and MSI settled and litigated the deficiencies after real estate value. It was a lucrative business during the years of unwinding the failed thrift industry.
Earlier in his career, Mark was a Managing Partner for Corum Development Company, a Houston based retail shopping center developer. Over the six years with Corum, Mark was responsible for developments and acquisitions outside the state of Texas including south Florida, Nashville TN, several North Carolina markets, Arizona and Virginia. Following Corum, Mark remained in Nashville for an additional 6 years in various real estate investment activities.
As an avocation and passion, Mark is an active partner and managing director of a group of wine producing enterprises. Evening Land Vineyards, Domaine de la Côte, and Sandhi are brands owned and operated by the group. They own vineyards and wineries in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County, California and a winery asset in the Burgundy region of France.
Mark lives in Houston with his wife Jennifer and two teenagers Haley and Harrison.
Additional Team Members
JEFF LAHR
Jeff Lahr serves as Partner for Slate Real Estate Partners and is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and executing new development opportunities in the Austin and Dallas / Ft Worth markets. Jeff’s industry experience includes the successful completion of over $500M in residential and mixed-use projects ranging from luxury high-rise, mid-rise and student housing developments to garden-style apartments and retail shopping centers. […]
JEFF LAHR
Jeff Lahr serves as Partner for Slate Real Estate Partners and is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and executing new development opportunities in the Austin and Dallas / Ft Worth markets.
Jeff’s industry experience includes the successful completion of over $500M in residential and mixed-use projects ranging from luxury high-rise, mid-rise and student housing developments to garden-style apartments and retail shopping centers.
Prior to joining Slate Real Estate Partners, Jeff served in development and acquisition roles for CWS Capital Partners, Oden Hughes and Endeavor Real Estate Group. His project experience includes major markets in Texas and the southeast as well as the Denver, CO and Seattle, WA metro areas.
Jeff received an MBA (concentration in Finance) from The University of Texas at Austin and a BS in Civil Engineering from LSU.
JEFFREY KILGORE
Jeffrey Kilgore serves as a Managing Director for Slate Real Estate Partners where he is responsible for the coordination and execution of new development opportunities in the greater Houston area.
Prior to joining Slate, Jeffrey was involved in the construction and development of over 1,650 apartment units in Houston and Denver for Gables Residential between 2012-2018, where he worked closely with Ben Pisklak. His time prior to Gables was spent in Houston coordinating and managing high-end interior office remodel projects for The SpawMaxwell Company. […]
JEFFREY KILGORE
Jeffrey Kilgore serves as a Managing Director for Slate Real Estate Partners where he is responsible for the coordination and execution of new development opportunities in the greater Houston area.
Prior to joining Slate, Jeffrey was involved in the construction and development of over 1,650 apartment units in Houston and Denver for Gables Residential between 2012-2018, where he worked closely with Ben Pisklak. His time prior to Gables was spent in Houston coordinating and managing high-end interior office remodel projects for The SpawMaxwell Company.
Jeffrey graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising. He is a proud seventh generation Houstonian where he lives with his wife, Carli, and their young son, Hayes. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
RAY VARGAS
Ray Vargas is the Construction Director for Slate Real Estate Partners. In his role, Ray is responsible for executing the company’s strategies related to development and construction of multifamily projects. Ray has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the real estate development and construction industry. […]
RAY VARGAS
Ray Vargas is the Construction Director for Slate Real Estate Partners. In his role, Ray is responsible for executing the company’s strategies related to development and construction of multifamily projects.
Ray has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the real estate development and construction industry. Prior to joining Slate Real Estate Partners, he was employed by GRDM Management where he served concurrently as President of RVR Construction LLC., a company engaged in the development and construction of commercial real estate properties, and as President of Noblecrest Construction LLC., a retail and residential development and construction company.
Ray was also Vice President of Development and Construction for Sunrise Colony Company, the developers and builders of Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston. Sunrise Colony Company was a venture between Sunrise Company and Colony Capital, and was dedicated to the development and construction of luxury golf course communities in Texas, California, and Nevada.
Early in his career, Ray worked at Fred Rizk Construction for over 25 years in the development and construction of multi-family, single family, retail, and commercial properties in Texas, Colorado and Washington state. He served in various capacities, and advanced from Superintendent to Project Manager, Vice President and eventually, Partner.
Ray lives in Sugar Land with Sondra, his wife of 35 years, and they are the proud parents of two sons, Matt and Andrew. Matt is a successful realtor in Houston, and Andrew is a recent Law School graduate. Ray dedicates his free time to activities with his family, and looks forward to the joys and responsibilities of being a new grandparent.
RYAN YEAGER
Ryan Yeager serves as a Managing Director. In his role, he helps forecast budgets, underwrite development projects and aids in the financial analysis of various deals. His responsibilities range from initial underwriting to managing ongoing project operations to ensure an effective transition from site selection through project stabilization. Ryan’s role is to help maintain investments from inception to exit. […]
RYAN YEAGER
Ryan Yeager serves as a Managing Director. In his role, he helps forecast budgets, underwrite development projects and aids in the financial analysis of various deals. His responsibilities range from initial underwriting to managing ongoing project operations to ensure an effective transition from site selection through project stabilization. Ryan’s role is to help maintain investments from inception to exit.
Ryan spent the first two and a half years of his career as a corporate credit analyst at Frost Bank in Houston, TX. While at Frost, Ryan underwrote various deal structures ranging from small business lines of credit to large syndicated transactions. He worked with businesses in numerous industries including real estate development, manufacturing, healthcare, professional services and oil field services.
Ryan spends his free time with his friends and family and enjoys being outdoors. He loves traveling, camping and hiking. Ryan graduated from Texas A&M University with a BBA in Finance and continues to return to his Alta Mater on a regular basis to attend numerous sporting events.
SEAN WOLFF
Sean Wolff serves as a Managing Director in the Austin office. In his role, he assists in all facets of development projects including financial underwriting, site selection, project coordination and operation management from inception through project stabilization and investment conclusion. […]
SEAN WOLFF
Sean Wolff serves as a Managing Director in the Austin office. In his role, he assists in all facets of development projects including financial underwriting, site selection, project coordination and operation management from inception through project stabilization and investment conclusion.
Prior to joining Slate Real Estate Partners, Sean worked as an Analyst at Holliday Fenoglio Fowler where he assisted in the execution of multi-housing sales transactions totaling over $1.5 Billion and 10,000 units in Central Texas.
Sean received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies with additional concentrations in Real Estate and Business from The University of Texas at Austin. He is involved with numerous professional organizations in Austin and currently serves on The University of Texas System Chancellor’s Centurions and on the Board of Directors for The Arc of the Capital Area. Sean spends time with his friends and family and enjoys playing golf, fishing, hiking and snowboarding.
KEVIN ALLEN
Kevin Allen is the Controller for Slate Real Estate Partners. In his role, he is responsible for managing all facets of accounting and finance including financial reporting & analysis, job cost accounting and corporate accounting. Kevin also reviews the financial reporting of ongoing project operations, monitors due diligence expenditures and supports the principals in cash and working capital management. […]
KEVIN ALLEN
Kevin Allen is the Controller for Slate Real Estate Partners. In his role, he is responsible for managing all facets of accounting and finance including financial reporting & analysis, job cost accounting and corporate accounting. He also reviews the financial reporting of ongoing project operations, monitors due diligence expenditures and supports the principals in cash and working capital management.
Prior to joining Slate, Kevin served as Controller for PinPoint Commercial, where he was responsible for all operational & project accounting and financial reporting.
Kevin obtained his BBA in accounting and MBA from Sam Houston State University, and is a licensed CPA. He enjoys spending free time with family and friends, home improvement projects and cooking BBQ.
PAUL HARRISON
Paul Harrison serves as Construction Manager for Slate Real Estate Partners in the Austin market. In his role, Paul assists all aspects of the company’s construction strategies of multifamily projects. Paul has over a decade of construction management experience in all levels of the real estate development and the construction industry. […]
PAUL HARRISON
Paul Harrison serves as Construction Manager for Slate Real Estate Partners in the Austin market. In his role, Paul assists all aspects of the company’s construction strategies of multifamily projects. Paul has over a decade of construction management experience in all levels of the real estate development and the construction industry.
JENNIFER HAWKES
Jennifer is the Director of Business Operations for Slate Real Estate Partners. In her role, she is responsible for all aspects of the company’s day to day activities, including office management, marketing, accounts payable/receivable and job cost accounting. Jennifer also supports the development group, providing assistance in due diligence activities, consultant scheduling, contract administration, permitting and interior design. […]
JENNIFER HAWKES
Jennifer is the Director of Business Operations for Slate Real Estate Partners. In her role, she is responsible for all aspects of the company’s day to day activities, including office management, marketing, accounts payable/receivable and job cost accounting. Jennifer also supports the development group, providing assistance in due diligence activities, consultant scheduling, contract administration, permitting and interior design.
In her 11-year career, she has served in multiple roles in the real estate industry including time spent with The Hanover Company and The Walt Disney Company.
Prior to joining Slate, Jennifer spent four years with Gables Residential, working closely with Ben Pisklak. In her role with Gables, Jennifer was responsible for due diligence activities, contract administration, scheduling, permitting and interior design. In addition, she was very involved in the due diligence and planning process for the 2015 entity recapitalization.
Jennifer received her BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University.
She is a resident of Houston and is very involved in her family’s active life.
RUSSELL GARNER
Russell Garner serves as Construction Director for Slate Real Estate Partners in the Austin market. In his role, Russell is responsible for executing all aspects of the company’s construction strategies of multifamily projects. Russell has over 38 years of construction management experience in all levels of the real estate development and construction industry. […]
RUSSELL GARNER
Russell Garner serves as Construction Director for Slate Real Estate Partners in the Austin market. In his role, Russell is responsible for executing all aspects of the company’s construction strategies of multifamily projects. Russell has over 38 years of construction management experience in all levels of the real estate development and construction industry.
Russell has owned and managed his own construction consulting firm, R.W. Garner Contracting, since 2005. Throughout his career, he has served as a consultant, contractor or project manager on over 70 construction projects.
LAURA SANCHEZ
Laura Sanchez is the Administrative Assistant at Slate Real Estate Partners. In her role, she is responsible for day to day activities, ranging from clerical duties to providing assistance in accounts receivable, handling invoicing and office due diligence activities. […]
LAURA SANCHEZ
Laura Sanchez is the Administrative Assistant at Slate Real Estate Partners. In her role, she is responsible for day to day activities, ranging from clerical duties to providing assistance in accounts receivable, handling invoicing and office due diligence activities.
Prior to joining Slate, Laura served as receptionist for Vast Academy where she was responsible for clerical duties, attending promotional conferences as well as providing assistance in due diligence activities.
Laura lives in Houston with her husband and enjoys learning new languages and spending time with family and friends.
Current Projects
The McAdams Memorial City
The Alden at Cedar Park
The Westerly
Durham Heights
The McKinley Memorial City
The Shiloh
Highgrove
Medina Highlands
Lakecrest
The Westover Apartments
Bluestem at Loyola
Gramercy at Northline
Vera Cedar Park
Alloy Apartments
The Mercury
Junewood Apartments
Junewood Apartments
Buda, TX
259 Units