Cortland Names Knight Executive Vice President, Welcomes New COO
Giannoni will be responsible for operations, marketing, training, human resources and information technology.
Atlanta-based multifamily real estate firm Cortland Partners has named Gigi Giannoni, a 25-year veteran of residential real estate and a successful entrepreneur, chief operating officer. “Gigi Giannoni is well known and well respected in the multifamily industry and throughout Atlanta as an innovator in the marketing of real estate,” said Steven DeFrancis, president, Cortland Partners. “Her many years of experience and her market knowledge will be an invaluable asset to our team.”
Giannoni will be responsible for operations, marketing, training, human resources and information technology. Former Cortland Partners COO Jim Knight is assuming the role of executive vice president-finance, where he will primarily focus on debt and equity capital raising activities along with investor communications.
“As the firm continues to grow, our commitment to excellence is not diminished. Jim’s skill set will allow us to make certain we outperform with our capital providers,” noted DeFrancis. Giannoni is the former owner and president of EVOLV Atlanta, a real estate solutions group offering creative marketing, consulting and sales solutions. She has held executive-level positions at major real estate firms including Trammell Crow Residential, Gables Residential, Lane Co., and Sunterra Resorts. Giannoni has been recognized as an industry leader in “Who’s Who” in the real estate industry by the Atlanta Business Chronicle for four years running.
“As we continue to create value through an acquisition, development and operating platform focused on producing high quality NOI performance generating outsized risk-adjusted returns, Jim’s internal transition and the hiring of Gigi will ensure a successful 2012 and beyond,” said DeFrancis.
Since mid-2010 Cortland Partners has added 22 apartment communities to its portfolio through acquisition or development, bringing the total units under ownership to over 8,000. Most recently Cortland entered the Charlotte, N.C. market, making an $18 million investment in the Queen City.
