Key Employees

George Lekakis Director - Acquisitions

Experience & Responsibilities Mr. Lekakis has 9 years of real estate acquisition experience. He joined The Arden Group in 2006 as a Vice President of Acquisitions responsible for acquisitions of hospitality and residential assets.
Prior Prior to joining The Arden Group, Mr. Lekakis worked in Tokyo for Kennedy-Wilson Japan as lead underwriter for all real estate acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Lekakis was manager of the Investor Reporting and Compliance department for Hudson Japan, LLC, Lone Star Funds' asset management arm.
Education Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University at Albany State University of New York.

Joseph Caruso CFO - Accounting

Experience & Responsibilities Mr. Caruso has 14 years of real estate accounting experience. He joined The Arden Group in 1996 and is responsible for Financial Reporting for The Arden Group and all related entities. He also heads the financial due diligence team for Acquisition, development and management projects.
Education Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from St. Joseph's University.

Richard D. Pietropoli Director - Facilities/Construction

Experience & Responsibilities Mr. Pietropoli has 27 years of construction and hotel operations experience. He joined The Arden Group in 1995 as Director of Development & Facilities.
Prior Prior to joining The Arden Group, Mr. Pietropoli spent 15 years with Servico Hotel Company serving as Regional Project and Operations Manager. Prior to that, he served with Ritz-Carlton Hotels as Director of Engineering, responsible for technical administration, new construction, renovations and project management.
Education Associates Degree from Penn State in Business Administration.

Michael Preston Director - Construction

Experience & Responsibilities Mr. Preston has 37 years of construction experience. He joined The Arden Group in 2007 as Vice President of Construction.
Prior Prior to joining The Arden Group, Mr. Preston started his career with Turner Construction Co. in 1972 and has been a project executive for the past 24 years; most recently with Hunter Roberts Construction Group. Projects included high rise hotels, condominiums, office buildings, casinos, laboratory facilities, parking structures, retail, design/build warehouses and hospitals. Mr. Preston received his Civil Engineering Degree from Drexel University.

Rick Flemingloss Project Accountant

Experience & Responsibilities Mr. Flemingloss has 27 years of accounting experience. He joined the Arden-Group in April 2006 as a Project Accountant.
Prior Prior to joining The Arden Group, Mr. Flemingloss was with Forest Electric Corp. where he was a project accountant.
Education Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Rutgers University.

Shannon Lee Accounting

Experience & Responsibilities Ms. Lee joined The Arden Group in 2003 as an Accounting Assistant.
Prior Prior to joining The Arden Group, Ms. Lee held a Leasing Manager position with Empirian Real Estate, LLC.

Greg Strickland Director - IT

Experience & Responsibilities Mr. Strickland has 17 years of real estate experience. He joined The Arden Group in 1998 and is the IT Director and Special Projects Manager.
Prior Prior to joining The Arden Group, Mr. Strickland was a Project Manager for Jonathan Nehmer & Associates, an architectural/project management firm in Maryland specializing in hotels.
Education Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management/Engineering from Bradley University.

Susan Butterweck Manager - Human Resources & Special Projects

Experience & Responsibilities Ms. Butterweck has 13 years of Personnel Management experience. She joined The Arden Group in 1998 as Manager of Human Resources and Special Projects including Operating Expense recoveries, insurance coverage and coordination of business licensing and affiliations.
Education Sociology Degree from Yale University.

Linda Lodise Executive Assistant - Executive Staff

Experience & Responsibilities Ms. Lodise has 32 years of Administrative experience. She joined The Arden Group in 1997 and provides Administrative support services to the President & CEO.

Donna Wells Administrative Assistant - Facilities / Property Management

Experience & Responsibilities Ms. Wells joined The Arden Group in 2000 and provides administrative support services to the Construction & Facilities Management Division.

Charlotte Lin Accountant

Experience & Responsibilities Ms. Lin joined The Arden Group's Accounting Department in 2007 assuming responsibility for tenant accounting and monthly financial reporting.