Kip Lewis

Co-Founder, Chairman & CIO

Kip chairs the Investment Committee and oversees all investment decisions. Kip began his real estate investment career in the early 1990s when the company he founded in 1992, Lewis Investments, developed 2 RV/MH communities, one in Georgetown and one in Pflugerville, Texas. Kip bought the raw land and entitled the properties, developing over 1,000 sites. He operated the properties and then realized the investments by selling both Pecan Branch and Boulder Ridge to Sun Communities. A primary focus that has remained consistent after all these years of investment development is the commitment that he has to building relationships with a large community of professionals based on mutual respect and trust. The ongoing success of the company has allowed the company to pursue and support community initiatives. Kip and the LEI team also focus on contributing resources to aid with the homelessness problem in Central Texas, as evidenced by their contribution to the recently launched The Other Ones Foundation.

Jeff Eaton

Co-Founder, President & CEO

Jeff leads capital formation, investor relations, and day-to-day management of the company. Jeff was previously the Global Co-Head of Eaton Partners, an 80+-person global private capital advisory and fund placement business. Jeff chaired the Investment Committees for the North America, EMEA, and APAC private funds groups as well as for the Private Capital Advisory Group. Prior to being elevated to run the firm, Jeff ran Eaton’s Real Assets business, which included Real Estate. During his tenure, Eaton raised over $58 billion for clients focused on these strategies. Prior to joining Eaton Partners, he was a Director at Constellation Energy Commodities Group leading principal transactions for their natural gas structuring and trading division. Jeff graduated with honors from Duke University with degrees in Economics and History and received his MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business. Jeff is passionate about helping solve affordable housing issues and creating sustainable and ecofriendly communities while also generating strong investment returns for our investor partners.

Darby Gancas

Director, Operations

Darby is part of the executive property management team and oversees our finance functions. Darby joined Lewis Investments in 2012 as a Tax and Title Specialist and has grown into a Property Manager, Regional Property Manager, and now Director of Finance. Darby is a key member of the executive management team. She is also a steward of our company culture and an integral part of our operations team. Darby’s complex understanding of Rent Manager and its financial and management capabilities makes her a force of nature when operating assets. Darby has incredible in-depth financial and managerial knowledge of the history and evolution of the company over the past 30 years and is a critical part of the executive team. Darby is also a workplace leader, and she inspires all of those she works with to operate their properties with the upmost care and attention to detail.

Erika Rodriguez

Director, Operations

Erika is a part of the executive property management team and oversees our human resource functions. She has been at the company for over 16 years. Erika is an integral part of the operations team, and she is the most veteran property manager in the company. She also has a keen vision of the company culture, and she is a leader of our family of employees. Beyond Erika’s vital role in our company, Erika is someone who brings a smile to your face every time you see her in the office, she makes everyone feel welcomed, these are priceless qualities that make a workplace special. Her depth of understanding of our management software and management practice makes her one of the strongest executive managers in our company.

Dean Lewis

VP, Operations

Dean directs property operations and management strategy to improve asset performance and community well-being. He is also responsible for overseeing the marketing of our communities. He has been a full-time employee at the company since 2020. Dean is passionate about designing and operating innovative communities that thrive socially and economically for community members and property owners. Dean began his career in 2020 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from Les Roches Global School of Hospitality. Dean began his career at the company as a maintenance laborer throughout his younger years in middle and high school. Dean's first team achievement was saving an affordable housing community in Mission, Texas, helping to transform the community from the brink of obsolescence to the thriving community it is today. Outside of work and family, Dean pursues his lifelong passion for the arts, which carries over to his passion for creative strategy and problem-solving in collaborative environments, whether within the portfolio, charity projects, or passion projects.

Dalton Little

Director, Investments

Dalton is an investment team member, focusing on origination, underwriting, due diligence, and execution. Before joining the company, Dalton began his career in real estate with Transwestern, where he honed his skills. Under the mentorship of the firm's top producers, he acquired invaluable real estate knowledge and expanded his reach throughout the Lone Star State. In 2021, Dalton made the strategic move to Focal Point Development’s Austin office, taking on a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of site selection and acquisitions, market and site feasibility assessments, financial analysis, equity raising, and investor management. With a Texas real estate license to his name, Dalton is a trusted authority in the Austin real estate scene. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dalton is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Bachelors of Austin, and the Hill Country Quail Coalition. Dalton is a graduate of the University of Mississippi Business School. Dalton has a robust personal passion for providing attainable housing through a master-planned community approach.

Connally Waight

Director, Investments

Connally is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing strategic acquisitions that align with our company’s growth strategy. He specializes in transaction management and the due diligence process. Connally began his career in the commercial real estate industry working for Prominent Title. In 2019, he joined TREK Investment Group where he was responsible for business development, acquisitions & dispositions, transaction management, and asset valuations. During his tenure at TREK Investment Group, Connally was notably involved in the closing of roughly $300 million in transactions. Prior to his career in commercial real estate, Connally, being a native Texan, is proud to have worked underneath both Texas State Senator Dawn Buckingham and Former Lt. Governor of Texas Ben Barnes, where he developed notable communication, analytical, and leadership skills. Connally attended both Texas Christian University and Texas A&M, with degrees in Economics and Communication. He is a proud member of the Helping Hand of Austin, Catch-A-Dream Foundation, Hill Country Quail Coalition, Bachelors of Austin, Real Estate Council of Austin, and several other industry-related organizations.