Team
The executive team collectively has over 65 years of investment experience acquiring and managing over $6.9 billion of transactions totaling 28,700 multifamily units across the United States.
John Kinzelberg
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner
John Kinzelberg
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner
John is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Highgate Capital Group and is responsible for the firm’s overall direction and management. He oversees Highgate’s investment activities, which includes sourcing, underwriting and negotiating all of Highgate’s acquisitions along with leading the firm’s Investment Committee. In addition, John is responsible for strategy development, capital raising and oversees investor relations, marketing and external communications.
Prior to Highgate, John was Vice President of acquisitions and asset management at Waterton Associates, an institutional multifamily real estate investment advisor for some of the nation’s largest pension funds, endowments and Wall Street banks. John also served as a Senior Manager at Mesirow Stein Real Estate, a leading residential and commercial real estate developer in Chicago.
John holds a B.S. in Economics (with distinction) from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia University. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of SGA Youth Family Services, a nonprofit organization that supports the economic and social development of Chicago’s most at risk youth and families.
Jennifer Hoover
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner
Jennifer Hoover
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner
Jennifer is a Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer and a member of Highgate’s Investment Committee. She is responsible for the firm’s asset management and portfolio operations. She oversees the execution of the firm’s portfolio and asset level strategy, which includes managing all third party property management relationships, overseeing capital improvement projects and executing property level business plans.
Prior to Highgate, Jennifer was a Vice President at Stockbridge Capital Group, where she was responsible for the firm’s 600 million Southeast and Midwest multifamily portfolio. Jennifer also served as an Asset Manager and Deputy Portfolio Manager for Capri Capital Group, and began her career with Jones Lang LaSalle and LaSalle Investment Management.
Jennifer holds a B.S. in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Emory University. She has received several awards including “Emerging Leader in Multifamily” from Real Estate Forum, 40 Under 40 from the Robert Toigo Foundation, and in 2021 was selected as a “Rising Star” by CREW Chicago.
Peter Kuzma
Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner
Peter Kuzma
Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner
Peter is a Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer and a member of Highgate’s Investment Committee responsible for overseeing all acquisitions and capital market transactions. He will help to set strategy and further develop the firm’s market focus, investment execution and network of industry relationships.
Prior to joining Highgate, Peter spent thirteen years as a Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at Waterton Associates where he was responsible for sourcing and underwriting multifamily acquisitions in the Western United States. He was directly responsible for 1.3 billion of multifamily investments nationwide. Peter was also responsible for many facets of the company including managing its core plus separate accounts.
Peter has been actively involved with the National Multi Housing Council, serving as Vice Chairman of the Emerging Leaders Committee 2015–2018. More recently, he has been a member of the Finance Committee and Membership Engagement Committees. He holds a B.S. in economics from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Paul Kim
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Kim
Chief Financial Officer
Paul is the Chief Financial Officer at Highgate Capital Group and is responsible for directing the organization’s financial strategy, overseeing the accounting and investor reporting, and enhancing operational efficiencies across the organization.
Prior to joining Highgate, Paul served as the Senior Vice President of Finance at Imagine Homes Management, where he led the financial strategy, accounting and finance operations, and regulatory compliance. Before Imagine Homes, Paul spent over 10 years with Green Courte Partners, most recently as Vice President, Controller, and CFO of Green Courte Residential Holdings. In these roles, he managed a fund with over $503 million in committed capital, overseeing the financial operations, investment strategy, and corporate governance across its portfolio companies.
Paul holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and holds the Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant designations.
Troy Zapolski
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions
Troy Zapolski
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions
Troy brings to Highgate Capital Group over thirty years of experience in every facet of real estate and a wealth of exposure to multifamily investment opportunities. His primary focus is on sourcing and negotiating acquisitions in the eastern Midwest. He also assists with the firm’s capital markets, asset management and disposition strategies.
Prior to Highgate, Troy was an Executive Vice President at Land Co, a diversified real estate development company with over twenty apartment properties and 6,750 units. Troy was primarily responsible for property and portfolio management, acquisitions, disposition, development oversight and capital market executions.
Troy holds a B.S. in Finance from Central Michigan University and an MBA from Western Michigan University. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan and serves as member of the Board of Directors for the Dwelling Place, a non profit organization that specializes in developing and managing low income housing and stabilizing neighborhoods.
Ryan Ernst
Assistant Vice President
Ryan Ernst
Assistant Vice President
Ryan is an Assistant Vice President of Asset and Portfolio Management at Highgate. In his role, he oversees asset valuations, real estate tax administration, and fund performance measurement. He is responsible for the execution of asset level business plan objectives, setting forward looking fund strategy and asset dispositions.
Before joining Highgate, Ryan spent three and a half years working in Portfolio Management at Waterton Associates, an institutional multifamily real estate investment advisor for some of the nation’s largest pension funds and endowments. At Waterton, he was responsible for quarterly asset valuations, disposition execution and portfolio performance forecasting for a 30-asset value-add portfolio. Prior to Waterton, Ryan worked as the lead credit underwriter for a newly launched multifamily lending platform at Renovo Financial.
Ryan holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in Finance (with distinction) from the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business. Ryan is an active mentor within Notre Dame’s Fitzgerald Institute of Real Estate.
Alex Tsirlin
Associate
Alex Tsirlin
Associate
Alex is an Associate of Acquisitions at Highgate Capital Group responsible for underwriting target communities across all Highgate strategies. In that role, he researches target markets, prepares investment memos and communications, develops operating plans and executes due diligence responsibilities. Alex also contributes to the platform by assisting the investor relations and asset management teams.
Before joining Highgate, Alex interned with Greystar where he improved property performance of a thirteen-asset portfolio in the Midwest and conducted diligence on site selection and feasibility of a Class A urban development.
Alex holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and is an active member of the real estate program at the Wisconsin School of Business.
Kate Fruth
Controller
Kate Fruth
Controller
Kate is the Controller for Highgate Capital Group and is responsible for the organization’s accounting, tax, and investor reporting. In her role, Kate oversees third-party property accountants and fund administrators to ensure that financial statements are prepared in a timely and accurate manner. Kate also manages the firm’s tax compliance and collaborates with external service providers to prepare and deliver K-1s and tax returns.
Prior to Highgate, Kate was Director of Fund Accounting at Cardinal Group Investments, where she was responsible for the accounting, tax, capital activity, and investor reporting. At Cardinal, Kate was directly involved in the acquisition and disposition of over $1B of student housing assets. Before Cardinal, Kate was a Tax Manager at Northwood Investors, specializing in real estate private equity. Kate started her career in public accounting where she focused on 704(c) allocations and partnership revaluations.
Kate holds a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting-Tax from the University of Colorado, Boulder where she received accolades and was part of honor societies. Kate has been recognized for her professional contributions, including receiving the “Golden Gavel” award at Cardinal Group.