Executive Leadership
John A. Kite
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Kite has served as Chairman of the Board since December 2008, as a trustee since our formation in March 2004, and as our Chief Executive Officer since our IPO in August 2004. He also served as our President from our IPO until December 2008. From 1997 to our IPO in 2004, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of our predecessor and other affiliated companies (the ‘‘Kite Companies’’). Mr. Kite is responsible for the Company’s strategic planning, operations, acquisitions and capital markets activities. Mr. Kite began his career in 1987 at Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, and he holds a B.A. in Economics from DePauw University.
Thomas K. McGowan
President & Chief Operating Officer
Thomas K. McGowan has served as President since 2008 and Chief Operating Officer of Kite Realty Group since 2004. He is primarily responsible for new project development, land acquisition, leasing, real estate property management, and general operational and organizational functions of the development and construction departments. Before joining the Kite Companies, Mr. McGowan worked for real estate developer Mansur Development Corporation for eight years. During his more than 30-year career in real estate investment, Mr. McGowan has coordinated the development of shopping centers, Class A office buildings, medical facilities, industrial buildings, planned unit developments, and full-service hotels. Mr. McGowan received a B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University.
Heath Fear
Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer
Heath R. Fear has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kite Realty Group since November 2018. His responsibilities include overseeing the following aspects of the Company’s business: finance, accounting, tax planning, financial budgeting, information technology, investments, legal, corporate communications, and administration. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fear served as Chief Financial Officer at GGP Inc. from 2017 until 2018, where he was responsible for the oversight of all of GGP’s financial activities, including capital markets, accounting, investor relations, internal reporting, treasury and information technology. From 2015 until 2017, Mr. Fear served as Chief Financial Officer at RPAI, where he oversaw the company’s financial activities, including capital markets, accounting, investor relations, internal audit, internal reporting, and treasury. Mr. Fear has over 20 years of experience in both the retail real estate industry and with publicly traded REITs. Mr. Fear received a B.A. in Political Science and English from John Carroll University and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Mellissa Boggs
Executive VP, Employee Experience
Mellissa Boggs, SPHR has more than 25 years of management, operations and human resources experience. As Executive Vice President of Employee Experience, Ms. Boggs provides strategy and direction in human capital initiatives through large growth, acquisitions and mature business environments with a special focus on understanding how internal initiatives impact customer experiences and company performance.
Prior to joining KRG, Ms. Boggs was the Director of HR Consulting at MJ Insurance, where she started the HR Consulting Division. She provided extensive hands-on expertise as well as leading workshops in the areas of management, leadership, compliance and what it means to be an “Employer of Choice.” Prior to joining MJ Insurance, Ms. Boggs was one of the founding principals of a full-service human capital organization called Human Capital Concepts, LLC.
Senior Leadership
Dave Buell
SVP, Chief Accounting Officer
As the Company's Chief Accounting Officer, Dave oversees its accounting, financial reporting, and tax functions. He joined Kite Realty Group in 2010 and was previously the Company’s Corporate Controller. Prior to joining the Company, Dave was a Senior Manager in the audit practice at KPMG, where he served a variety of industries with a focus on real estate. He has significant experience working with public companies and has assisted in multiple public equity and debt offerings. He is a certified public accountant and received Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance from Indiana University.
Neil Burka
SVP, Property Management
Neil Burka is Senior Vice President of Property Management at Kite Realty Group (KRG). He joined the company following its merger with Retail Properties of America Inc.(RPAI) in 2021, where he served as Vice President of Property Management. Neil has over 25 years of professional real estate management experience and a proven track record of creating value for both property owners and developers while consistently delivering financial results. Prior to joining RPAI, Neil held the role of Senior Regional Property Manager before being promoted to Director of Asset Management at Federal Realty where he managed one of our industry’s best portfolios. Neil brings a unique perspective to company operations. He not only has extensive industry experience, but also a first-hand knowledge of how to run a successful small retail business. As SVP of Property Management, Neil is responsible for managing our expanded portfolio, cultivating relationships with all stakeholders, and focusing on the company's core customers in order to drive consistent financial results.
Neil has a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree from Washington University and a Masters of Science, Business Technology Management degree from the University of Maryland.
Randy Burke
SVP, Construction
Randy Burke is Senior Vice President for Kite Realty Group. Mr. Burke leads the company’s construction department, which includes development, redevelopment and tenant coordination projects throughout the portfolio. Previously, Randy served as Kite Realty’s Director of Construction Operations.
Prior to joining KRG in 2016, Randy managed e-commerce and industrial distribution development projects with Browning Investments. He also served as Operations Manager with Duke Realty for seven years managing their National Retail, National Build to Suit, and Government Solutions Groups; where he was involved in the development of open-air malls and retail power centers.
Randy’s 34-year construction career includes the development of hospitals, data centers and high-rise hotel projects with Pepper Construction Company and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Randy is a Purdue University Alumni and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management.
Kimberly Fuhrman
SVP, Property Marketing & Specialty Leasing
Kim Fuhrman is Senior Vice President of Property Marketing & Specialty Leasing at Kite Realty Group (KRG). She joined the company following its merger with Retail Properties of America, Inc., where she served as Vice President, Marketing & Business Development. Prior to this, Kim served as Vice President, Marketing Services at General Growth Properties, Inc., and Brand Director at Marriott International / HMS Host. In her role, she is responsible for property marketing, brand development, digital content, marketing research and leasing materials, revenue growth platforms, and strategic partnerships across the portfolio. Kim is a graduate of Marymount University.
Tyler Henshaw
SVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
Tyler Henshaw is Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, Investor Relations and Corporate Finance for Kite Realty Group (KRG). He is responsible for facilitating capital market transactions, developing corporate finance strategy, managing investor relations, and leading financial planning and analysis within the organization. Prior to joining the Company in 2019, Tyler served in a variety of accounting and finance roles at Starwood Retail Partners, Walton Street Capital, and Ernst & Young. Tyler is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and graduated from Indiana University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance.
Mark Jenkins
SVP, Development
Mark Jenkins currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Retail Development at Kite Realty Group Trust (KRG) in Indianapolis. Mark is responsible for overseeing the site acquisition process, managing all development and redevelopment initiatives, coordinating with public officials to seamlessly facilitate the permitting, incentive, and entitlement processes, and providing transaction negotiations for major anchor tenants.
Throughout his 25-year career with the company, Mark has completed more than $500 million in commercial real estate transactions. His extensive development experience has grown to encompass a diverse selection of property types including: community shopping centers, free-standing retail, land lease, and mixed-use developments throughout Kite’s $3.5 billion portfolio.
Bryan McCarthy
SVP, Corporate Marketing & Communications
Bryan McCarthy leads the Kite Realty Group Corporate Marketing team, overseeing the organization’s branding and messaging across all platforms. Partnering with all departments, Bryan is responsible for the company’s communication strategy at a corporate and local level. Prior to joining KRG, Bryan served as VP, Account Director at the Leo Burnett Group, developing campaigns and strategies for the agency’s portfolio of brand clients. Bryan graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Marketing and International Business.
Dean Papadakis
SVP, Chief Legal Officer
Dean Papadakis is Kite Realty Group’s (NYSE: KRG) Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer. Prior to joining KRG in 2022, Dean served as founding partner of the Chicago-based law firm, Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis, P.C. for over twenty-five years. Dean’s practice and expertise cover a wide breadth of disciplines, with a concentration on retail leasing and transactional work. Throughout his career, he has successfully served as outside general counsel, addressing a wide variety of legal matters including litigation, employment matters, collections, insurance claims, zoning entitlements, and M&A work. As Chief Legal Officer, Dean leads all legal and insurance matters for KRG.
Dean holds a Bachelor of Arts, Economics degree from University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from Chicago Kent College of Law.
Gregg Poetz
SVP, Leasing
Gregg Poetz is Senior Vice President of Leasing for Kite Realty Group Trust (KRG) and is based in our Indianapolis office. He is responsible for overseeing and managing the day to day activities of the Leasing Department. Gregg has been employed at KRG since 1997 and has been in the real estate business since 1989. He manages various aspects of the business including: leasing anchor spaces, new developments, small shops and outparcels. Prior to joining KRG, Gregg was employed by Simon Property Group for eight years, where he worked in the peripheral development department. Gregg graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Finance and Real Estate.
Mitch Rippe
SVP, Acquisition and Disposition
Mitch leads the Acquisition and Disposition department as Senior Vice President. He works closely with the Kite Realty Group executive team in establishing acquisition and disposition goals. He is involved in underwriting acquisition opportunities and setting pricing parameters. Another key responsibility is creating relationships with owners, brokers and sellers of retail projects in our core markets. Prior to joining KRG, Mitch was a VP of Acquisitions for Weingarten Realty Trust. Mitch is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Theresa Severson
SVP, Insurance & Risk Management
Theresa Severson is the senior vice president, insurance and risk at Kite Realty Group. She joined the company following its merger with Retail Properties of America (RPAI) where she served in a similar capacity for 13 years. In her role, Ms. Severson oversees risk management and insurance program for operational and corporate exposures, claims management, Business Continuity and Enterprise Risk Management.
In March 2023, Ms. Severson was named RIMS’ Risk Manager of the Year, appeared on Captive Review’s Power 50-Captive Owners List and, on behalf of Kite Realty Group, accepted CICA’s, Outstanding Captive Award, presented to a captive insurance company that has shown creative uses for a captive, recognition, and a positive reputation among rating agencies, regulators, and colleagues in the captive industry
Ms. Severson received her B.S. in Economics from Illinois State University.