Management Team

Owner, President and CEO of DBC Real Estate Management, LLC. President, John Hess began his career owning an open-shop construction company where he served as the general contractor/construction manager. The company constructed projects in the Commercial, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Institutional, and Industrial sectors in addition to building over 5,000 apartment units. As he became more knowledgeable about the economics of building and operating multi-family properties, Mr. Hess began to invest in the ownership side of the business by taking equity positions in properties which he was building for others. By early 2008, he was ready to become the general partner by acquiring income-producing properties. DBC Real Estate Management, LLC is the manager of the acquired properties with any repairs or remodeling being facilitated and guided through prior building knowledge. This strategy has significantly contributed to the excellent current returns enjoyed by the investors in those properties. Mr. Hess has also served as Chapter President of the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association, and has been a member of their National Board of Directors as well as served on the Board of Directors of Enterprise Bank for over a decade. Through the formation of DBC Real Estate Management, LLC, he is now taking on the role of leading investment opportunities as Developer/General Partner.

J.R. Hess serves as Executive Vice President of DBC Real Estate Management, LLC, where he leads acquisition strategy, supports investor communications, and helps drive the firm’s long-term portfolio growth across multifamily real estate investments. He brings more than 20 years of experience in construction and development, along with over a decade of multifamily real estate experience spanning operations, asset oversight, and investment execution. J.R.’s career has included leadership roles across multiple levels of property operations, including Leasing Agent, Property Manager, and Portfolio Manager, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of multifamily asset performance from both an operational and investment perspective. This broad experience has contributed to the strategic growth of DBC Real Estate Management’s portfolio and the performance of the limited partnerships under the firm’s management. In his current role, J.R. is actively involved in identifying, underwriting, and negotiating acquisition opportunities, with a focus on value creation, risk assessment, and long-term asset positioning. He also works closely with ownership groups and investors to support transparent communication and alignment throughout the investment lifecycle. His background in both operations and acquisitions provides a practical framework for evaluating market opportunities and executing business plans designed to enhance asset value. J.R. holds FINRA Series 22 and Series 63 securities licenses and maintains a strong understanding of the regulatory framework associated with real estate investment structures. His leadership and contributions to the industry have been recognized through national media features, including being selected as the cover feature in The Executive Lens: Pioneers of Progress – Top 5 Leaders Redefining the Future (2025) and being named among Top 100 Magazine’s Top 100 People in Real Estate. He earned his undergraduate degree in Managerial Economics from Allegheny College and holds both an MBA and a Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate (MPSRE) from Georgetown University.

Michael E. Hess is the Chief Investment Officer of DBC Real Estate. Michael was previously Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for DBC Real Estate Management, LLC where he began his career in private equity real estate in 2015. He is also the Co-Founder and Managing Member of Perennial Housing Partners, LLC, a firm that specializes in the sourcing, acquisition and redevelopment of hospitality assets to as-converted workforce housing communities. Since 2015, Michael has been involved in multifamily/hotel transactions with an aggregate value of over $750,000,000, including the acquisition of over 20 assets comprised of 3,100+ units/rooms located throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and South Carolina. In the last four years alone, in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for DBC Real Estate Management, LLC and a Managing Partner of Perennial Housing Partners, LLC, Michael has spearheaded the execution and strategic negotiation of the capital structuring for over 50 separate transactions totaling more than $450,000,000+ in transactional volume. As C.I.O. of DBC, Michael leads all discussions with senior funding sources and manages the funding of investment opportunities, the structuring of capital transactions and is responsible for the general execution for each investment, along with the subsequent asset management on behalf designated Investment Manager. Michael obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Villanova University’s School of Business with dual concentrations in data analytics and finance. He received undergraduate degrees in Economics and Finance from Miami University.

Craig is an accomplished accounting and finance professional with extensive experience at three prominent real estate sponsors. An alumnus of Pennsylvania State University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in accounting. He directs all reporting, accounting, tax, and treasury functions for both the management company and special purpose entities. He is instrumental in implementing new business initiatives and strategic priorities for DBC, and oversees the legal, compliance and risk management functions of the organization. As a licensed CPA, Craig combines strategic financial leadership with a deep understanding of accounting principles, driving growth and operational excellence.

Caitlyn is an accomplished CMO with over 15 years in the marketing industry. A proud graduate of Penn State University, Caitlyn has built a strong foundation in marketing strategy, brand development, and digital innovation. With a deep understanding of the multifamily industry, Caitlyn excels in leveraging data-driven insights to create impactful campaigns and marketing initiatives. This expertise spans across market research, digital advertising, social media strategies and content creation. Throughout her career, Caitlyn has demonstrated a proven ability to lead and execute successful marketing initiatives that drive company growth, enhances brand awareness and increases occupancy levels.

Sean graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Economics. Shortly after joining DBC Real Estate in 2018, Sean furthered his education by obtaining an MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Sean is heavily involved in financial modeling, reporting, budgeting, and technology integrations within DBC, and has been a key component in the successful sourcing and financing of over $280 million in transaction volume during his time with the company.

Laura is a financial veteran of 30 years with a wide range of experience in a number of business areas including wholesale sales, restaurants and real estate. For 21 years, she worked for our CFO in an established multifaceted company located in Pittsburgh, PA where she held significant responsibility in the restaurant chain. Laura joined DBC Real Estate Management in 2011.