How Will Multifamily Evolve?

Jeffrey D. Kok serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Information Officer for Mill Creek Residential. He is the chair of the Innovation Committee and a member of the Audit and Administrative Committee. In his role, Mr. Kok is responsible for overseeing Innovation, Building Technology, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) with the goal to transform how Mill Creek leverages technology as a competitive advantage and increase the value of Mill Creek’s communities. Mr. Kok joined Mill Creek in December 2015 and has developed a robust team to digitally transform the organization while driving innovation, automation, investment value, net operating income, and operational efficiencies across development, acquisitions, construction, property management, asset management, and the national services functions. Prior to joining Mill Creek, from 2005 to 2015, Mr. Kok worked for Celanese International Corporation {NYSE: CE}, a global technology and specialty materials company that engineers and manufactures a wide variety of products essential to everyday living. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 7,500 employees worldwide and had 2014 net sales of $6.8 billion, with approximately 67% generated outside of North America. Mr. Kok held a variety of positions at Celanese and ascended quickly through the ranks. His most recent role at Celanese was Head of Information Security (CISO – Chief Information Security Officer) with overall responsibilities for SAP Security, the Security Operations Center, Security Architecture, and Process Control Networks. He led remediation efforts and developed the strategy for the company with regards to data classification, data protection, and monitoring. Mr. Kok graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems.

Ms. Newton serves as senior vice president, multifamily operations and her focus is multifamily property operations in coordination with Hines’ regional offices and multifamily developers. She is a member of the firm’s Operations Management Committee (OMC). Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Ms. Newton was most recently with Waterton, a Chicago-based investment firm specializing in the ownership and management of multifamily properties throughout the U.S., where she was responsible for the oversight of a portfolio of value-add, lease-up and stabilized assets valued at over $1.3 billion. She also worked with Manhattan-based ING Clarion, where she was responsible for a multifamily portfolio with Class A assets located in Washington, California, Arizona and Texas. Ms. Newton began her career with Wolverine Management, a subsidiary of The Staubach Company, which later conducted IPO as Columbus Realty Trust and was subsequently acquired by Post Properties. Ms. Newton brings over 25 years of experience in multifamily operations to the firm.

Dan O’Connell joined the Quantum Fiber(SM) Connected Communities’ organization in 2018, with more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications and cable industries.  He spent most of those years in senior leadership roles with some of America’s largest service providers specializing in the residential housing and multi-dwelling market.   As VP of Consumer Sales, he leads a nationwide team of sales and engineering professionals focused on delivering customized advanced fiber technology solutions for apartments and communities by deploying fast, future ready and secure instant connectivity for all residents. Under Dan’s leadership, the connected communities organization has experienced tremendous growth and continues to aggressively expand its footprint throughout the U.S. Dan is a lifetime fan of his hometown Washington D.C. sports teams; has an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Catholic University of America.    As a community advocate Dan serves on the board of directors for the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and is the former president of the Fiber Broadband Association (formerly Fiber to the Home Council).   

Born and raised in South East London, Adam has always been a ken sportsman; representing his high school in Soccer, Rugby and Cricket. He started his working life as a Police Constable in Central London and then moved on to becoming a “Mens Grooming Expert” (which led to him appearing on The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent & GQ). This career path bought Adam to Dallas, Texas where he met his wife and decided to settle down. In Texas, Adam chose to start over or “re-tool”, and pursued a Management Degree at SMU. Once his studies were complete, Adam moved into sales of HVAC where he touched many commercial construction projects. Adam loves the thrill of new challenges, and meeting new people and can't wait to start his career with Bisnow in Dallas.