Growth, built
around you

Jeff defines the company’s vision for growth, leads strategic direction, and oversees key partnerships. Teamwork and transparency are central to his leadership approach, along with a focus on helping tenants grow through thoughtful real estate strategy.

Jeff brings more than a decade of executive-level experience in commercial real estate development. His work has focused on delivering triple net, new construction projects and repositioning existing assets to meet tenant needs. He guides the company’s growth with a hands-on approach and is recognized for structuring complex deals and moving projects from concept to completion. His leadership further extends to fostering a positive, collaborative company culture across the organization.

Jeff earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Construction Management and Real Estate Development from Drexel University. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys an active lifestyle with his wife and their golden retriever. He spends his time working on the family farm, hunting, skiing, and hosting gatherings with family and friends.

Tim is the Director of Development at Zeal, where he leads the development and construction teams and oversees day-to-day operations. Drawing on his military background, he brings a strong focus on leadership and team performance to his role. He has helped successfully deliver over 650,000 square feet of space to clients.

Prior to joining Zeal, Tim served nearly eight years as a U.S. Navy SEAL before separating from the military in 2020. He then gained hands-on experience with a high-performance custom homebuilder in Coronado, California. Inspired by his growing interest in energy efficiency in the built environment, he earned a Master’s degree from Stanford Graduate School of Engineering, with an emphasis on energy and construction.

Outside of work, Tim is a dedicated father of four. He enjoys reading, spending time working outdoors, coaching youth lacrosse, and has recently developed a love for playing tennis.

Kayla brings over 10 years of commercial real estate experience to her role as Director of Real Estate at Zeal Development, where she leads site strategy and execution for the nation’s fastest-growing multi-unit brands. Before joining Zeal, she spent nearly eight years at Alidade Capital, a Bloomfield Hills-based value-add fund manager, rising to Director of Acquisitions and closing over $140 million in assets. Prior to real estate, Kayla spent time at both Bain & Company and Thermo Fisher Scientific in corporate finance roles.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wellesley College. Kayla finds her balance outside of work through yoga, gardening, and spending time with family in Northern Michigan.

Tanner is an accomplished real estate professional with over 10 years specializing in single-tenant investment and development. He leads the acquisition team in identifying and securing high-quality opportunities through a well-established national network. Tanner plays a critical role in business development and strategic acquisitions. He oversees the full lifecycle of the real estate process. With hands-on experience as a multi-concept operator and developer, Tanner understands both operational and real estate dynamics. He’s partnered with numerous operators across the country to execute successful expansion strategies. Over the course of his career, Tanner has developed more than 120 properties and led over $400 million in real estate acquisitions and development. Outside of the office, Tanner enjoys spending time with his wife and twin daughters. He is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys hunting, fishing, snowboarding, surfing, and traveling.

Matthew Evert, CPA, serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Zeal Development, bringing well over a decade of executive leadership experience as a CFO in the commercial real estate sector. With a proven track record of steering financial operations for expansive, multi-entity portfolios, he excels at driving profitability, optimizing cash flow, and building robust internal controls. Since joining the Zeal team, Matt has continuously expanded his operational oversight, championing lean cost management and forward-thinking innovation to support the company’s growth trajectory. He holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University.

When he steps away from the office, Matthew and his wife, Victoria, are avid travelers who love exploring new destinations and planning their next great getaway. A fiercely loyal Spartan alumnus, he is always ready to talk Michigan State athletics or Detroit Lions football. To balance his busy schedule, Matthew also prioritizes staying active and maintains a consistent routine to support a healthy lifestyle.