Partners

Peter J. Merlone,
Co-Managing Partner

Bradley A. Geier,
Co-Managing Partner

David H. Meckler,
Executive Managing Director

Scott A. McPherson,
Managing Director

Jain A. Wager,
Managing Director

David E. Geiser, AIA
Managing Director

Greg J. Geertsen,
Managing Director

Peter R. Weltchek
Managing Director

James L. Atkins, PE
Managing Director

Douglas E. Lind
Vice President

Sandra J. Dellibovi
Vice President

Michael T. Grehl
Vice President

Jonathan G. Cheng
Vice President

Peter Merlone is a founder, co-owner and co-managing partner of the general partner entities of Merlone Geier Partners ("MGP") and Merlone Geier Management ("MGM"). Mr. Merlone is also a founder, co-owner and president of the general partner entities of M&H Realty Partners ("M&H"), the predecessor to MGP, and was a founder and president of M&H Property Management ("MHPM"), the predecessor to MGM.  From 1986 to 1993, prior to the formation of the first M&H fund, Mr. Merlone was the founder and owner of The Merlone Company, MHPM’s predecessor.

Mr. Merlone's primary responsibilities are to formulate and oversee the strategy, financial and operating affairs of MGP and the activities of MGM.  Since 1993, Mr. Merlone has overseen nine institutional limited partnerships with aggregate equity capital commitments of $1.6 billion which have acquired approximately 70 operating properties aggregating more than 11 million square feet of retail improvements, and land developments totaling 1,500 acres.

Mr. Merlone graduated from UCLA in 1979, simultaneously earning an undergraduate degree in economics, summa cum laude, and a Master’s degree in education; he was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  Mr. Merlone is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a licensed real estate broker. He is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.

Bradley A. Geier, Co-Managing Partner

Brad Geier is a founder, co-owner and co-managing partner of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM.  Mr. Geier is also a managing director of the general partner entities of M&H and was a managing director of MHPM from its founding in 1994 until the formation of MGM in 2006. From 1983 to 1993, prior to the formation of the first M&H fund, Mr. Geier held senior positions with Trammell Crow Company and The Taubman Company.

Mr. Geier's primary responsibilities are to formulate and execute on MGP’s investment strategy, including the acquisition and disposition of properties and the oversight and direction of land development and joint venture investment activities. During the period of MHPM’s operations Mr. Geier also had primary responsibility for development entitlements. From 1994 to 2006 he was the lead partner handling the purchase and subsequent sale of 50 properties aggregating in excess of 10 million square feet.

Mr. Geier graduated from Stanford University in 1979, earning an undergraduate degree in history with departmental honors. In 1983 he earned an MBA degree from Harvard University.  Mr. Geier is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute. He is also a member and the immediate past President of the Board of Trustees of The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California. He is resident in the firm’s San Diego office.

David H. Meckler, Executive Managing Director

David Meckler is an executive managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM.  He has been with MGP and its predecessor entities since its formation in 1994. For 15 years prior to the formation of M&H, Mr. Meckler held senior positions involving project management and site selection for a number of national retailers.

From 1994 to 2006, Mr. Meckler had primary responsibility for project management, design, leasing, and construction management for all M&H properties. He continues to lead project conceptualization and design and assist with anchor tenant leasing and retailer relations for all land development and in-fill redevelopment projects.

Mr. Meckler graduated cum laude from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 1973 with an undergraduate degree in environmental science. In 1975 he earned a Master of City Planning degree from Harvard University.  Mr. Meckler is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He also serves as a trustee of the Urban School and as a Board Member of the Jewish Community Center, both in San Francisco. He is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.

Scott A. McPherson, Managing Director

Scott McPherson is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM.  He has been with MGP and its predecessor entities since 1995. From 1988 to 1995, prior to joining M&H, Mr. McPherson was a development associate at Donahue Schriber and a retail leasing specialist with C.W. Clark.

Mr. McPherson's primary responsibility is to serve as a senior project partner with a particular focus on project development, entitlement processing and major tenant leasing, including oversight of the firm’s urban redevelopments. Mr. McPherson has had primary responsibility for many of the firm’s larger and more complicated property redevelopments including Santa Fe Springs Mall (1998-2001), Oxnard Esplanade (2000-2001), and Mira Mesa Mall (2000-2002). More recently he has overseen entitlement processing and predevelopment activities for Delta Shores in Sacramento (2007-present) and Metro Center in San Diego (2007-present).

Mr. McPherson graduated from UCLA in 1987 with an undergraduate degree in history.  He is an active participant in the International Council of Shopping Centers, where he earned the Senior Certified Leasing Specialist (“SCLS”) designation, a member of the Urban Land Institute and a licensed real estate broker. Mr. McPherson is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Monarch School in San Diego and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School in La Jolla, California. He is resident in the firm’s San Diego office.

Jain A. Wager, Managing Director

Jain Wager is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. Her primary responsibility is to serve as a project partner with a particular focus on leasing and project management.

Ms. Wager has been with MGP and its predecessor entities since 1996. She has had primary responsibility for a number of the firm’s retail redevelopments including Westgate Mall in San Jose (1995-1997) and Gateway Plaza in Vallejo (1997-1999). Before joining the firm Ms. Wager was the owner of the Allyn Group, a commercial real estate company she founded in 1991. The Allyn Group specialized in retail leasing, consulting, and development and represented such companies as Saris Regis Group, The Hahn Company and The Estate of James Campbell. From 1980-1991, Ms. Wager was vice president of Metropolitan Real Estate Group, where she was responsible for development, acquisition and leasing of neighborhood and community shopping centers throughout California.

Ms. Wager graduated from CSU Sonoma in 1979 with an undergraduate degree in art and philosophy. She is a founding member and a past vice president of the San Francisco chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (“CREW”), an active participant in the International Council of Shopping Centers, where she earned the Senior Certified Leasing Specialist (“SCLS”) designation, and a licensed real estate broker. She is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.

David E. Geiser, AIA, Managing Director

David Geiser is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. His primary responsibilities are managing project design and construction, including oversight of contractors and design consultants and coordination with the development teams. He is also integral in the firm’s land planning and entitlement processing activities.

Mr. Geiser has been with MGP and its predecessor entities since 1997. Prior to joining the firm he served as managing principal for the San Diego office of MCG Architects, a full service architectural and planning firm specializing in retail and commercial development projects.

Mr. Geiser graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1988 with an undergraduate degree in architecture. He is an active participant in the American Institute of Architects and is a licensed Architect in the State of California. He is resident in the firm’s San Diego office.

Greg J. Geertsen, Managing Director

Greg Geertsen is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. His primary responsibility is to serve as a project partner, with a particular focus on project development, entitlement processing and leasing.

Before joining MGP in 2007, Mr. Geertsen was the managing partner of Western Development Partners, a full service development firm specializing in retail development and redevelopment in twelve western states. From 1990 to 2001, prior to forming Western Development Partners, Mr. Geertsen was the managing member of R & G Investments and the vice president of real estate for Grocery Outlet. During his tenure at Grocery Outlet, Mr. Geertsen developed numerous projects throughout nine western states. From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Geertsen served as a development director for two privately held real estate companies, where his responsibilities included new project development, leasing and retail property management.

Mr. Geertsen graduated from Brigham Young University in 1982 with an undergraduate degree in business finance. He is an active participant in the International Council of Shopping Centers, where he earned the CSM and SCSM designations, and is a licensed real estate broker. He is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.

Peter R. Weltchek, Managing Director

Peter Weltchek is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. His primary responsibilities are fundraising, investor relations, arranging debt capital on a fund and project level, and managing the firm’s banking relationships.

Prior to joining MGP in 2008, Mr. Weltchek served for three years as Senior Vice President, Capital Markets for The Marcus & Millichap Company, a diversified real estate holding company with subsidiaries in real estate development, investment, finance and brokerage. Previously, Mr. Weltchek worked for 12 years in real estate investment banking: from 1993 to 1999 with Lehman Brothers and from 1999 to 2005 with Banc of America Securities.

Mr. Weltchek graduated cum laude from Colby College in 1988, earning an undergraduate degree in economics with distinction in the major; he was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1993 he received an MBA from Wharton, majoring in real estate and finance. Mr. Weltchek is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Zell-Lurie Real Estate Center at Wharton. He is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.

James L. Atkins, PE, Managing Director

Jim Atkins is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. His primary responsibility is to serve as the project partner on mixed-use development projects, particularly those with a significant residential component.

Prior to joining MGP in 2008, Mr. Atkins served as managing director of The South Group, a Los Angeles-based mixed-use development company. In this capacity he oversaw the development of three high-rise condominium projects in downtown Los Angeles. Together these three LEED Gold projects included more than 700 new for-sale condominiums and 36,000 square feet of ground floor retail with an aggregate cost of approximately $410 million. During his tenure with The South Group (and its affiliated entities) Mr. Atkins was also responsible for overseeing the planning, programming, entitlement and infrastructure development of several large mixed-use projects including Portland’s South Waterfront development. Many of his other multi-phased, mixed-use housing projects have had a “neighborhood development” emphasis and have included elements such as public-private development agreements, affordable housing development, brownfield redevelopment, sustainable development practices, and mass transit infrastructure improvements.

Mr. Atkins graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1988 with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. He served on active duty in the US Army Corps of Engineers until 1992, including service in the first Gulf War. Mr. Atkins sits on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles Central City Association, as well as the Board of Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc. He is also a licensed Engineer in the States of Washington, Oregon and Virginia. He is resident in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Douglas E. Lind, Vice President

Doug Lind is a vice president of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM.  His primary responsibilities include property management, with a focus on northern California properties, and serving as head of operations for MGM.

Mr. Lind has been with MGP and its predecessor entities since 1996. From 1987 to 1995, prior to joining the firm, he was Director of Property Management for GBW Properties, a private owner, developer and manager of commercial and multifamily property headquartered in Los Angeles. Previously he worked in the securities industry in San Francisco and New York.

Mr. Lind graduated from Dartmouth College in 1974, earning an undergraduate degree in history with departmental honors. He has earned CSM and CLS designations from the International Council of Shopping Centers and a CPM designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. Mr. Lind is also a licensed general contractor and a licensed real estate broker. He is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.

Sandra J. Dellibovi, Vice President

Sandy Dellibovi is a vice president of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. Her primary responsibilities are to run MGM’s field operations and to coordinate the efforts of all project, construction and property management personnel.

Ms. Dellibovi has been with MGP and its predecessor entities since 1999. She previously served as a property manager for the firm’s southern California properties. Prior to joining M&H, Ms. Dellibovi was General Manager for the Esplanade Shopping Center in Oxnard, California which was later redeveloped and repositioned by M&H. She previously worked with several third party management groups where her responsibilities included the management and operations of over 1.5 million square feet of retail, office and industrial properties throughout Southern California.

Ms. Dellibovi is an active participant in the International Council of Shopping Centers where she earned the Certified Shopping Center Manager (“CSM”) designation. She is also a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management and a licensed real estate salesperson.  She is resident in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Michael T. Grehl, Vice President

Mike Grehl is a vice president of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM.  His primary responsibility is to serve as a project partner, with a particular focus on land development, environmental regulations, entitlement processing and tenant leasing.

Before joining MGP in 2007, Mr. Grehl was an associate with Capstone Advisors, where he was responsible for development, acquisition and leasing of neighborhood and community shopping centers throughout Southern California. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Grehl was a land use and real estate transaction associate at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP, an international law firm emphasizing land use and real estate law. In that capacity, Mr. Grehl represented clients such as Ritz Carlton Hotels, Strategic Hotels, Brookfield Homes, Sony and Broadcom, among others, in their real estate development and acquisitions efforts.

Mr. Grehl graduated cum laude from Duke University in 2000 with a bachelors of science in economics. In 2003 he received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of San Diego School Of Law.  Mr. Grehl is a licensed attorney in the State of California, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and a licensed real estate broker. He is resident in the firm’s San Diego office.

Jonathan G. Cheng, Vice President

Jonathan Cheng is a vice president of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. His primary responsibility is property acquisitions and dispositions.

Prior to joining MGP in 2007 and from 2002 to 2005, Mr. Cheng served as an associate at Cruzan | Monroe, a private real estate acquisition and development firm, where he sourced and negotiated transactions, ran the company’s financial analysis, and led the debt financing process. While at Cruzan | Monroe, Mr. Cheng played an integral part in the acquisition of properties aggregating 1.3 million square feet, development of properties aggregating 2 million square feet, and disposition of properties aggregating 800,000 square feet. From 2000-2001, Mr. Cheng was a financial analyst in the investment banking division of JPMorgan H&Q.

Mr. Cheng graduated from Stanford University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering. He later returned to Stanford, earning an MBA in 2007. Mr. Cheng is an active participant in the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is resident in the firm’s San Diego office.