The M. Kaplan Companies, LLC and Kaplan Management Co., Inc. team is a cohesive group of seasoned professionals who have a successful formula for property development, acquisition and fee management adding value through rehab, creation of new income streams, controlling operating expenses and increasing rents. Our organization continues to grow in a controlled and structured manner.
Operating controls include annual/monthly preparation of budgets which detail income, expense and capital items for each property. Extensive construction experience allows us to make quick and knowledgeable cost-saving decisions.
Michael Kaplan, CEO
Has over 32 years experience in multi-family acquisition, development, management and construction. Mr. Kaplan began his career in a supervisory role with The Finger Companies of Houston, where he was responsible for managing 6,000 multi-family units. As an owner and operator during the past 23 years, Mr. Kaplan oversees all activities including acquisition, market analysis, site selection, financing, construction, disposition, advertising, public relations and coordination of property management. He is a member of the NAA, HAA, NMAA, and IREM and has served as Chairman of the Westchase Advisory Committee and a Director of Champions Bank in Houston.
Geoff Simpson, CFO
Mr. Simpson joined Kaplan in early 2002. Since that time he has been integrally involved in over $120 million of dispositions, $250 million of acquisitions, and $135 million of new development. Mr. Simpson’s responsibilities include being the primary contact for investors and lenders, all financial reporting, due diligence for acquisitions and developments, all coordination of employee benefits (401(k), etc.), all financing for acquisitions, developments and the existing portfolio, the study of existing and potential apartment market economics and new acquisition & development site selection. Mr. Simpson came to Kaplan with seven years of investment banking experience where he raised over $4.8 billion of capital and advised senior management regarding several mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Simpson has extensive experience in deal structuring including high yield and investment grade debt, public and private equity offerings, bridge loans and other senior credit facilities, mezzanine financing, and various interest rate and commodity derivative transactions.
Matt Summers, President of Management Mr. Summers joined Kaplan in late 2007. He is responsible for all facets of operational management of the fee and owner managed multi-family communities in the Kaplan portfolio. Mr. Summers serves in a senior advisory capacity to upper management, Development, Acquisition, and Construction Divisions. Mr. Summers came to Kaplan with 13 years of experience in the multi-family industry. He holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree from the University of Illinois and completed post graduate studies at University of Puget Sound School of Law.
Donna Kaplan, Director of Marketing
Mrs. Kaplan attended the University of Oklahoma’s College of Business. She has six years of national sales and marketing experience in the hotel industry. Mrs. Kaplan has 20 years of experience in the apartment industry being involved in development, managing, and marketing. As Director of Marketing, Mrs. Kaplan develops marketing strategies which include advertising campaigns and leasing analysis. She holds a Texas Real Estate License and is currently a member of the Houston Apartment Association.
J.T. Phelps, Vice President of Construction
Mr. Phelps is a third generation general contractor with experience in new construction and renovation of existing properties. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he served four years in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. Since his discharge in 1995, Mr. Phelps has been involved in projects totaling over $250 million in value. His expertise is in multi-family and commercial construction, with some experience constructing medical and educational facilities. He is a licensed contractor in the state of Florida. His current role is to oversee and coordinate all construction projects undertaken by Kaplan to ensure the delivery of a high quality product to financial partners and investors.
Michelle Rhone, Vice President of Management
Mrs. Rhone joined Kaplan as Vice President of Operations in 2009. As a CAM accredited executive, she is responsible for all field operations and site supervision for the Kaplan portfolio. Mrs. Rhone has over 13 years of multi-faceted management, financial, and marketing experience. She is very active in the Houston Apartment Association, Texas Apartment Association, and National Apartment Association where she serves on several committees including HAA-Community Relations, HAA EXPO, HAA Go Getters, SOAPS committee, and TAA-Education Conference Committee.
Travis Kaplan, Regional Supervisor
With six years of multi-family management and acquisition experience, Mr. Kaplan began his career as an Assistant Maintenance Technician. He progressed rapidly to the position of Leasing Agent and then Manager. His current position is Property Supervisor and New Development Project Manager.
Darlene Hunter, Regional Supervisor
Mrs. Hunter joined Kaplan as Regional Supervisor in 2009. As a CAM and ARM accredited executive, she is responsible for the site supervision for the Kaplan portfolio in Houston and Arkansas. Mrs. Hunter has over 20 years of multi-family management and financial experience. She is active in the Houston Apartment Association and serves on the HAA Go Getters committee.
Zachory Robinson, Regional Supervisor
Mr. Robinson joined Kaplan with twelve years experience as a District Manager in the multi-family housing industry. His career spans over eighteen years including previous service with Milestone Management and Pinnacle Realty Management. He has experience in both conventional and tax credit communities gaining expertise in operations of troubled assets. He previously served on the Legislative Committee of the Southern Nevada Multi Housing Association and is currently working towards obtaining his CAM designation and Arizona real estate license.
Khoi D. Luu, Development Officer
Mr. Luu graduated from the University of Houston in 2003 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. He joined The M. Kaplan Companies as an Analyst in 2004 and was involved in many aspects of the company including underwriting and due diligence for acquisitions, market research and site selection for new developments, and financial analysis and budgeting for its current portfolio. Currently as a Development Officer, Mr. Luu is involved in the project management of Kaplan Acquisitions’ development pipeline.
6363 Woodway Dr. Suite 300, Houston, TX 77057 | PH 713-977-5699 | FAX: 713-977-5697 
