From left: Woodmont Properties Chief Financial Officer and incoming Chief Operating Officer Daniel Miller, CEO Eric Witmondt and President Lewis Zlotnick, who will soon assume the role of executive vice president of the firm’s Florida division. — Courtesy: Woodmont
By Joshua Burd
Lewis Zlotnick, Woodmont Properties’ longtime president, is shifting to a new role as executive vice president of the firm’s growing Florida division, in a move that comes alongside a key promotion on its executive team.
Zlotnick, who joined Woodmont in 1992, will assume the new role effective Jan. 1. In the process, the Fairfield-based developer has promoted Chief Financial Officer Daniel Miller to chief operating officer, noting that he will assume Zlotnick’s responsibilities.
“Over the past 32 years, I have had the pleasure of contributing to Woodmont’s evolution from a 10-person local real estate company to a national developer with an unparalleled 160-person team,” Zlotnick said. “I am extremely proud to have participated in Woodmont’s exponential growth and expansion into multiple asset classes including multifamily and industrial properties. Daniel is an exceptional member of Woodmont’s executive leadership and the ideal candidate for chief operating officer. I look forward to supporting Woodmont’s continued growth with Daniel at the helm.”
In a news release, Woodmont noted that Miller joined Woodmont as its CFO in 2011. He will retain his oversight of corporate financial resources as he moves into the new role as COO, the firm said, noting that he will now assume responsibilities such as strategy, implementation and operations and will provide oversight to the construction, property management, marketing, information technology and human resources divisions.
“Lewis’ legacy of leadership and team building, disciplined and relentless approach to execution, measured decision making and overall passion for success has benefited the entire Woodmont family and I have cherished learning from him over the past 12 years,” Miller said. “Our most well-rounded executive, Lewis has significantly contributed to Woodmont’s growth through operational leadership in entitlements, construction, property management, marketing, information technology and human resources, even before division heads were introduced to oversee these functions.
“I am honored to assume the role of chief operating officer in tandem with Woodmont’s valued team members, I look forward to playing a pivotal role in the company’s next chapter.”
Prior to joining Woodmont, Miller was a controller with Hampshire Real Estate Cos., where he oversaw the accounting, reporting and cash management for three value-added real estate investment funds targeted at institutional investors, the news release said. Before his time with Hampshire, he spent seven years as an auditor with Ernst & Young, specializing in servicing real estate clients.
Miller is a licensed certified public accountant in New York and completed his undergraduate degree in accounting at the University of Maryland, College Park.
“We are incredibly grateful for Lewis’ dedication to Woodmont, its mission and its team members over the last three decades,” Woodmont CEO Eric Witmondt said. “He will always remain a valued member of the Woodmont family and in his new role, his leadership and expertise will continue to be instrumental to our success. With Daniel’s proven track record and outstanding capabilities, we are confident in his ability to further elevate our company’s operations and drive us to new heights. His transition to chief operating officer marks an exciting milestone for Woodmont and our current and future endeavors.”
As executive vice president for the Florida division, Zlotnick will oversee Woodmont’s strategic expansion in a state in which it has an industrial development pipeline exceeding 4 million square feet, the news release said. The firm said its Woodmont Industrial Partners affiliate has completed several key industrial acquisitions and groundbreakings in the region in the past year, having also delivered three buildings totaling 500,000 square feet and announced three construction starts in partnership with Butters Construction & Development.
The newest facilities will include a 300,000-square-foot property in Jupiter, an 80,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Pompano and a project in Fort Myers that will yield 2.1 million square feet across 14 buildings to be delivered over the next three years.
Woodmont, meantime, remains active in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. Last February, it launched leasing at its 120-unit Woodmont Liberty at Independence project in Warren County, while announcing in June that the 443-unit Woodmont Way community was fully leased.
Zlotnick will continue to serve on the firm’s executive leadership committee, the investment committee and the independent board of advisers.
