Our Team
Prior to founding Eastwind Development in 2007, John “Jack” Weir served as Chief Operating Officer of Palm Beach Gardens-based Creative Choice Homes, Inc., and was responsible for all strategic and project financing, and oversaw all acquisition and development activities. Jack was directly responsible for the financing, closing, and development of over 40 multifamily communities involving over 6,000 multifamily units throughout the Southeastern U.S.
Jack has extensive experience in arranging construction, permanent, mezzanine loan, and equity financing from a wide range of banking, insurance, and institutional capital sources. He is well-versed in the intricacies of the housing tax credit, has extensive experience with multifamily tax-exempt bond and credit enhancement programs, as well as all major federal, state and local public loan programs.
Prior to his involvement in housing finance, Mr. Weir was a corporate and securities attorney with the firm of Debevoise and Plimpton in New York City. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, attended the University of St. Andrews in Scotland on a Rotary Fellowship, and received a B.A. from the University of Scranton. He has been admitted to the bar in Florida, New York, and New Jersey and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County.
As Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations, Steve Potting provides strategic direction for Eastwind and is responsible for all aspects of capital management, including the procurement and management of debt and equity on all Eastwind-sponsored development ventures, company financing, and tax planning.
Prior to joining Eastwind, Steve served as a Senior Relationship Manager with M&T Bank and PNC Bank, where he specialized in the structuring and origination of complex debt offerings on all commercial real estate asset classes. Throughout his banking career, Mr. Potting facilitated over $5 billion of commercial real estate financings, including several notable Eastwind communities such as Dakota at Abacoa, Sonoma Pointe, Monterey Pointe, High Ridge Landing, San Mateo Crossing, Solera at City Center, and The Pointe at Siena Ridge.
Mr. Potting earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University and Master of Business Administration from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has been an active member of the Urban Land Institute, the National Multifamily Housing Council, and is a licensed real estate professional.
As Vice President of Development and Acquisitions, Stephen Novacki is responsible for the sourcing and implementation of real estate development communities throughout the State of Florida. In this capacity, he manages the acquisition and development process from contract through completion. Specific responsibilities include site selection and feasibility, underwriting, contract negotiations, due diligence, management of third-party consultants, site planning, product design, entitlements, and procurement of all governmental approvals to commence construction.
In previous roles, Stephen served as the regional development partner for an Orlando-based multifamily development group and as Director of Acquisitions for a South Florida real estate acquisitions firm. In these capacities, he also was involved with project financing as it related to securing debt and equity funding. With almost two decades of experience in the industry, Stephen’s closed deal volume includes 6,860 multifamily units with a transaction value that exceeds $1.2 billion.
Mr. Novacki received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Babson College with a concentration in Finance, Investments, and Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the National Multifamily Housing Council and has maintained a Florida Broker’s license since 2003.
Omar del Rio joined Eastwind as Vice President of Acquisitions and Development where he’s responsible for spearheading the development of new multifamily communities throughout South Florida. Omar is a highly accomplished multifamily developer, boasting an impressive track record of over 25 years in the industry. His expertise extends to a wide variety of product types, including luxury high-rise residential projects, affordable housing tax credit developments and everything in between. Del Rio is versed in site selection and feasibility, underwriting, contract negotiations, due diligence, managing third-party consultants, site planning, product design, entitlements, and procurement of all governmental approvals to commence construction.
Prior to joining Eastwind, del Rio was Senior Vice President at Quarterra (fka Lennar Multifamily Communities) where he developed notable multifamily communities in Wynwood, Doral, and downtown Sarasota. He was integral in the entire lifecycle of Quarterra’s developments, overseeing site searches, navigating entitlement processes, managing construction and lease-up phases and facilitating dispositions. Del Rio previously served in various roles with prominent multifamily developers Fairfield Residential, Gables Residential, and Waypoint Residential.
Omar’s educational background is equally impressive, having obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture from Tulane University, a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University, and a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Don Prachel is a distinguished construction professional with 30+ years’ experience managing all aspects of construction from conceptual design to project completion across the multifamily and senior living sectors. Mr. Prachel has overseen the development of 5,000+ units including over $500 million of senior living communities throughout the eastern portion of the U.S. and over $175 million of multifamily communities in Central Florida.
Prior to joining Eastwind, Don served as Project Executive for LECESSE Construction Services where he was responsible for conferring with owners, contractors, and design professionals to plan, evaluate, and coordinate all activities associated with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. In 2006, he opened the LECESSE Construction office in Orlando where he directed construction field teams and was involved in every aspect of on-site construction management, including conceptual development.
Don has a passion for cultivating current and future relationships and has worked with several repeat clients, local municipalities, subcontractor partners, developers, engineers, and architects throughout his career. Mr. Prachel focuses on delivering development projects that consistently exceed expectations with regard to work quality, schedule, and cost. Don is a member of the Florida Association of Homes & Services for the Aging.
As Vice President of Asset Management, Adam Schmitt is responsible for leading and executing asset management strategies to optimize asset performance across Eastwind’s portfolio. Adam oversees operations and leasing across all properties, while also providing key support with acquisitions, development coordination, and dispositions.
Prior to joining Eastwind, Mr. Schmitt served as Vice President of Asset Management at Pebb Capital, leading operations for various properties across multiple asset classes, performing investment due diligence, and handling investor reporting. In this role, Adam contributed to the successful execution of business plans and dispositions of assets valued at over $300 million. Before Pebb, Mr. Schmitt held the position of Finance and Portfolio Manager at multibillion dollar real estate investment firm Westbrook Partners.
Adam earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Accounting and a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Miami. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and licensed real estate professional.
Jennifer Talavera is a highly-skilled Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in both public and private accounting, with a focus on real estate, food production, and distribution.
Prior to joining Eastwind in 2016, Jennifer served as a Senior Auditor for Ernst & Young, Senior Accountant for LNR Property LLC, and Accounting Manager for Starwood Property Trust.
She has worked with accounting, financial and forecasting systems as well as business acquisitions. Jennifer has also been responsible for financial reporting in US GAAP and IFRS, as well as preparation of SEC filings and SOX compliance.
Jennifer graduated from Vanderbilt University and has a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Florida International University.
Robert Moss joined Eastwind as a Development Manager in the firm’s Central Florida office where he is responsible for overseeing the implementation of new real estate developments. In this capacity, his focus is on pre-construction project planning and coordination, feasibility analysis, market research, project budgeting, due diligence, permitting, and assisting with the procurement of necessary project approvals. Additionally, during the construction phase of each project, Robert serves as a liaison between the development, construction, and asset management teams.
Prior to joining Eastwind, Robert served as an Asset Manager at Ark Homes for Rent based in Miami, Florida. There, Mr. Moss played a key role in managing the performance of a $1 billion portfolio comprising single-family rental and built-to-rent properties located throughout the Sunbelt region. Robert started his career working for WNC & Associates, a national tax credit syndicator, where he assisted with tax credit equity raising efforts, investor due diligence, fund management, and affordable housing tax credit acquisitions.
Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Patty Laine is responsible for office management, administration, and closing coordination at Eastwind.
Prior to joining Eastwind in 2007, Patty worked at Creative Choice Homes, Inc., White Oak Development, and Ocwen Financial Group. Throughout her career, Ms. Laine has played a key role in coordinating tax credit applications, managing RFP responses, and facilitating loan and equity closings for over 50 transactions. Her proficiency extends to working with diverse equity investors, lenders, and key entities such as the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Patty’s dedication and ability to navigate complex transactions are instrumental in supporting Eastwind’s operations and overall success.
Victor Osorio became a valuable member of the Eastwind team in 2021, assuming the role of Staff Accountant. In this capacity, he collaborates with the Controller and Office Manager, providing crucial support in various daily accounting functions. With a diverse professional background, Victor possesses expertise in public/affordable housing and property management, having previously contributed to nonprofit organizations in both New Jersey and Florida.
Prior to joining Eastwind, Victor served as the Property Manager/Grant Accountant at Greater Bergen Community Action in New Jersey and as an Assistant Asset Manager with the Palm Beach County Housing Authority.
Mr. Osorio received a B.S. Accounting from Montclair State University and has further bolstered his qualifications with a certificate in HVC and Public Housing Rent Calculation Specialist from Nan McKay and Associates.