Our Team
We operate as a team of high-caliber, multitalented individuals to source and execute on the best investments available.
Joe Blum
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Prior to the formation of the company, in 1974, Joe was employed by American Realty & Management Company, specializing in the sale of investment properties. Before that, he was the manager of corporate planning and development for Koratec International, a division of Koracorp Industries. He has been personally responsible for over $1B in real estate transactions over the past 45 years. Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in finance and real estate. He also earned an MBA in international finance from the same institution.
Ari Blum
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Ari has lead investments, operations, and strategy for the company since 2015, in which time he has been responsible for over $200M in real estate transactions. He was previously the Chief Financial Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer of InsideTrack, a multi-million-dollar technology and services firm in the higher education marketplace. Prior to joining InsideTrack, Mr. Blum held numerous finance roles with venture backed, mission driven companies, including Niman Ranch, the nation’s leading brand for natural meats of exceptional quality, integrity, and sustainability, and Investor’s Circle, a network of angel investors focused on seed stage companies with triple bottom line financial, social, and environmental returns. He has experience in early-stage venture investing with Common’s Capital and in investment banking with Houlihan, Lokey, Howard, and Zukin. Ari graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania.
Katherine Stockbridge
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Katherine joined the company in 2013 to provide analytic support for the portfolio’s operations. She is responsible for the Company’s stabilized acquisition and disposition initiatives and oversight of the portfolio-wide property management and accounting functions. Katherine graduated from Beloit College with a bachelor’s in economics and Management.
Zach Steeb
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Zach joined Catalyst in 2021 where he leads acquisitions, management, and dispositions for opportunistic and value add development work. Prior to Catalyst, Zach spent 10 years at various large private technology companies, including Stripe and Segment (acq’d by Twilio) in Corporate Finance and Strategy roles. This included site strategy and planning for Stripe as it grew its international real estate footprint to well over 1M square feet. Zach started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is an active CPA. He graduated from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance.
Heather Van Dam
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Heather joined Catalyst in 2018 as part of the accounting team, in 2020 her role evolved to include supporting acquisitions and dispositions. On the acquisitions side, she currently sources, analyses, and performs due diligence. On the disposition side she completes due diligence, estoppels, and other disposition related work. Additionally, Heather supports other team members as needed with research, analysis, tenant communications, and AP & AR. Prior to joining Catalyst she was a Facilities Manager and Executive Assistant.
Cynthia Reese-McKersie
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Cynthia has been with Catalyst Real Estate (fka RBL Real Estate) for twenty one years. She began her work here providing executive support to the management team and administrative support for the broader Catalyst team. Cynthia continues to provide support to the RBL Team and plays a key role in investor relations. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Kathleen Cerf
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Kathleen joined Catalyst as property manager in 2020 managing Catalyst’s North Bay area assets. Kathleen has been a Marin County resident for most of her life and possesses the knowledge of the culture, history, schools, cities, parks, and businesses that make up the county’s vibrant community. Prior to joining Catalyst, Kathleen was involved in and volunteered for many aspects of the Kentfield School District and the surrounding community. From sitting on the Kentfield Schools Foundation board and serving as president of the KSD PTA, to sitting on the Board of Marin Art and Garden Center, Kathleen has worked to organize and support the community she calls home. She also has a California residential real estate license. Prior to starting a family, Kathleen was a key team member at the Shorenstein Company, one of the most successful and influential commercial real estate brokerages in the nation.
Cathy Swan
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More About Cathy
Cathy joined Catalyst in 2019 and has over 20 years of experience as a real estate professional specializing in commercial property leasing and property management. As a Broker and Property Manager, Cathy oversees the leasing and day-to-day property operations. Cathy’s hands-on skills provide excellent tenant relations in all aspects of commercial real estate. Before joining Catalyst, Cathy worked for Styl-Rite Homes, Inc. for 36 years.
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Address
Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94111