Our Team
Avila Real Estate
Ignacio Diego, Principal
Born and educated in Madrid, Spain. After graduating from Colegio San Pablo / Complutense University of Madrid with a BBA in Finance and a Master in Business Law and Accounting, Ignacio Diego became active in the international real estate industry. Since the mid 1980s, Ignacio, through various investments and partnerships, owns and manages a diverse real estate portfolio of 8,000 apartment units, office properties and other assets. He brings a hands-on owner's approach and service oriented culture to Avila. His company has managed investment of over $800 million in more than 35 real estate transactions alone since 1984. His professional involvements include:
Board member of Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate ("AFIRE")
Advisory Board Member to the Dean of Georgia Tech College of Architecture
Served in the Spanish Armed Forces in the mid 1980s
Jaime Diego, Principal
Born in Madrid, Spain and educated both in Spain and the United States. After completing primary school in Madrid, Spain, Jaime graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Atlanta, Georgia. Since the early 1990s, Jaime, through various investments and partnerships, owns and manages a diverse real estate portfolio of 8,000 apartment units, office properties and other assets. He brings a hands-on owner's approach and service oriented culture to Avila. His company has managed investment of over $800 million in more than 35 real estate transactions alone since 1984. His professional involvements include:
Member – National Apartment Association
Member - Atlanta Apartment Association
Member - Georgia Apartment Association
Ignacio M. Diego, Principal
As a principal of Avila, Ignacio M. guides the development of the company’s vision and culture to deliver quality services and responsive management techniques that are aligned with our owner's dynamic investment needs.
Prior to joining Avila Real Estate, Ignacio M. spent over two years with the Real Estate Merchant Banking division of Wells Fargo & Co. supporting the asset management of $455 million of a $2.8 billion real estate portfolio in the New York City office. In 2007 and 2008, respectively, Ignacio M. supported the origination and closing of $85.2 million and $190 million of structured senior real estate commercial mortgages, subordinate mortgage participations / syndications, mezzanine loans, and bridge/acquisition facilities.
Ignacio M. earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate Finance from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business where he was awarded cum-laude honor for his academic achievements. He currently holds both his Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) and Certified Apartment Property Supervisor (CAPS) designations.
Avila Development
Jetha Wagner, Vice President
As Vice President of Avila, Jetha oversees daily development activities and establishes risk management policy and procedure. She is also responsible for managing lender and partner relations and reporting, monitoring development and construction budgets, cost management and procurement. Jetha has 25+ years in the real estate industry, with an emphasis on the multifamily market. She began her career with Avila as a paralegal and from there, moved into the development and management side of the business. During her tenure with Avila, Jetha has been intimately involved in the construction and development of numerous Atlanta area multifamily communities, as well as retail centers. She coordinates all refinancing, operations and disposition of assets, both commercial and residential, as well as the acquisition and repositioning of single asset purchases. Moreover, Jetha has overseen legal affairs for Avila since 1996. Jetha graduated from the National Center for Paralegal Training in Atlanta, Georgia and holds both the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) and Certified Apartment Property Supervisor (CAPS) designations. Other professional associations include:
Atlanta Beltline SSD Steering Committee
ULI Member / ULI Taps Committee
Board Member - Stonecrest Business Alliance, Inc.
Stonecrest Overlay Task Force
Kimia Amin, Development Analyst
Kimia assists in the daily development activities and provides the development group with investment analysis, monthly asset reporting, strategic financial planning, property tax valuation, area market research and economics and cultural demographics research. In addition to, Kimia assists with acquisitions and dispositions in all aspects of the real estate market, including residential, retail, industrial and multifamily. Prior to joining Avila, Kimia spent over three years in the construction forensics field which has provided experience in claims and damages analysis, cost audits, contract administration, project management oversight and support, project controls implementation, and project closeout.
She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction and a Master of Science in Building Construction and Facility Management.
Jaime M. Diego, Development Associate
Jaime is responsible for multifamily restoration and capital renovations and is the first response to restoration incidents, coordinates site safety and insurance claims with adjustors. Jaime provides project estimates for both restoration and capital improvements to the Owner and works closely with Superintendents for project scheduling and subcontractors.
Jaime participates in development activities, investment analysis, strategic financial planning, and area market research.
Prior experience includes project management, scheduling and vendor negotiations for multifamily ground up construction and unit renovations.
Education:
University of Alabama - BS in Commerce and Business Administration
OSHA 10-hour
Avila Construction Management
Chester G. Thomas, VP of Construction
Chester Thomas started his Construction career as a Civil Engineer designing civil site and roadway projects in 2008. Chester is a Licensed Georgia Professional Engineer and Licensed Georgia General Contractor who has been personally involved with overseeing the construction of civil site projects, roadway projects, parking decks, workforce housing, multifamily garden style development projects and multifamily high density development projects. Chester's construction experience includes a wide breadth of roles including Design Engineer, Construction Superintendent, Construction Project Manager and VP of Construction.
Chester is responsible for the preconstruction and construction management for Avila’s Multifamily Projects and runs the day-to-day preconstruction and construction operations. He is involved in every aspect of construction management, including supervision of the project management and the field construction teams. He works closely with architects, engineers and owners through the design process to provide the best possible value and constructability for ground up and renovation construction projects. Chester is also a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree Civil Engineering -Georgia Institute of Technology
Master’s Degree Civil Engineering - Georgia Institute of Technology
Hal Perrin Smith, Project Superintendent
Provides on-site coordination for all phases of construction projects, including logistics, subcontractors, material, and equipment, ensuring adherence to specifications, and that work is proceeding on schedule and within budget. Oversees inspections, quality control, and job site safety.
Major responsibilities include:
Perform quality control duties and responsibilities regarding the work being performed.
Communicate with project team regarding ASI’s, RFI’s, and Material Submittals.
Identify conflicts in construction progress and coordinate with project team to resolve.
Prior experience includes 27 years in multi-family residential construction in positions ranging from Field Supervisor to Project Manager
Education:
Licensed Georgia Residential Light Commercial General Contractor
OSHA 30-hour
Austin Leo, Assistant Superintendent
Assists in daily supervision and on site coordination between construction management team and trades
Responsibilities include:
Review of schedules
Oversight of building inspections
Daily check in with trades to ensure activities are on schedule
Job site safety and security monitor and enforcement
Communication with project management team regarding RFIs and design concerns
Education:
University of West Georgia – Bachelor of Business Management and Finance
Garrett Smith, Project Manager
Provides project management support on multiple projects simultaneously. Works closely with VP of Construction and Superintendent for the buyout of a project, prepares contracts and purchase orders, compiles project budget, and reports on progress until construction is complete,
Additional responsibilities include:
Assists with procuring materials and other necessary items
Reviews and update project schedule
Reviews and communicates with sub-contractors on draws
Prior construction experience includes 6 years in positions as a Field Engineer, Project Engineer and Assistant Superintendent
Education:
Georgia Southern University – Construction Management BS, minor in Business Management
OSHA 30-hour
Trevor Mobley, Assistant Project Manager
Assists in daily coordination of project schedule and budget
Responsibilities include:
Scheduling subcontractor start and finish dates
Buyout and tracking of construction materials
Ensuring steady workflow to subcontractors with appropriate materials and supplies
Review of drawing discrepancies and Requests for Information
Communication between Owner, Architect and Engineer to relay field construction inquiries
Education
University of West Georgia – Bachelor of Business Finance
Lyssa A. Codelli, Senior Accounting Manager
Responsible for reviewing and tracking the general ledger posting of construction expenditures.
Oversee all Accounts Payable functions
Review of contract insurance certificates
Process Progress Billing and sub-contractor payments
Maintain proper job cost coding and budget maintenance
Direct month-end close including account reconciliation and adjustments
Prepare, analyze, and distribute monthly financial statements and job cost analysis
Analyze and interpret financial and accounting records and reports.
Prior experience includes 20 years of Accounting experience in property management, partnership accounting, forecasting/budgeting, lender reporting and payroll
Construction experience includes working with sub-contractors, contract preparation, and construction loan draws.
Education:
BA – Georgia State University
Wesley Apartment Homes
Ignacio F. Taboada, Regional Manager
As a Regional Manager and Associate of Avila and Wesley Apartment Homes, Ignacio F. Taboada assists in establishing and improving systems and policies, as well as developing and mentoring the Wesley Apartment Homes’ management team.
Prior to joining Avila Real Estate and Wesley Apartment Homes, Ignacio F. Taboada spent over three and half years at CBRE in the Southeast Multifamily Investment Sales division. Ignacio’s primary roles consisted of preparing valuations and detailed financial analysis on apartment communities throughout the country, rental, demographic, and market research, tracking of the development pipeline as well as rental and sales comparables, preparing detailed marketing materials, and finally supporting the Brokers in any way to produce successful sale executions. In varying capacities, Ignacio was involved in transactional volumes surpassing $3 billion in real estate throughout the country.
Ignacio F. earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business. Ignacio also played on the Varsity Tennis team for the University of Georgia where he was captain of the team and helped lead the team to two SEC championships. Ignacio is currently a Georgia Real Estate Licensed Professional and is also on the Terry College of Business Young Alumni Board.
Hugo Diego, Associate
As an associate with Avila, Hugo oversees the Analytic Reporting Department for Avila’s multifamily communities. This department identifies and creates efficiencies with in-depth analysis for the Operations Team.
Hugo graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration.
Rashid Karaa, IT & Accounts Receivable Director
Rashid Karaa brings over twenty years of property management and information technology experience to his Role as Director of Information Technology for Wesley Apartment Homes. He provides leadership to the company’s Information Systems team as well as the Account Receivable and Compliance teams. Rashid has earned his CCIM designation from the CCIM Institute and his CPM designation from IREM.
Diane Proctor, Financial Controller
As Controller of Avila, Diane provides leadership to the corporate and property accounting teams as well as working with Regional Managers on budgeting, cost control, financial reporting and cash management. She also works closely in the construction, development, investor and refinance activities of the company.
Diane has 30+ years in the multifamily real estate industry, including previous employment in North Carolina as a Controller for a real estate developer and property management firm. Diane has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bellevue University. Her professional involvements include:
Member – Institute of Management Accountants
Member – National Apartment Association
Member – Atlanta Apartment Association
Member – Georgia Apartment Association
Erica Tomoff, Assistant Controller
As Assistant Controller of Wesley Apartment Homes, Erica provides leadership to the Property Accounting team. She also works closely with the Regional Managers and Property Managers on budgeting, cost control and financial reporting.
Erica has 15+ years of accounting, audit and tax experience with a high degree of focus in real estate. She has previously worked in public accounting for Ernst & Young, LLP and SPW & Associates, LLC. Erica has a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting from Kent State University. She is credentialed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Georgia. She is also a Certified Valuation Analyst.
Aimee Walker, Senior Corporate Accounting Manager
As Senior Corporate Accounting Manager of Avila, Aimee oversees the corporate accounting, budgeting, forecasting and construction loans. She also provides asset management reporting to Lenders and Owners.
Aimee has 20+ years of accounting, audit and assurance experience. She has previously worked in public accounting for Aprio and TJS Deemer Dana. Aimee has a Bachelor of Science from SUNY at Fredonia. She is credentialed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Georgia.
Arturo Olivares, Regional Maintenance Director
As a Maintenance Director for Avila, Arturo Olivares manages a portfolio of properties in Atlanta, GA. He oversees all rehab, maintenance, and construction activities for Company’s portfolio. Arturo joined Avila in 2000 as Assistant Director of Maintenance. In addition he has served in other industries like CCC Manufacturera y Mantenimiento Industrial SA de CV, participating in the design construction and installation of offshore platforms (AKAL-GA, PB-Ku-H, and etc.) Born and educated in Monterey, NL Mexico. Graduated from Universidad Regiomontana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Mechanical Engineering.
Certified through The Environmental Institute with Asbestos Abatement Contractors & Supervisor certification. Other Certifications: EPA and CPO.
Luis Gonzalez, Assistant Maintenance Director
Luis Gonzalez Perez was born in Miami, Florida and spent much of his childhood in Cali, Colombia. He attended Santiago Apostal High School and graduated with honors. Luis attended the University Del Valle, and majored in Industrial Mechanics. In 2004, he relocated to the United States. He began his multi-family maintenance career with Avila in July 2011, where he is now holds the position of Area Maintenance Supervisor.
Avila Commercial
Phillip Durant, Vice President
Phillip is a senior member of the executive team of Avila and has been with the company since 1991. In his current capacity, Phillip oversees all operational aspects of the company’s office portfolio, including leasing, marketing, construction, facilities and capital improvement. With his broad background in law, communication and business management, Phillip also leads Avila’s strategic approach to insurance, risk management and human resources.
Phillip earned his BA in Liberal Arts from the University of New Mexico, his JD from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and attended the MBA program at Georgia State University. He serves on the Board of more than one non-profit organization with an emphasis on helping to pave the way for young people to have a vibrant future.
