NAI Hiffman appoints Kastner to CFO and Kenny as SVP, project management

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-based commercial real estate firm NAI Hiffman has appointed Annette Kastner to chief financial officer and director of accounting services. Additionally, NAI Hiffman announced Peter Kenny has been appointed to senior project management to support the growth of its project management platform; he will report to managing director of management services, Bob Assoian.

Kastner brings more than 25 years of real estate accounting experience to the expanding NAI Hiffman platform. She spent the last 10 years at Lincoln Property Company as vice president and controller leading its Midwest residential accounting group. Prior to her tenure at Lincoln Property Company, Kastner spent five years working for owner/investor Green Courte Partners where she was responsible for its real estate investment fund and tax reporting, human resources and insurance placement for its portfolio.

Prior to Green Courte Partners, Kastner was the director of client accounting for CBRE’s Chicago accounting office leading a team of over 60 accounting professionals. She will also hold positions on the firm’s operating board and board of directors as part of her chief financial officer responsibilities. Kastner received her CPA designation in 1992; she and her husband, David, live in Elmhurst, Illinois with their three sons, Patrick, Matthew and Harrison.

“Annette joins us at an amazing time of tremendous growth and expansion of our firm. She brings a unique depth of corporate leadership reaching far beyond exceptional financial skills,” said CEO, Dave Petersen. “This includes time-tested expertise in the latest operating technologies, cyber-related protection and people development and leadership. Annette also has an enthusiastic client service attitude focusing on constant process improvement and innovation.”

Formerly a project manager with Sequoia General Contracting Corporation, Kenny will support the firm’s management services team in site-ready and ground-up construction oversight services for its expanding client base. He bring more than 30 years’ experience in construction estimating, field operations management and project management to the team.

“Since forming the project management group last year, I have been excited to see the strong demand for our services from our property management clients, tenant representation brokers and other owners of real estate that were not current NAI Hiffman management services clients,” said Bob Assoian. “Pete’s general contracting background and ground-up development experience is a great addition to our client service offerings and brings great synergy to our existing project management team.”

Previously, Kenny was responsible for the project management of ground-up construction, budgeting, bidding, permitting, contractor management etc. for many companies including GW Partners, MBRE Healthcare, Advocate Medical, Morton Thiokol, Mid America Partners, Net3 Real Estate and V-Land Corporation to name a few. Prior to his tenure at Sequoia General Contracting Corporation, he held construction leadership roles at Core 2 Construction, Keystone Construction, Inc and FCL Builders.

“The NAI Hiffman growth story continues to weave throughout the market. I am thrilled to join the team and work with the management and brokerage teams alike. This is an exciting time for the firm and I think our clients have a lot to be excited about as well,” said Kenny.

Kenny is a graduate of Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. He lives in Wheaton, Illinois with his wife, Wendy, their two children, Brody and Casey and British Labrador, Otis. He and his family are volunteers and support many philanthropic organizations including Junior Diabetes Association and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.