Management
Daniel Drimmer, President & Chief Executive Officer
With a reputation as a “deal closer”, Daniel Drimmer brings more than 15 years real estate experience and a distinctive executive style to his role as CEO at Starlight. A leader in identifying and acquiring assets, Daniel has over $7 billion dollars of extensive deal transaction experience including an IPO. Daniel consistently delivers brilliant results in expanding and diversifying his portfolio mix while building asset value. His extensive portfolio has included both residential and commercial properties.
His guiding vision for building Starlight emphasizes customer service, personal attention, and professionalism as a central part of the Asset Management Platform, which increases value through more efficient management of the assets being acquired. He recognizes the importance of innovation and continual improvement that is required to become the rental option of choice for Canadians. Under Daniel’s leadership, Starlight has created a long-term vision for future acquisitions to grow its impressive portfolio.
In 1994, Daniel launched TransGlobe Property Management Services, expanding their holdings to all of Canada to maximize their long-term growth strategies. A pioneer, TransGlobe was early in the industry to use branding, digital marketing and new technologies, such as virtual tours, online lease applications and interactive maps.
Daniel received his MBA and Masters degrees in Switzerland. He graduated with a BA from the University of Western Ontario. Daniel was born and raised in Berlin, Germany and now makes his home in Toronto, Ontario.
Tamara L. Lawson, Chief Financial Officer
Tamara L. Lawson recently joined Starlight Investments as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Starlight, Ms Lawson was the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust, a TSX-listed company, and the Chief Financial Officer of the Westmont Hospitality Group, one of the largest privately-held hospitality organizations in the world. Ms Lawson joined Westmont in 2001 as the CFO and became the CFO of InnVest in 2002 when it went public. Ms. Lawson has over 25 years of financial management, acquisitions, corporate governance, investor relations and capital markets experience. Prior to joining the Westmont Group in 2001, she held senior executive positions at several major Canadian public companies, including Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Chapters Inc. and Treasurer of Sears Canada Inc. Ms. Lawson holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University and is a Chartered Accountant.
David Chalmers, Vice President of Asset Management
David Chalmers leads Starlight’s asset management team, specializing in property transactions, financing and overall strategic management. David has nearly 15 years experience managing real estate investments for private, public and pension fund stakeholders in all asset classes.
His expertise includes purchase and disposition activities, completing over $5 billion in transactions including many large portfolios and small deals alike. In addition, he guides the team with extensive operational knowledge and background, delivering key insights and direction from a hands-on perspective.
Previously, David was Vice President of Asset Management at TransGlobe Investment Management and he held positions of increasing importance in property and asset management while at Redcliff Realty (now Triovest). He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph with a major in Real Estate Management.
Dean Pandurov, MPA, Executive Director of Capital Projects
Taking the lead on Starlight’s large capital projects is Dean Pandurov. He oversees the team working on the preparation and tendering processes, while managing timelines, budgets, expectations and deliverables.
Dean’s 20-year career in property management includes both private and public sector experience. In addition to spending nine years with the Ministry of Housing, his roles have included Project Manager, Regional Director and General Manager. His experience was further enriched as CEO of PAN Group Properties, an award-winning third-party property management company.
Dean holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Larry De Melo, Director of Investments
As Starlight’s Director of Investments, Larry De Melo plays a pivotal role in our strategic growth by identifying, assessing and mitigating risk for all transactional opportunities. He brings over nine years experience in real estate investment management and is an accomplished high performer, having bought, sold and managed commercial real estate in excess of $1 billion.
Larry’s bright career in investment management is marked by his ability to uncover value, negotiate favourable terms and ensure a timely closing on complicated deals. He has held positions of Director of Investments at TransGlobe Investment Management, Director of Due Diligence at ING Real Estate Canada and Senior Strategic Analyst at Jones Lang LaSalle (Australia).
Rounding off his impressive resumé, Larry holds a degree from York University and the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.
David Pullen, Senior Special Projects Manager
As Senior Special Projects Manager, Dave Pullen is an integral part of Starlight’s executive team and a key component in its strategic growth plans. Dave’s 25-year career brings vast knowledge and experience to his role, including public accounting, acquisitions, taxation and financial reporting.
As Senior Investment Advisor at TransGlobe, Dave’s timely and accurate financial reporting, management of capital structure and long-term financial projections were instrumental in that company’s growth and success.
Julianna Boldt, MCIP, RPP Development Manager
As the Development Manager for Starlight Investments, Julianna brings over 10 years of urban planning, land development and real estate experience to the team.
Building upon her work at Madison Homes, Cityzen Development Group and Minto Communities, Julianna indentifies and pursues infill and redevelopment opportunities within the Starlight portfolio and is dedicated to bringing these opportunities to fruition.
A team player with a background in low-rise and high rise development and construction coordination, Julianna holds a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo.
Julie Hooton, C.A., Director of Finance
Julie has joined Starlight as the Controller of IMH & IMMO. She is responsible for all financial aspects of these companies.
Some of Julie’s past work experience includes three years as the Director of Corporate Finance for Gandi Innovations and nearly seven years with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Julie was a Manager in the Audit and Assurance Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, working mainly in the consumer and industrial products industry.
Julie obtained an Honors Bachelor of Accounting degree from Brock University in 2001, and obtained her CA designation in 2002.
Simone Webb, National Director of Leasing and Marketing
Ms. Webb offers over 15 years of accomplished experience in Sales and Marketing. Beginning her career troubleshooting in the call centre industry from a corporate level, Simone was then called upon to operate the Customer Care Centre at TransGlobe Property Management Services in 2003 and quickly found an interest in Property/Asset Management. Simone proved time and again her flexibility in responding to changing market conditions and her ability to “wear many hats” in the effort to meet and exceed corporate goals and challenges. Tasked with providing leadership through start up, growth and turn around situations, she repeatedly proved her ability to deliver strong and sustained results.
Holly Campbell, National Manager of Residential Operations
With a passion for property management, Holly Campbell comes to Starlight with 15 years experience managing all aspects of operations for both multi residential and commercial properties. During the course of her professional career, Holly has worked with both privately held and publicly traded Property Management firms in a variety of roles. Most recently Holly held the position “Director of Operations” for the Kitchener Waterloo region with TGA REIT.
Holly’s attention to detail, customer service expertise and sound knowledge of building systems allows for a focus on increased results, value add opportunities, health and safety as well as streamlining cost effective management of the buildings she has managed.
With a focus on team building, Holly closely works with third party managers to ensure compliance, consistency and cost efficiencies are met at the building and management level.