CHRISTOPHER GERSTENBERGER-ZAVALA
Dallas
Summary
Multifamily operations executive with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience driving portfolio performance across lease-ups, takeovers, and stabilized assets. Proven executive partner to ownership, asset management, and senior leadership with expertise in financial oversight, marketing strategy, capital execution, and leadership development. Recognized for building scalable operating systems and improving asset performance while leading with a servant-leadership mindset that prioritizes people, accountability, and long-term organizational health. Passionate about developing leaders, cultivating talent, and creating pathways for growth, resulting in high-performing teams, strong succession pipelines, and sustained business success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Vice President, Property Operations
Berkshire Communities
08.2021 - Current
- Provide executive oversight for a multi-market portfolio of 8 communities, directing operational and financial strategy.
- Serve as a senior operating partner to ownership, asset management, and executive leadership ensuring alignment between business plans and on-site execution.
- Lead portfolio-wide performance reviews including financials, KPI trends, leasing velocity, marketing effectiveness, and operational risk, recommending strategic adjustments when needed.
- Review, prepare, and present annual operating budgets, with ongoing variance analysis to protect NOI and support long-term asset performance.
- Direct capital project strategy and execution, overseeing planning, prioritization, and completion while maintaining cost discipline and operational continuity.
- Oversee risk management initiatives, ensuring compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and ownership expectations.
- Drive enterprise consistency through evaluation and rollout of new systems, platforms, and operational tools, ensuring accountability and adoption across teams.
- Build and mentor senior-level leaders, creating a succession pipeline and strengthening bench depth across the organization.
- Foster a results-driven culture centered on accountability, performance transparency, and continuous improvement.
Property Manager
Berkshire Communities
07.2011 - 08.2021
- Led full operational responsibility for multifamily assets, including lease-ups, takeovers, and stabilized properties across the DFW market.
- Acted as primary liaison between asset managers, senior leadership, JV Partners, residents, and on-site teams.
- Drove financial discipline through monthly and quarterly analysis, expense management, and revenue optimization strategies.
- Developed and deployed leasing, renewal, and pricing initiatives to improve occupancy and income performance.
- Recruited, trained, and developed high-performing teams, many of whom progressed into senior-level roles.
- Ensured operational excellence through compliance oversight, audits, and consistent execution of company standards.
Education
High School Diploma -
Harvest Christian Academy
Watauga, TXundefined
Howard Payne University
Brownwood, TXSkills
Portfolio & Enterprise Operations Leadership
Asset Management Partnership
Financial Strategy, Budgets & Forecasting
NOI, Revenue & Expense Optimization
Marketing Strategy & Performance Analytics
Capital Planning & Project Execution
Risk Management & Compliance
Executive Leadership & Succession Planning
Change Management & Technology Adoption
Online Reputation Management & Portfolio‑Wide Brand Performance
Servant Leadership & People‑First Culture Development
Accomplishments
Regional of the Year (2023); MAP Chairman (2021); National Property of the Year (2019); Central Division Property of the Year (2018); J Turner Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking (2018–2019)
Timeline
Assistant Vice President, Property Operations
Berkshire Communities
08.2021 - Current
Property Manager
Berkshire Communities
07.2011 - 08.2021
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Howard Payne University
High School Diploma -
Harvest Christian Academy
Awards & Recognition
Regional of the Year (2023); MAP Chairman (2021); National Property of the Year (2019); Central Division Property of the Year (2018); J Turner Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking (2018–2019)