About us

Founded in 2017, 2nd Wave Development is a multi-family development company with a focus on building suburban apartment communities in the Southeast United States. Our careful selection of locations, commitment to design and construction excellence, and emphasis on first-rate management creates communities that succeed time and time again. From community amenities that foster a true neighborhood experience to interior touches that make our residents feel right at home, we deliver communities of superior quality.

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Experienced.
Innovative.
Visionaries.

We are a young company with a rapid upward trajectory. We pride ourselves on seeking prime suburban sites and focusing heavily on what the residents of those specific communities would like to see in their homes. Our philosophy is to exceed resident expectations and surpass the understanding of excellence in a community. We know that we need to go over and above to create the types of properties that outshine our competition and we are committed to doing what is necessary to be the preeminent place to live in each of our markets.

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Mark Sembler
CEO
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Mark Sembler
CEO

Mark Sembler, a seasoned entrepreneur and real estate professional, is the driving force behind 2nd Wave since its inception in 2017. At 2nd Wave, Mark is deeply involved in all aspects of the business, from underwriting and due diligence to site selection, design, investment analysis, capital structuring, construction, and ongoing operations. His leadership has been instrumental in the creation of over 1,500 units of multifamily housing in Central Florida and Central Tennessee.

Beyond his work at 2nd Wave, Mark serves as the Vice President of Sembler Investments, a family office with a diverse portfolio spanning both commercial real estate and other investments. In his investment capacity at Sembler Investments, Mark has played a key role in the acquisition of over 1,000 units of stabilized multifamily properties throughout the Southeast.

With an MBA in finance and real estate from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Duke University, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the industry.

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Stephen Gerhard
COO
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Stephen Gerhard
COO

Stephen oversees the day-to-day operations of 2nd Wave. He joined 2nd Wave at the beginning of 2020 as the Director of acquisitions where he lead the team responsible for the identification, evaluation, and negotiation of all site selections and land acquisitions. Before that, he led several successful sales teams in the professional sports industry. Stephen earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, master’s degree from the University of Florida, and MBA from the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor, Ontario.

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Lauren Sembler
VP of Diligence and Risk
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Lauren Sembler
VP of Diligence and Risk

Lauren oversees due diligence and risk management for prospective and current development projects. Her specialized legal background puts her in a unique position to assess and avoid potential issues before they arise. Lauren began her career as a commercial real estate attorney, representing developers in land acquisition, financing, development, and disposition. Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law (cum laude).

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Bryan Castillo
Chief Investment Officer
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Bryan Castillo
Chief Investment Officer

Bryan manages debt and equity negotiations for new developments as well as debt placements on stabilized communities. He maintains key relationships among major lenders and investors, securing capital for 2nd Wave’s development deals. His career includes more than 11 years of leading structured finance efforts for private equity multifamily organizations, developing finance strategies for new acquisitions, managing portfolio debt, and driving capitalization efforts for new development projects. Bryan earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Real Estate from Florida State University.

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Ryan Salzgeber
VP of Accounting
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Ryan Salzgeber
VP of Accounting

Ryan oversees accounting efforts for current and prospective development projects for 2nd Wave Development. He has more than 10 years of accounting experience for private real estate development and construction companies in the North and South-east, managing project budgets, financial reporting, lender compliance and internal controls. Ryan earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of South Florida.

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Julianne Collins
VP of Design
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Julianne Collins
VP of Design

Julianne oversees 2nd Wave’s in-house design department. Her keen eye for detail and collaborative approach help bring 2nd Wave’s vision to life in beautiful ways. Julianne came to us after leading one of Chicago’s top residential design firms. She brings more than a decade of experience with large-scale residential and commercial interior design projects. Julianne earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Florida State University.

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Tristan Lamontagne
VP of Development
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Tristan Lamontagne
VP of Development

Tristan oversees the development and construction teams responsible for the successful execution of our projects. After a successful few years as a finance and acquisitions analyst here at 2nd Wave, Tristan has shifted his focus and grown quickly in the Development Department. Tristan's primary responsibility is to work closely with the managers that lead projects from the termination of due diligence through design, permitting, construction, and lease up. Although consistent collaboration throughout the financial analysis, due diligence, rezoning & entitlement efforts is an integral feature of Tristan's role. Tristan earned his bachelor's degrees in Finance and Real Estate from Florida State University prior to joining 2nd Wave in 2018.

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Brooke May
Construction Director
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Brooke May
Construction Director

Brooke oversees all construction operations for 2nd Wave Development. She has more than 20 years of Subcontractor, General Contractor and Development experience for private real estate development and construction companies in Florida. She specializes in large-scale residential and commercial construction. She leads concept budgeting, design coordination, pre-construction, contract implementation and day to day activities of the General Contractor and vendor partners 2nd Wave works with. Brooke earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Tampa.

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Katie Welch
Asset Manager
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Katie Welch
Asset Manager

Katie manages 2nd Wave’s portfolio of multi-family assets through lease-up and stabilization to disposition, ensuring optimal performance and profitability. This position blends analytical skills, financial acumen, and strategic thinking to effectively manage each asset. Beyond financial management and analysis, Katie also plays a key role in building and maintaining strong relationships with third-party property management teams, placing emphasis on efficient and proactive communication. Katie graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Finance.

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Bradley Buff
Acquisitions & Finance Analyst
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Bradley Buff
Acquisitions & Finance Analyst

Bradley supports our acquisition efforts by performing market and financial analysis for both prospective and ongoing projects. Before joining the 2nd Wave team, he worked as a Data Analyst and Administrative Coordinator at an international commercial real estate firm. Bradley holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, minor in Entrepreneurship, and a Master of Science in Real Estate both from the University of Florida.

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Kiara Armengol
Administrative Assistant
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Kiara Armengol
Administrative Assistant

Kiara plays a vital role in the company’s day-to-day operations, as the lead manager for all of 2nd Wave’s administrative matters. Her previous experience in the construction industry, working as an administrator for several national general contractors, makes Kiara a true asset and dynamic member of the team. She holds OSHA 10 and Notary certifications, and is fluent in Spanish and Catalan having grown up in Barcelona, Spain.

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Daniel Marthaler
Senior Accountant
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Daniel Marthaler
Senior Accountant

As a Senior Accountant at 2nd Wave Development, Daniel Marthaler excels in crafting detailed financial reports for multiple properties, leveraging his extensive academic background with Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of South Florida. With a keen eye for accuracy and a dedication to excellence, Dan ensures the financial health and success of diverse real estate portfolios. His expertise and commitment make him an indispensable member of the team, driving optimal performance and profitability across the firm's ventures.

Want to Join Our Team?

Let your talent thrive at 2nd Wave. Check out our available roles or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.