ABOUT US
Hackberry Lane applies institutional discipline to student housing, a sector historically defined by fragmented ownership and inconsistent standards. We acquire, reposition, and manage off-campus communities in top tier university markets, focusing on durable demand and long-term value creation.
Our approach is straightforward: operate with precision, design with intent, and execute with accountability. Through hands-on asset management and a centralized operating platform, we create environments where residents thrive and investors realize robust risk-adjusted returns.
We are long-term owners aligned with our capital partners. By investing in well-located assets and managing them with a focus on safety, stewardship, and operational excellence, Hackberry Lane has built a proven platform designed to perform across market cycles.
Our Approach
Our approach is rooted in thoughtful design, long-term care, and a deep respect for the character of each property.
We balance legacy spaces with modern comfort, creating properties that feel both intentional and lived-in. Every detail is considered through careful evaluation of individual communities, allowing properties to integrate naturally and deliver lasting value.
Our Mission
Guided by a balance of thoughtful design, strong operations, and a sense of community, Hackberry Lane creates elevated student housing informed by local insight, careful stewardship, and a clear understanding of how people live today.
Our Team
Reid Marks is a real estate investor and entrepreneur who has led the acquisition of thousands of student housing beds in blue-chip university markets. Prior to founding Hackberry Lane, Reid was on the Real Estate Acquisitions team at Brookfield Asset Management, where he helped execute several billion dollars of investments across alternative asset classes. He began his career on the M&A team at Eastdil Secured, advising on roughly $8 billion in real estate transactions.
Reid graduated from the University of Michigan, where he managed the Men’s Basketball Team and was Co-President of the Michigan Ross Real Estate Endowment Fund. He currently serves on advisory boards for the University of Michigan Weiser Center and the Virginia Tech Blackwood Department of Real Estate.
Nick has experience in complex deal structures across various commercial real estate asset classes, as well as in entrepreneurial ventures including tech startups and ESG focused initiatives. He has engaged in the sourcing and development of regional destination casino properties nationwide with Rush Street Gaming, as well as multifamily, senior living, and hospitality development opportunities with LAMB Properties.
Prior to Rush Street / LAMB, Nick participated in ~$5B of corporate M&A transactions while in Eastdil Secured's Investment Banking unit. Nick is an avid skier, golfer, wine enthusiast and urban explorer. Nick graduated from Yale University.
Cameron has experience in municipal government and real estate-adjacent policy, having worked for the New York City Council where he led a Council office's work on zoning and land use. He participated in negotiations on 100+ unit affordable and market-rate development projects and oversaw town-gown relations with major public universities.
Prior to founding Hackberry Lane, Cameron led several entrepreneurial ventures including producing an Off-Broadway show and chairing the NIL Collective of an NCAA Division 1 basketball program. He is a passionate golfer, padel player, and pizza connoisseur. He graduated from Yale University where he served as the radio voice of Yale athletics.
Aaron has experience investing across various real estate asset classes, including student housing, multifamily, condos, single-family rental, hotel, office, industrial, senior living, life sciences, storage, and retail. While at BDT & MSD Partners, he participated in over $1 billion of investments, including the development of Knox Street, a large mixed-use project in Dallas, TX.
Prior to joining BDT & MSD Partners, Aaron worked on the Acquisitions Team at Harrison Street. He is an avid golfer and lifelong University of Michigan fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Catherine brings over a decade of student housing experience to Hackberry Lane. Before joining the team, she held progressive leadership roles at The Scion Group in leasing, operations, and regional management.
She has worked across multiple markets throughout the United States, leading teams through periods of growth, stabilization, and organizational change. She has also played an active role in several property acquisitions and integrations, helping ensure seamless transitions while maintaining strong operational performance.
In her spare time, Catherine enjoys spending time at the beach or on the water in the Florida Keys. She graduated from Florida State University.
Trea brings extensive experience across multiple housing sectors, including student and affordable housing. Prior to joining Hackberry Lane, Trea supported operations for 2,000+ units through proactive site visits, operational assessments, and strategic initiatives. He also partnered with regional teams and senior leadership to enhance performance, resident satisfaction, and financial outcomes across stabilized, acquisition, and lease-up communities.
Trea's personal interests include indie video games and espresso martinis. He graduated from Auburn University, where he held leadership roles in the First Year Experience program and served as an orientation leader.
Richard Ling is an investor and AI product builder focused on applying emerging technology to investment workflows. Prior to joining Hackberry Lane, Richard was Founding Product Manager and Head of Go-to-Market at Quill AI, a Y Combinator-backed AI research platform for institutional investors, where he worked with asset managers, hedge funds, and research teams to translate financial modeling and research workflows into AI-native products.
Before Quill, Richard was an equity research analyst at Fred Alger Management, a $30 billion Manhattan-based asset manager, where he covered infrastructure software and helped evaluate emerging AI tools for the investment team.
He is passionate about cinema and volunteers with the New York Asian Film Festival. He is also an avid weight lifter. Richard graduated from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, where he served as both the President of the Michigan Investment Group, and as the TMT Sector Head for the Maize and Blue Endowment Fund.
As an Asset Management Associate, Oliver supports portfolio strategy, asset performance, and operational initiatives across the firm's student housing investments.
Prior to joining Hackberry Lane, Oliver worked in asset management at CapitaLand, where he was responsible for financial analysis, budgeting, operational reporting, leasing, and strategy across a 5,400+ bed portfolio.
Outside of work, Oliver is an avid movie and concert goer and enjoys spending time skiing and hiking. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Economics and Business.
Manya has experience in construction management and commercial real estate development, having overseen more than $15 million in construction and redevelopment projects across multi-site portfolios.
She has managed projects from pre-development and permitting through construction closeout, coordinating architects, engineers, contractors, and municipal agencies while leading capital improvement initiatives, vendor procurement, and budget management. Her experience includes ground-up development, adaptive reuse conversions, and value-add projects focused on improving asset performance and operational efficiency.
Prior to joining Hackberry Lane, Manya managed construction and service operations across the self-storage, electrical, and plumbing industries, building expertise in project execution, stakeholder coordination, and portfolio improvements.
A former NCAA Division II softball player, she credits athletics for shaping her competitive spirit, work ethic, and collaborative leadership style. She is passionate about sports, real estate, and creating long-term value through thoughtful development and execution. Manya graduated from Lynn University with a degree in International Business.
Katie was the winner of the Mulroy Real Estate Challenge, a national case competition featuring 35 teams from 26 universities. She led a comprehensive development proposal for a complex urban infill site in Philadelphia, encompassing due diligence, market analysis, financial modeling, and design
Katie also has significant transaction experience at Brown Harris Stevens, supporting a top-producing team with over $1B in sales
She was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Leader and Outstanding Senior Teaching Assistant awards from Virginia Tech
Katie is an animal foster volunteer, a lover of Delaware beaches, and a soccer and tennis enthusiast
She graduated first in class from Virginia Tech’s Real Estate program
Recipient of the Presidential Scholarship at the University of Alabama. Previously coordinated leasing, resident relations, and marketing events at a 400+ bed student housing property in Tuscaloosa, AL. Served in various leadership roles with Pi Kappa Alpha at the University of Alabama, including Health & Safety Officer, Judicial Board Member, & House Manager.
Emerson is an avid skier, fly fisherman, and traveler. He also enjoys hunting in his home state of Mississippi. Graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Psychology.
Get in Touch
Whether you’re searching for your next home or simply want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you and help you take the next step.