Meet our team of
experienced leaders
Mike Peter
President and CEO
Alma Mater:
University of Wisconsin
My hometown:
Rochester, MN
Favorite Travel Destination:
Australia
Favorite Family Tradition:
Fishing in Alaska
About mike:
Mike is the founder of Campus Advantage and serves as its President and CEO. He is responsible for all strategic planning and financial operations. Mike initiates new and maintains existing relationships with colleges, universities, private owners, and allied business partners. Mike began his career in student housing in the mid-1980s rising from Resident Assistant to Resident Director and, quickly, to Manager for Allen & O’Hara in Wisconsin and California. Mike then served in the U.S. Peace Corps in the West Indies before returning to earn a Law Degree at top ranked University of Minnesota. He returned to student housing full-time in 1997 as the Director of On-Campus Business Development for American Campus Communities. Mike was a National Communications Coordinator (NCC) for the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), and is an active professional member of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), and the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS). Mike has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Minnesota.
Beth Pinder
Chief Operating Officer
My hometown:
Richmond, Virginia
Favorite CA core value:
Passion. If you are passionate about your job, it never feels like work.
Favorite family tradition:
Family champagne toast on Christmas Eve at midnight
My go-to karaoke song:
“Love Shack” by The B-52s
About beth:
Beth Pinder joined Campus Advantage as Chief Operating Officer in 2021. As COO, Beth leads the Management Services division and oversees the operations of the company’s portfolios. Beth came to us from CA Ventures where she served as COO of CA Management Services. In that role, Beth oversaw the development of a vertically integrated PM platform (CA Management Services). She has successfully built teams and launched offices in South America and Europe, and provided leasing and operations oversight to a portfolio consisting of 23,945 beds in the U.S., South America, and Europe. In addition, she guided objectives from initial planning to delivery of 13,980 beds to ensure all aspects of the projects met operational guidelines. Beth has more than 20 years of experience in real estate and has a passion and expertise in sales, marketing, training, revenue management, new development, turnover processes, stabilization, and on-site operations.
Scott Barton
Chief Investment Officer
About scott:
Scott joined Campus Advantage in September 2021 and leads the Investments division, which oversees all acquisition, development, asset management, and capital efforts. Scott brings more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate with a specific focus in the student housing, hotel, land, and retail sectors. Scott recently served as Senior Vice President for EdR, where he was responsible for all acquisitions, dispositions, and off-campus development activities for a $4.6 billion publicly traded student housing REIT. Following EdR’s corporate merger with Greystar, he was responsible for coordinating the process of growing the portfolio of student housing assets through domestic acquisitions at Greystar Real Estate Partners. Scott has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Texas A&M.
Dan Oltersdorf
Chief People Officer
Alma mater:
Colorado State and Florida State
Proudest moment:
One of my proudest moments was earning my undergraduate degree as a first-generation college student.
Favorite CA core value:
Intelligence, because for us, this value is all about innovation, which is central to success in this industry — and innovating is fun!
My first job:
Remodeling houses while in high school.
About dan:
As Chief People Officer, Dan oversees the People & Culture division which encompasses Learning & Development, Human Resources, and The Experience Department, all of which drive the holistic “people experience” at Campus Advantage. Dan is responsible for developing policies as well as directing and coordinating human resources activities such as employment, compensation, labor relations, benefits, training, and employee services. In addition, he oversees the development of the company’s highly regarded Students First® residence life program, resources, and training. Dan has worked in the student housing industry since 1998. He has become a thought leader in the industry through his speaking engagements and development of print and online resources for both on- and off-campus housing markets. Dan received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Adolescent Development from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Higher Education with a minor in Group Training and Development from Florida State University.
Clark Hoffman
Chief Financial Officer
My hometown:
Corpus Christi, Texas
Passionate about:
Sailing
Favorite travel destination:
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
On weekends, you can find me:
Watching college sports
About clark:
Clark Hoffman serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Campus Advantage. Clark’s experience includes companies engaged in construction, manufacturing, technology services, wholesale distribution, and retail sales. He specializes in building financial and operational capacity through effective planning, sound strategy, combined with effective implementation. His previous career includes leadership positions for Adjacent Technologies, Austin Ribbon & Computer Supplies, Architectural Granite & Marble, Cold Spring Granite Company, Centex Corporation, and Mobil Chemical Company. Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Thomas Demiranda
Chief Sales Officer
My hometown:
South Yarmouth, MA
Passionate About:
My two daughters
Favorite Sports Team:
New England Patriots
Favorite Family Tradition:
4th of July on Cape Cod, MA
About thomas:
Thomas brings 7 years of real estate industry experience as well as more than 12 years of sales expertise to his role as Chief Sales Officer of Campus Advantage. He started his career in B2B and B2C start-up sales and contributed to several successful companies before most recently serving as Vice President of Business Development at Catalyst Marketing, Campus Advantage’s partner marketing agency; There, he was responsible for more than $6 million in new business and 200 new clients for the marketing division and has seen and solved for almost every scenario imaginable in the real estate space. Thomas is responsible for driving new revenue for Campus Advantage’s third-party management and consulting platforms, as well as maintaining his successful tenure overseeing new business development for Catalyst. In addition, he sources and develops new client relationships with investors, owners, developers, colleges, and universities to provide student housing management and consulting services while also nurturing existing client relationships. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Texas State University.
Christy McFerren
President, Catalyst
A cause I support:
Serving foster kids and the homeless
Favorite travel destination:
Greek Isles
Favorite sports team:
Mercedes-AMG Formula 1
My personal (family) motto:
Labora est Ora; “to work is to pray”
About christy:
Christy is the President of Catalyst, a division of Campus Advantage and a full-service marketing agency specializing in student housing, multifamily, and senior living. In addition to serving as the head of Catalyst, Christy is on the Executive Leadership Team of Campus Advantage. Her single focus from all perspectives is on driving value for her clients’ owned and managed assets through innovative, results-oriented marketing. With more than two decades of experience as a marketing strategist, creative thinker, and people leader, Christy drives Catalyst forward as a team unified by one mission: to create and promote brands that foster community and add value to people’s lives. During her time at Catalyst, the agency has been recognized for its marketing effectiveness by industry wins from The Communicator Awards, W3 Awards, IAC, and more. In addition to serving clients, Christy believes the duty of leadership is equally defined by a responsibility to establish cultural excellence and healthy team relationships. In collaboration with her team, she has codified Catalyst’s Gold Standard principles to serve as both an internal creed and an external brand promise. Outside the office, she is happiest spending time with Dan, her husband of 10 years; their foster family; and their two dogs, Ruby and Daisy. Outside of work, you can usually find her at the movies or in the water. Christy attended the Art Institute of Dallas and also holds an MBA in Finance and Economics from Regent University.
Blain Vasek
Chief Technology Officer
My Hometown:
Smithville, TX
Alma Mater:
Texas State University
Favorite CA Core Value:
Integrity
Favorite Sports Team:
Texas Longhorns
About blain:
Blain Vasek started at Campus Advantage in summer 2024 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in IT infrastructure and strategy development to the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He has a proven track record of visionary leadership and success in the CTO role at multiple successful organizations. Blain enjoys spending the weekend on Lake LBJ with friends and family, lounging by the pool, and the occasional hunting or fishing trip.
Aaron Wells
Executive Vice President of Finance
Passionate about:
I am passionate about my children. I have hobbies outside of work, but they are my main focus when not at Campus Advantage.
Favorite CA core value:
Passion. Everyone I work with at Campus Advantage cares about the success of the students we serve, and providing them with housing during their collegiate journey, which results in caring about the success of the overall organization.
Favorite sports team:
New Orleans Saints
On weekends, you can find me:
Either spending time with family, on the lake, or both.
About aaron:
Aaron Wells joined Campus Advantage as Vice President, Finance in April 2021. He currently oversees the management of the company’s finance, accounting, budgeting, planning, tax, and billing. Prior to joining Campus Advantage, Aaron served as CFO at ONIT Home Services and VP, Finance at Protect America. He has over 13 years of accounting, finance, and leadership experience in the home service and hospitality industries. He received a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from Lamar University and is currently working toward an MBA and MS in finance at Indiana University, Kelley School of Business. Aaron is a licensed CPA in Texas.
Michael Hanley
Senior Vice President of Facilities and Development Services
Alma mater:
Old Dominion University
Favorite CA core value:
Integrity
Favorite travel destination:
Italy
My personal motto:
Carpe diem
About michael:
Michael provides senior-level oversight of all CapEx, FF&E, and maintenance programs. He works closely with operations to ensure that Campus Advantage standards are in place when managing large CapEx projects. He also provides consulting on new development projects during the planning and design phase. Michael began his career in student housing in 1988 at Old Dominion University as a housing officer after serving in various roles, including Resident Assistant and Director. In 1997, he joined American Campus Communities and helped establish new operating policies and procedures as a Regional Manager and General Manager. He was intimately involved in designing and opening University Village at Texas A&M International, as well as a full-service residence hall at Texas A&M University in College Station. Throughout his career, he has a remarkable record of rescuing troubled and failing properties through improved operations and attention to detail. Michael is a U.S. Navy veteran, holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Old Dominion University, and has participated in the Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO) organization. He is trained in Compliance Bridge and Timberline management systems and has specialized training in low voltage and information technology issues. He has been involved in the design of more than 25 student housing communities.
Lindsay Brown
Senior Vice President of Leasing
Alma mater:
University of Florida
Passionate about:
Leasing, dogs, and plants
Favorite CA core value:
Passion with a dash of Intelligence
My go-to karaoke song:
“Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa
About lindsay:
Lindsay Brown joined Campus Advantage in 2017 as Vice President of Leasing & Marketing, where she oversees the Leasing Department as well as all leasing and marketing activity across the Campus Advantage property portfolio. She brings more than 19 years of marketing and leasing experience in the student housing industry. Prior to joining Campus Advantage, Lindsay served as Director of Marketing at Asset Campus Housing, where she was responsible for a team that helped create and implement marketing initiatives for more than 200 properties and more than 112,000 beds across the United States. Her experience includes large-scale implementation of marketing campaigns across a portfolio of properties; developing training in customer service, reputation management, sales skills, and resident retention; and implementing guerrilla and digital marketing solutions to increase traffic to communities. Lindsay received a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida.
Pam West
Senior Vice President of Operations
Passionate about:
Being a good leader and making sure my teams are supported
Favorite sports team:
The Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite travel destination:
Anywhere in the Caribbean
On weekends, you can find me:
At a farmers market or craft show with my daughter
About pam:
Pam West joined Campus Advantage as Vice President of Operations, where she oversees the companies third-party management portfolio. Pam’s career in student housing began shortly after receiving her degree from TSTC in Waco, Texas, where she worked with Dinerstein Companies for over 15 years. Pam comes to Campus Advantage from Peak Campus, where she served as Regional Manager for many years.
Melissa Hinton
Vice President of Operations
My First Job:
A cashier at Zaxby’s
Passionate About:
My family, my pets, reading, and attending live concerts
Favorite CA Core Value:
So hard to choose only one, but I would say Passion. I’ve always believed that if you lead with passion—whether it’s in developing people, solving problems, or creating a great resident experience—you’ll naturally inspire others and create meaningful impact.
Favorite Sports Team:
Atlanta Braves!
About melissa:
Melissa joined Campus Advantage in January 2016 and currently serves as Vice President of Operations, where she oversees a portfolio of student housing communities and works closely with on-site teams to drive operational performance, team development, and resident satisfaction. She is responsible for ensuring strong financial outcomes, maintaining high service standards, and executing strategic initiatives across her portfolio. Melissa brings over 20 years of experience in the housing industry, with a background spanning student housing, multifamily, and affordable housing. Prior to joining Campus Advantage, she held leadership roles at CFLane. Since joining the company, she has advanced through a series of operational leadership roles, including General Manager, Area Manager, Regional Manager, Senior Regional Manager, and Regional Vice President of Operations. She is known for her commitment to cultivating strong teams, fostering future leaders, and delivering results through collaboration, strategic oversight, and operational excellence. Melissa holds a degree from Middle Georgia State College.
Carlos Gonzalez
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ASSET MANAGEMENT
ALMA MATER:
University of Texas at Austin
MY HOMETOWN:
San Antonio, Texas
PASSIONATE ABOUT:
Going to see live music
FAVORITE CA CORE VALUE:
Intelligence
About carlos:
Carlos joined Campus Advantage in October 2021 as Senior VP of Asset Management where he is responsible for the overall economic performance of the portfolio and works in partnership with property operations to maximize value by setting the strategy for each asset and overseeing revenue management, physical conditions, and ongoing capital projects. He has over 16 years of experience in commercial real estate with proven success in the acquisition, disposition, and asset management of institutional real estate. Carlos has led teams executing asset management strategies at several student housing companies including American Campus Communities and The Cardinal Group. He received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Business at the University of Texas at Austin, and Master of Business Administration in Real Estate and Finance at American University -- Kogod School of Business.
Raka Sandell
Vice President of Project Management
Alma mater:
University of Texas at Austin
My hometown:
New Delhi, India
Favorite CA core value:
MOJO
On my bucket list:
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
About raka:
Raka Sandell joined Campus Advantage in 2014. She brings over 20 years of experience in process improvement and operational optimization across industries spanning semiconductors, computers, and information technology. As the Vice President of Project Management, Raka brings her diverse set of experiences to help structure and successfully execute projects across the company and spanning their entire lifecycle. Previously, Raka was responsible for managing and executing significant projects at companies such as Motorola Corporate Offices, AMD, Dell, and Northrop Grumman. Raka is a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She has an MS in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin and a BS in Electrical Engineering. Raka is also a trained yoga instructor and active supporter of several local organizations engaged in child development and STEM education related projects in underserved communities.
Alexandra Hildebrandt
Vice President of Information Services
Alma Mater:
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Hometown:
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Favorite CA CORE Value:
Intelligence
On my bucket list:
Scuba diving the Half Moon Caye Wall in Belize
About alexandra:
Alexandra (Alex) Hildebrandt joined Campus Advantage in 2007 as an Accounting Manager. Over the years, she specialized in the transition and setup of all properties that joined the company’s management portfolio and creating the properties’ budgeting tool. During her tenure with the Accounting group, she was promoted to Senior Financial Systems Manager and Director of Financial Systems. In 2016, Alex began to address the growing organizational need for quality, reliable, and centralized information. In 2019, she completed her Master of Science in Accounting and Information Technology from Texas State University and transitioned into a newly-established group as Director of Information Services (IS). After 2019, she and the IS team successfully centralized the budgeting and leasing reporting processes to a cloud-based environment. She was promoted to Vice President of Information Services in September 2021 and currently, in addition to the administration of the financial reporting systems, oversees the company’s data and management reporting tools. In addition to the 15 years within the student housing industry, Alex has 10 years of financial and operational experience in Public Accounting, Aerospace and Defense, Construction, and Chemical Manufacturing. She also has a bachelor's degree in Accounting from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and is bilingual (Spanish).