Property management
10 self-storage operations experts
These ten professionals have run self-storage operations in their own roles as district, regional and senior operations leaders. A reader can learn how self-storage operators run facility portfolios and lead the field teams that staff them.
Professionals to explore
01—10Chris Peters
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations - Self Storage Division · Hawthorne Residential Partners
Director of Operations - Self Storage Division at Hawthorne Residential Partners since November 2019, a director-level operations role. Former Regional Operations Manager-Self Storage at Hawthorne Residential Partners (2015–2019) and District Operations Manager at Extra Space Storage (2012–2015), and Regional Operations Manager at Taco Mac Restaurant Group (2008–2012).
Deborah Jose
LinkedInExperience: Director of Self Storage Operations · Summit Management Services, Inc.
Director of Self Storage Operations at Summit Management Services, Inc. since September 2013, where the profile says the role is responsible for the day-to-day operations, staff, and profitability of all facilities within the Summit Self Storage portfolio. The profile places the role in the operations department, and it has run for more than a decade.
James Jackson
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President · Public Storage
Regional Vice President at Public Storage from January 2006 to July 2013 across Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, where the profile describes managing 36- 86 property locations and up to 8 District Managers and being responsible for the overall operation of over 40,000 units. Former District Manager at Public Storage (1997–2006).
Jason Carl
LinkedInExperience: VP of Self Storage Operations · Mark Development Corp
VP of Self Storage Operations at Mark Development Corp from March 2018 to December 2024, and Vice President at Self Storage One from 2024 to 2026. The profile describes a background rooted in commercial real estate and self-storage that spans property management, district, director and vice president roles. Former Director Of Operations at Investment Real Estate Management LLC (2011–2018).
Kevin Schaps
LinkedInExperience: Director of Self-Storage Operations · Azose Commercial Properties
Director of Self-Storage Operations at Azose Commercial Properties since March 2022, where the profile describes directing operations of a self-storage facilities portfolio of company owned and managed and 3rd party managed facilities, with duties including managing staff and completing reporting and forecasting for investors and owners. Former Regional Operations Manager (2019–2022) and Operations Manager (2017–2019) at Azose Commercial Properties.
Michael James
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Operations · Extra Space Storage
Senior Vice President Operations at Extra Space Storage since February 2026, where the profile describes leading multi-division operations for the Northeast Region across more than 1,000 self-storage locations. Former Division Vice President (2014–2026), Director Operations Coordination (2010–2014), District Manager (2004–2010) and Store Manager (2000–2004) at Extra Space Storage.
Robert Braun
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Self-Storage Asset Management · Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation
Vice President Self-Storage Asset Management at Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation since August 2019, where the profile describes oversight and management of various portfolios of self storage assets sponsored by the company, with 194 properties in the current portfolio. Former Regional Manager at The Lock Up Self Storage (2010–2019) and District Manager at Simply Self Storage (2008–2010).
Robert Pfuetze
LinkedInExperience: Senior District Manager · Public Storage
Senior District Manager at Public Storage since September 2024, where the profile describes overseeing the operations, sales, and customer service of four districts and 57 self-storage facilities across two states, along with financial management. Regional Vice President at Public Storage since September 2025. Former District Manager at Public Storage (2021–2024).
Stephen Makepeace
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Operations · Go Store It Self-Storage
Senior Director of Operations at Go Store It Self-Storage from 2017 to April 2026, and Director of Field Operations at Go Store It Self-Storage over the same years. The profile describes overseeing the development and operation of a substantial portfolio of self-storage facilities across the Southeast US, with a focus on operations management, new market expansion and quality improvement. Former Regional Manager at SmartStop Self Storage (2015–2017).
Tom Black
LinkedInExperience: District Manager · CubeSmart
District Manager at CubeSmart from 2012 to 2021, where the profile describes leading operations of up to 23 REIT-owned and 3rd-party managed multi-unit storage and retail locations across the Houston area and using operational metrics to set individual and team goals. Divisional Vice President at CubeSmart since January 2021. Former Director of Operations at Another Attic Self Storage (2011–2012).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since running a district of stores and setting operating strategy for a multi-state portfolio draw on different experience. Ask each person how many facilities they oversaw, whether those were owned or third-party managed, and which operating metrics they were measured on.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you structure district and store-level teams across a self-storage portfolio, and how many facilities could one manager cover well?
- 02Which levers did you rely on to raise occupancy and rental rates at underperforming facilities?
- 03How did operating owned facilities differ from running third-party managed facilities for outside owners?
Reaching self-storage operations experts
How can I contact one of these self-storage operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Hawthorne Residential Partners; Summit Management Services, Inc. and Public Storage, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach self-storage operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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