Our Team
Experienced professionals is the reason for Elevation Development's success.
Owais Khanani
Managing Partner
Owais Khanani is entrepreneur based in Orlando, FL. With over 20 years of experience in fields such as Capital Markets, Real Estate, Digital Media, Renewable Energy and Entertainment. Mr. Khanani has established numerous businesses which have resulted in significant profitability. Mr. Khanani’s expertise lies in defining business models and creating a solid foundation by hand picking key management to support growth and strategically identifying opportunities for successful mergers and acquisitions. As Founder and CEO of equity trading company, a company that developed own proprietary trading technology which traded U.S. Equities. He is Founder and Managing Partner of Ryze Group Holdings, LLC which is involved in Acquisitions and Development of Real Estate assets and Ryze Capital N.A., LLC, a private equity firm, which is involved in various industries such as Renewable Energy, Medical, Technology and Film Production.
Michael C. Rich
Director – Mixed Use Development
Michael Rich has been involved in the development and construction of a variety of commercial and residential projects during his professional career. Upon graduation from the University of Florida, Mike joined his family’s development business where he oversaw the horizontal and vertical construction of single-family subdivisions and office buildings. In 1989 he joined a Texas based development firm and headed the Orlando operations in the development of a 100-acre mixed-use tourist oriented project in Osceola County, Florida. In 1999 he joined a Winter Park, Florida based development firm. While there he was responsible for design, entitlement and construction of shopping centers eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer. More recently, Mike has been involved in the development of single tenant properties, hotels and mixed use developments. Mike has been an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Maria Rust
Controller, CPA
Maria E. Rust, CPA is controller for Elevation Development, LLC and has over 12 years of experience in accounting profession. She enjoyed wide range of professional roles in both publicly traded and privately held corporations, including extensive experience as successful small business owner in both the accounting and real estate industries. Maria has been elected to serve three-year term as board of trustee member the Florida Institute of CPAs Scholarship Foundation from 2021-2024.
Dan Eshleman
Director – Residential Development
Dan Eshleman is Project Manager at Elevation Development, LLC. He graduated from Grace College with a BS in Business Administration and Management. Dan has over fifteen years experience in a variety of aspects of real estate including sales and managing projects including land development, residential construction, and residential amenities in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida. Dan and his wife of 22 years and two children are very involved in the local community and volunteer at their church and Orlando Rescue Mission.
Jawaad Khanani
Development Associate
Jawaad Khanani is the Investment Analyst at Elevation Development,LLC. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Rollins College with concentrations in International Business and Finance. He joins the team with various internship experience in Real Estate Development, Private Equity and Non-Profit work.
Garrett Thiele
Senior Financial Analyst
Garrett Thiele is a Senior Financial Analyst at Elevation Development, LLC. He has over 10 years of experience in finance and real estate, working in the investment banking and private equity industries, as well as with real estate developers. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and his MBA in finance and management science from the University of Miami.
Brittany Brookes
Administrative Assistant
Brittany is the Administrative Assistant with Elevation Development LLC. Brittany began her career in the industry as an executive assistant to the broker of a major residential real estate firm, named a top ten global franchise. Soon after getting her real estate license, she received club awards as a top producer of sales, doubling the industry average. She enjoys working as a team with all parties involved to get a deal closed. Brittany and her family recently moved to Orlando from Virginia and have enjoyed living in Florida.
Kristin Banks
Senior Administrator
Kristin Banks is the Marketing Director at Elevation Development, LLC. Kristin has over a decade of successful experience in administration, human resources, construction/engineering, and commercial real estate. Kristin most recently had 4+ years construction administration experience with one of the largest commercial property management companies. Also a professional photographer, she has experience photographing projects both aerially and on ground. Kristin, who is originally from Georgia, moved to Orlando with her husband and two daughters in 2017.
Fernanda Loza
Staff Accountant
Fernanda Loza is the Accountant Assistant at Elevation Development, LLC. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and more than 20 years of experience in accounting in the USA and in Ecuador, her country of origin. Fernanda is bilingual in English and Spanish and has worked in different industries such as hospitality, flower’s exporter, manufacturing, financial services, and non-profit organizations. She loves to work with numbers and accounts reconciliation is a challenge and motivation for her. She has certifications in Digital Photography, Web Development, and Accounting Operations. For many years she volunteered at her church in the AWANA program. Her hobbies are photography and traveling, and during her free time she enjoys sharing activities with her husband and daughter.