Our Team

Ben Macfarland has spent the last 18 years focused on the acquisition, development, financing, repositioning and management of owner operated real estate assets including self-storage (since 2006), parking, student housing, senior living, and single-family home portfolios. Mr. Macfarland’s track record has identified market dynamics, implemented his investment strategy, built out a team and executed on his vision.

To date Mr. Macfarland has invested over $5 billion of real estate investments as Principal. Storage Rentals of America is his third platform created around an investment strategy in a specific industry (in addition to parking & student housing).

Mr. Macfarland holds a BS in Real Estate from Florida State University and an MBA in Finance from American University. Mr. Macfarland is a member of the Real Estate Roundtable in Washington, DC. Mr. Macfarland and his wife Christina have five children, live in West Palm Beach, Florida, and are actively involved with the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties and the Flagler Museum.

Bob Buffett serves as the President of SROA. He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of SROA, ensuring our departments function properly, and facilitating the company’s overall business plan.
Before joining SROA, Mr. Buffett served as the Chief Financial Officer for Stor-All Storage for 11 years. Bob was responsible for all the financial reporting for a 45-self-storage facility portfolio before it was sold to one of the REITs. Mr. Buffett’s passion is a commitment to continuous analysis and control of cost centers to drive efficiency and cost savings.
Bob has been a licensed CPA in Florida for 30 years. He started his career at Arthur Anderson in West Palm Beach, Florida, specializing in real estate and construction accounting.

Kenneth Speegle oversees SROA’s daily business operations, focusing on enhancing the integration of the Firm’s technology platform and implementing operational improvements with a goal of increasing NOI.

Prior to joining SROA, Mr. Speegle spent 18 years at Extra Space Storage in various roles, most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations, managing five divisions and over 825 property locations across the Southeast U.S. and Texas. Prior to his time at Extra Space Storage, Mr. Speegle served as the Senior District Manager of Storage USA, managing over 25 properties across the Ohio Valley including Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Grand Rapids.

Mr. Speegle holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Kent State University.

Alfred Sinkonde serves as the Chief Financial Officer of SROA and is responsible for the firm’s property and fund accounting, tax operations, treasury and financial reporting.

Prior to rejoining SROA in 2024, Mr. Sinkonde was Chief Financial Officer at Beacon Ridge Capital Management, a real estate investment manager focused on single family rental properties. Prior to originally joining SROA in 2019 as the Finance Director, Mr. Sinkonde served as the Assistant Controller at HIG Capital within its credit platform. Prior to HIG, Mr. Sinkonde served as a Senior Fund Accountant at Cerberus Capital Management for its institutional real estate funds. Mr. Sinkonde started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers specializing in real estate investment clients in Hartford, CT.

Mr. Sinkonde holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Connecticut, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Florida.

Melissa Cartagena is a seasoned digital leader responsible for overseeing SROA’s digital marketing, website experience, brand development, and eCommerce strategy. As Chief Digital Officer, she leads the company’s digital transformation driving omni-channel strategies, AI-powered marketing, and customer acquisition initiatives designed to accelerate revenue growth and elevate customer engagement.

Melissa’s leadership spans all marketing operations for SROA’s corporate office and national real estate portfolio. She plays a key role in streamlining marketing infrastructure, enhancing performance across channels, and aligning data-driven strategies to maximize impact and operational efficiency.

With a proven track record in optimizing large-scale marketing programs and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Melissa has led initiatives that generated billions in revenue and positioned brands for sustainable growth. Prior to joining SROA, she held senior roles at AutoNation, Greystar, and Jarden Consumer Solutions, where she led enterprise-level digital innovation across hundreds of locations and multiple brands.

Melissa holds a BA from Florida International University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is a Fellow of Leading Women Executives and an active advocate for women’s leadership, having been nominated for Women at the Wheel and Women in Retail in 2023.

Jamie O’Connor joins SROA as the Chief Human Resources Officer and is responsible for
leading all Human Resources strategy and operations including talent
management, employee relations, benefit design, legal compliance, compensation,
performance management, inclusion and belonging, and payroll. She is based in
our West Palm Beach office.

Most recently, Ms. O’Connor was the Director of HR for Dart Container Sales Company
responsible for leading the people strategy for a global salesforce of 400
sales professionals. With over two decades of experience in Human
Resources, Ms. O’Connor specializes in creating a people centered culture and a
positive employee experience acting as both a business and employee advocate.
Ms. O’Connor has experience in building the HR function from the ground up,
transforming organizational alignment to meet business needs, walking a company
through the IPO process, and creating programs designed to reward and recognize
employees at all stages of their lifecycle. Committed and passionate about
people, Ms. O’Connor seeks to align business strategies with people and drive
sustained successful results.

Ms. O’Connor holds a Professional in Human Resources designation from HRCI, and a
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island.

Owen Holm serves as the Managing Director of Investor Relations at SROA. He leads the investor relations and capital raising initiatives and has 10 years of investment management experience across both private and public markets.

Prior to joining SROA, Mr. Holm was Director of Marketing & Investor Relations at Crescendo Real Estate Advisors LLP (“CREAL”), a diversified real estate private equity firm. At CREAL he was responsible for overseeing global investor relations and capital raising initiatives including the launch of two closed-end funds and several direct private equity transactions. Prior to CREAL, he spent five years at Kildonan Castle Asset Management, a long-short credit fund, where he focused on investor relations and marketing, launching a series of credit funds. Mr. Holm began his investment career as a Research Associate at Coleman Research Group.

Mr. Holm holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Williams College received in 2010.

Wallace Cascio is responsible for sourcing investment opportunities for SROA Capital.

Prior to SROA Capital, Mr. Cascio worked in a variety of different capacities within the real estate industry, including acquisitions, asset management, and leasing of various types of properties. Mr. Cascio has a track record of building businesses, including a residential real estate agency that he played a key role in growing from three agents to over 400 in seven years.

Mr. Cascio holds a BA from the University of Florida and is a licensed Real Estate Agent in the State of Florida.

Colt Jenkins is a Director of Investments for SROA and is responsible for analyzing and underwriting new acquisitions. Prior to joining SROA capital in 2016, Jenkins worked for Rybovich Boat Company. At Rybovich, he performed project analyses for multimillion-dollar yacht refits.

Mr. Jenkins earned a BS in Accounting from Miami University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Florida.

Alina Pesenson serves as General Counsel. She oversees legal and compliance matters.

Ms. Pesenson spent the majority of her legal career at Goodwin Procter LLP, where she represented institutional sponsors of private investment vehicles in all matters relating to formation and fundraising. During her time at Goodwin, Ms. Pesenson represented SROA Capital in the formation and fundraising of several investment vehicles.

Immediately prior to joining SROA, Ms. Pesenson was Associate General Counsel of Fairstead, a vertically integrated real estate firm focused on multifamily properties.

Ms. Pesenson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and International Relations from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from Cardozo School of Law.

Lauren Weiss serves as the Director of Accounting & Finance of SROA and is responsible for all property and fund-level accounting, accounts payable, financial reporting, insurance, and property tax functions.

Prior to joining SROA, Lauren served as the Vice President of Accounting for The Related Companies, a real estate owner and developer for 8 years in New York City. She was responsible for multiple accounting functions for a $50 Billion portfolio to ensure best practices in all major areas of accounting were being followed. Between the time at Related Companies and her prior public REIT experience, Lauren has touched all aspects of accounting and finance within commercial, residential, retail, multi-family, office, low income, section 8, and multi-use properties for multiple billion-dollar companies which has given her the industry knowledge to create efficiencies and innovation across all accounting functions.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from American University and a Masters in Business Administration from New York University.

Jackie Penny is responsible for high-level support and managing key initiatives to ensure the efficient functioning of the executive office. Ms. Penny is also responsible for managing SROA’s Investor Relations, which includes evaluating, improving and maintaining positive relationships and communication between the organization and its investors, to enhance the company image and increase value.

Prior to joining SROA, Ms. Penny was the Marketing and Special Events Coordinator at Ultramax Sports working directly with multiple sports affiliated companies in the state of Missouri and Florida. She organized and advertised for events and tournaments for Title Boxing Club,
Susan G. Komen of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Sports Commission, Big 12 Championships, and many others. Prior to Ulramax Sports, she was the Marketing and Events intern at the Kansas City Sports Commission, where she organized events for local charities and organizations, Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas
City, MLB Royals Charities, and the NAIA.

Ms. Penny holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Marketing and Communications from the University of Central Missouri.

Beau Raich oversees the development and construction initiatives, focusing on new projects and expansions of existing storage facilities including site selection, underwriting, and entitlements.

Prior to joining SROA, Mr. Raich was Vice President and Corporate Counsel at Two Roads Development, a large residential condominium developer. Prior Two Roads, Mr. Raich served as General Counsel at SROA, overseeing the legal affairs of the company, and as a Development Associate and In-House Counsel at The Lynd Company, a nationally recognized multifamily apartment investment and development company based in San Antonio, TX. Mr. Raich began his career as a complex commercial litigation attorney at the law firm Nason Yeager in West Palm Beach, FL.

Mr. Raich holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and a Juris Doctorate from Florida International University.

Alex Yablonovich serves as the Vice President of Capital Markets at SROA and is responsible for analyzing all credit related opportunities, including sourcing senior bridge loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments for SROA’s credit strategy.

Prior to joining SROA, Alex served as a Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Finance department at Citi, where he worked for 6 years. At Citi, Alex was responsible for underwriting, originating and closing CMBS and balance sheet loans across all commercial real estate asset classes. Furthermore, Alex helped successfully close over $1B of loan originations secured by self-storage properties at Citi.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management from the Charles H. Dyson School at Cornell University.

James Curland is responsible for product development and special projects related to enhancing and growing the SROA platform.

Prior to joining SROA, James was an Associate at Winter Properties in New York where he was focused on underwriting and structuring private equity investments in real estate assets and operating companies. Before Winter Properties, James was an Analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he originated, structured, and sold commercial mortgages for all major asset classes.

James holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Claudia Morais joined SROA in 2014 and, as a Paralegal, Ms. Morais is responsible for managing all matters pertaining to SROA’s real estate transactions, due diligence and corporate records. Ms. Morais works closely with the CEO, CFO, outside attorneys and financial institutions to assure that all transactions are completed successfully. Ms. Morais is also involved with the management and communication of existing investors.

Prior to joining SROA, Ms. Morais worked at a title company performing residential real estate closings, title searches, survey reviews and other due diligence matters. Ms. Morais also worked as a licensed real estate agent focusing on the residential market.

Ms. Morais is a registered Paralegal and holds an Associates in Arts Degree from Palm Beach State College.

As the Director of Alternative Infrastructure at SROA Capital, Farah is responsible for identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities that enhance SROA’s infrastructure portfolio. Farah’s expertise lies in expanding portfolio assets through the strategic aggregation of cellphone towers, wireless leases, solar projects, billboards, and electric vehicle networks, all while supporting the company’s growth and operational efficiency. Farah drives revenue growth by leveraging existing infrastructure and overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of new initiatives. Farah is adept at developing and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders, including wireless network operators, tower owners, and third-party vendors, ensuring alignment with SROA’s business objectives.

Prior to joining SROA, Farah was at SBA Communications Corp. holding over 10 years of experience as a national senior-level Site Development Project Manager, where she successfully navigated the end-to-end site development process, including key projects for New Tower Builds, Macro, Excalibur, Dish Wireless, DNS, and L3 Harris. Her comprehensive background encompasses site acquisition, leasing, construction coordination, and vendor management.

Farah holds a Master of Business Administration and Management from Lynn University and a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in Management from Florida Atlantic University. In addition, she is a licensed Real Estate Agent in the State of Florida.