Our Team

Francis P. Kavanaugh serves as the Managing Director of Fort Ashford Funds, LLC, a company he founded in 2004. With over 30 years of experience in real estate investment, business restructuring, and operational leadership, Kavanaugh continues to drive strategic growth and manage investments for the firm.

Before his current role, Kavanaugh made a significant mark as the founder of several Inc 500 companies, including Force Protection Inc., which he scaled from less than $1 million to a billion-dollar company in just six years. His ability to grow businesses through innovative strategies is well-documented in his diverse portfolio.

Kavanaugh holds a B.S. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine. He still maintains that his love for computers started when he realized they do most of the work for you.

Brent Winn serves as Chief Financial Officer of Medalist REIT, having initially provided CFO services as an independent contractor since February 2018. Winn has been crucial in establishing Medalist’s accounting systems, financial reporting structures, and internal controls, and he continues to oversee all financial operations.

Winn’s career began in 1987 at CSX Realty, and since then, he has held key roles in real estate development and asset management, as well as investor relations at MGT Realty Advisors, Inc. and Realty Advisors, LLC. He has also held senior financial leadership roles, including CFO at Marz Industries, Inc.

Winn holds a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia, an MBA from the College of William and Mary, and a post-graduate degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University. His love for history means he’s as comfortable with spreadsheets as he is with historical timelines (which, surprisingly, both have plenty of deadlines).

Ben Ore has been a key member of the Medalist Diversified REIT finance team since 2021. As Controller, he brings his expertise in financial reporting, analysis, and team management. Before joining Medalist, Ore managed financial reporting at Equitable Holdings in Charlotte, NC, and served as a Financial Analyst at Newport Group.

Ore’s experience spans brokerage, real estate accounting, and leading financial analysis teams, and his work continues to contribute to Medalist’s ongoing financial stability.

Ore holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Known for his quick financial analysis, it’s said that he can solve a balance sheet in less time than most people solve a Rubik’s cube.

Erin Burke is the Chief of Staff at Medalist REIT, where she focuses on developing operational frameworks and procedures to enable informed business decisions. Burke’s role involves building efficient processes for reporting and improving cross-team communication, helping drive better results across the company.

With extensive experience in creating operating procedures and managing organizational development, Burke has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify gaps and resolve issues proactively. Her work has led to improved employee collaboration and business efficiency.

Burke holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Humboldt State University, where she was also a standout player on the university’s NCAA women’s volleyball team. When she’s not streamlining business operations, she’s likely setting up the perfect spike on the volleyball court.

Deron Colby brings over 26 years of legal experience to his role as Counsel at Medalist REIT. Specializing in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate transactions, Colby has represented a range of clients from landowners to corporate investors, ensuring successful deals and resolving complex disputes.

Colby’s career includes leadership roles in several securities-focused firms, and he has extensive experience handling SEC disclosures and managing both public and private investments. His expertise in land use issues and entitlements has also been instrumental in real estate transactions.

Colby earned his law degree and has acted as a securities expert in litigation matters. He’s known for his ability to handle complex legal negotiations with a smile—because, really, who doesn’t love untangling legal jargon?

Kevin Egan serves as the Director of Strategic Finance and Investor Relations at Medalist REIT, where he provides expertise in finance and capital markets. With previous experience as a financial consultant, Egan has worked across private equity, hedge funds, and strategic corporate advisory.

Egan began his career covering real estate equities at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, where he gained deep knowledge of the real estate sector. He holds the CFA, CAIA, and CPA designations, making him a well-rounded expert in financial analysis.

Egan holds a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. With a background like his, Egan can find a financial solution for just about anything—except maybe deciding whether his spreadsheet or his financial models are his favorite tools.