The Equity REM Team
Our Team
The EREM team is comprised of real estate professionals that come from a variety of industry backgrounds. From serial real estate entrepreneurs and investors to professionals with various experience and certifications such as HCCP, CPO, and NCP, we have the people to successfully manage your multifamily real estate investment. You can read more about the staff and their bios below.
Executive Leadership
Michael Davalos - CEO
Michael started his career in Real Estate right out of high school obtaining his mortgage license in early 2001. He focused on the lending and brokering side of the business always working in the commercial space. A serial entrepreneur Michael opened his first mortgage lending company in 2005 and ran a successful lending business which helped thousands of families achieve homeownership through credit knowledge and through FHA, VA, Fannie and Freddie Mac loans. During the last Recession in 2008/09 he was forced to close his business after all of his lenders stopped lending. It was then that Michael found what would become his passion, investing and helping others invest in real estate wisely. In 2010 Michael fully crossed over to the investing side and has been helping sponsors and management companies work in harmony to achieve their goals and hit their targets since.
Michael has helped in the acquisitions, operations, and dispositions of well over $5B worth of real estate across Florida, Georgia, South Dakota, and Texas. He has worked and lead capital improvement projects in the tens of millions of dollars across multiple projects and coordinated large teams across 5 different states, always maintaining a situational awareness of the economies of the deal and leading in a transparent and cohesive manner that motivates his teams.
Michael is considered a hands-on leader, leading his teams by example and frequently being onsite at his properties. He is often seen on-site learning directly from the staff and residents as to where things can be improved. He loves talking with people and getting a better of understanding of how they view the world. He is also an avid snowboarder, enjoys playing basketball and loves spending as much time as possible with his daughter.
Tessa Frank – COO
In 2019 she left the affordable housing world for a new role as Vice President of Operations for market rate multi-family housing. Spending several years here leading large teams, she focused on acquisitions, stabilizing turbulent properties, oversaw multi-million-dollar capital projects and property dispositions. She earned her Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation in 2020 as well as her North Dakota Real Estate License in 2021. and South Dakota Real Estate License in 2023.
She continued her professional growth by entering hospitality, to eventually oversee hotels and vacation rentals as well as staying with what she was most enthusiastic about – multifamily. A firm believer of leading by example, her teams have looked to her on how to approach their job with passion, empathy, and drive. Tessa believes her team is her biggest asset and will do whatever it takes to make them successful, while also building strong relationships and having fun.
Tessa has always loved the outdoors and grew up in the Mountains of Western Montana. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, river floating, traveling, and trying new foods (and wine). She takes Momm-ing seriously too, when she isn’t working, she’s with her three kids, taking them on new adventures and watching them grow.
Team Members
Shellie Linn – Talent Acquisition Director
In 2012 she entered the Affordable Housing arena as Regional Manager for a large company in Sioux Falls, SD, earning multiple accreditations and certifications over the years in HUD, Tax Credit, HOME and Rural Development. She also earned and holds her Property Management License with the SD Real Estate Commission in the state of South Dakota.
In 2018, Shellie started working as an Affordable Housing Development Consultant. While in this role she evaluated local and state funding opportunities for project development and availability of services to creatively utilize multiple sources of funding. She was responsible for all aspects of the project.
In 2020 Shellie started working as the Area Director for a large regional office in Sioux Falls, SD, overseeing all operations for the 27 properties in the portfolio. Shellie worked to recruit, develop, guide and coach District Managers, Community Managers and other team members to achieve outstanding results and become A players.
Shellie’s most recent role was as the Director of Property Management for a Sioux Falls, SD based company overseeing 1,800+ apartment homes located in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, SD. While in this role, she was responsible for the overall strategic direction, operation, and profitability of a Class A portfolio.
Shellie is a relationship builder and believes the best way to lead her team is by mentoring and coaching them. She creates an environment to foster accountability and have fun. She started her career in property management not fully realizing the profound impact she would have on the lives she touched or the impression it would leave on her. She has been humbled by the experience and the opportunity to give others a feeling of pride and security by offering a dignified housing solution.
Shellie grew up and went to high school in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mary in ND. She has lived in the Sioux Falls area for over 15 years and resides in Hartford, SD with her family to include her significant other, 4 boys and 1 fur baby. She loves spending time with her family, the outdoors, reading and yoga.
Rebekah Klein - Operations Director
Rebekah’s career in the housing industry started in 2003 where she worked at a local housing authority and administered their Section 8 Affordable Housing Program. Over the years she has worked with multiple affordable housing programs, including Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME, HIF, and Section 8. Rebekah has a strong background in home healthcare as well.
Rebekah’s passion and drive lie within the multifamily housing industry, where she has managed all asset classes, as well as played multiple roles on site. She has always managed to exceed occupancy goals and has excelled in customer satisfaction, with her unique way of relating to residents and team members.
Her experience contributes to her strong leadership skills, interacting with residents, staff, and vendors with compassion, understanding, and a keen sense of conflict resolution. Rebekah has the tenacity to achieve goals, meet deadlines and maintain a cheerful outlook while doing so.
Rebekah grew up in North Dakota where she raised her four children. She has always had a love for Texas since she was a child and decided to move there with her family in 2021. She enjoys traveling, trying new cuisine, and attending concerts, but she is happiest spending time with her children and gathering with family and friends.
Nicole Gonzales Regional Operations Director – Southeast
Nicole’s career in multi-family started in 2008 as a leasing agent at a mid-rise community. Over the years she has worked her way up in the industry to a Regional Manager. Nicole specializes in value-add properties and turning distressed properties around. She holds a Property Managers License in South Carolina, where she spent 4 years as a Property Manager.
Nicole is passionate about delivering high-quality living experiences for residents and maximizing returns for investors. She has successfully increased occupancy, retention, and revenue growth for properties while reducing expenses.
Her passion for the multifamily industry drives her to hit the ground running in any situation thrown her way. In 2022 Nicole moved to Houston to oversee a portfolio of 2,000 units and managed a team of 50. She successfully grew occupancy by 10% and pushed rent growth in a versatile market.
Nicole’s experience has contributed to her success in building and leading high performing teams. She enjoys mentoring and watching them grow in the industry.
Nicole grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida and went to Highschool there. Upon graduating she joined the Army and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling and meeting new people.
Justice VanThuyne
With nearly 10 years of experience in Property Management, Justice specializes in technology integration and operational optimization for multi-site property portfolios. Starting her career at a Class C property, she quickly advanced through various roles due to her strong work ethic and technical expertise. Justice currently works at Equity Real Estate Management (EREM), focusing on enhancing technology and digital media marketing across multiple properties.
In her role, she drives technology initiatives that streamline workflows and improve property management efficiency. Proficient in Entrata property management software, Justice leads system integrations, optimizes settings, and trains staff on digital tools for resident engagement and leasing management.
Her extensive project management experience enables her to coordinate multi-phase projects, manage vendor relationships, and meet timelines and budgets while ensuring resident satisfaction. Additionally, she excels in digital marketing and social media management, crafting strategies that boost brand visibility and attract new residents.
Justice also plays a critical role in onboarding new properties, ensuring seamless technology integrations and adherence to company standards. She trains staff on management systems and optimizes digital workflows for efficiency.
Committed to professional growth, Justice returned to Western Dakota Technical Institute in 2021, earning a diploma in Bookkeeping in 2022 and an associate’s degree in accounting in 2023. She previously earned an associate’s degree in business management and marketing in 2018, making her a well-rounded leader in the industry.
Outside of work, Justice enjoys camping, kayaking, and riding 4-wheelers with her family. She resides in Rapid City, SD, with her husband, two children, and their three dogs and two cats, balancing her professional achievements with her passion for family life.
Nick Boden – Executive Assistant
Nick started his career right after his graduation from Texas Christian University in 2017, with a bachelor’s degree in finance & Real Estate. Beginning as a Middle Market Banking Analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co, Nick swiftly honed his financial acumen, evaluating intricate financial information and risks for multimillion-dollar commercial loan requests for public and private companies.
In 2020, Nick transitioned to a national multifamily firm based in Miami, FL, as an Acquisition Analyst. His strategic insights played a pivotal role in property acquisitions worth over $300 million across the Midwest, Southwest, and Central states. He excelled in underwriting, diligently conducting due diligence for various acquisition opportunities, including multifamily, hospitality, single-family, and mixed-use assets.
Nick’s journey then led him to Cypress Equity Investments, where he served as a Senior Development Associate until 2023. At CEI, he was at the forefront of deal underwriting, acquisition and pre-development efforts in Texas, amassing a pipeline value exceeding $1 billion.
Outside of real estate, Nick is a man of diverse interests. He’s committed to staying fit through regular workouts, and he embraces adventure and creativity with his passion for wake-surfing and music production. Most importantly, he values quality time with family and friends, cherishing those bonds.
Elevating Industry Best Practices
We Attract Talented property management professionals
Certifications available including
- Certified Property Manager (CPM®)
- Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA®)
