Ryan Stahl founded Equinox Development with a focus on cultivating lasting client relationships by providing a level of service that is both strategic and detailed. As President & CEO, Ryan is responsible for the overall operations and execution of the company and its many projects. Additionally, Ryan ensures that the overall strategy of the company is aligned with the various market dynamics that impact the Commercial Real Estate industry.

Holding positions with both national and local development companies, Ryan has a diverse background in commercial real estate development. Prior to forming Equinox in 2003, Ryan spent seven years with Opus South Corporation where he developed projects ranging from grocery-anchored shopping centers to mid-rise office buildings & industrial distribution facilities. Thereafter, he spent two years as Senior Vice President with Pelloni Development where he was responsible for the development of multiple, successful large-scale mixed-use developments. He parlayed that knowledge of both small and large development companies into the company that Equinox is today and collectively has been involved in projects that have an aggregate value of over $1.1 billion.

Ryan has received numerous awards over the years ranging from Retail Development of the Year to Game Changer of the Year from the Orlando Business Journal. However, he considers giving back to the community more important than any award received. Throughout the years, Ryan has done so through a broad range of positions at Kid’s House of Seminole, Seminole High School Foundation and the UCF Real Estate Council, while focusing on outward giving to numerous other local and national charitable causes.

Ryan moved to Central Florida in 1993. Since that time, he and his wife have been heavily involved within the community and have raised their three daughters who have all recently graduated from college.

Email [email protected]

Kathleen Gerrits is the firm’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing all accounting and finance functions on behalf of Equinox Development. Kathleen is responsible for ensuring the proper management and preparation of current financial reports while tracking multiple development projects with related funding, contracts, and construction budgets.

Prior to Equinox, Kathleen started her career in public accounting within Forensic Advisory where she was responsible for conducting forensic investigations, performing risk assessment and monitoring services, as well as performing comprehensive financial statement audits and interim reviews. Kathleen also served in private accounting as the Controller of a midsize construction company where she was responsible for the performance and management of all accounting procedures and financial reporting across multiple construction projects.

She attended Presbyterian College for her undergraduate degree in both Business Administration and Accounting while a member of their NCAA Division 1 women’s lacrosse team. Kathleen then attended the University of Georgia to earn her Master of Accountancy degree.

Born and raised in South Florida, Kathleen now resides in Orlando, FL after spending her early career living in Atlanta, GA.


Email [email protected]

Ryan Phelps joins Equinox Development as the Vice President of Development. In this role, Ryan works closely with the entire team from deal inception all the way through to grand openings. His experience with pro-forma generation, market knowledge, site planning, deal negotiation and tenant coordination brings a well-rounded perspective that offers additional, strategic initiative and foresight to projects of all phases. Ryan’s passion for detail and delivering a first-in-class final product exudes confidence within the Equinox Team, through to our valued retailers, investors, and partners alike.

Over the past 20 years Ryan has led hundreds of beginning-to-end restaurant/retail/office developments, planned/executed multiple national-brand franchise Development Agreements, and even partnered on successful acquisitions of companies; including bankruptcy related acquisitions/reorganizations of their respective Real Estate portfolios.

Along with the above experience, several accolades have been awarded for his achievements along the way. These include multiple years as “Popeyes Developer of the Year”, multiple years as “Arby’s Developer of the Year”, and Chain Store Age Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40”.

In Ryan’s spare time he enjoys trips to the beach with his family, outside activities, and watching SpaceX rocket launches together. He also stays very active with his son’s passion for sports. His family is frequently on the move from the Ice Den, playing hockey, to the diamond, playing baseball, to the links, playing golf.

Ryan is a licensed Real Estate Broker, ICSC Member, and was most recently named a Bell Leadership Academy Achiever by Dr. Gerald Bell.

Email [email protected]

Daina is the Development Manager responsible for the successful execution of ground-up development projects. With over a decade in the Commercial Real Estate Development industry, Daina offers a wide range of knowledge and is able to utilize her experience in many facets of the company. Daina works with the developer’s design team in addition to a broad range of consultants to ensure timelines and design standards are met in conformance to the overall development plan. In addition, Daina works alongside the entire Equinox team touching on all aspects of commercial development planning. With her long-standing tenant relations, Daina works closely with the team to ensure Tenant design needs are met and construction timelines are tracked and managed to ensure timely project completions and successful openings for our Tenants. Daina enjoys and appreciates the team collaboration and communication that is required to efficiently and successfully execute a prosperous development that lends itself to the community and economy.

Before joining Equinox, Daina realized there was a need for a tenant representative/liaison and stepped in as the Tenant Coordinator at Unicorp National Developments, a role which was nonexistent at the time. Leading this role, Daina gained valuable and long-standing relationships with national and small tenants alike, becoming uniquely familiar with their specific needs and requirements for each tenant development requirements.

In her down time Daina enjoys being outdoors planting new plants in her garden or tending to her array of plants around her property. She is a mother of two and being a Florida native, she enjoys fishing, boating and beach days with her family.

Email [email protected]

Kristin Banks is the Development Coordinator at Equinox Development. She brings over a decade of successful experience in administration, human resources, construction/engineering, and commercial real estate. Focusing on the early stages of development, Kristin is involved in research, marketing, and due diligence of new projects.

Kristin, who is originally from Georgia, moved to Orlando with her husband Brian and two daughters Olivia and Abigail in 2017. Kristin enjoys volunteering at her church and being involved in her daughters’ school where she serves as the PTA President.

Email [email protected]

Nirav Patel is a dedicated Development Manager at Equinox Development, with a rich background in project management and real estate development. His career is marked by a series of successful projects and leadership roles across various sectors. Nirav’s journey in the industry began as a Finance Analyst Intern at Becknell Industrial, where he gained valuable insights into industrial development. He then moved to Washington Prime Group, contributing to retail and mixed-use projects. As a General Manager, Nirav renovated a hotel to meet franchise standards and built a management team to oversee daily operations efficiently. At Kimaya Real Estate, Nirav led the mixed-use development of 1,100 units and several retail outparcels across Orange, Osceola, and Lake counties. His role as a Project Engineer at New Horizon Construction Services involved managing resort construction from permitting to daily inspections, material acquisition, and creating project timelines.

Nirav holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from SVKM’s NMIMS University in Mumbai, India, and a Professional Master’s in Real Estate Development from the University of Indianapolis. His expertise spans project management, real estate development, and team leadership. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nirav enjoys exploring new places with his family and playing volleyball.

Email [email protected]

Alexandra M. Lezcano, a proud native of Central Florida, brings a diverse and robust background to her work. She holds a Juris Doctorate, which has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape. Following her education, Alexandra gained invaluable experience in the real estate and investment sectors, where she discovered her unique ability to combine the analytical rigor of law with the practical insights of business. This blend of expertise allows her to navigate complex challenges with a well-rounded perspective.

Email [email protected]