NOVEL COWORKING MANAGEMENT TEAM

Bill Bennett
Founder & Principal
(MBA, Kellogg School of Management; MS Engineering, Northwestern University, BS Engineering, Purdue University). Mr. Bennett was an early employee and Engineer, Project Manager and Manufacturing Manager in an energy storage company that went from a zero revenue start-up to a public company. Mr. Bennett has been a principal real estate investor over the past 18 years, worked for two real estate private equity funds, was an apartment developer with more than $500 million of projects, and is a Northwestern University faculty member in the Kellogg School of Management’s Real Estate Program in his 11th year of teaching MBA courses. He is a two time honoree of the Dean’s Impact Teaching Award.

Bill Bennett
Founder & Principal
(MBA, Kellogg School of Management; MS Engineering, Northwestern University, BS Engineering, Purdue University). Mr. Bennett was an early employee and Engineer, Project Manager and Manufacturing Manager in a energy storage company that went from a zero revenue start-up to a public company. Mr. Bennett has been a principal real estate investor over the past 18 years, worked for two real estate private equity funds, was an apartment developer with more than $500 million of projects, and is a Northwestern University faculty member in the Kellogg School of Management’s Real Estate Program in his 11th year of teaching MBA courses. He is a two time honoree of the Dean’s Impact Teaching Award.

Joe Bakhos
Director of Development
(MBA, Kellogg School of Management, MSISM and BA Loyola University of Chicago). In his role, Mr. Bakhos is responsible for executing on the overall strategy of the development program, from the earliest due diligence and visioning stage through operations handoff. Mr. Bakhos has more than 17 years of experience in real estate investment and development, working for institutional development firms such as Mesirow Financial and McCaffery Interests.

Todd Barthel
Director of Accounting
(BS Accounting, UIC, MBA, Kellogg) Mr. Barthel is responsible for all accounting-related aspects of Novel Coworking including property accounting, reporting, and treasury management functions. Prior to joining Novel Coworking, Mr. Barthel was Chief Accounting Officer for Trilogy Real Estate Group in addition to having worked at LaSalle Investment Management and Ernst & Young. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Lauren Blackwell
Regional Sales Manager
(BS, Virginia Commonwealth University) Lauren has spent most of her professional career in property management specifically student housing. Prior to joining Novel she was a Senior Regional Marketing & Sales Director overseeing sales and marketing for 40+ locations nationwide.

Caroline Curry
National Operations Manager
(BS, University of Notre Dame) Caroline previously co-founded Frameri, Inc. and served as Director of Communications. She has worked in startup fundraising, product development, web development, public relations, marketing and customer service. In her role, she manages Community Managers across the Novel Coworking portfolio, enhancing client experience and center standards.

Kris Elliott
Chief Operating Officer
(MBA and BBA Management, Troy University). Ms. Elliott previously co-founded Preferred Office Network and served as President. She has 19 years experience in the coworking sector and is a strong leader in operations, sales, financial management, and employee development. As a military child and college athlete, Ms. Elliott thrives in a changing, challenging environment.

Rhonda Fleming
Director of National Sales
(BBA, Kennesaw State University). Ms. Fleming brings 26 years experience in the coworking/shared office sector. In her previous role at Regus she served as an area vice president where she oversaw overall performance for a group of 40 business centers. Ms. Fleming has managed and assisted in all aspects of identifying, opening, operating, and disposition of hundreds of locations.

Matt Goebel
Director of Acquisitions
(BSM Finance and Management, Tulane University). Mr. Goebel has led the acquisition and asset management of more than $500 million of projects. Mr. Goebel has a well rounded collegiate background that includes double majoring and graduating with Cum Laude status while serving as Team Captain for Tulane’s Division I baseball program. Mr. Goebel and Mr. Bennett have worked together for 12 years.

Christopher Klare
Director of Capital
(MBA, University of Chicago, BA Stanford University). In his role, Mr. Klare is responsible for building and strengthening the firm’s equity and debt relationships. Prior to joining Novel, Mr. Klare was a Senior Vice President at Blue Vista Capital Management. He has also held senior-level fundraising roles at LEM Capital and Grosvenor. Prior to Grosvenor, Mr. Klare held various positions in fundraising, investment underwriting and origination, and portfolio management at The Tuckerman Group, State Street Bank’s real estate investment platform, which is now Hunt Investment Management.

McKenna Michel
Chief Marketing Officer
(MBA Stanford GSB, BA Stanford University) As a marketing leader known for bringing consumer and business brands to life through powerful positioning, integrated campaigns, and a customer-led voice, Ms. Michel builds marketing organizations for growth. Prior to Novel, she led marketing for enterprise communication platform Theatro.

Jason Rubin
Director of Property & Asset Management
(BS Engineering, University of Oklahoma) Mr. Rubin has 26 years of experience leading complex manufacturing, facilities, operations, and service groups in several industries. Mr. Rubin was a Supply Chain Manager, VP of Manufacturing & Operations for an energy storage company. Mr. Rubin then went on to be the VP of Operations for a seismic company serving the energy sector. Most recently worked as a General Manager for Elevate Multifamily leading property management, maintenance, and asset management.

Allison Voigts
Director of Marketing
(BA Journalism, Boston University). With a background journalism, photography, and copywriting, Ms. Voigts spent 7 years working as a freelance travel writer and photojournalist internationally. Prior to joining the Novel team in 2015, Ms. Voigts worked as a copywriter for Sears. As one of Novel’s earliest employees, Ms. Voigts has had the privilege of developing and implementing the company’s marketing strategy from its early startup phase to industry leader.