Our Team

Ryan Hanks started Madison Capital Group in 2009 with the purpose of creating an opportunistic real estate venture that would seek opportunistic returns in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast region. He subsequently founded Go Store It in 2013—Madison’s wholly-owned self-storage operating company and acquisition and development platform—and is responsible for overseeing its investment and operating strategy.

Mr. Hanks has 20 years of real estate experience acquiring and developing apartment communities and storage facilities and has been involved in more than $5 billion in commercial real estate transactions.

Mr. Hanks was previously with Apartment Realty Advisors, the nation’s second largest apartment brokerage firm specializing in the disposition of multifamily communities on behalf of private and institutional investors. Prior to Apartment Realty Advisors, Mr. Hanks served as Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for a public company that specialized in the ownership, management, and development of multifamily communities across the Country, and was responsible for sourcing investment and development opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Mr. Hanks is a member of the Charlotte Apartment Association, Urban Land Institute, National Multi-Housing Council, and Self-Storage Association. Mr. Hanks attended Liberty University to study Business Administration.

Ken Carpenter is the President and Chief Investment Officer for Madison Capital Group, spearheading the company’s real estate investment management business and overall strategic direction. Previously, Ken led Greystone’s entry into the REIM business with the acquisition of a leading multifamily operator. Prior to Greystone, he led the real estate investment management platform for Cantor Fitzgerald and served as President of a publicly registered, non-listed REIT.

Over his 25-year real estate career, Ken has directed the strategy and execution of multiple real estate investment platforms acquiring, lending, financing, and managing over $14 billion of commercial real estate comprising over 22 million square feet of industrial, office, healthcare, retail, and multifamily properties. Previous leadership roles include Managing Director, Head of America’s for Deutsche Bank’s Asset Finance Group and Managing Director, Global Head of Structured Asset Finance for Wachovia, and later Wells Fargo.

Ken earned a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Rochester Institute of Technology.

McCarley Davis brings over two decades of experience in the multifamily residential sector. Known for his strategic vision and operational expertise, McCarley has successfully led the development, capitalization, and management of thousands of apartment units across the Sunbelt.

Before joining Madison Communities, he served as Division President at Quarterra, overseeing Florida's development pipeline, and as Chief Investment Officer at Epoch Residential. McCarley is passionate about fostering growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering high-quality communities that elevate the living experience.

Christine Russo has 23 years of real estate experience in the multifamily industry specializing in lease-ups, renovations, and repositions including mixed-use in multiple markets, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, Greenville, Atlanta, and Austin. Prior to joining Madison Capital Group, Christine served as Regional Director with Bell Partners, Inc. overseeing the Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville markets. She also led the focus on its third-party business development initiative and worked closely with the Investment Services Group sourcing new deals. Christine is an active member of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association, CAM certified, CAP certified, and holds her NC Real Estate License.

Outside of work, you will find Christine on a lacrosse field coaching middle and high school teams in the Charlotte area as well as traveling to lacrosse tournaments with her two daughters.

Joshua Zilke is President of Benco Construction, the general contracting affiliate of Madison Capital Group. He leads construction operations across the Southeast, driving growth, improving execution, and supporting the company’s vertically integrated development platform.

Zilke brings over a decade of experience in the construction industry, with expertise in large-scale multifamily, student housing, and senior living projects. Before joining Benco, he served as Vice President at Harkins Builders Inc., where he led operations in the Carolinas and Central Virginia and helped grow the region to more than $150 million in annual revenue.

He is a licensed professional engineer and general contractor in North and South Carolina. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering and Management from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in Civil Engineering as a Via Scholar, and a graduate certificate in real estate development from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Zilke’s project portfolio includes Springhouse Square, Hazel Southpark, Junction 49, and Arden at Indian Land. His work has been published in the Journal of Management in Engineering, reflecting his dedication to advancing best practices in construction leadership.

Ross oversees Madison’s development activity in the South Carolina and coastal North Carolina and Georgia markets. Before joining Madison, Ross was an Associate Vice President of Development for Lifestyle Communities. During his time at Lifestyle Communities, Ross oversaw all of the development activities across the Carolinas for mixed-use multi-family and retail projects including, site acquisition and due diligence, design, construction management, lease-up, asset management and disposition.  Ross was also with Fickling and Company for 6 years and was responsible for all the development activities for numerous projects across the southeast.

Ross received his Bachelor of Business degree in Finance from the University of Georgia.

Biography Coming Soon 

Over a career spanning nearly 20 years, Matt has participated in and executed a transaction volume of Multifamily Investment sales, Multifamily Development land, and Limited Partner Equity and Debt placements totaling over $9 billion.

Prior to Madison, Matt was Managing Director at Berkadia Florida, co-head of the firm’s Central and North Florida Core Multifamily Capital Markets team. This included facilitating all aspects of developer’s needs – site selection/ acquisition, Capital pairing and, ultimately, asset disposition. Matt fulfilled similar roles for JLL and Newmark (then Apartment Realty Advisors) in the North and Central regions of the state.

He earned his B.S.in Social Sciences from Florida State University.

Rachael Anderson serves as Vice President of Operations for Madison Communities, where she drives portfolio performance, operational efficiency, and long-term asset value across Madison Communities. With extensive market expertise and a results-oriented leadership approach, Rachael is responsible for executing strategies that enhance NOI, accelerate lease-ups, and optimize stabilized asset performance. 

Beginning her career in multifamily operations while completing her undergraduate studies, Rachael advanced through every level of on-site and regional leadership, developing a comprehensive understanding of revenue management, expense control, and team performance. Her hands-on experience provides her with a practical and strategic lens for identifying operational opportunities that directly impact asset valuation.

She later advanced to Multi-Site Manager with Greystar, becoming a recognized leader in lease-up execution and repositioning strategies throughout the Charleston market. Under her direction, assets achieved accelerated absorption, improved margin performance, and enhanced market positioning.

Rachael’s leadership philosophy centers on disciplined execution within clearly defined financial guardrails. She prioritizes operational consistency, staffing efficiency, and data-driven decision-making to protect margins while driving sustainable rent growth. Her ability to align teams with overall objectives ensures that strategic initiatives translate into measurable financial results.

A Charleston native, Rachael holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from The Citadel, where she earned academic membership in both the International Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She is licensed in the State of South Carolina as a Property Manager in Charge.

Joy is an accomplished Regional Property Manager with over 13 years of experience in the multifamily industry. Her passion lies in launching and stabilizing lease-up assets. Joy brings a diverse portfolio knowledge that includes managing assets undergoing major renovations, student housing assets, stabilized and lease up assets. Joy has a range of key strengths such as building strong relationships with residents, training and skill development, team motivation, brand development and execution, leasing, industry networking, as well as operational excellence. Throughout her career, Joy has been recognized for her efforts with accolades such as the Greystar Pillar Award for "People" and the Greystar Pillar Award for "Teamwork". She was also named Association Team Member of The Year by The Apartment Association of Greater Columbia and led Madison Harper Place to win "Community of The Year" for the 2023 Charleston Apartment Association's Diamond Awards. Joy currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina, and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina - Aiken with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Kim Upton, a seasoned Regional Manager with over 18 years of extensive property management experience, currently oversees the North and South Carolina portfolio for Madison Communities. A native of Charlotte, she brings a deep understanding of the local market as well as broad expertise across multiple states including South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Kim skillfully manages the physical, financial, and administrative operations of a diverse array of properties, ranging from large multifamily assets to mixed-use developments and new construction lease-ups.

Her expertise extends to value-add renovations, dispositions, and new acquisition due diligence, highlighting her comprehensive approach to property management. Kim holds several industry certifications, including CAM and CPO, and is also an NALP instructor. She actively participates in both the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association and the Upper State Association, reflecting her commitment to advancing industry standards and her passion for sharing knowledge.

Known for her strategic approach and proven leadership abilities, Kim has consistently enhanced the value and performance of the properties under her management, establishing her as a respected leader in the multifamily community. 

As a Florida native, Kelly brings extensive local market knowledge and 30 years’ experience in managing diverse residential properties. She specializes in evaluating and maximizing asset performance, overseeing new construction projects and lease-ups, financial analysis, due diligence, and property renovations. Kelly is a result driven leader adept at optimizing property performance, streamlining operations, and driving resident satisfaction. Her proven track record in financial management, budgeting, and contract negotiations, along with her talent for fostering strong relationships, makes her an outstanding addition to the team. 

Outside of her professional achievements, Kelly is a proud mother of two who loves spending quality time with family and friends.  

Gene Leverett began his career in multifamily in 2008 as a Maintenance Technician in the Southwest, developing a foundational understanding of operations from the ground up. While balancing hands-on property work and serving tables on weekends, he was presented with an opportunity to transition into leasing — a move that quickly revealed his talent for performance-driven results and relationship building.

Excelling as a Leasing Professional, Gene earned multiple top-performer awards across portfolios ranging from 500+ unit garden-style communities to high-rise assets in the heart of Tempe. His ability to connect market intelligence with execution positioned him as a natural leader.

In 2016, Gene relocated to South Carolina and joined Greystar in Mt. Pleasant under the leadership of Rachael Anderson. He rapidly advanced from Leasing Manager to Community Manager, earning a reputation as the “Lease-Up King” after successfully stabilizing four consecutive lease-ups. Throughout this period, he cultivated strong partnerships with asset management and ownership groups, consistently delivering high-occupancy performance while protecting asset value.

Following a brief sabbatical to travel and gain broader perspective, Gene returned to the Southeast, where he was entrusted with oversight of four downtown Charleston communities — a testament to the lasting relationships he built throughout his career. In a highly competitive market, he led his teams through operational challenges while maintaining performance standards, strengthening culture, and driving strategic execution.

Now serving as Regional Manager with Madison Communities, Gene brings a full-spectrum understanding of property operations, revenue strategy, team development, and asset performance. With a leadership style grounded in accountability, precision, and mentorship, he is committed to elevating teams, strengthening ownership partnerships, and driving sustainable portfolio growth.

Ruthann Klaiber-Curry is a native Pennsylvania resident who moved to Charleston, SC in 2014. Since starting her career in the multi-family industry, she was awarded the Charleston Apartment Association Leasing Professional of the Year award in 2016. In 2018, she was presented the Charleston Apartment Association Direct Member of the Year award and has participated in the Leadership Experience Through Active Development (L.E.A.D) class of 2018-2019. Ruthann was presented with the Board of Directors Member of the Year award in 2021 and the Corporate Professional of the Year award in 2022. She currently serves on the Board of Directors at the CAA as the Vice President.  Over her career she worked her way up through the ranks and has managed both stabilized and lease up communities.  She loves the relationship side of the business, and her passion is training.   As of today, you can find Ruthann at the corporate office of Madison Communities, LLC fulfilling her role as Operations/Yardi Support Manager.

Kea Ewart serves as a Regional Manager for Madison Communities in Florida, where she oversees operational performance, team development, and financial execution across multiple communities.

Kea began her career in property management in 2003. From the outset, she developed a strong foundation in sales strategy, absorption management, and resident engagement, an experience that continues to shape her operational approach today.

With more than two decades in the multifamily industry, Kea brings a balanced leadership style grounded in mentorship, accountability, and performance discipline. She is deeply committed to cultivating high-performing teams and plays an active role in developing emerging leaders within her organization. Her ability to combine hands-on operational oversight with strong compliance knowledge allows her to guide communities through lease-ups, transitions, and performance improvement initiatives with clarity and confidence.

Kea is known for driving operational consistency while maintaining a strong focus on resident experience and financial results. She understands that sustained occupancy, controlled expenses, and team engagement are directly linked to asset value and long-term portfolio performance.