Marquis Homes is a development & construction firm that specializes in BFR homes and communities. We take pride in efficiently building high-quality homes tailored to renters’ preferences in family-friendly neighborhoods. Marquis is an affiliate of Lafayette Real Estate, a leading investment management firm in the SFR and BFR space.
In 2022, Lafayette launched Marquis Homes, a homebuilding company that oversees and internalizes to a larger extent the development and construction of our Built-for-Rent communities, giving us more control over the product we deliver to tenants.
Marquis aims to provide US households with better housing which often translates into a better life. We are on a mission to help fix the current shortage of homes in the US, by creating new supply, one home at a time.
Our dedicated team of land planners, contractors, designers, and homebuilders is focused on acquiring land, developing property, and building homes that are designed to accommodate the unique needs of today’s renter.
ENTITLEMENT AND LAND ACQUISITION
LAND DEVELOPMENT
LARGE-SCALE HOMEBUILDING
Mr. Adrien is the Founder and CEO of the general partners managing the Lafayette funds, and the Founder and President of Brandywine Homes USA. He oversees all investment decisions, property management, fundraising and investor relations.
Christopher Mataja is the Chief Operating Officer at Lafayette. He oversees the underwriting and acquisition of all real estate. Over the last 9 years, Mr. Mataja has contributed to establishing Lafayette’s reputation as one of the most reliable buyers and lenders in the single family home industry.
Mr. Crandall serves as Lafayette’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing all the firm’s financial affairs, including financial reporting, FP&A, accounting, treasury, tax, and audit compliance.
Jason Besse, CFA, serves as Head of BFR for Lafayette and Marquis Homes bringing an impressive 20 years of experience to the table. He oversees our BFR activity, including sourcing, entitlement, development, and homebuilding.
Before joining Marquis Homes, Mr. Besse worked across multiple departments within public homebuilding, including land acquisition, land development, and operations, reaching the role of VP of Operations for Taylor Morrison. Most recently, Jason was with Century Communities as Division President, overseeing all aspects of the homebuilding operations across the West Florida region.
Mr. Besse holds an MBA and a B.A. in Finance from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Dave Truxton, MBA, serves as Head of Land Operations for Lafayette and Marquis Homes. He oversees our BFR land activity, including sourcing, entitlement, and development.
Prior to joining Marquis Homes, Mr. Truxton worked for some of the top national homebuilders and private developers throughout the state of Florida, acquiring over $1B of real estate over the last 20 years. Most recently, Dave was with Lennar Homes as Vice President of Land, overseeing all aspects of land acquisitions and dispositions across the West Florida region, and has a wealth of experience in land acquisition, capital financing, entitlements, development, and operations.
Mr. Truxton holds an executive MBA from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Finance with an emphasis in Real Estate from Missouri State University.
Steve Kraguljac serves as the VP of Vertical Operations and brings a wealth of experience with a 30-year career journey. Steve oversees vendor relations with national manufacturers and purchasing and construction functions.
Mr. Kraguljac started his career as a custom home builder, later moving to national home builders such as Taylor Morrison homes, K. Hovnanian and Morrison Homes…
Mr. Kraguljac has been a VP of Purchasing, Regional Purchasing Manager, and Regional Production/Construction Manager.
Mr. Kraguljac is a licensed Florida Contractor and has received a B.S in Business Management from The Ohio State University.
Neven Simikic is responsible for overseeing the REO portfolio of Lafayette. He supervises the recovery and renovations of at-risk properties and ensures that maximum returns are recovered.
Prior to joining Lafayette, Mr. Simikic managed multifamily renovation projects in New York, and before that, he had more than eight years of experience as a portfolio manager for a commercial real estate development company in Belgrade, Serbia.
Mr. Simikic holds a B.A in Business Administration from Bocconi University (Italy).
Heather Wildasin is the Operations Coordinator for Marquis Homes. She plays a key role in ensuring seamless alignment between Purchasing, Construction, Land, and Finance teams to support the Marquis Homes Business Plan. Heather is responsible for cross-team coordination, streamlining processes, and analyzing procedures to improve operational efficiency. She supervises permit operations, vendor onboarding, and invoice processing to ensure timely payments, all while maintaining strong relationships with municipal departments and trade partners. Additionally, Heather serves as the primary contact for BuilderTrend, overseeing reporting and construction timeline alignment to ensure smooth project execution.
With a strong focus on organization and efficiency, she manages budget forecasting, supervises warranty claims, and supports the Construction Department with administrative functions. Her commitment to professionalism and operational excellence contributes to the continued growth and success of Marquis Homes.
Brad Stanis is a seasoned professional in land acquisition, entitlement, and development with 20+ years of experience in residential communities. He held key positions with various national homebuilders, including a decade with Lennar homes. During his tenure at Lennar, Brad managed all aspects of land, from sourcing to entitlement, and successfully opened the company’s land operations in Jacksonville.
He played a pivotal role in acquiring and entitling land from northern Broward County to Indian River County, leading to the reopening of Lennar’s Palm Beach Division, which had been closed since the 2008 recession. Throughout his career, Brad has been responsible for the acquisition and development of over 30,000 homesites across Florida.
He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s Degree from Columbia University.
Travis Deery is the Area Construction Manager at Marquis Homes. He is responsible for overseeing construction operations and leading a team of Construction Managers across multiple communities and markets. His primary focus is managing the full project lifecycle, from initial planning and scheduling to final delivery — ensuring projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction.
With nearly a decade of experience, Travis has held roles as a Customer Care Manager, Builder, and most recently, Area Construction Manager at Mattamy Homes, where he oversaw the construction of more than 200 homes annually, with a total value exceeding $100 million.
Travis holds a B.S.B.A. in Finance from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, with a minor in Real Estate.
Mark Johnston is a seasoned construction professional with a strong foundation in leadership and technical expertise. As Construction Manager at Marquis Homes, Mark brings discipline, organization, and a keen eye for detail. He is committed to delivering projects on time and within budget while continuously expanding his knowledge to stay ahead in the industry.
Mark has worked with national builders like David Weekley Homes, as well as Rose Paving, Habitat for Humanity, and Domain Homes. His diverse experience, including customer service roles, has strengthened his ability to manage projects efficiently while maintaining a client-focused approach.
Mark served over five years in the U.S. Air Force as a Civil Engineer/Structural Craftsman, earning degrees in Construction Technologies and Business Management. After his service, he furthered his education with a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Construction Management.
Justin Gilbert brings nearly 20 years of construction and operations management experience to the Marquis team. As Construction Manager, he is responsible for overseeing on-site operations from planning through completion, ensuring each project meets quality, budget, and timeline goals.
Before joining Marquis Homes, Justin served as Area Manager for Rockwell Building Systems, leading large-scale multifamily and single-family tract home developments. His experience managing complex builds has sharpened his ability to lead teams and drive results in fast-paced environments.
Earlier in his career, Justin worked in Global Operations Management in the oil and gas industry, where he focused on improving efficiency and solving challenges across international teams.
Ms. Basile is a Construction Manager at Marquis Homes, bringing over 21 years of construction management experience to the team. In her role, Rene’ focuses on delivering projects on time and within budget while ensuring the highest standards of safety, supported by her OSHA certification.
Before joining Marquis Homes, Ms. Basile served as Project Manager for both Maronda Homes and Magnolia Homes in Florida, overseeing multifamily and custom home developments. She was promoted to Vice President at Magnolia Homes, where she managed company financials, accounts payable, permitting, and closing processes.
Rene’ also brings experience from her work at a private inspection firm, where she contributed to commercial projects and acted as an owner’s agent in water intrusion investigations. Prior to her career in construction, she was a business owner and proudly served as a U.S. Army Veteran, demonstrating her diverse background and commitment to excellence.
Hamza Faruqui is responsible for maintaining the financial records and preparing financial reports for various entities at Marquis Homes, with a primary focus on development accounting.
Prior to joining Marquis Homes, Hamza worked as an Audit Associate at PwC Pakistan, where he conducted external and internal audits for major multinational corporations. He also served as a Financial Consultant for public and private sector entities in the UK and Australia.
Hamza is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan.
Vincent Nemeth is a seasoned construction and procurement professional with extensive experience in residential, multifamily, and short-term rental projects. As Purchasing Agent at Marquis, Vincent is committed to securing high-quality materials, optimizing budgets, and maintaining compliance with industry standards. His strategic approach and attention to detail support the company’s mission of delivering excellence in construction.
Vincent’s career spans key roles in construction and property management, including Program Manager for Department of Energy and HUD initiatives, Purchasing Manager, and Quality Control Construction Project Manager. His expertise includes contract negotiations, budget optimization, material procurement, and implementing rigorous safety standards.
Vincent holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health and certifications in building science, OSHA compliance, and quality control inspection.
Alexa Bonilla is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in permitting, engineering coordination, and construction support. Alexa brings extensive experience in estimating, purchasing, and vendor management and has a proven track record in permitting as well.
Prior to joining Marquis Homes, Alexa served as a Permitting and Operations Specialist for several prominent national homebuilders, where she played a key role in streamlining operations and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Malina Springer, AICP is a Forward Planning Manager at Marquis Homes. With experience across both the public and private sectors, Malina has led zoning approvals, land use planning, and stakeholder engagement efforts for large-scale residential, mixed-use, and redevelopment projects. She specializes in securing entitlements for high-density developments, managing comprehensive planning initiatives, and balancing municipal requirements with developer goals to streamline approvals. Her background also includes neighborhood revitalization efforts, community-driven development strategies, and regulatory coordination.
Malina is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, co-chairing the Nashville UrbanPlan Steering Committee, and serves as a board member for the Middle Tennessee regional chapter of the American Planning Association. She has also been a featured speaker on zoning reform, equitable engagement, and development processes at national and local conferences.
She holds a Master of Urban Planning with a concentration in Housing & Community Development from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Architecture from Dartmouth College.AICP
Are you passionate about creating beautiful homes? If so, we invite you to consider a career with Marquis Homes. As a leading homebuilder, we are always on the lookout for talented individuals who are dedicated to craftsmanship, innovation, and exceptional customer service.
