Richard A. Vandervert - Owner

**In Memorium : 11/03/44 - 01-04-23**

Dick Vandervert got his start in the real estate business, working as a residential realtor and owning his own firm - Provincial Properties - for over 15 years. Commercial building became his passion, and he successfully owned and operated Vandervert Construction for over 28 years. Many of the sub-contractors working with Dick over the years consider him not just a client but a friend. 

Eventually the development side of the business became a full time endeavor, and Dick sold Vandervert Construction in 2014 to concentrate on Vandervert Developments. His portfolio of office buildings, retail centers, hotels, and land currently amount to over 2 million square feet of leasable space.  

D. Jason Strain - Director of Leasing

With over 20 years of commercial real estate experience, Jason’s knowledge, skills and relationships throughout the industry have made him an invaluable asset. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Jason began his career in commercial real estate in the late 90’s. He obtained both a Washington and Idaho real estate license and started working for SDS Commercial. 

Jason joined the Vandervert team in 2002 where he took on the roles of leasing, development and property management. As the company grew and property managers were hired, Jason transitioned to his current position of Director of Leasing for the companies portfolio which has grown to nearly 300 tenants and 2 million square feet of space.

Debbie Cozzetto - Managing Partner

Debbie started her career working for Marriott Hotels, and fell in love with the hospitality industry. After graduating from Washington State University with a Hotel-Restaurant Mngmt degree, she joined the family business/ Vandervert Hospitality to help open the Hampton Inn Spokane Airport. Six hotels and 25 years later, she moved over to the Commercial Real Estate side of Vandervert Developments to learn something new. 

Debbie enjoys the ever-changing leasing/ Real Estate industry, and getting to know the tenants and helping them be successful is a pleasure.  Meeting prospective tenants and helping them find a space that fits their business model is one of the favorite parts of the job! In her spare time she enjoys adventures with her family- hiking, skiing or snowshoeing, and traveling. 

*Fun Fact - she is an only child!

Chris Barker - Director of Real Estate Development

Chris joined Vandervert Development in 2021 after moving to Spokane from Salt Lake City, Utah.  He has been in Property Management for over 6 years, and brings experience in retail, office, and medical building management.  Chris received his Master's Degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Utah, and has a Master's Certificate in City and Urban Planning.  He has a passion for building efficiency and enjoys working with building systems to ensure they are operating efficiently and with sustainability in mind.  Chris's hobbies include camping, golfing, and enjoying the outdoors with his family.  

Nikki Carroll - Property Manager

Nikki began her real estate career in Seattle in 2002 working for a mortgage company, where she eventually moved to the commercial lending department as an administrative assistant. From there, she went on to work for a commercial developer as a project coordinator.

In 2008, Nikki moved to Spokane and began working for Vandervert Developments as a commercial property manager, where she remained for nearly 12 years.

2020 presented her with an opportunity to work for one of Spokane’s largest commercial real estate firms as a commercial property manager and licensed real estate broker.

Nikki rejoined the Vandervert team as a commercial property manager in 2023 and couldn’t be happier to be back!

Jayton Taylor - Property Manager

Jayton Taylor, a skilled commercial property manager originally from Evansville, Indiana, has recently brought his expertise to the Inland Northwest real estate market. A graduate of Purdue University, Jayton has a proven track record of success, most recently managing a portfolio valued at approximately $75 million in commercial real estate.

With a strong foundation in property management and a keen understanding of the commercial real estate landscape, Jayton is committed to delivering exceptional results and contributing to the growth of the local real estate community. His hands-on experience and industry knowledge make him a valuable asset to the team.

*Fun Fact - Jayton is a huge lacrosse fan and even played in college. 

Nancy Chappell- SR Controller

SR CONTROLLER - After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Accounting, Nancy started her career as a CPA working for a national accounting firm in Spokane.  Over the years she has spent time working in several different industries including banking, mining, wholesale & retail grocers and real estate development.  Before joining Vandervert Developments as the SR Controller, she worked for a local accounting firm where she specialized in tax preparation for clients in the hotel and real estate industry. In her free time Nancy enjoys baking (her fruity pebble cookies are always a hit), hiking and relaxing at home on the back porch with her husband, daughter, and crazy cat. 

*Fun Fact - Nancy and her husband both come from large families - 13 siblings between the two! 

Tracey Benjamin - AP/AR

Tracey Benjamin has worked for Vandervert Developments LLC as the AP/AR since 2007 performing a myriad of duties from payments and vendor relations to deposits and tenant relations. She also tends to the delinquency collections and most things related to real estate and income taxes, along with serving as a back-up receptionist.

Tracey enjoys reading, writing, baking, and spending time with her cats, horse, and goats.

*Fun Fact – she is a published author.

Heather Bursch - CAM Specialist

Heather Bursch serves as the Accounting Assistant and CAM (Common Area Maintenance) Specialist at Vandervert Developments. With 15 years of experience as a legal assistant, Heather developed a strong foundation in attention to detail and organization, later expanding her expertise into accounting.

In her current role, Heather is responsible for preparing tenant CAM billings, assisting with financial entries, and supporting lease administration. Her diverse skill set and dedication make her an essential part of the team, helping ensure smooth financial operations and tenant relationships.

*Fun Fact - Heather grew up in the vibrant music scene of Southern California, where she had the opportunity to cross paths with many talented artists. Her favorite was the legendary Jackson Browne.

Beckie Selby - Property Management Support

Beckie recently joined Vandervert Developments as Property Management Support, bringing with her years of experience in sales and marketing within the hotel industry. In her new role, Beckie will apply her expertise in marketing, communications, and technical skills to help drive the company’s continued success.

Having worked closely with Vandervert Developments for many years, Beckie’s deep familiarity with the company’s values and culture allows her to seamlessly transition into this role and contribute to the team’s growth. 

*Fun Fact – Beckie loves to glamp, kayak, and fish!

Chancy Conger - Facilities Manager

Chancy Conger joined Vandervert Developments as Facilities Manager, where he oversees the company’s local and regional operations. With a strong background in operations and management, Chancy most recently worked as a property maintenance manager with DM6 Ops based out of Orem, Utah, where he gained valuable technical expertise.

In his new role, Chancy brings a wealth of experience and a results-driven approach to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of facilities across the company’s portfolio. His commitment to excellence and attention to detail makes him a key asset in supporting Vandervert’s growth and operational success.

*Fun Fact - Chancy enjoys being out on the boat with his wife, fishing with his dog, and spending evenings working on his Lego collections.

Brett Gabriel - Grounds Maintenance

Brett plays a key role in Grounds Maintenance at Vandervert Developments, ensuring properties are well-kept and visually appealing. Known for his incredible work ethic and strong attention to detail, Brett brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to his role.

A family-oriented individual, Brett is committed not only to his work but also to fostering a strong sense of community. His hard-working nature and meticulous approach make him an invaluable asset to the team.

*Fun Fact – Brett is a very talented wood worker/craftsman.

Auggie & Gus, Pawject Managers

If you visit our office, you’ll likely meet our Pawject Managers, Auggie and Gus—the resident Golden Retriever pups who ensure everything runs smoothly with plenty of tail wags!