Meet the Steiner Team
The Industry’s Best
Our team is made up of design, development, leasing, marketing, and property management experts. Their rich and diverse backgrounds all help contribute to the continued evolution of our organization.
Executive Leadership
Yaromir Steiner
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours voicemail: Dial ex. 256
- Assistant: Sabrina Conter, ext. 377
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Yaromir Steiner formed Steiner + Associates in 1993 with a vision of creating welcoming, sustainable, pedestrian-friendly, Town Center destinations—environments for people to not only shop, but also to live, work and play. Over the past 24 years, the company has turned that vision into reality by developing more than 7.4 million square feet of mixed-use space including retail, restaurant, residential, entertainment, hospitality and office uses.
Mr. Steiner oversees all operations, development, leasing, and management efforts for the Steiner + Associates and its portfolio. He travels extensively to meet with community leaders and tenant partners and maintains a “hands-on” approach to development and property management. He is frequently invited to address community, civic and professional organizations in the U.S. and abroad to share his unique insights and perspectives into the retail real estate development world.
An eager student and ardent admirer of urban form who speaks four languages, Mr. Steiner’s design and development approach emphasizes proper scale, connectivity and inviting and engaging spaces. Parks, fountains, and public spaces as anchors are featured prominently in every Steiner + Associates project. The projects are designed and sustained by employing the same fundamental principles of town planning that have created and maintained vibrant urban city centers for more than a century. By seamlessly integrating dining and leisure-time elements into inviting open-air mixed-use environments and public spaces that encourage interaction and exploration, Steiner + Associates has recreated the energy and vitality of those urban centers, while expanding traditional definitions of mixed-use design along the way.
Mr. Steiner has held a variety of positions in civic and professional organizations. He served as a past board member of the Richard M. Ross Hospital, a past Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers, a past Director of the International Council of Shopping Centers Foundation, and a past Board of Trustee member of the New Albany Community Foundation, the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, and Richard J. Solove Research Institute Foundation. He has also served as President of the French American Chamber of Commerce in Houston, President of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, Director of Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is a past President of the Simon Kenton Boy Scout Council of Central Ohio.
Patricia Curry Steiner
Founder, Chief Administrative Officer
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours voicemail: Dial ext. 370
- Assistant: Sabrina Conter, ext. 377
Founder, Chief Administrative Officer
Patricia directs and manages all administrative aspects of the company. Patricia is credited with creating and overseeing the implementation of the firm’s administrative systems. She has also been instrumental in hiring key members of Steiner’s administrative, financial and management teams.
In addition to her corporate responsibilities at Steiner, she has consulted other management and development companies on the installation and maintenance of their development, property management and lease management systems, as well as the training of accounting and site personnel.
Laura Wedekind
President
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours voicemail: Dial ext. 255
- Assistant: Renee Kreutler, ext 258
President
Laura oversees all aspects of the business including Development, Leasing and Property Management. She manages the overall business operations and implements corporate policies for the company and its peoples’ interest. She sets strategy with Ownership and the Leadership team and manages partnership, municipality, and lending relationships.
Laura came to Steiner in 1999 as Controller before being promoted first to CFO, and to her current position in 2011. In total she has nearly 30 years of industry experience and uses her wealth of knowledge to mentor young leaders, especially young female leaders. She was named a Woman You Should Know Recipient by WELD in 2015 and a Most Admired C-Suite Awards Recipient by Columbus Business First in 2019. She has served on several non-profit boards such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Healthy New Albany. She resides in New Albany with her husband, Todd and westie, Finn.
Beau Arnason
Executive Vice President, Asset Performance
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours voicemail: Dial ext. 260
- Assistant: Tami Dunfee, ext. 342
Executive Vice President, Asset Performance
Beau directs the firm’s strategy and initiatives related to asset performance, maximizing the value of each project, and driving returns. He is Steiner’s primary contact with our partners, lenders and municipalities related to all operational and financial matters.
Beau joined Steiner + Associates in 1995 before being promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2000 and was named Chief Operating Officer in 2003. He currently serves in several leadership roles on the boards of The Buckeye Ranch, Experience Columbus, Central Ohio Leadership Academy, and the Simon Kenton Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is also a member of ICSC and ULI where he serves as a mentor for the Columbus Young Leaders Group.
Gavin Thomas
Executive Vice President, Development
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours voicemail: Dial ex. 281
- Assistant: Sabrina Conter, ext. 377
Executive Vice President, Development
Gavin Thomas serves as Executive Vice President of Development and leads the Steiner team that is responsible for creating, coordinating, and managing new developments and redevelopments for the Company. With extensive mixed-use and hospitality experience, his focus is creating design driven places that enhance the quality of life in the local community.
Prior to Steiner, Gavin served as Vice President for Hendricks Commercial Properties and was the lead executive on the award winning Bottleworks District in downtown Indianapolis. His experience also includes redevelopment of over $260 million of mixed-use assets for Kite Realty Group and over $1B of retail acquisitions for CBL & Associates, both publicly traded REIT’s. He also spent several years as a private developer building residential and commercial properties. He started his career in market development selecting new locations for Darden Restaurants.
Gavin received his BA from the University of Florida and his MS in Real Estate Development from Columbia University’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. He is a frequent panelist at ULI, ICSC, RE Journal, and other industry events.
Senior Leadership
Justin Leyda
Chief Development Strategist
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours: Dial ext. 343
- Assistant: Renee Kreutler, ext 258
Chief Development Strategist
Justin is responsible for setting the vision for new projects while assembling and guiding project teams that follow a collaborative and principled development approach. His work incorporates the principles of New Urbanism and reflects a philosophy of shared responsibility for planned public space between the private and public sectors. His projects focus on the importance of the pedestrian experience and the necessity for environmental stewardship.
Justin joined Steiner in 2005 and brings a unique mix of management consulting and strategic planning experience combined with proven design expertise in implementing complex mixed-use projects that have been awarded many of the industry’s top design and development awards. Justin lives in Dublin, OH with his wife and four daughters.
Dwayne Furukawa
President, Project Management and Construction Division
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours: Dial ext. 326
- Assistant: Renee Kreutler, ext 258
President, Project Management and Construction Division
Dwayne’s primary focus is on the profitable operation of the Construction Division (including Greenhaus Construction, LLC.). Included in his responsibilities is the oversight, management, and daily operations of the Division, which includes development, construction, and tenant coordination.
Dwayne joined Steiner + Associates in 2004. During his time with the Company, he has managed over $1 billion of mixed-use development, encompassing over 4 million square feet.
Prior to joining Steiner + Associates, Dwayne held leadership roles at world renowned Fortune 500 organizations such as Simon Property Group, Gap Inc., and Walt Disney Imagineering. Dwayne is bilingual, having previously lived in Italy, and enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing golf.
Spencer Jordan
Senior Vice President, Leasing
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours: Dial ext. 310
- Assistant: Renee Kreutler, ext 258
Senior Vice President, Leasing
Spencer leads the Steiner Leasing team, specializing in retail brokerage with a focus on mixed-use development and strategic planning. She also serves as a consultant to institutional and private capital owners, retailers, and developers.
With more than a decade of experience in mixed-use retail, Spencer has overseen the merchandising strategy on over 14.7 million square feet of commercial space and close to $1B in acquisitions/dispositions, redevelopments, and ground-up builds. Ranging in scale and geographic location, she has leased projects on behalf of private developers (First Interstate Properties, Campus Partners, Rockbridge) and publicly traded REITs (GGP, Glimcher Realty Trust).
Spencer’s tenant relationships include global luxury retailers, shopping center staples, food & beverage favorites, and burgeoning DTC concepts. She currently manages a portfolio that includes 3 million square feet of retail: Easton Town Center, Ohio State University’s University Square + Campus Gateway, Legacy Village, and The Junto Hotel.
Spencer is affiliated with Green Energy Ohio, Urban Land Institute, ICSC, Women for Economic and Leadership Development, World Wildlife Fund and National Gallery of Art. She has been recognized as one of ICSC + Centerbuild’s Leaders Under 40, Columbus CEO’s Future 50, and was nominated to the inaugural class of ICSC’s Next Generation Leadership Network.
Construction Director
Mitch oversees all aspects of building projects, from pre-construction to close-out, which involves managing General Contractors, design staff and operational needs to ensure successful completion. He actively directs work to ensure projects are on time and within approved budgets, recommends alterations when needed, and coordinates with local jurisdictions.
Mitch has been with Steiner since 2014 and has a total of 21 years of industry experience. He graduated with honors from the University of TOLEDO with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technologies and is GAC LEED accredited. He enjoys hunting, hiking, and swimming and is passionate about outdoor and wildlife preservation.
Sr. Director of Human Resources
Debby oversees the development and implementation of the strategies, policies and operations regarding our team members and staffing. She has been with Steiner since 2000 and has 18 years of experience. She is a member of both the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the International Council of Shopping Centers and holds a SHRM-CP certification.
Debby is a dedicated and driven professional who is passionate about Women’s issues and gender pay equality. In addition to these causes, she supports Pelotonia, a cycling organization that raises money for innovative cancer research as well as Special Olympics. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and farm animals.
Senior Director of Accounting
Sandy is responsible for the annual audits and tax filing for projects managed by Steiner + Associates. She develops and maintains accounting policies and procedures, oversees month and year end close process, financial reporting, and shared services for accounting functions of the properties.
Sandy has 22 years of industry experience and has been with Steiner since 2015. She has previously held the positions of Development Accounting Manager, Senior Corporate Accounting Manager and Director of Accounting at Steiner. In the community, she is passionate about autism awareness, suicide prevention, animal welfare and ending food insecurity.
Serdar Cakir
Director of Development and Investments
- Telephone: (614) 414-7300
- After hours: Dial ext. 343
- Assistant: Renee Kreutler, ext. 258
Director of Development and Investments
Serdar works closely with Steiner’s Development, Construction, Leasing, Property and Asset Management teams to help guide and oversee virtually every aspect of Steiner’s assets and investments. Serdar’s insights and expertise help shape decision-making and financial structuring of real estate projects nationwide for an investment portfolio that exceeds $1 billion.
Serdar first joined the firm in 2015 as a Senior Financial Analyst and has a total of 15 years of industry experience. Before joining Steiner, he earned both Master of Finance and Master of Science in Energy Science & Technology degree. Serdar holds memberships in CFA, CAIA, ULI and ICSC. He is passionate about minimalism, expanding financial literacy, refugee settlement and cancer research.
Controller
Ethan joined Steiner + Associates in 2014, starting as Corporate Accountant. He has held multiple roles over the years, being promoted to Controller in 2022. Ethan’s job responsibilities span multiple departments within the company, primarily supporting accounting and asset management. In his current role, Ethan works directly with executive leadership on the development, implementation and management of strategic business decisions within the company. Over the years Ethan has had the opportunity to be directly involved in the development of new projects, management of existing assets and disposition of multiple properties, getting firsthand experience through the entire life cycle of a real estate development project. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Ethan is a Central Ohio native and is passionate about the continued growth and development of the region.
Information Technology Manager
Eric is responsible for the ever-evolving world of technology at our properties – from network infrastructure implementation to keeping us safe from cyber-attacks and everything in between.
Eric has been with Steiner + Associates since 2023 and has 20 years of IT industry experience. When he’s not busy behind a computer, Eric enjoys being a drone pilot, an NWS trained SkyWarn Storm Spotter, and going to thrift stores with his daughter.
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