Executive Leadership

Brian Yeager

President & CEO

Serving the roles of President and CEO for Champion Real Estate Services, Brian Yeager is responsible for leading the company, with a focus on business growth and development. He is relationship-driven and works tirelessly to ensure that Champion is continually and intelligently positioned for growth.

Brian is a graduate of The Ohio State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts. He also holds an Ohio real estate license and Ohio broker license. Aiming to further his education, Brian is an MBA candidate at Northeastern University. He is an active member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, Ohio Board of Realtors, National Board of Realtors, Independent Brokers Association, Columbus Apartment Association and the Better Business Bureau.

Brian is a proud participant in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and has been for several years. In 2010, he was honored to receive the  Central Ohio Big Brother Match of the Year award. Along with serving as a Big Brother, Brian also hosts an annual golf outing benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Serving in the Ohio National Guard from 1999-2007, Brian is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the proud recipient of the Army Commendation Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Brian lives in Westerville with his wife, Mandi, and their daughter.

Michelle R. Yeager

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Michelle R. Yeager serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer for Champion Real Estate Services. In her role, Michelle oversees the day-to-day operations of all Champion communities. She works hand-in-hand with Champion team members and is in direct communication with all property owners. In addition to day-to-day management, Michelle is responsible for professional training and development for all Champion Property Management team members.

Michelle is a graduate of The Ohio State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts & Science. She also attended Hondros College to receive her real estate license. Michelle is an active member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, Ohio Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.  Michelle is an active supporter of the YWCA and leads Champion's efforts in serving meals at the family center, once a quarter.  She is also a member of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO). The WPO is a non-profit organization that formed to improve business conditions for women entrepreneurs, and to promote the acceptance and advancement of women entrepreneurs in all industries.

Married in 2011, Michelle and her husband, Dan, enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Stephen Doyle

Chief Financial Officer

Stephen Doyle, a former associate analyst for PFC Energy, joined Champion in 2012 as the company’s chief financial officer. As CFO, Stephen is responsible for all of Champion’s financial risks, planning and reporting. He also plays an instrumental role as part of Champion’s executive management team, which directs all aspects of company strategy, planning and operations.

Stephen moved to Ohio from Washington, D.C. to lead Champion’s financial team. Prior to joining Champion, Doyle worked as a financial fellow for Distributed Sun LLC, was a finance intern for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and was a cryptologic linguist for the United States Army. He is an Iraq War veteran and is fluent in both Arabic and Spanish.

Stephen is a 2003 graduate of The Ohio State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in international business with minors in economics and Spanish. He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Arabic and also completed a Master of Arts in international economics and international relations from The Johns Hopkins University. Stephen currently lives in Westerville with his wife.
 

Sarah DeLong

Vice President of Operations & Compliance

Sarah DeLong serves as Vice President of Operations & Compliance for Champion Property Management. Sarah works to streamline Champion's policies and procedures across its entire portfolio. Her responsibilities also include handling all internal accounting, as well as managing financial reporting at the corporate and property levels. 

Sarah attended Marshall University and also holds a real estate license. She is an active member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, Ohio Board of Realtors and the National Board of Realtors.

Sarah lives in Sunbury with her husband, Craig, and their two daughters.

 

David Hatcher

Vice President Business Relations

David Hatcher serves as the Vice President of Business Relations for the Champion Property Management team. David works to create the best possible customer service experience for our clients and business partners. In addition, David oversees the day-to-day operations of our maintenance division and negotiates contracts with vendors with an eye on maintaining global profitability.

David is a graduate of The Ohio State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History. He is also a licensed real estate agent and an active member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, Ohio Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

Serving in the Ohio National Guard for 9 years, David was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait from 2003-2004 where he supported Operation Enduring Freedom. He is the proud recipient of the Army Commendation Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal.

David lives in Worthington with his wife, Erin, and their two daughters.

Dan Hunter

Chief Investment Officer

A life-long central Ohio resident, Dan has more than 20 years experience in commercial and investment real estate. In this time frame, he has been involved in transactions with an aggregate value of more than $200 million that give him the expertise and experience to assist with the acquisition or disposition of investment real estate. He specializes in the multi-family, office and industrial investment real estate markets. As the investment sales director, Dan oversees all of Champion's multi-family acquisitions and dispositions, as well as all third-party sales. 

Dan is a 1991 graduate of The Ohio State University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in financial management. Dan is also an active member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, Ohio Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. He resides in Powell with his wife and their two children.
 

Tom Bently

Chief Development Officer

Tom Bently joined Champion in 2013 as its Chief Development Officer. With a 15 year history in commercial and investment real estate finance, Tom has a vast understanding of the multi-family industry and a strong history of relationship development.

As an accomplished and dedicated commercial finance specialist with a focus on business development, Tom has structured well over $200 million in commercial capital during his career. As Chief Development Officer, Tom is responsible for organizing the debt and equity components of Champion's syndicated investment partnerships. Tom also oversees the relationships with our capital markets partners while building and maintaining relationships with Champion's equity investors to assist with the overall growth and expansion of the company.

Tom is a 1999 graduate of Hillsdale College with a major in Economics and a minor in English. He resides in Powell, Ohio with wife and three children.

Britany Byers

Senior Marketing Coordinator

As the senior marketing coordinator, Britany serves as the primary person behind all of Champion’s communication efforts. Britany leads Champion’s comprehensive marketing strategy, which includes a variety of initiatives at both the property and corporate level. Her responsibilities include handling all company and property social media accounts, advertising efforts, promotional materials and press releases, as well as maintaining Champion’s online presence through its website.

Britany is a graduate of Otterbein University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations, journalism and speech communication.

 

Ryan Lithgo

Regional Manager

Ryan Lithgo began her property management career in 2001 and joined the Champion team in 2011. As Regional Manager, Ryan oversees a portfolio of 1,600 apartments. With a strong focus on customer service, she manages the on-site operations and tenant relations at Bridgestone Apartments, Ashbrook Run, Collier Park, Saddlebrook and Pinelake Apartments.

Ryan attended Hondros College in 2008 and currently holds an active Real Estate License. She is a member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, Ohio Board of Realtors and National Association of Realtors.

Ryan lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband of five years.

Brett Tinnes

Regional Manager

Brett Tinnes joined our company in December of 2011 with 12 years of experience in advanced retail management. As Regional Manager, Brett works to ensure our properties are at the highest of standards and our customers are satisfied. He oversees a portfolio of 1,350 apartments at seven of our apartment communities, including Lake Club and Oak Creek at Polaris, Bear Pointe Apartments, Cameron Ridge, The Residence of Gahanna, The Enclave at Albany Park and Caleb's Creek Apartments.

Brett attended The Ohio State University for communications, as well as Franklin University where he studied Operations and Supply Chain Management. Currently, he is working on his MBA at Franklin University.

Brett resides in Gahanna, Ohio with his wife Alison.