About Us

Our results in numbers

Acquisitions

sq. ft. under ownership

0 k+

of value created

$ 0 MM+

2015

First value-add retail development completed

2018

First speculative bank purchase and successful MMTC lease negotiation

2019

First ground up project developed – Heartland Dental; Portfolio reaches $50M+ valuation

2021

First employee hired; Portfolio reaches 500k sq. ft.

2022

Company reaches 50^th Acquisition

2023

Development commences on first multi building project

2024

Acquisitions volume since inception surpasses $250MM of value

June 2025

1M+ SF under ownership

Get in touch

Our Team

Nick Jones

Founder / CEO / Acquisitions

Nick Jones has been involved in commercial real estate management, investment, development and brokerage for over 20 years. Each industry roll has added perspective, introducing various angles and strategies to evaluate each opportunity Alakai Capital pursues. Currently he is CEO while managing acquisitions, development and capital markets. During his career he has underwritten and purchased over 70 commercial investments and/or developments, representing over $250MM of value. He currently oversees 800k+ square feet of industrial, retail, office, and medical office.

Nick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Florida while concurrently participating on the World Tour as a Professional Wakeboarder, making podium at Worlds in 2011. He is an active member of ULI, ICSC and NAIOP.

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Nick Jones

Founder / CEO / Acquisitions

Lance Samardge

VP, Asset Management

Lance Samardge joined Alakai Capital in early 2023 building on more than 20 years of residential and commercial real estate investment, development, and management experience. While managing a private equity portfolio across vast asset classes, ranging from apartments and hotels to Broadway musicals, Lance has been GP focused while managing investor relations, and cultivating partnership continuity with a focus on asset performance. Experiencing significant market growth and retraction throughout his career, the cycles have helped hone Lance’s skills that complement the strategic focus at Alakai Capital.

Lance is also a proud University of Central Florida alumni member and when not in the office, loves to be on or in the ocean.

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Lance Samardge

VP, Asset Management

Karla Kantzas

Controller

Karla Kantzas joined Alakai Capital in June 2021 to serve as Controller and Asset Manager for the firm’s entire portfolio. Prior to joining Alakai Capital, Karla was a senior member of the corporate finance team for AmCap Incorporated, a Connecticut Commercial Real Estate firm with a portfolio size over 4.5 million square feet and approximately $1 billion in total property value. In her 15-year tenure with them Karla served as Property Controller.

Karla brings experience in handling all aspects of commercial real estate for a large portfolio of retail and office properties from inception to completion. Karla graduated with an Associate Degree in Accounting from Housatonic Community College. She also holds a certificate as Master Tax Advisor and is registered with the IRS.

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Karla Kantzas

Controller

Zach Pinel

Acquisitions Associate

Zach Pinel joined Alakai Capital in July 2024 as an Acquisitions Associate, bringing over six years of commercial real estate experience. A University of Mississippi graduate with a degree in Managerial Finance, Zach has focused his career on real estate investments. The bulk of his professional career prior to joining Alakai has been within the self-storage sector, serving in key roles focused on development, acquisition, and asset management. Licensed in real estate since 2017, Zach also brings valuable brokerage experience in investment and retail opportunities.

As an Orlando native, Zach leverages his local expertise and industry connections to strategically expand Alakai’s portfolio and strengthen its market presence.

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Zach Pinel

Acquisition Associate

Stephen Timmes

Asset Management Analyst

Stephen has been on the Alakai Capital team since November 2023. His efforts help support the Asset Management team working to maximize the outputs and efficiencies of the properties under management. Stephen brings over 7 years of commercial real estate experience. Prior to joining Alakai Capital he spent over two years as a broker specializing in single tenant net lease properties. He then worked with as an analyst with the largest dollar store brokerage team in the nation as well as the world’s largest full-service restaurant company, Darden.

Stephen was born and raised in Winter Park, Florida and received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Rollins College.

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