Our Team SAA | EVI is a community-focused team, made up of people with different experiences who all believe in serving the neighborhoods where we operate.

Mr. Ernst Valery is a co-managing member of SAA | EVI and shares overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations and execution of SAA | EVI projects and relationships. Mr. Valery has successfully invested in and developed real estate in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Pennsylvania; Virginia; California; and New York. For the past 16 years, he has been involved with development projects ranging from mixed-use, multi-tenant rental properties, single-family renovations, and condominium conversions.

Mr. Valery is the founder and president of SAA | EVI affiliate Ernst Valery Investments Corp. (EVI), a private, minority-owned real estate investment firm established in 2001. EVI invests in select underserved and undervalued key emerging domestic real estate markets, defined as urban transitional areas with high residential and retail demand. Mr. Valery has extensive experience in affordable and market-rate housing development and investment, including providing due diligence capabilities and extensive skills in budget planning, design development, marketing, and the supervision and guidance of contractors, architects, and engineers. He is responsible for the securing and structuring of financing, including expertise in securing Historic and New Markets tax credits.

Passionate about supporting those typically underrepresented in the real estate industry, Mr. Valery established the $6.25 million Aequo Fund to provide capital to black, brown, women, and immigrant developers and empower them to establish or grow their portfolios. In addition to a focus on increasing diversity in the development space, the Aequo fund is specifically interested in projects that create affordable housing inventory, foster stronger community ties, and leverage partnerships with community organizations. The fund currently operates in 5 cities including Baltimore, Portland, and Philadelphia. 

Mr. Valery is also active in social entrepreneurship and volunteer work, including a collaboration with a team of professionals and graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Community Innovators Lab (MIT CoLab) as well as efforts at incubating businesses around the world that help alleviate poverty and increase the earning potential of low-income individuals, families, and communities.

Mr. Valery graduated from Columbia University’s Master of Science program in Real Estate Development. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Policy Analysis and Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in International Relations, both from Cornell University. Ernst is also a Mel King Community Fellow at the MIT CoLab.

Mr. David Alexander is a co-managing member of SAA | EVI and shares overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations and execution of SAA | EVI projects and relationships, as well as working to guide future business opportunities for SAA | EVI.

Mr. Alexander brings diversified experience in real estate development to SAA | EVI, including finance, land acquisition, sourcing of equity and debt, as well as construction management and administration. He has completed the development of projects with over $750 million in total value encompassing both affordable and market-rate projects in New York City; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; and his hometown, Buffalo, NY. Additionally, Mr. Alexander worked in real estate private equity at Real Estate Capital Partners, New York City, where he worked on financing joint venture partnerships to develop residential condominiums and apartments throughout the United States.

David graduated from Columbia University’s Master of Science Program in Real Estate Development in 2004. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Boston University in 1997, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Connor Kenney is a Regional Director with SAA | EVI. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s growth, operations, and deal execution in New York State and throughout the Great Lakes Region. 

Prior to working with SAA | EVI, Connor was a Real Estate Developer at PathStone Corporation in Rochester, New York. He was responsible for all tasks associated with developing affordable and mixed-income housing throughout PathStone’s geographic footprint. 

Connor received his Masters of Science in Real Estate Development (MSRED) from SUNY Buffalo’s School of Architecture & Planning, where he remains an active alumnus. He participates in SUNY Buffalo’s MSRED mentorship program as a mentor to MSRED candidates, sits on the program’s Advisory Committee, and is an adjunct professor in affordable housing development.  

Connor also serves on the Urban Land Institute (ULI) of Western New York’s Programming Committee, the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) 2G’s Upstate Advisory Committee, and is the former Chair of ULI’s Young Leaders Group of WNY. He also teaches financial modeling in Buffalo’s Community Based Real Estate Development Training (CBREDT) program.

Since 2012, Chrissie Lindsey Steptoe has overseen temporary relocation and construction relations for residents on multi-unit tax credit development projects. She implements strategies from the inception phase for each property to ensure residents have the best possible experience while their buildings and apartments are undergoing renovations. She serves as a liaison between ownership, management, construction, and the residents. Chrissie has successfully completed projects in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Richmond, VA, and Buffalo, NY. Currently, she leads the relocation team for a 151-unit senior building in West Baltimore and along with her team, handles all construction relations for a tenant-in-place renovation of a 100-unit property in North Baltimore.

In addition, Chrissie is instrumental in ensuring the overall effectiveness of procedures that support complex real estate equity deals and development projects for SAA|EVI.

Chrissie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in business operations and management; previously, Chrissie served as Vice President of Promotions/Operations at Arista Records/Sony BMG. Her career in the music industry spanned 15 years—with stints in Los Angeles at Capitol Records and in New York City at RCA, Island, and lastly, Arista Records.

Chrissie holds a Pennsylvania Real Estate License and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from St. Joseph’s University.

Mr. Maximillian Nelson is the Director of Maintenance & Construction. Mr. Nelson is responsible for developing maintenance procedures, preventative maintenance plans, and general oversight of maintenance operations for properties ensuring proper implementation throughout the portfolio. Mr. Nelson also supervises all construction projects, including renovations and new construction, throughout the SAAEVI portfolio.

Mr. Nelson, a former USN veteran, brings 23 years of construction experience to the team, starting his career as a laborer. He has completed projects of over $200 million in total value in the eastern region.

Maximillian graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master’s in Business Administration and a concentration in Project Management in 2016. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Westwood College in 2010. He also holds a Project Manager Professional certification obtained in 2020.