Our Team
Our Executive Team
Chris Akbari
CEO, President
Chris is a successful entrepreneur, investor and developer of housing since 2004 when he joined ITEX Group where he currently serves as the CEO & President. During this time he has led transactions of nearly $1 billion and had developed or acquired over 9,000 units. Prior to ITEX, he managed a successful software & technology development platform for C&I Technologies that developed day-to-day software applications for SMEs. Chris is a graduate of the Harvard Business School OPM program. He is a graduate of Lamar University with a B.A. in Finance. Chris previously held the position of President of the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP).
Chris is active in the Young Presidents Organization as a founding member of the YPO Bayou City chapter and serves on the board of the YPO Wild West Chapter. He also is a member of the Texas Apartment Association, the Texas Association of Builders, and serves on the Urban Land Institute’s National Affordable & Workforce Housing Council. He and his wife, Amanda, are active members of the Houston community and support a number of charitable organizations
Tim Nolan
Timothy is the Chief Financial Officer of ITEX . As CFO, he is focused on managing the financials for all of the Investment, Development, Construction, and Management divisions.
Timothy has fifteen years of finance and accounting experience including capital asset management, corporate tax and accounting, and working with large net worth individuals. He has held positions with the Texas Attorney General’s office, a boutique CPA firm, and multiple Fortune 500 companies.
He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Timothy enjoys spreadsheets, cars, and spending time with his family.
John Pecore
General Counsel
John is General Counsel of the ITEX Group, where he oversees the company’s legal affairs and works closely with leadership on both day-to-day operations and major transactions across its affiliated entities. He is actively involved in structuring and negotiating deals that support ITEX’s growth, while also managing legal risk to the portfolio.
Before joining ITEX, John served as General Counsel of the Dhanani Group, a large Texas-based hospitality developer and operator. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from South Texas College of Law and is licensed to practice law in Texas and New York. Outside of work, John enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time on the water pursuing his love of wind sports.
Miranda Sprague
Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Development
Miranda Sprague is the Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Development, where she oversees the company’s full development platform, including multifamily acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) transactions—both competitive 9% and 4% bond-financed—as well as market-rate developments, FlexPark industrial projects, and hospitality assets.
Miranda brings extensive experience structuring and executing mixed-finance developments, with oversight that includes successful partnerships with non-profits, housing authorities, and municipalities. She has worked extensively with Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and HOME funds to advance complex, high-impact projects. Her expertise includes securing HUD approvals, completing Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) applications, and utilizing historic tax credits.
John Gonzalez
Senior Vice President of Operations
John Gonzalez oversees the marketing and operations departments at ITEX, bringing over a decade of experience in multifamily real estate marketing to the role. Since joining the company in 2016 as the Director of Marketing, he has played a crucial role in enhancing the customer experience throughout the prospect and renter journey, blending his digital marketing savvy with a deep understanding of affordable housing compliance.
John’s background is marked by a blend of creativity, technology, and strategic business insight. His expertise extends across social media, branding, public relations, and project management, allowing him to tackle marketing challenges with a comprehensive and analytical approach. At ITEX, John has adeptly navigated the marketing needs of both affordable housing and luxury communities, emphasizing the importance of clear, engaging communication strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.
Bobken Simonians
Senior Advisor
Bobken is the Senior Advisor to ITEX and the former Chief Operating Officer of real estate and development for ITEX. With over thirteen years of banking and underwriting experience, he currently plays an instrumental role in shaping the overall development strategy. Bobken holds an MA in Economics from California State University, Los Angeles and a BS degree in Economics with minors in Management and Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts.
Gilbert Contreras
Gilbert is the Vice President of Human resources, he is responsible for ITEX’s human resources strategy and practices. Gilbert has been with ITEX since 2015 and has over seventeen years of experience of aligning business strategies with Human Resource solutions mostly in the petrochemical industry in Southeast Texas.
Prior to joining ITEX Gilbert served in various Human Resources positions in the Food Processing, Telecommunications, and petrochemical industries. Gilbert received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Steve Barnett
Vice President of Operations
Steve Barnett is the Vice President of Operations at ITEX, bringing extensive experience in commercial construction to his role since December 2021. With expertise spanning ground-up construction and renovations in sectors like retail, mixed-use, hospitality, healthcare, and more, Steve’s leadership ensures the delivery of high-quality projects.
His career includes significant positions at Drymalla Construction Company, Paradigm Construction, and Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, demonstrating a strong track record in operational excellence. Steve earned his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Texas A&M University, grounding him in the fundamentals of the industry. Based in Houston, Texas, his strategic approach and dedication to excellence drive ITEX’s operations forward, embodying the company’s commitment to setting benchmarks in the construction sector.
Brian Allen
Vice President of Construction
Brian Allen, as the Vice President of Construction at ITEX, brings 17 years of experience from the affordable housing sector to spearhead our construction projects and clean energy initiatives. His expertise, particularly in light of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, positions him to lead ITEX’s transition towards sustainable energy solutions, focusing on affordability and resilience against climate change. Brian’s role encompasses project management and coordination, including notable contributions to the development of an energy-efficient, $27 million high-rise project.
Collaborating closely with stakeholders across multiple projects, Brian excels in contract negotiations, risk mitigation, and effective communication, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. His successful grant writing efforts have secured significant funding, underscoring his commitment to promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in affordable housing. With a Bachelor’s degree from Lamar University, Brian’s deep understanding of the construction process and green energy solutions drives ITEX’s mission forward, making sustainable living accessible to low-income households.
Samson Babalola
Vice President of Acquisitions & Development
Samson Babalola is a Vice President at ITEX Group, where he brings more than 15 years of experience in affordable housing development, project management, and construction oversight. Since joining the Real Estate Investment and Development team in 2021, he has played a key role in advancing the firm’s mission to create high-quality, sustainable communities.
Before ITEX, Samson spent years working with the housing authorities in Harris County and the City of Galveston. During that time, he helped lead the development of nearly 2,000 affordable housing units—projects totaling over $300 million. He is well-versed in a wide range of affordable housing funding programs, including the Housing Tax Credit Program, Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and HUD’s 221(d)(4) financing.
A proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University, Samson holds both a Master’s in Community Development and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.
Dakota Courville
Vice President of Acquisitions & Development
Dakota joined ITEX in 2011, serving in diverse roles spanning Property Management and Construction. As the current VP of Acquisitions & Development, Dakota pioneers initiatives to identify strategic opportunities in the Southern markets, specializing in ground-up builds for rent and mid-rise developments. Equipped with a BA in Finance and Economics from Lamar University, Dakota’s acumen is central to ITEX’s growth trajectory.
Kenny Baugh
Vice President of Acquisitions & Development
Kenny Baugh is the Vice President of Acquisitions & Development at ITEX, having joined the team in March 2015 as a Development Associate. Since then, he has become an instrumental figure in guiding the company’s development strategies. His broad expertise in financial structuring for real estate projects encompasses a proficiency with both 4% and 9% Housing Tax Credits, CDBG-DR Grant funds, and the execution of complex mixed-finance projects. Kenny’s comprehensive background in land development and single-family housing projects significantly contributes to the diversity and success of ITEX’s portfolio.
Holding a BA from Rice University and an MBA with a specialization in real estate from the University of Houston, Kenny combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience to excel in real estate development. His education and hands-on approach in the field have equipped him to lead ITEX’s investment and development efforts, ensuring the company’s continued growth and innovation in the industry.
Clark Colvin
Executive Vice President Emeritus
Clark is a Executive Vice President of Real Estate Investments and Development. He serves on the Investments team and is a member of the Investments Committee.
Prior to joining ITEX, Clark accumulated over thirty years of executive level experience in capital intensive industries including electric utilities and petrochemicals. His work experience includes twenty-eight years in industrial real estate development, financing, and marketing. He earned graduate degrees in business and law and has held an active license to practice law for thirty-one years.
