The Tejon Ranch Board of Directors announced on Tuesday that Matt Walker has been selected as the company’s next President and CEO.
Walker will join Tejon Ranch, one of the largest private landowners in California, on March 6 as the Chief Operating Officer and will become President and CEO at the end of March.
The big picture: Walker is taking over from Gregory Bielli, who will be retiring in March after joining the company in 2013.
- He is leaving Los Angeles real estate firm Lowe Enterprises after 24 years, where he currently oversees the firm’s hospitality and resort community platform.
- Before joining Lowe, Walker began his career as an architect at several firms and brings with him extensive experience in resort and residential development, residential sales and marketing, master planned community development, among other areas.
What we’re watching: Tejon Ranch expects to complete its first multifamily development soon, known as Terra Vista.
- The real estate and agribusiness company has three other master planned communities in the works: two in Kern County and one in Los Angeles County, all of which will now be developed under the direction of Walker.
What they’re saying: Walker said he is honored to join Tejon Ranch as the next CEO.
- “Tejon Ranch is more than a piece of land; it represents the state’s true balance of conservation and economic opportunity,” Walker said. “As a fifth generation Californian, I’ve long been fascinated by this legacy property, and I firmly believe that the responsible development of Tejon Ranch is integral to the future success of California.”
- Tejon Ranch Board Chairman Norman Metcalfe thanked Bielli for his leadership, especially in developing the Outlets at Tejon and for expanding the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center.
- “I’m very pleased to welcome Matt to the Tejon Ranch Company,” Metcalfe said. “Matt joins at a pivotal time for the company, and his unique development background – along with his skills at creating immersive guest and consumer experiences – will be crucial to the next phase of the company’s growth. Matt’s fresh perspective, combined with the experienced leadership team, will ensure the company can continue to monetize our landholdings, plan for the future and drive shareholder value.”
