Interesting Facts

Biographies

  • Stillman D. Knight, Jr.

    • Stillman D. Knight, Jr. is President and CEO of The Knight Company, an organization he founded in 1991. He is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs in the Office of Housing/Federal Housing Administration (FHA) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He completed his service to the Department in July 2005.

      As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs, Mr. Knight was appointed by President George W. Bush and was responsible for the overall management, development, direction and administration of the nation’s Federal Multifamily Housing Programs including: FHA Multifamily Mortgage Insurance, project-based rental subsidy programs, housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and community based initiatives. He had direct responsibility for a staff of 1865 and an annual budget in excess of $11 Billion.

      Mr. Knight has spent his entire career in the Multifamily Industry, beginning in 1970 with The Mitchell Corporation working in all facets related to multifamily housing. In 1988, he joined Aronov Realty Company, Inc. where he was responsible for all of the company’s multifamily activities including development, finance, construction and management. He founded The Knight Companies in 1991. The Knight Companies developed and managed apartment complexes in the Southeast. His lengthy career has produced over 13,000 housing units in over 105 apartment communities throughout the Southeastern U.S. After completing his government service, he was Executive Vice president of NHP Foundation, a nationwide provider of affordable housing.

      His peers have acknowledged his industry contributions through numerous awards and honors. He was recognized as the Builder Developer of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) National Council of the Multifamily Housing Industry in 1986, and served as the national chairman of this organization in 1989. He was listed by NAHB in the top 50 Apartment Developers in 1992. The Federal National Mortgage association (FNMA) and NAHB presented him with the distinguished Dan Grady Award for excellence for service to the multifamily industry in 1993. He received the highly prized Pillars of the Industry award in 2001. In 2004 he was recognized nationally with the Robert J. Corletta Award for Achievement in Affordable Housing. In 2005 he was awarded the Industry Partner Award and designated an Honorary National Affordable Housing Professional by NAHMA.

      He received his formal education at Vanderbilt University, the University of South Alabama and University of Alabama School of Law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Alabama.

      Mr. Knight is a native of Mobile, Alabama. He and his wife, Dr. Mary A. Knight, PhD, have three children and four grandchildren. The Knight Family currently resides in Alexandria, VA.

    • Mr. Knight is affiliated with the following organizations (non-exclusive list):

      • Member of National Association of Home Builders since 1970;
      • Past Member of National Multi-Housing Council;
      • Member of National Leased Housing Association;
      • Past Chairman of the Board and Trustee of National Council of the Multi Housing Industry;
      • Past President of Baldwin County Home Builders Association;
      • Past Chairman of Alabama Multifamily Council;
      • Founder and Chairman of NAHB National Multifamily Roundtable;
      • Life Director of NAHB since 2000;
      • Appointed Chairman of NAHB Presidential Task Force for Multifamily;
      • Founding Member of Multifamily Executive Leadership Board;
      • Paul Harris Fellow and Member of Rotary Club of Downtown Mobile;
      • Past Chairman of the Board of Goodwill Industries of Mobile;

  • Larry Swank

    • CEO
      Sterling Group

    • Mr. Swank, as a Founder, President and CEO of the Sterling Group, Inc., has for over 30 years been a leader in the multifamily industry. A pioneer in providing rural housing solutions throughout the Midwest, Mr. Swank helped lay the foundation for the contemporary affordable multifamily industry of today. The Sterling Group, based on his leadership and vision, has grown as a leading edge provider of multifamily housing based on professionalism, integrity, honesty and strong mid-western values and work ethic. In addition to the development of apartment and condominium projects having an excess of $500,000,000 in aggregate value, Sterling has developed and constructed numerous single-family homes, villas, three mixed-use subdivisions as well as over 5,000 storage units throughout the Midwest.

    • Mr. Swank is affiliated with the following organizations (non-exclusive list):

      • Past Member of Fannie Mae Housing Impact Advisory Council;
      • Member of Board and Past President of State of Indiana Home Builders Association;
      • Member of Board of National Association of Home Builders;
      • Past Chairman of National Rural Housing Council - National Association of Home Builders;
      • Past Chairman of National Multifamily Housing Council – National Association of Home Builders;
      • Chairman of Housing Finance Committee - National Association of Home Builders;
      • Member of Federal Governmental Affairs Committee – National Association of Home Builders;
      • Founding Chairman of Housing Credit Group – National Association of Home Builders;
      • Member of the Board of Directors of National Multi-Housing Council;
      • Chairman of Grace United Methodist Church Foundation Investment Committee.

  • Lance Swank

    • COO
      Sterling Group, Inc.

    • As Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Sterling Group, Inc., Mr. Swank is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the parent company and its subsidiaries, including all development, management, construction and acquisition activities at the firm. Through his focused efforts and diligence, he has helped create one of the top vertically integrated, full service multifamily housing providers in the Midwest. The Sterling Group identified as “Best in Class” by industry measures since 1983 under Mr. Swank’s leadership, has developed, constructed or acquired over 9,000 apartment units and over 5,000 self storage units.
      A recognized authority in the area of affordable housing throughout the Midwest, Mr. Swank is a sought after speaker and has participated in many regional and national conferences pertaining to the multifamily housing industry. Mr. Swank is a 1983 graduate of DePauw University and he is currently a Board Member at the McDermond Center for Management and Entrepreneurship.

    • Mr. Swank is affiliated with the following organizations (non-exclusive list):

      • Past Chairman of the Housing Credit Group - National Association of Home Builders; 2006
      • Member of Board of Directors of National Association of Home Builders; Current
      • Trustee of Multifamily Council Board of Trustees - National Association of Home Builders; Current
      • Past member of the Board of Directors of the National Multi-Housing Council
500 Montgomery Street, Suite 400 | Alexandria, VA 22314 | Phone: (703) 647-6216 | Fax: (703) 647-6214 | www.thesterlinggrp.com