Goodman Real Estate Transitions Leadership for Sustainable Growth and Expansion

Strategic Leadership Transition at Goodman Real Estate

Goodman Real Estate (GRE), a leading multifamily real estate firm recognized nationally, has embarked on a significant leadership transition aimed at steering the company through its next phase of growth and expansion. This change took effect on January 1, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the firm's strategy.

George Petrie, who has been the face of the company as its CEO, steps into the role of Executive Chairman. This shift is part of a carefully crafted succession plan that reflects years of preparation. In his new role, Petrie will concentrate on long-term governance related to housing and provide support to the executive team as they work towards executing GRE's ambitious vision.

Kelli Jo Norris, previously the President, assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer. Norris has been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth trajectory, culture, and investment strategies. As the new CEO, she aims to enhance disciplined capital allocation, elevate portfolio performance, and fortify organizational excellence. "I am honored to step into the role of CEO and am grateful for John and George's continued guidance as Executive Chairman," said Norris. This sentiment encapsulates the mutual respect and team-oriented spirit that characterizes GRE's leadership.

Her focus is clear: to ensure that growth is grounded in a strong core. Norris highlights the importance of alignment between leadership, capital, and execution, stating, "Our ability to scale begins with this synergy." Norris emphasized that by defining roles within the family office capital, institutional equity, and operations, GRE establishes a platform poised for growth while maintaining a disciplined and collaborative approach.

Under this new leadership structure, Johnny Goodman remains as President of Capital Investments, directing the family office and private wealth management divisions. At the same time, Don Fosseen continues to serve as the Chief Investment Officer, overseeing institutional equity growth. This innovative restructuring promises to maintain continuity while sharpening GRE’s strategic focus, blending growth ambitions with operational rigor to foster long-term value creation.

The founder, John Goodman, reflected on this transition by noting the years of thoughtful succession planning that have led to the current phase of leadership. "This structure prepares Goodman Real Estate to scale, expand strategic partnerships, and pursue disciplined growth in key markets," he stated. John further emphasized that while adopting new strategies, the company’s investment framework remains anchored in performance, risk management, and the pursuit of long-term value.

In the previous year, Goodman Real Estate achieved remarkable results, completing over $1 billion in real estate transactions, showcasing the team's impressive ability to execute disciplined strategies and identify lucrative opportunities in emerging markets. These accomplishments underscore the firm’s resilience and commitment to delivering stable, long-term performance based on strong market insights and strategic actions.

About Goodman Real Estate

Founded in 1980 by John Goodman, GRE is a premier privately held full-service real estate investment company specializing in multifamily properties. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company boasts a diversified portfolio of over 10,000 residential units across the country. GRE manages assets valued at more than $3.2 billion and caters to middle-market and institutional properties throughout North America. The firm's approach emphasizes being a trusted co-investment partner for global real estate investors, offering robust alternatives to traditional opportunity-fund models.