Leadership Team
Derek Knutson, CFA
Chief Executive Officer
Derek Knutson, CFA
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Knutson is an accomplished real estate and capital markets executive and the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of KHI Real Estate, a national real estate investment company focused on the acquisition and integration of real estate companies and assets operating across the services ecosystem. Since organizing KHI in 2022, he has steered the company’s rapid expansion across residential, multifamily, commercial, and vacation-rental assets while deepening KHI’s deal pipeline and industry partnerships.
Prior to forming KHI, Mr. Knutson served in several roles including as Head of Valuation and Credit Asset Management at Arena Investors, LP. In this role he directed portfolio-valuation policy, asset-level credit analysis, and performance monitoring for a multi-billion-dollar, opportunistic-credit platform, leading cross-functional teams that supported investment, risk, and finance stakeholders. He has also overseen valuation for illiquid equity, debt, and structured-credit investments held by global private-capital managers, as well as advised institutional clients on valuation governance.
Mr. Knutson’s capital markets foundation was formed in distribution and advisory roles with the alternative asset investment firm Highland Capital Management, LP, raising capital for the firm’s alternative-credit and CLO strategies. Prior to that, he spent several years with Fidelity Investments, where he built client relationships and honed his expertise in portfolio construction as both a securities trader and financial advisor for institutional clients.
Mr. Knutson earned his MBA in Finance and Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, in addition to being awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. He is an active member of his local CFA Society and frequently speaks on valuation governance, real-estate integration strategies, and leadership in high-growth environments.
Jerry Robinson
Managing Director
Jerry Robinson
Managing Director
Mr. Robinson brings more than 15 years of comprehensive real-estate expertise to his role as Managing Director of KHI Real Estate. He entered the industry in 2009 as a Leasing Consultant and quickly advanced to Property Manager and then Regional Trainer, where he designed and implemented operating systems and procedures that improved organizational performance.
As a licensed Florida and Wisconsin Real Estate Broker, Mortgage Loan Originator, and certified Real Estate Instructor, Mr. Robinson has led teams of up to 40 agents across Southwest Florida. Under his guidance, those teams have expanded portfolios to more than 600 doors and generated in excess of $30 million in sales volume.
Beyond his managerial responsibilities, Jerry serves as lead instructor for a local real-estate school, mentoring and educating the next generation of industry professionals. His blend of operational rigor, leadership acumen, and commitment to professional development continues to drive growth for KHI Real Estate and elevate standards across the regional market.
Aisylynn Strait
Senior Director of Property Management
Aisylynn Strait
Senior Director of Property Management
Ms. Strait is an accomplished property-management executive with more than 17 years of industry experience. As Senior Director of Property Management for KHI Real Estate, she oversees day-to-day operations, drives portfolio performance, and ensures best-in-class service for owners and residents.
Launching her real-estate career in 2007 leasing multifamily properties, she rapidly advanced to managing diverse portfolios, including large community associations across Southwest Florida. Since 2020, she has specialized in single-family, multifamily, commercial, and vacation-rental assets, successfully directing the care and growth of several thousand units under management.
Ms. Strait holds the Community Association Manager (CAM) designation and is a licensed Florida Real Estate Agent—credentials that underscore her technical proficiency and regulatory expertise. A Southwest Florida native, she leverages deep market knowledge and long-standing local relationships to optimize asset value and deliver superior client outcomes.
Through her combination of operational rigor, industry credentials, and regional insight, Ms. Strait continues to elevate KHI Real Estate’s property-management platform and set high standards for service excellence in the Fort Myers market.
Cameron Parke
Director of Operations
Cameron Parke
Director of Operations
Mrs. Parke is a seasoned real-estate finance professional who brings more than 26 years of industry experience to her role as Director of Operations for KHI Real Estate. Originally from Wisconsin, she has cultivated deep expertise in the financial complexities of property management and real-estate transactions, which informs her rigorous approach to strategic oversight and fiscal stewardship.
At KHI Real Estate, Ms. Parke oversees the organization’s entire operational functions. Her responsibilities include ensuring that all practices comply fully with industry standards and regulatory requirements while streamlining processes to drive operational efficiency. She is credited with implementing best-practice frameworks that not only support the firm’s business objectives but also reinforce strong, long-term relationships with clients.
Known for her commitment to continuous improvement and effective financial management, Mrs. Parke consistently adds value across the organization. Her disciplined leadership and client-centric mindset help KHI Real Estate deliver exceptional service and sustain its reputation for operational excellence.
John Carpenter
Head of Finance
John Carpenter
Head of Finance
Mr. Carpenter brings over 25 years of diverse experience in both public accounting and private industry, spanning the manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and consulting sectors. A results-driven leader, he is recognized for his ability to identify and resolve complex operational, financial, and strategic inefficiencies, consistently driving measurable improvements across organizations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Carpenter has maintained a strong focus on business process improvement and profit enhancement. He is particularly skilled at designing innovative support models that streamline operations, boost organizational efficiency, and enhance long-term performance. His leadership approach is rooted in analytical rigor, strategic insight, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
As a Certified Public Accountant and Lean Six Sigma-certified professional, Mr. Carpenter offers a unique combination of technical expertise and operational acumen. His specialties include strategic planning, financial operations, business process reengineering, and performance optimization. Under his leadership, KHI Real Estate continues to deliver high-impact solutions that drive sustainable growth for its clients.
Jack Carpenter
Head of Human Resources
Jack Carpenter
Head of Human Resources
Mr. Carpenter brings a strong foundation in accounting and business operations, paired with a client-focused approach to delivering streamlined financial solutions. With hands-on experience across payroll, HR functions, and financial process optimization, he plays a critical role in helping KHI Real Estate improve efficiency and scale for long-term success.
Known for a keen eye for process improvement, Mr. Carpenter works to identify operational gaps and implement tailored systems that enhance accuracy, productivity, and compliance. By integrating modern technologies and best practices, he ensures the most effective tools are used to manage all financial and administrative functions.
As a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor with additional certifications in QuickBooks Payroll and Paycor Payroll, Mr. Carpenter combines technical proficiency with practical business insight. His areas of specialization include accounting, payroll processing, workflow optimization, technology integration, and process improvement, making him a trusted partner of KHI Real Estate in driving operational excellence.
