Washington – September 15, 2026 -- National Real Estate Advisors will replace founder and CEO Jeffrey Kanne with Kevin Verdi, its Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, effective January 2027, the institutional investment manager announced.
Kanne exits after more than 25 years building the firm into an institutional real estate platform
Kanne, who founded National in 2000, will retire from the CEO role after more than a quarter-century at the helm, during which the firm grew into an investment manager serving U.S. and international institutional investors. He will remain with National as a Special Advisor following the leadership change.
Verdi's tenure predates National, tracing back to NEBF Real Estate
Verdi's history with the organization began before National's founding, through NEBF Real Estate, and he currently oversees investment strategy as Chief Investment Officer. The succession plan was developed jointly with National's Board of Directors and senior leadership team.
Firm manages diversified portfolios concentrated in multifamily, data centers and healthcare assets
National operates as an independently run subsidiary of the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF), a pension trust whose assets National manages on a discretionary basis. The firm's investment vehicles, including separate accounts and commingled funds, are currently concentrated primarily in multifamily, data center, healthcare-related, and mixed-use properties.
Kanne and Verdi to run a joint transition through the remainder of 2026
The two executives will work together for the rest of 2026 to manage the handover for employees, investors, and partners ahead of the January 2027 effective date. John Grau, Chairman of National's Board, said Verdi's expertise and vision make him the right leader to build on the firm's existing foundation.