brightSTAR Communities was formed in 2019 as a partnership for the acquisition and redevelopment of high-quality, affordable housing communities in the Midwest and expanding into the Southeast and beyond. As partners, we believe that everyone deserves to live in a clean, safe and pleasant environment, and that supportive, engaged communities can enable residents and their families to thrive. In addition to acquiring and operating communities ourselves, we also partner with sponsors who share our values and have a proven track record of excellence in managing affordable housing communities.
Will became President of brightSTAR Communities in 2019 to help solve the affordable housing crisis in the United States. Will has been an investor in residential and commercial real estate since 1997. Prior to co-founding brightSTAR, Will led Notting Hill, a real estate firm that acquired and renovated multifamily properties in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio.
Warner A. “Drew” Myers has founded several companies through his career. Those include RecruitMilitary, LLC, a military-to- civilian recruitment firm. Myers founded RecruitMilitary in 1998; in 2013, he sold the company to a private equity firm. Drew is also a long-time real estate investor and developer. Myers holds a BA from Indiana University and an MBA from Xavier University. He also spent seven years on active duty as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Drew believes in giving back and spends much of his free time assisting military veterans, college graduates as they transition into careers, and several other philanthropic endeavors .
Jeffrey M. Zalla builds industry-leading, sustainable businesses, particularly in industrial services. As an MBA from The Wharton School and a CPA (inactive), Jeff brings extraordinary insights and expertise cultivated as an award-winning CFO and Corporate Responsibility Officer of a $3-billion U.S. public company (Chiquita Brands) and also as the entrepreneurial CEO of Tufco Flooring LLC and Operating Partner of Diatom Aviation, among other roles. In all of his pursuits, Jeff is a champion of sustainability.
Andrew J. (“AJ”) Schaeffer is an entrepreneur and investor in profitable businesses and exceptional leaders with the potential to positively transform their industries and communities. A.J. applies his expertise in applied behavioral analytics, business strategy and catalytic partnership development to fuel Foxhole’s people-first investment strategy. A.J. is an intimate advisor to CEOs, ownership groups and executive teams in businesses ranging in size from 50 to 15,000 employees. A.J. lives at the intersection of civic and philanthropic purposes and capitalist pursuits.
We create and nurture communities that reflect the pride of homeownership. From paved roads and driveways to walkable sidewalks and streetlights, our neighborhoods bring families together.
Whether a first-time home owner or a solution for retirement, brightSTAR Communities provide a variety of options to make your dreams a reality. Explore our properties and find a home that fits your needs.
It’s easy to feel at home right from the start at brightSTAR Communities. We are conveniently located next to schools, shopping, parks and nature trails. Get engaged in the life you’ve always wanted.