About brightSTAR

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.

Simon Myers

Asset Manager

Simon Myers is an Asset Manager at brightSTAR Communities, specializing in capital improvements and operational efficiencies in order to drive financial performance. Previously, he worked on sell-side M&A deals at Bailey & Co. as an Investment Banking Analyst. Simon graduated from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business in 2022. In high school, he started a drone photography business for real estate marketing and was a three-sport varsity athlete at The Summit Country Day School. His hobbies include golf, basketball, camping, hiking, music, and supporting the Cincinnati Bengals.

Drew Myers

Co-Founder
Operating Partner

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 .

A.J. Schaeffer

Co-Founder

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.

Jeff Zalla

Co-Founder

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.

Our Purpose

We believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe, clean, and affordable environment where they feel valued and engaged; and where they experience a genuine pride in their community.

The brightSTAR Way

Directional Clarity

Clean, accurate, and professional signage and wayfinding throughout each property.

Easy Access

brightSTAR has solid surface roads in every community

Consistent Parking

Our homes have concrete parking pads at each home site

Curb Appeal

Each home has insulated skirting & an outdoor space. Our homes have the transporting tongue removed.