American Landmark Apartments named Adam Smolyar as its chief innovation and technology officer to oversee the firm’s enterprise technology strategy, innovation agenda and digital transformation initiatives, the Tampa, Florida-based multifamily owner-operated announced Tuesday in a press release shared with Multifamily Dive.
Smolyar told Multifamily Dive he is most excited by the opportunity to build a technology platform that is both operationally sound and genuinely forward-looking.
“American Landmark already operates at a high level, but there's real untapped potential to layer in innovation that actually sticks: AI-driven predictive analytics, automated workflows, mobile-first resident tools, and smarter onboarding for staff. My focus is on outcomes, not just tools,” Smolyar said in an email. “Technology has to move the needle in ways people can see and feel on the ground.”
In his new role, Smolyar will guide core systems, data architecture, cybersecurity, data analytics and resident-facing platforms for the Sun Belt-focused firm. He will be responsible for ensuring American Landmark’s platforms are scalable and reliable, and will partner with the executive leadership team to streamline technology solutions and financial systems.
“I'm also focused on areas where tech is still underleveraged across the industry: investor reporting, real-time forecasting, and capital strategy. Better data means better decisions, whether that's identifying the right acquisition, timing a disposition, or allocating capital more precisely. That's where I think we can create real differentiation.”
There are plenty of tech tools, but “[The challenge is] cutting through the complexity to build something coherent: a real source of truth for performance data, tools that people actually want to use, and systems that scale without creating new headaches,” Smolyar said.
“Cybersecurity fits into that same conversation: as platforms get more connected and resident data more sensitive, security has to be built in from the start, not bolted on later.”
American Landmark eyes growth
The appointment is part of American Landmark’s effort to strengthen its senior leadership team as it advances its operational platform and expands its portfolio. Joe Lubeck, CEO of American Landmark, told Multifamily Dive in January that the firm was recruiting technology and capital markets executives to grow its investor base.
“We’re growing our senior-level technology team because there’s so much great new tech coming,” Lubeck told Multifamily Dive. “But there’s so much of it that you need to know what you need, what’s applicable, what’s fully baked, as opposed to what’s still testing.”
It’s critical that the firm’s technology systems support both its current operations and future growth, Lubeck said in the release.
“Adam brings a rare combination of strategic vision and execution capability,” Lubeck said. “His track record in leading complex technology and innovation initiatives in real estate and related industries makes him the right person to advance our platforms and guide our technology strategy as the firm continues to expand.”
Smolyar has 30 years of experience in enterprise strategy, technology modernization and innovation leadership. Most recently, he served as director of innovation initiatives and tech investments for UDR, and before that, as chief marketing and technology officer at the nonprofit Urban Land Institute.
Looking ahead, Smolyar told Multifamily Dive he thinks more consolidation is coming to the proptech industry, “and I'm cautiously optimistic it leads somewhere good: more standardization, cleaner integrations, easier data sharing across platforms. That would be a real step forward for the industry,” Smolyar said.
“The firms that win will be the ones that invest deliberately, manage change well, and treat technology as a core driver of growth.”
This is a period of active growth for the firm: Last month, it completed the first close of American Landmark Fund V, raising approximately $400 million in equity commitments, and it will continue fundraising, targeting approximately $1 billion in total commitments. The vehicle will focus on the acquisition, renovation and management of multifamily properties across the Sun Belt.
In January, American Landmark brought on Andrew Yam as senior managing director and global head of capital markets, along with Jessica Wichser as senior executive portfolio manager, to strengthen its capital markets in preparation for more activity in the multifamily market. Yam and Wichser will be based in New York to deepen the firm’s relationship with institutional investors.
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