The team

rod stone

Rod Stone is an owner and the Chair of the Board of Directors for Elevation. Rod provides leadership and strategic direction for all of Elevation’s business activities and major investment decisions.

Throughout his career, Rod has formed multiple successful real estate entities. In 1970, he formed his first real estate company, So Cal Development. At So Cal, Rod oversaw the development and management of a privately-held real estate portfolio of over 3,000 residential units, including multifamily, single-family, and commercial properties. Most recently, he co-founded Monarch in 1997, which is his current real estate company. Over the years, Rod has acquired or developed over 11,000 residential units throughout the Western U.S. Rod has also completed multiple commercial and industrial land entitlement projects.

Rod holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA from the University of Southern California. Rod and his wife, Gloria, are passionate about building a better San Diego and are actively involved in and supportive of many cultural and charitable organizations throughout San Diego County. Rod is an avid scuba diver and enjoys traveling the world with his wife and family.

RYAN STONE

Ryan Stone is an Owner and the Chief Executive Officer at Elevation, where he provides leadership and strategic vision for Elevation and its affiliated entities.

Prior to forming Elevation, Ryan also co-founded Monarch and remains actively involved in its business endeavors, including the entitlement, development, value-add acquisition, and property management functions for over 8,000 residential units, as well as multiple commercial and industrial land entitlement projects.

Ryan graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Ryan is actively involved in and supportive of many local and national non-profit and charitable organizations.

MASIS KEVORKIAN

Masis Kevorkian is an owner and the President of Elevation, where he oversees the organizations operations and provides strategic management 
to ensure the businesses fulfill their vision and culture. Masis is also one of the Board of Directors for the Communities for California Cardrooms, which represents 40 small to medium size gambling establishments throughout California, and is supported by numerous cities, chambers, and businesses.

Masis is actively involved in Monarch, which he joined in 2006 as a Principal. At Monarch, Masis was instrumental in raising the firm’s initial real estate fund and he continues to be involved in raising capital and sourcing investment opportunities in the multifamily sector.

Prior to joining Monarch, Masis spent 8 years in the investment management industry, including as a Vice President in the Private Wealth Management division of Deutsche Bank and an inaugural member of its U.S. Wealth Management Leadership Council.

Masis received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Arizona.

KERMIT SCHAYLTZ

Kermit Schayltz is President of Point-Walker, Inc., a consulting firm, specializing in Gaming Management, construction of California Gambling Establishments, and local and state politics. Kermit served 10 years as President of the Board of Directors for the California Gaming Association, representing 75% of all Establishments and its 25,000 employees. He also serves as the Finance Chair of the Communities for California Card Clubs, representing 40 small to medium Establishments with 10,000 Employees and supported by numerous cities, chambers, and businesses. Kermit has been given the distinction of Business Person of the Year by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce. He has 45 years of business and political background. As a veteran himself, Kermit is passionate about supporting veteran organizations and causes. He enjoys a good day of golf, when his game is on, but above all loves spending time with his nine grandchildren.

BRANDON BERGENER

Brandon Bergener is the Chief Financial Officer for Elevation. He oversees all of the company’s financial functions including accounting, audit, financial management, and corporate finance strategy to ensure effective implementation of the vision while maximizing profitability.

Brandon joined Monarch in 2006 as the Director of Financial Reporting. As the Director, he was responsible for all of the financial auditing and communication with the public funds that had invested in Monarch. In 2014 Brandon was named Chief Financial Officer when Monarch diversified their portfolio to include the acquisition and operation of gaming establishments. Prior to joining Monarch, Brandon was a Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, where he specialized in financial statement audits and accounting consultations for clients in the real estate industry.

Brandon graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal Poly, SLO with a B.S. in Business Administration. Brandon is a licensed Certified Public Accountant with the California Board of Accountancy.

HEATHER U. GUERENA

Heather U. Guerena is Elevation’s Vice President and General Counsel. She supports and oversees all legal functions for Elevation and its affiliated businesses, including the regulatory compliance, transactional activities, employment issues, and corporate governance.

Prior to joining Elevation, Heather was a partner at Duane Morris LLP, where she acquired substantial knowledge on a wide variety of legal topics, including gaming laws and regulations, intellectual property rights, land use, unfair competition and consumer
legal remedies, contracts, employment law, and other complex litigation issues. She has provided legal support in the acquisition, development, management, and disposition of a multitude of real estate assets.

Heather also has litigation and appellate experience in precedent setting opinions about the powers of local legislative bodies to interpret and apply their own general plans to development projects. Additionally, the San Diego Super Lawyers Magazine recognized her as a Rising Star in 2015 through 2018. In 2017, she was named in the list of 100 California lawyers as “Top Women Lawyers” by the Daily Journal.

Heather has a juris doctorate degree from California Western School of Law and a B.S. in Public Policy and Management with an emphasis in Public Policy and Public Administrations from the University of Southern California. She is a member of the California Bar.

joe Olivieri

Joe has worked in the gaming industry for more than 25 years where he has gained significant knowledge in casino operations and player development. Joe’s focus and goal is to develop a team that delivers an exceptional experience to every guest that visits the Seven Mile Casino.

His expertise is in revenue and budget management, strategic planning, operational efficiencies, game protection, player development, marketing, promotional and tournament implementation, and team building and development. In addition to managing multiple facets of casino operations including Table Games, Poker, Bingo, Off-Track Betting, and Player Development, Joe has been a speaker at G2E and consulted for casinos in California, Arizona, and Las Vegas.