Founder & Chairman | ARK Homes For Rent

Jordan Kavana's career in the real estate industry spans over two decades, during which he has emerged as a prominent figure, particularly noted for developing one of the earliest nationally-operating single-family home-for-rent platforms since 2008. As the founder and chairman of ARK Homes For Rent, Kavana has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to providing quality housing that enhances the well-being of residents through community-focused amenities. His vision also encompasses generating strong risk-adjusted returns for investors, blending societal impact with financial pragmatism.

In 2008, Kavana laid the groundwork for this vision by establishing Transcendent Investment Management (TIM). Under his leadership, TIM pioneered a data-driven approach in the single-family residential space. The creation of the vertically integrated Build US Back line of companies under TIM marked a significant step in this journey. This initiative enabled the firm to handle the entire spectrum of property management, including research, acquisition, renovation, renting, and resale, all managed in-house.

Kavana's innovative strategies and business acumen led to his inclusion in a 2014 Harvard Business School case study titled “Build U.S. Back: Opportunities in the U.S. housing market.” This study underscored his significant role in shaping the U.S. housing market.

Under his leadership, TIM successfully completed over $3.5 billion in real estate transactions, showcasing his expertise in the major Sunbelt markets. To further this trajectory, Kavana co-founded Transcendent Electra Management in 2021, a joint venture between TIM and Electra America. This venture, reinforcing the ARK Homes For Rent platform, set out to acquire or develop approximately $3 billion in single-family rental housing over three years, focusing on Build to Rent homes.

ARK Homes For Rent stands out in the industry, primarily for its unique approach of purchasing only newly built homes and integrating a preventative health platform, ARK Living. This innovative model underscores Kavana's foresight in aligning real estate investment with health and wellness trends.

Before his foray into real estate, Kavana had successfully launched and grown an international high-tech toy company in China, which he sold in 2003. He then returned to the U.S. to co-found JL Real Ventures, a private equity fund focusing on multi-family properties in the Southeastern United States.

Kavana's academic journey includes a B.A. in Hospitality Management and Finance from Florida International University, graduate-level studies in real estate finance at Harvard University, and completion of Harvard Business School’s OPM program.

His contributions extend beyond business ventures. Kavana is a founding member of AIPAC’s Miami club and has served as a trustee on the Florida State Pension Plan Board. He is currently on the Advisory Board for Aviator Capital Management and was recognized in Latin Trade’s TOP 100 Most Powerful Businesspeople listing in 2017. Furthermore, as a founding member of Mosaic, part of YPO International, and its Global Impact Officer, he leads over 300 global members in making a positive impact.

While Kavana served as the CEO of ARK Homes For Rent until 2023, his transition to the role of chairman marks a new chapter in his distinguished career, continuing his legacy of innovation and leadership in the real estate industry.