White Oak Development: Meet the Team
White Oak has been a trusted brand in commercial real estate for over 17 years, with the principals of White Oak Development having over 50 years of combined real estate development and structured finance experience and over $7 billion in completed transactions. With a specific expertise and core focus in the self-storage sector, the principals of White Oak Development own and operate a portfolio of climate-controlled, self-storage properties under the brand Silo Self Storage.
In addition to self-storage properties, White Oak is active in the acquisition and development of luxury RV parks, industrial outdoor storage (IOS), land entitlement, land speculation, and opportunistic real estate-related investments.
Managing Partner
John Hampton has over 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate and investment banking industries, with a focus on direct investments, commercial land development, joint venture equity and structured finance. Throughout his career, he has successfully completed over $1.0 billion in investment sales, joint venture equity placements, alternative financings and direct investments and has advised firms on over $6 billion in commercial real estate-related transactions.
John started his career with Lehman Brothers in its Global Real Estate Investment Banking Group in New York and later worked with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler and DTZ Rockwood in their investment sales groups in Atlanta. In 2007, he founded White Oak Real Estate Advisors with a focus on small-to-middle market joint venture equity and structured finance products for commercial real estate development transactions and currently serves as Managing Partner of White Oak Development Partners.
John graduated Magna Cum Laude with High Honors from The University of Georgia with degrees in Finance and International Business and currently resides in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Managing Partner
Kyle Ward is a seasoned real estate professional with over 20 years of experience and a proven track record of success in brokerage and development, with career transactions exceeding $150 million. Licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, Kyle brings a deep understanding of the Southeastern real estate market, specializing in acquisitions, development, and strategic investments.
Kyle currently serves as Associate Broker at Longleaf Realty Trust, LLC, and is a partner at White Oak Development Partners, LLC, where he combines his expertise with a hands-on, results-driven approach. Kyle has a degree in Aviation Technology from Middle Georgia College, he began his career as a commercial flight instructor and corporate pilot, managing and operating multiple aircraft.
Kyle’s journey into real estate development was deeply rooted in his upbringing. Growing up working alongside his father in the grading and construction business, he gained invaluable hands-on development knowledge and a tireless work ethic that continues to drive his success today. Whether it is navigating complex deals or spearheading innovative projects, Kyle brings a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and a dedication to excellence to every endeavor.
Acquisitions & Development
Wyatt Howard joined White Oak Development Partners in 2022, with a focus on site acquisitions and construction project management. Wyatt handles the firm’s daily operations across our portfolio, assists in marketing initiatives, and underwrites our new project acquisitions and land development opportunities. His primary role is to expand the company’s current portfolio and oversee the construction management of projects under development.
He began his real estate brokerage career in 2016 as a licensed professional, assisting clients with commercial and investment properties. He has completed almost $1.0 billion in sales transactions pertaining to timberlands, tenant representation, commercial assets, and multifamily site development projects.
Prior to joining White Oak Development, Wyatt was employed by Georgia Power Company’s land department in Right-of-Way acquisitions as a representative to protect and enhance the power companies land rights and company infrastructure. He was a top ROW acquisition agent and successfully negotiated hundreds of easements across an array of varying property owners and easement types.
Wyatt graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a degree in Agricultural business and Economics.
