Press Page & Media Kit
At CREA, LLC, our purpose is found in providing our investor and developer clients with professional real estate investment banking solutions. Together with our partners, we endeavor to create a world where everyone has a safe, affordable, decent place to call home. We strive to create communities of opportunity, connecting housing to world-class education, transportation, healthcare and jobs.
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We are more than capital providers. We are partners. We specialize in low income housing tax credits, forming long-term relationships with investors and developers that cultivate success and improve lives. CREA is headquartered in downtown Indianapolis and has offices in Boston, New York and San Diego.
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Mission Statement: Opportunity starts with a safe place to call home.
Facts & Figures
LIHTC Equity Raised
$12.6B+
Properties
Under Management
975
90k+
Affordable Homes Developed
Employees
145+
Total States, Territories
& DC
48+1+1
Boilerplate / Company Description
CREA, LLC specializes in low-income housing tax credits, forming long-term relationships with investors and developers that cultivate success and improve lives. Since inception, CREA has raised over $12.6 billion in equity and has properties under management in 48 states, D.C. and one U.S. territory. CREA is headquartered in Indianapolis, with employees across the country and offices in Boston, New York and San Diego.
Media Contact
Stefanie Brown
SVP, Marketing
sbrown@creallc.com
317 808 7193
Social Media
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Office Locations:
BOSTON
855 Boylston St
Suite 701
Boston, MA, 02116
INDIANAPOLIS
30 S. Meridian St
Suite 400
Indianapolis, IN 46204
NEW YORK
SAN DIEGO
800 Third Ave
Suite 3700
New York, NY 10022
12396 World Trade Dr
Suite 307
San Diego, CA 92128
Leadership Bios & Headshots
JEFF WHITING
Executive Chairman
Jeffrey Whiting founded CREA in 2001 and has since expanded the company to over 145 employees, establishing it as a highly regarded national tax credit syndication company with offices throughout the United States. After serving as CEO for nearly 24 years, he now acts as Executive Chairman and serves as a board member, providing guidance in an advisory capacity. Jeff has been involved in affordable housing finance since 1989 and continues to advocate for the expansion of the low-income housing tax credit. His passion for affordable housing advocacy extends both locally and nationally, with a focus on helping people achieve stability and a sense of belonging. He is a past president emeritus of the Affordable House Tax Credit Coalition and a past President of the Indiana Affordable Housing Council of which he was a founder. Jeff currently serves on the board of CREA Foundation, Inc., is Chair of Indianapolis Archdiocese Finance Council (Member since 2018), a member of The Woodstock Club, and The Penrod Society (Past President and Chairman). He lives in Indianapolis with his wife of 37 years. They share four children and two grandchildren.
TONY BERTOLDI
Chief Executive Officer
Tony Bertoldi stepped into the role of CEO effective January 1, 2025. Tony joined CREA in 2009 as head of syndications and investor relations. In that role, Tony was responsible for overseeing the marketing, formation and closing of all investment funds. As Co-President, effective August of 2020, Tony oversaw syndications, portfolio management and credit & underwriting departments. With nearly 30 years of experience in LIHTC, Tony's leadership as CEO is strengthened by his first-hand expertise and insight. Tony is actively involved in various industry organizations, serving on the board and executive committee for the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, as well as sitting on the board of CREA Foundation, Inc. He is also a member of the National Housing Crisis Task Force and frequently speaks at industry events. Tony holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and real estate from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. in finance from Boston University. In January 2024, Forbes published Tony's debut book, "American Dream Come True." Outside of work, Tony resides in Boston and on the Cape. He is an avid dog lover and enjoys spending time outdoors as well as playing tennis and volleyball.
CHARLES ANDERSON
President
Charles Anderson oversees the affordable housing platform at CREA which is comprised of production, credit and portfolio management. On a combined basis, these areas of the company are responsible for the annual production of more than one billion dollars of LIHTC equity and the ongoing management of more than eleven billion dollars of LIHTC equity, nationally. With more than two decades of experience in the affordable housing industry, he is committed to the development of deep and sustainable partnerships, structuring and implementation of new business opportunities, the fulfillment of CREA’s production and portfolio goals, and encouraging his team to take on new and challenging roles. When he’s not in the office, Charles loves gathering with family & friends, travel, food & wine, and spending time outdoors. He also serves on the board of Indiana Affordable Housing Council and is a big supporter of CREA Foundation, Inc. and numerous other philanthropic endeavors
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ROGER SHANK, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Roger Shank is responsible for all fiscal operations and corporate lending relations. With over 30 years’ accounting and operational experience, Roger has been a part of CREA since its formation in 2001 – having initially served as Controller for the previous parent company before his transition to Chief Financial Officer in 2011. Roger is passionate about tackling challenges head-on and enjoys collaborating to create positive change and discover new solutions. Roger believes investors and developers choose CREA because of the company’s ability to be nimble and flexible, bending to meet the needs of their clients. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters. Roger also serves as Executive Director of CREA Foundation, Inc., sits on the national Board of Directors of Bethany Christian Services, and is on the local advisory board of the local Isaiah 117 House.
Ziad Ghafour
Chief Information Officer
With more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership, Ziad is a passionate IT executive dedicated to building innovative solutions that drive business growth and elevate user experiences. Joining CREA as the Chief Information Officer, he leads the organization’s technology vision and digital strategy, spearheading initiatives that enhance business capabilities and deliver measurable value to its partners. Throughout his career, Ziad has built and led global architecture, engineering, and operations teams, delivering technology infrastructure and enterprise applications across diverse sectors including finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and retail. His previous experience includes leadership roles with IBM, JP Morgan Chase, and Dell EMC. Ziad earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from University of Massachusetts Boston. He lives in Brookline, MA, with his wife and enjoys traveling, sports, and movies in his free time.
KATY MCSHANE, SPHR
Chief Human Resources Officer, Executive Vice President
Katy McShane joined CREA in 2016 and is responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization, specifically in the areas of talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, benefits and compensation. Prior to joining CREA full-time, she was the Director of Human Resources for City Financial Corporation for 13 years. Katy earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in human resources management from Hawaii Pacific University. Additionally, she holds her Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) certification. Katy specifically connects with CREA’s values, which translate into a work- environment of kindness with a people-first mentality. Away from work, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga and spending time with family.
JUSTIN RUMER
General Counsel, Managing Director
As General Counsel, Justin Rumer oversees all legal matters. Justin focuses his efforts on finding practical solutions to CREA’s legal and business issues. He is a licensed attorney and CPA (inactive) in the State of Indiana. Prior to joining CREA, Justin was a principal in the tax and consulting groups of Dauby, O’Connor & Zaleski, LLC, a public accounting firm serving the affordable housing industry, where his practice focused on advising developers, managers, investors, and syndicators in the affordable housing industry on all manner of federal and state tax issues. Justin was also a litigation attorney with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, an Am Law 100 law firm. When he is not working, Justin spends time with his wife and four boys. He enjoys all types of cooking (is an avid BBQ enthusiast) and reading. Justin actively supports Immaculate Heart of Mary School and Parish, The Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and the CREA Foundation.