Executive Team

Mark T. Torok

Chief Executive Officer

Mark T. Torok is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Silver Star Properties REIT, Inc. (formerly Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc.). He was appointed to the role in October 2022 following the transition of the company’s founder, Al Hartman, to the role of Executive Chairman.

Mr. Torok brings with him over 30 years of regulatory, compliance, securities, and real estate experience to the position. He began his career with regulatory stints as an administrative law judge at the Oregon and Pennsylvania insurance departments. He held positions at Erie Indemnity Company (where he was instrumental in their listing on the NASDAQ national securities exchange in 1995), USAA (where he was director of regulatory compliance), and Argonaut Insurance Group (where he was Chief Compliance Officer).

Having joined Hartman as a securities attorney in June 2015, he became General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2016 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2020. Mr. Torok has also worked in private practice focused on real estate, securities, and business law. A frequent lecturer to diverse audiences on real estate and asset protection, Torok has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates as a “New Master of Real Estate.” He is a co-author of the Amazon best-seller, Protect and Defend (Your Business, Family and Wealth) (Celebrity Press, 2012).

Mr. Torok holds a BA in Economics from Gettysburg College, a Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law, and FINRA series 7, 24, and 63 securities licenses.

Louis T. Fox, III

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Louis T. Fox, III is our CFO and Treasurer. Mr. Fox also serves as CFO for our Advisor and our property manager. He has responsibility for financial reporting, accounting, treasury and investor relations.

Prior to joining Hartman Management (now, HIR Management) in March, 2007, Mr. Fox served as Chief Financial Officer of Legacy Brands, a restaurant group from April, 2006 until January, 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Fox served as Chief Financial Officer of Unidynamics, Inc., a specialized EPC manufacturer of unique handling system solutions for the marine and energy industries from January, 2004 until April, 2006. He also served as Treasurer and CFO of Goodman Manufacturing, a major manufacturer of residential and commercial HVAC products for 9 years prior to that.

In addition to his years of experience in the manufacturing industry, he has served in senior financial positions in the construction and debt collection service concerns.

Mr. Fox is a former practicing certified public accountant. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He started his career as a tax accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co.

David Wheeler

Chief Investment Officer and EVP of Advisor

David Wheeler serves as Executive Vice President and CIO for both HIR Management and Hartman Advisors.

Mr. Wheeler joined Hartman Management (now HIR Management) in January 2003 as an acquisition manager, following a 16-year tenure with CBRE. Mr. Wheeler worked as an acquisition manager until August 2006, when he assumed his current position. He has almost thirty years of experience in the acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing commercial real estate investments.

Mr. Wheeler’s responsibilities range from sourcing investment opportunities, including shopping centers, office buildings, and warehouses, to closing, ownership transition and asset management. At CB Richard Ellis,

Mr. Wheeler was a Vice President in the Investment Services Division, where he successfully completed the sale of over $400 million in commercial real estate comprising over 9 million square feet throughout the South Central U.S. Prior to CB Richard Ellis, Wheeler was a Project Engineer and Cost Estimator with HB Zachary for two years on numerous civil and site development projects including the Legacy business Park in Plano Texas for EDS.

Wheeler holds an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate from Southern Methodists University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering with an option in Construction Management from Texas A&M University.

Kimberly Strickland

Chief People Officer

Kimberly Strickland serves Hartman as Chief People Officer.

Mrs. Strickland’s responsibilities include oversight of office services and human resources encompassing over 180 employees.

Mrs. Strickland joined the firm in October 2011 as Director of Human Resources bringing over 20 years of experience with her.

Prior to joining our staff, Mrs. Strickland served as Vice President of Millennium Professional Services, a recruiting and staffing firm specializing in real estate professionals. She began her career in real estate in in 1988. Mrs. Strickland has experience in management of real estate, budget and cost control, and extensive leadership experience.

Michael Racusin

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Michael Racusin joined Hartman in 2021 as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Racusin has more than 15 years of corporate legal experience and has a diverse background in legal and risk management, capital raising, and counseling on negotiations, contracts, and core business operations.

Before joining Hartman, Mr. Racusin held the position of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Luby’s, Inc. (NYSE:LUB), a publicly traded restaurant and foodservice company. In his role, Racusin led the legal and risk management departments, provided material management and support for acquisitions and divestitures, and counseled the Board of Directors. In addition, Racusin co-founded the world’s first and leading crowdfunding platform for oil, gas, and energy investments at EnergyFunders, where he led the company to a successful exit in June of 2020.

During Racusin’s time at Luby’s, he supported the $63 million acquisition of Fuddruckers, $11 million acquisition of the Cheeseburger in Paradise brand, debt financing that included an $80 million secured credit facility, and numerous real estate transactions.

Mr. Racusin earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Houston Law Center. He is a Texas State Bar Member, holds his United States Federal Court license, and was awarded a Top 50 General Counsel award from The National Diversity Council.

Dan Jones

Senior EVP

Dan Jones has served as Senior Executive Vice President of Asset Management and Construction at Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. (Hartman) since 2018. Mr. Jones, has over 25 years of diverse experience in construction, property management, financial analysis, and development in the commercial real estate industry. Mr. Jones’ priority at Hartman is to deliver the best-in-class building and tenant improvements while featuring sustainable practices to reduce landfill waste and energy consumption.

Before joining Hartman, Mr. Jones worked for multiple top commercial real estate leaders and Fortune 500 corporations. In his previous roles at Hines, PM Realty Group, Chevron, Stewart & Stevenson, and CenterPoint Energy, Mr. Jones served as a portfolio manager of office, retail, and industrial space, managing more than 7.5 million square feet.

While at PM Realty Group, Mr. Jones directed over 100 employees and provided services across the property management, building engineering, training, and quality control departments. Jones also held an integral role on the development team for a new 18 story, 385,000SF, Class A+ office building in the Greenway submarket in Houston, TX. The project was completed in 2015 and was the first new office building in the submarket in almost 30 years.

Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Science from Texas A&M University and has been a contributing member of The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) since 1992. Mr. Jones enjoys volunteering at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and playing golf in his spare time.