Affordable
Housing
Is Our Focus.

The accessibility of affordable housing is the linchpin that holds communities together.

Affordable housing is a modest term for a complicated concept. To many, it simply means the availability of low-income housing options for those who are financially disadvantaged. For manufacturers, retailers, foodservice providers, and other companies, it means access to a whole workforce. People can’t live where they can’t afford to live, which means they also can’t build or participate in communities. Comfortable, affordable, and convenient housing options provides more than just four walls and a roof to a family who needs it—it provides the groundwork for further economic development.

Through hundreds of developments and thousands of affordable-housing units throughout the Midwest and South, Zimmerman has helped create living communities—where families can engage with each other as they embrace similarities, celebrate diversity, and find their place in the greater whole.

Vaughn C. Zimmerman

Founder & Managing Member

Vaughn Zimmerman has served as principal developer and general partner since 1986, having overseen the construction of more than 16,000 units across fourteen states. He maintains executive oversight of the ﬁrm and related party aﬃliates while leading the acquisition team, which has orchestrated the purchase and sale of over $1 Billion dollars in multifamily assets. Vaughn is a licensed real-estate broker and has served on various real-estate boards and commissions to develop and preserve low- and moderate-income housing.

Justin M. Zimmerman

Member

Justin Zimmerman oversees the development side of the business, having developed more than 10,000 apartment units since 1992, the vast majority of which qualify for low-income housing tax credits, where he has served as principal developer and general partner. Justin is a licensed real-estate agent, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Missouri State University.

Robert C. Davidson

CEO/COO

Chief Operating Oﬃcer and Chief Financial Oﬃcer Robert Davidson directs the eﬀorts of employees and manages all ﬁnancial aspects of the company’s debt and equity commitments. His background includes more than 34 years of experience in development, construction, and construction ﬁnance. Robert holds an MBA in Finance/Accounting from Ohio State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics/Accounting from Ohio Wesleyan University.

James McDonald

VP Development

James currently focuses on the acquisitions and sales of multifamily assets. Previously, James served as VP of Development, focusing on new properties utilizing low-income housing tax credits. He also serves as Broker-Oﬃcer for Wilhoit Properties, Inc. and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the states of Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Southern Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. A graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, James has been with the company since 2001.

Tab Bullard

Director of Development

As a VP of the Southeast Region, Tab focuses on development within the states of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. He oﬃces in Atlanta and has more than 21 years’ experience with the ﬁnance and development industries. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.B.A. in Accounting, Tab has been with the company since 2011.

Tyler Smithson

Controller

Tyler serves as the Controller for Wilhoit Properties, Inc., overseeing the Accounting and Compliance departments. A Certified Public Accountant, Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional, and Housing Credit Certified Professional, Tyler is a member of professional organizations like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Construction Financial Management Association, and National Association of Home Builders. He holds two graduate degrees—a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy—as well as an undergraduate degree in Finance, all earned from Missouri State University.

Melissa Forster

VP OF Development

With over 14 years of experience with the ﬁnance and development industry, Melissa is actively involved with in all tax credit / HOME applications. She has been with the company since 2015, and is a graduate of Chadron State College with a B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Service.

Ben Parker

Development Manager, Southeast Region

Ben joined the Zimmerman Properties Southeast Office in Atlanta in 2023 after contributing for four years as a consultant. He specializes in pre-development, site selection and acquisition as well as community/municipal relationships. His diverse background includes acquisition, finance, development, and operations as a franchisee with Hyatt and Hilton as well as development in multifamily, assisted living, commercial, and single family residential. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in Ag Economics and an AA Degree in Business Administration.

Paula Wilhoit

Executive Vice President of Property Management

Paula is responsible for overseeing the overall operations of more than 17,000 units in the portfolio.

With more than 30 years in the Property Management industry, Paula has extensive experience in new construction, lease-ups, acquisitions, and renovations. Her professional background also includes expertise in tax credit properties, bond programs, repositioning multifamily real estate, and assessing financially and physically stressed assets.

Paula is a Certified Property Management (CPM) candidate with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), and holds a real estate broker's license in Arkansas and Missouri.

Aaron Jernigan

VP of Real Estate Acquisitions

Aaron is directly involved in overseeing new asset acquisitions and handling investor relations. With more than 27 years of experience in real estate, banking, and finance, he previously held the position of Mortgage Banking President at a financial institution where he facilitated the origination of over $4.1 billion in mortgages over 12 years. Aaron was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Missouri State University.

Jeff Beckler

VP Midwest Region

Jeff became a part of Zimmerman Properties in 2016, concentrating on new development initiatives in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Colorado. Jeff actively contributes to the tax credit application process from the corporate office located in Springfield, Missouri. He holds a degree in Business Management from Missouri State University.

Affordable Housing Is Our Focus.