About SkyDev:
Experience You Can Trust
“SkyDev is a fully integrated asset acquisition, management, development, and investment entity with a mission to build developments that create meaningful value for the communities we invest in. Our team’s extensive knowledge and expertise goes into each project, creating vibrant communities of business spaces and places to call home.”
Gregory Jones,
President, SkyDev
Our Team
Greg Jones
President
Lorraine Roberts
Senior Development Manager
Sarah Reeve
Senior Development Manager
Brandon Almeida
Senior Development Manager
Ben Irwin
Finance Manager
Emily Hallgrimson
Development Investment Manager
Aga Mucha
Customer Experience Manager Greg Jones
PresidentGreg is responsible for leading the SkyDev team in bringing sustainable and impactful new real estate development to fruition for Skyline, building great places for Canadians to live, work, and shop.
Joining Skyline with more than 15 years of apartment, retail, and commercial real estate development experience, Greg has worked with several real estate development firms delivering new buildings across Canada and the United States, including Cadillac Fairview, First Gulf Corporation, and Lanterra Developments.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Housing and Real Estate Management and a Master of Land Use Planning from the University of Guelph, and a Master of Business Administration specializing in Finance and Organization studies from York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Lorraine Roberts
Senior Development ManagerLorraine oversees all aspects of the land acquisition and development process for SkyDev, including obtaining regulatory approvals, preparation, and management of budgets and schedules to successfully deliver new developments. In her role as Senior Development Manager, Lorraine manages multiple project consulting teams and liaises with Skyline’s internal service companies, as well as external consultants including lenders, attorneys, architects, surveyors, engineers, and contractors.
Lorraine has been in the real estate development industry since 1998. She began her career at the City of Brampton in Land Planning, and in 2010 she shifted to the private sector, working as Land Development Coordinator for Eastforest Homes (now Activa) in Waterloo, Ontario.
Prior to Skyline, Lorraine was Manager of Land Development at Losani Homes in Stoney Creek, Ontario, during which time she worked on many projects that awarded the company dozens of accolades from organizations such as Canada’s Best Managed Companies, the National Homebuilders’ Association, the Consumer Choice Awards, and the Ontario Business Achievement Awards. Her experience in managing the coordination and development of new real estate projects spans many building types including residential, industrial, retail, and mixed-use.
Lorraine’s managerial approach places importance on mentorship and team collaboration. She views the successes and achievements of her team as the most significant demonstration of her own success, and she believes that when it comes to respect, there are no titles or positions.
Lorraine holds a diploma in Municipal Law and Municipal Administration from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), as well as a certificate in Project Management from the University of Waterloo. She is an executive council member at the Royal Canadian Legion, serving as Public Relations Officer, Youth Education Chairman, and Past President.
Sarah Reeve
Senior Development ManagerAs Senior Development Manager, Sarah is responsible for managing and coordinating SkyDev’s residential real estate development projects. She ensures that projects run smoothly and deliver meaningful value to investors.
With more than a decade of real estate industry experience, Sarah plays a critical part in helping SkyDev reach its goals. She facilitates master-planned residential and commercial developments that create meaningful value for the communities SkyDev is invested in. She is responsible for securing the regulatory municipal approvals and all permits required for developments, as well as construction project management.
Sarah also conducts due diligence on potential acquisitions, including both vacant land and previously developed sites. She oversees logistical timelines for projects, including feasibility studies, applications and permits, proformas, design development, and building design.
A gifted communicator, Sarah is a valued liaison between internal and external stakeholders, including municipal staff. She also manages external consulting teams with an approach centred on transparency and efficiency.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Real Estate and Housing from the University of Guelph and is a Master of Business Administration graduate from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
Brandon Almeida
Senior Development ManagerBrandon manages all aspects of the development process, beginning with due diligence assessment, through design development, planning approvals, and construction. He is responsible for advancing regulatory approvals, evaluating project feasibility and the management of external consulting teams across various projects.
Brandon joined Skyline in 2022, bringing with him more than eight years of expertise in real estate development, planning, and construction. He formerly worked with Losani Homes as a Senior Project Manager and Planner and has previous experience in both the public and private sectors. He has been instrumental in the approvals and development of thousands of units across southern Ontario, spanning various building types, including low to high-rise residential, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial.
Brandon holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours, Planning) with a specialization in Urban Design and a Minor in Geography & Environmental Management from the University of Waterloo. He is a Registered Professional Planner, being a full Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, as well as a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Ben Irwin
Finance ManagerAs Finance Manager at SkyDev, Ben organizes and manages all financial and accounting functions, including reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial guidance in relation to the Ontario Construction Act. His industry experience and dedication to financial accuracy and transparency are invaluable assets to SkyDev, helping facilitate informed decision-making and strong stakeholder relationships.
Drawing on four years of construction industry experience, including senior roles within municipal infrastructure and land development/home construction corporations, Ben brings a deep understanding of the sector’s unique financial requirements. His expertise plays a key role in helping SkyDev maintain its position as an innovative leader in Canadian real estate development.
Ben’s approach to financial management is guided by the principle that financial information must be clear, transparent, and actionable. In his role, he champions SkyDev’s commitment to service excellence and strives to communicate complex data in a way that is meaningful to stakeholders.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Outside of work, he volunteers his CPA expertise for Strong Start, a charity dedicated to helping children learn to read, where he assists in establishing fiscally responsible cash management, investing, and inventory control procedures.
Emily Hallgrimson
Development Investment ManagerEmily is responsible for evaluating SkyDev’s real estate development investments by managing and completing detailed underwriting, and due diligence. In her role, she supports SkyDev’s mission to build developments that create meaningful value for the communities in which it invests.
Emily joined Skyline in 2024 with more than seven years of experience in the financial services and banking industries. Prior to Skyline, she held the role of Associate, Real Estate Debt, at MarshallZehr Group Inc., where she performed advanced financial modelling and risk analysis to evaluate the quality of various opportunities. She also played an active role in the brokering and administration of real estate development and construction lending transactions.
Emily holds a Master of Management Analytics from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Aga Mucha
Customer Experience ManagerAga oversees the customer service responsibilities of SkyDev’s development projects, supports pre-occupancy quality inspections, and provides post-occupancy warranty service. She is the main point of contact for SkyDev investors and purchasers and is responsible for providing an exceptional customer experience throughout all stages of development projects.
Aga brings extensive experience in residential construction to Skyline. She began her career with Monarch Homes in 1996 and has since worked with developers of all sizes across Southwestern Ontario on residential projects ranging from low-rise to mid-rise to high-rise to condos. Aga brings comprehensive knowledge of Tarion, a not-for-profit consumer protection organization established by the Ontario government to administer the province’s new home warranty program, to her role. Aga ensures that SkyDev has met all Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) and Tarion requirements prior to starting any projects.
Aga holds a Business Administration diploma with a Marketing designation from Conestoga College. She is committed to professional development and has completed courses through the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), Tarion, and buildABILITY to increase her knowledge of not only the regulatory side of development but also builder obligations in construction and warranty processes.
SkyDev Executive Board
Jason Castellan
Chief Executive Officer
Martin Castellan
Chief Administrative Officer
Jason Ashdown
Chief Sustainability Officer
Wayne Byrd
Chief Financial Officer Jason Castellan
Chief Executive OfficerJason leads Skyline’s strategic direction, encompassing all funds and business units including asset acquisition, management, development, and investment. His visionary leadership ensures that Skyline continues to expand its national presence and maximize investor returns through expertly managed investments.
Jason has been in the business of purchasing, owning, managing, and financing income-producing real assets since 1991. His passion for exceptional, personable investor service continues to be an integral part of Skyline’s continued growth and success. He places a strong emphasis on building and maintaining trust among investors to ensure their confidence in the ongoing stability and strong performance of Skyline’s investments.
A graduate of the Ivey School of Business’ exclusive QuantumShift program, Jason has been recognized for his entrepreneurialism and industry expertise. He has been named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, as well as one of Canada’s 40 Most Promising Entrepreneurs. He was also designated a finalist for the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. He continues to be a sought-after contributor to industry publications, webinars, interviews, and thought leadership pieces.
Jason holds degrees from both the University of Guelph and York University. He has strong roots in the Guelph, Ontario area, where Skyline is headquartered, and still calls it home.
Jason sits on the Skyline Apartment REIT Board of Trustees, the Skyline Industrial REIT Board of Trustees, the Skyline Retail REIT Board of Trustees, and the Skyline Clean Energy Fund Board of Trustees. He is also a Board Member for the Grand River Agricultural Society.
Martin Castellan
Chief Administrative OfficerMartin oversees Skyline’s daily operations and administrative functions. He has been in the real estate business since the early 1990s and has developed a deep knowledge and understanding of real estate acquisitions, management, and investment. He is committed to Skyline’s success, both as a growing corporate entity and a Canadian employer of choice.
Martin has helped build Skyline into a major Canadian capital management company spanning coast-to-coast, while never losing sight of the fundamentals that spurred Skyline’s early growth. He recognizes that an engaged and enthusiastic workforce is a productive workforce, and his primary focus is on preserving and promoting Skyline’s values and culture by attracting passionate, like-minded investors and employees with star qualities. This ensures that as Skyline continues to reach new heights, it also remains firmly planted on the ground with a strong foundation in doing the right thing.
Martin’s expertise in this area has garnered Skyline an Aon Best Employer in Canada award, as well as recognition as a Southwestern Ontario Top Employer, a Waterloo Area Top Employer, and a designation as of one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures from Waterstone.
Martin holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management Economics in Industry and Finance from the University of Guelph and has been recognized with the distinction of Notable Alumni. He is committed to continuous self-education on all areas relevant to Skyline’s success and the communities it serves. He sits on the Skyline Apartment REIT Board of Trustees and is a Real Estate Program Advisory Board Member for the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph.
Outside of Skyline, Martin is a co-founder of Four Fathers Brewing Co. and Four Fathers Brewing Pickleball Society—an indoor multi-court professional pickleball facility—both in Hespeler Village, Cambridge, Ontario. Martin also oversees B Hospitality, a full-service hospitality group that includes the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre in Cambridge, Ontario, and the iconic Windermere House, located on the shores of Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, Ontario.
Jason Ashdown
Chief Sustainability OfficerJason oversees the corporate strategy and implementation of Skyline’s sustainability and social responsibility efforts. He ensures that Skyline’s Funds, as well as their service entities, find ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations to create efficiencies. This ultimately creates value for investors while minimizing our environmental impact and enrich our communities.
Jason has been in the business of real estate asset management, development, construction, and building systems since the early 1990s. His focus centres on sustainable real estate practices, with the objectives of enhancing business performance and reducing Skyline’s environmental footprint. His passion for environmental stewardship fueled the 2006 launch of Skyline’s Portfolio Efficiency Plan (PEP), an ongoing initiative to reduce consumption of natural gas, hydro, water, and waste, while also focusing on tenant outreach and education surrounding sustainable-minded living.
Jason applies a three-prong approach to sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. He ensures that Skyline stands as an industry leader in all three aspects, and remains at the forefront of innovation, efficiency, and community service in the Canadian real estate sphere.
Before his appointment as CSO in 2020, Jason held the title of Chief Operating Officer and worked to consistently improve the performance, profitability, and efficiencies in Skyline’s real estate portfolios.
Jason is also Chair of the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO), the province’s leading advocate for landlords and tenants, and Chair of United Way Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin’s Home for Good Campaign. He sits on the Skyline Apartment REIT Board of Trustees. He is also a past board member of Shelldale Family Gateway, a community organization in Skyline’s home city of Guelph, Ontario, where he provided advisory services in an effort to help hundreds of local children and families.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Waterloo.
Wayne Byrd
Chief Financial OfficerWayne is responsible for the financial performance of Skyline and its associated real estate and clean energy assets. Having been in private sector finance since 1995, his proven business experience and insight make him an integral leader as Skyline pursues its core purpose of providing meaningful value and an exceptional experience for stakeholders, while building strong, supportive, and sustainable communities.
Wayne’s financial expertise and commitment to Skyline’s vision result in a balanced approach to managing fiscal obligations and operational responsibility. He understands and appreciates the challenges facing business today, and, subsequently, the evolving role of the Chief Financial Officer. His unique blend of analytical, leadership, and investor relations skills is fundamental to leading Skyline’s operations and driving its long-term success.
Wayne is passionate about providing value to Skyline’s investors beyond the returns. He engages directly with investors to offer his insight and provide ongoing investment education. A sought-after leader in the private alternative investment space, he regularly contributes to industry publications, webinars, and thought leadership pieces.
Wayne holds an Honours Bachelor of Accounting degree from Brock University, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation from the Society of Management Accountants of Canada, and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
Wayne sits on the Skyline Retail REIT Board of Trustees and the Skyline Clean Energy Fund Board of Trustees.
SkyDev is a real estate development company based in Guelph, Ontario. We are part of Skyline Group of Companies, a fully integrated asset acquisition, management, development, and investment entity. SkyDev delivers new residential, industrial, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments. From new project inception to the final occupancy, we are developing exceptional spaces to live, work, shop, and enjoy.
As an established Canadian property developer, we’re experienced in navigating complex regulatory requirements, financial needs, and the building design process from land acquisition to occupancy.
We provide opportunities to invest in large-scale, institutional-quality developments with a trusted management team, simplifying a typically complex investment process.
We provide opportunities to invest in large-scale, institutional-quality developments with a trusted management team, simplifying a typically complex investment process.
We maintain clear and frequent communication, including regular financial reporting and project updates.
We maintain clear and frequent communication, including regular financial reporting and project updates.
We treat every dollar as our own, ensuring that value is created with every investment through comprehensive due diligence investigations and proforma updates.
We treat every dollar as our own, ensuring that value is created with every investment through comprehensive due diligence investigations and proforma updates.
Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Efficiency: these are Skyline Group of Companies’ P.R.I.D.E. values, and they are the foundational behaviours and characteristics that drive us toward our mission to build developments that create meaningful value for the communities we invest in.
Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Efficiency: these are Skyline Group of Companies’ P.R.I.D.E. values, and they are the foundational behaviours and characteristics that drive us toward our mission to build developments that create meaningful value for the communities we invest in.
