John Westrum
John A. Westrum is Chairman and Founder of Westrum Development Company, a privately held residential real estate development company located in Fort Washington, PA. As a second-generation builder, John Westrum cultivated his company into one of the largest market-rate residential real estate developers in the mid-Atlantic region.
Since opening for business in 1987, Westrum Development Company constructed nearly 6,000+ homes, improved 10,000+ building lots, rezoned over 7,400+ units, and contributed to the development of more than 100 communities. Westrum credits the longstanding business success to:
- Cutting-edge vision of future residential markets
- Disciplined work ethic
- Simplified processes managed by great employees
- Team’s passion for delivering the best product at the best price
Westrum partners with dozens of municipalities and city agencies to transform obsolete, underutilized properties into vibrant, high-quality residential communities that meet the desires and demands of an ever-changing marketplace. This commitment to revitalization and land repurposing continues to drive the Philadelphia Neighborhood renaissance movement. To date, redevelopment of large-scale blighted and underperforming mid Atlantic urban properties occupy the largest share of his company’s portfolio.
Considered an expert in the building industry, John Westrum co-authored Philadelphia’s Ten-Year Property Tax Abatement: A Case Study, which assisted Philadelphia City Council decision to continue the city’s 10-year tax abatement program. Commitment to responsible development, preservation of open space and affordable senior housing alternatives prompts Westrum to serve on numerous business advisory boards and government-appointed councils as follows:
John Mershon
John has a proven 30+ year track record in the areas of creative financial management, investor relationships, strategic operations, and risk mitigation. John has been with Westrum Development Company for 30 years.
- Creates and manages Financial, Tax and Management Controls
- Maintains and Generates new Investor and Lender Relationships
- Successfully develops and communicates Business Plans, Financial and Operating Strategies to Lenders, Investors, Owners, and Boards
- Provides Critical Thinking Analysis to successfully implement New Business Opportunities, both Operationally and
Financially Experienced at Valuing and Acquiring Companies, from Initial Negotiations through Closing the Transaction - Cultivates Cooperative Relationships with Lenders
- Raised more than $100 Million in equity to date
Jon Herzog
As Chief Executive Officer of Westrum Development Company, Jon Herzog leads the firm’s long-term vision, strategic growth, acquisitions, capital partnerships, development, and operations. He is responsible for guiding the company’s expansion while overseeing the execution of multifamily and senior living communities from initial site selection through stabilization and disposition.
With more than 25 years of residential real estate development and homebuilding experience, Jon has built a reputation for identifying high-quality development opportunities, navigating complex entitlement and approval processes, and delivering successful projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. His expertise spans acquisitions, land development, municipal approvals, debt and equity structuring, design oversight, construction management, and asset execution.
Under Jon’s leadership, Westrum has expanded its multifamily and senior living platform, developing more than 3,200 apartment and senior living residences across 18 communities. He has cultivated strong relationships with institutional investors, family offices, lenders, municipalities, architects, engineers, and construction partners, positioning Westrum for continued growth in existing and emerging markets.
Jon’s disciplined investment approach, operational leadership, and commitment to creating exceptional communities continue to drive Westrum’s reputation as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier privately held residential developers.
Brian McKenzie
Brian McKenzie is Vice President at Westrum Development, primarily focused on land acquisition and identifying new residential project opportunities for the firm. Brian has over 20 years’ experience in residential real estate and residential development throughout the mid-Atlantic region with an emphasis on land acquisition and entitlements.
Brian has been at Westrum since 2015 and has managed other aspects in the company related to homebuilding and property management.
Prior to Westrum, Brian held a position as General Manager for the PA/NJ/DE Division for a national homebuilder, among other positions in the sales and marketing department and in land acquisition over a six-year period.
Prior to that time, he had other project management roles for smaller development and investment firms focused on residential development.
Brian holds a Master of Business Administration in Real Estate Studies and is a licensed Pennsylvania Real Estate broker. He is also a Past President of the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties and presently serves as an advisor and as a Director on its Board.
Michael Maier
Michael Maier is Vice President of Development at Westrum Development Company, where he leads the entitlement and predevelopment of multifamily, mixed-use, and senior living communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Since joining Westrum, he has helped advance more than 2,000 residential units through the complex zoning, permitting, environmental, and governmental approval processes that are critical to successful development.
With more than 20 years of real estate experience, Michael specializes in navigating the regulatory and infrastructure challenges that often determine whether projects move forward. He works closely with municipalities, state agencies, utility providers, consultants, lenders, and community stakeholders to secure zoning approvals, environmental permits, transportation improvements, utility capacity, and development agreements. His experience includes financial feasibility analysis, development budgeting, public-private partnerships, and incentive programs such as PILOTs and LERTA tax abatements.
Before joining Westrum, Michael held real estate leadership positions with IKEA, where he supported the company’s 20-million-square-foot U.S. real estate portfolio and collaborated with executive leadership in the United States and Sweden on development, asset management, acquisitions, and strategic planning.
Known for building consensus among diverse stakeholders, Michael frequently represents development teams before elected officials, planning commissions, zoning hearing boards, and regulatory agencies. His ability to translate complex technical issues into practical solutions has helped advance high-profile development projects from acquisition through entitlement across the region.
Jessica Peckham
With more than 20 years of experience in multifamily property management, Jessica Peckham serves as Vice President of Property Management for Westrum Development Company, overseeing the operational strategy and performance of the company’s apartment portfolio from lease-up through stabilization and disposition.
Jessica leads property operations, revenue management, resident experience, marketing collaboration, and team development across Westrum’s growing portfolio. She works closely with the development, construction, and executive teams to ensure each community is positioned for long-term success, aligning operational excellence with the company’s investment and asset management goals.
Throughout her career, Jessica has built a reputation for maximizing asset performance through strategic revenue management, strong operational execution, and a resident-first approach. Her expertise spans new development lease-ups, portfolio operations, budgeting, team leadership, retention strategies, and process improvement.
Jessica believes exceptional property management is fundamental to the success of every development. By creating high-performing teams and delivering an outstanding resident experience, she helps maximize the long-term value of Westrum’s communities and supports the company’s fully integrated approach to multifamily development.
Shenika McCloud
Shenika McCloud serves as Vice President of Marketing for Westrum Development Company, where she leads the company’s marketing strategy for its luxury multifamily communities and corporate brand. With more than a decade of experience in property management marketing, she oversees brand strategy, digital marketing, advertising, communications, and community engagement, helping position Westrum’s communities for long-term success.
Since joining Westrum, Shenika has played an integral role in the successful launch and marketing of luxury apartment communities, brand development initiatives, website strategy, and corporate communications. She works closely with the development, construction, property management, and executive teams to create compelling marketing campaigns that strengthen the company’s brand while driving leasing performance and resident engagement.
Known for her strategic mindset and creative approach, Shenika combines data-driven marketing with thoughtful storytelling to elevate the customer experience and support Westrum’s continued growth. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, creating memorable brand experiences, and showcasing the exceptional communities Westrum proudly develops throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Shenika holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing & Innovation, complementing her industry experience with advanced expertise in brand strategy, digital marketing, and innovation.
Christine Yordy
Christine Yordy is an accomplished accounting and finance professional with more than 25 years of progressive experience in public accounting, corporate accounting, financial reporting, and development finance. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance, providing a strong foundation for her successful career in the accounting and homebuilding industries.
Christine began her career in public accounting, where she worked from 1999 through 2006, developing expertise in financial reporting, auditing, and client service across a variety of industries. This experience established the technical knowledge and analytical skills that have supported her throughout her career.
In 2006, Christine joined Toll Brothers, where she spent nearly 18 years in roles within both divisional accounting and corporate accounting. During her tenure, she played an integral role in financial operations, reporting, and accounting processes, contributing to the company’s continued growth and operational excellence while gaining extensive experience in the homebuilding industry.
In 2024, Christine joined Western Development as the Development Controller. In this role, she oversees financial management for development projects, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and project cost oversight. She is committed to delivering accurate financial information, supporting strategic decision-making, and driving operational efficiency throughout the development lifecycle.
Christine is dedicated to continuous professional growth and takes pride in building strong financial processes, fostering collaborative relationships, and contributing to the long-term success of the organization.