Rockville, MD – February 6, 2026 – ELYA Holdings, a vertically integrated manufactured housing investment firm, announced today the formation of its inaugural Board of Directors. The move comes as the company passes the 2,000-lot milestone and looks to accelerate growth and capital raising for new investments.
Founded in 2016, ELYA has grown its portfolio to 30 communities across seven states. To date, the firm has operated primarily through individual deal syndications. The formation of the Board is a key step in evolving the company’s strategy, specifically to support broader investment capabilities that will allow for faster growth and operational efficiency.
The incoming Board members bring a diverse range of expertise, spanning deep backgrounds in capital markets and real estate finance to the leadership of high-growth organizations. Their collective experience in scaling complex operations will provide the strategic backing necessary for ELYA to compete for larger portfolios, optimize its capital structure, and drive long-term value for investors as the firm continues to expand its platform.
Board Member Appointments (in alphabetical order):
- Marwan Bitar: Marwan Bitar is a veteran technology sales leader with 38 years of experience serving enterprise and service provider clients. He has driven over $10 billion in IT product and solutions engagements and currently serves as Vice President of Sales at ePlus Technology Inc.
- John Erickson: John Erickson brings over 35 years of experience as a CFO and President for multiple public companies. He previously served as CFO of Storage USA, leading their REIT IPO in 1994, and later as President of their development company. From 1998 to 2017, Mr. Erickson was CFO and President of Structured Products for American Capital, Ltd., helping grow the publicly traded investment firm from a $150 million IPO to $20 billion in AUM.
- Avi Goldstein: Avi Goldstein is the President and CFO of TEOCO, a private telecom software and services company. Prior to TEOCO, Mr. Goldstein co-founded several startups and served as Executive Vice President and CFO of ECtel Ltd. (NASDAQ: ECTX) from its founding until 2005. He successfully led ECtel through its IPO, as well as multiple private placements and M&A transactions.
- Shilpi Gupta (Advisor to the Board): Shilpi Gupta is a Partner for M&A and Corporate Finance at Skadden. Mr. Gupta brings significant legal and capital markets experience to the Board, having represented acquirers, sellers, and investment banks in complex mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. He also advises on initial public offerings, private placements, and high-yield debt transactions.
- Gordon O’Brien: Gordon O’Brien serves as Chairman of the Board of The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) and has been a Managing Partner at Cannon Capital since 2017. Previously, he was President of Specialty Finance and Operations at American Capital, Ltd. from 2008 to 2017. Mr. O’Brien brings extensive experience in capital markets, acquisition strategy, and corporate governance.
About ELYA Holdings: ELYA Holdings is a real estate investment firm dedicated to the manufactured housing sector. The firm handles everything from acquisition to operations, focusing on adding value through professional management and home infill. Based in Rockville, MD, ELYA currently owns and operates 30 manufactured housing communities across seven states.
