Our History

Nick Walker, Vice Chairman-Self Storage Investments, CBRE

PRESIDENT, 2023

Nick Walker specializes in the ever-growing self storage industry throughout the United States and Canada, and he is the head of CBRE’s Self Storage Advisory Group. Among the variety of client types that Nick represents are individuals, and syndicators, as well as corporations, financial institutions, real estate investment trusts, pension funds, endowments, and domestic and international investors. Nick has personally been involved with commercial real estate for over 16 years. He has overseen and taken part in self-storage transactions totaling over $7 billion dollars throughout his years in commercial real estate.

Josh Miller, Owner, Storland

PRESIDENT, 2022

Josh officially entered the self-storage industry in 2012 after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. However, he likes to say that he has always been part of the industry, as his company is a family business that started in California's Central Valley before his time. As a result, Josh has occupied nearly every role in the self-storage industry, climbing the "Corporate Ladder" of his small company. From handling a plunger or shovel to now managing the complexities of developing multiple new properties, Josh is truly grateful for the experiences and opportunities he has been afforded. He looks forward to the future of the industry and the CSSA, believing that both have a very bright future ahead.

Josh has served on the CSSA Board since 2017, including two years as Secretary.  He believes his experience has been immensely rewarding, reaffirming his view that the industry is truly unique.

Jeff Higashi, President - Western Division, Janus Intl.

PRESIDENT, 2021

Jeff graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. With over 30 years of experience in the storage industry, he has spent the last 15 years contributing his expertise at Janus. Before joining Janus, Jeff owned and operated his own company, Epic Doors, where he gained valuable insights into entrepreneurship and customer service.

Outside of his professional life, Jeff enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends.

Drew Hoeven

PRESIDENT, 2020

BIO COMING SOON 

Pedro Florida, COO, Kobre Co 

PRESIDENT, 2019

Pedro Florida is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Kobre Companies, following a successful four-year tenure as COO of Trojan Storage. At Trojan Storage, Pedro was instrumental in enhancing operating performance, driving sales innovation, and boosting revenue generation. With over 20 years of experience in the self-storage industry, Pedro has consistently delivered results and effectively led teams. 

Before his roles at Trojan Storage and Kobre Companies, Pedro held key leadership positions as Executive Vice President/COO at MiniStorage.net, Marketing Director at Ambev (InBev), and Senior Account Director at Village Roadshow Entertainment. He has also been a Board member and Past Chairman of the CSSA for nine years, where he continues to advocate for the self-storage industry.

Robert Chiti, CEO, OpenTech Alliance

PRESIDENT, 2018

BIO COMING SOON 

Natolie Ochi, President, SKS Management

PRESIDENT, 2017

Natolie Ochi is the President and CEO of SKS Management LLC,  which exclusively manages self-storage facilities in California, Reno, and Hawaii, where she has been a key leader since 2003. With over 30 years of experience in property and self-storage management, Natolie has established herself as a respected figure in the industry. She previously served as the Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chairperson of the California Self Storage Association and currently leads its Education and Training Committee. A recognized expert, she is frequently consulted for her insights and has contributed numerous articles to leading self-storage trade publications. Natolie holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and an MBA from National University.

Dean L. Keller, President, Bancap Self Storage Group, Inc.

PRESIDENT, 2016-2017

Dean Keller is the president of Bancap Self Storage Group, Inc. and the top selling broker of self storage properties in California with nearly $1.3 billion in completed sales. He is a co-founder and past Chairman of the Storage Operators Network (SON) in both Northern and Southern California and was an original Founding Sponsor of the California Self Storage Association (CSSA). He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Self Storage Association’s Western Region and currently serves on the Board of the CSSA and the Self Storage Association Foundation. He has been an owner/investor/operator of self storage properties for over 30 years.

Dean is an active or past Board member of several charitable organizations including Education for the Children Foundation, Bell Tower Foundation, YMCA, Leadership Long Beach, Beach Charities and multiple Rotary Clubs.

Wayne Woolsey, Principal, KIWI II Construction, Inc.

PRESIDENT, 2015-2016

Wayne Woolsey, a Principal of Kiwi II Construction, has over 18 years' experience in the Self Storage construction industry. Mr. Woolsey oversees all phases of project design, pricing and construction at Kiwi II Construction.  The company, whose corporate office is based in CA, is one of only a few companies nationwide to offer a complete steel storage system-- from design of self storage buildings to manufacturing and installation.  With bi-coastal sales offices, Kiwi II supports varied clients and their individual projects. Kiwi II Construction is a Featured Member and supporter of the California Self Storage Association.

Mr. Woolsey is a current regional board member of the California Self Storage Association and a past board member Nevada Self Storage Association.

Steve Mirabito, President, StoragePro, Inc.

PRESIDENT, 2014-2015

Steve Mirabito specializes in property management, acquisition, development, and consulting services for the California Self Storage Industry. He has been associated with the California Self Storage Industry since 1984.

StoragePRO manages over twenty self storage properties throughout Central and Northern California, consisting of over one million square feet and 10,000 occupants. As a leader in the industry, StoragePRO maintains one of the largest independent data banks of California self storage operations and has been responsible for review and analysis of thousands of potential Self Storage sites throughout California.

Steve has been retained to prepare market and viability studies along with extensive property research and site selection for developers and publically traded financial institutions. Consistently ranked in the nation’s top 100 operators, he has developed management systems and training programs utilized throughout the Self Storage industry.

Jim Stevens, SR. VP, Acquisitions and Business Development, Extra Space Storage

PRESIDENT, 2013-2014

Jim Stevens started his career in self-storage 31 years ago with Shurgard as a property manager straight out of college. After 4 years with Shurgard, primarily as a wholesaler raising limited partnership funds, he joined Public Storage and spent 14 years there in a variety of responsibilities. Thirteen years ago, Mr. Stevens joined Extra Space Storage as a Divisional Vice President. For the last seven years he has headed up the Acquisitions team and has overseen the company's growth of more than $2 billion worth of storage facilities. Mr. Stevens was also instrumental in the creation of the third party management program, Extra Space ManagementPlus, which has grown into the leading management program in the industry with over 250 properties.

Peter Ingersoll, CEO, Safe Harbor Equity, Inc.

PRESIDENT, 2012-2013

Peter Ingersoll has more than 25 years of commercial real estate, banking and investment banking experience; Ingersoll is CCIM designee and an expert in complex real estate investments, land development and construction, 1031 and UPREIT exchanges, collateralized installment sales and other tax deferred real estate strategies and equity and debt financing.

As the name implies, Safe Harbour Equity, Inc. is focused on finding funding solutions in today s turbulent financing markets. Safe Harbor Equity, Inc. chooses to represent buyers and equity investors. He is a former board member and president of the California Self Storage Association (CSSA) and is an active member and the Wharton Club of Northern California. Ingersoll is a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, ranked as the number one business school in the world, with a degree in real estate finance. Ingersoll lives in the Bay area with his wife and enjoys sailing, writing and jazz.

Shelley Geiler, Partner, So Cal Self Storage

PRESIDENT, 2010-2011

BIO COMING SOON

Jim McNamee, President, West Coast Self Storage Group

PRESIDENT, 2008-2009

Jim McNamee is a 22 year industry veteran with all of his prior experience with Shurgard Self Storage. Jim had a long career in operations prior to becoming the Regional Vice President of the Northwest in 1996 which included all Real Estate Investment activity in the Region. In 2004 California was added to the Region and Jim’s responsibilities included all Operations and Investing activity on the West Coast, including 130 storage centers and 325 employees. The total portfolio produced $95 million in net operating income annually with a value of $1.2 billion. This role and responsibility continued until the August 2006 merger with Public Storage.

Jim has a B.A. degree in English/Business from the University of San Diego as well as an Executive MBA from the University of Washington. He is a licensed real estate broker in the state of California and Oregon. Jim has served on the boards of the Washington chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Washington Self Storage Association, and the California Self Storage Association.

Kelly Gallacher, Owner, Gallacher Development

PRESIDENT, 2006-2007

Kelly is co-founder of Gallacher Development LLC.  His  experience includes the development of over 150 projects within the United States and Europe ranging from every aspect of real estate development including multi-family, industrial, office, medical and other related projects.

Kelly Gallacher has more than 20 years of experience in the acquisition, development, disposition, financing and management of self-storage properties.  He's  also a managing partner in Storage Galleria, a group of self-storage veterans who partnered to create a better customer-service experience for storage tenants.

Bill Hobin, CEO, The William Warren Group & StorQuest Self Storage

PRESIDENT, 2002-2006

Bill Hobin is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The William Warren Group (WWG), an entrepreneurial development, acquisition, and property management company with a national self storage footprint.  Since WWG’s Southern California-based inception in 1994, Bill has been the principal force behind its strategic corporate vision and dynamic brand story. Operating under the trade name of StorQuest Self Storage, the brand continues to disrupt the storage market through progressive thinking and innovative technology. Through its dynamic approach, WWG has successfully partnered with many of the nation’s largest capital firms and positioned itself as one of the top private operators in the storage industry, managing a portfolio in excess of $2 billion dollars.

Bill has an active hand in the various state and national self storage trade associations. He has served as a keynote speaker at numerous national and international trade conferences, past Board Director of the National Self Storage Association (SSA), Founder, past President and Board Director of the California Self Storage Association (CSSA), and maintains current memberships across numerous other state associations.  Bill resides with his wife, London, and their six children in Pacific Palisades, CA.