HHHunt Will Appoint New CEO in July 2027
Current CFO Ann Kelly will step into the top role as part of a planned leadership transition for the diversified company.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in People
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HHHunt has announced a C-suite transition effective July 1, 2027, naming current CFO Ann Kelly as the new CEO. The move aims to maintain family oversight while the company expands into a new hospitality venture.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a significant pivot for the firm as it transitions away from the tenure of Buck Hunt, who has served as CEO since 2013. This shift is designed to stabilize internal operations while simultaneously launching a new growth channel for the organization.
The company, which boasts a 60-year history of operations across states including Maryland and North Carolina, is executing this transition after Buck Hunt held the CEO role since 2013. Ann Kelly, who joined the firm in 2001, will assume the CEO position on July 1, 2027.
The players
Ann Kelly
The incoming CEO who has served as CFO and has been with the company since 2001.
Buck Hunt
The current CEO since 2013 who will transition to chairman to lead a new hospitality business.
Steve Brant
The current senior vice president of finance and treasury who will become the incoming CFO.
HHHunt
A diversified real estate and development company with a 60-year history of operations across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
The details
The leadership reset moves Ann Kelly from the CFO role to CEO, while current senior vice president of finance and treasury Steve Brant will step into the CFO position. Buck Hunt will retain a seat at the helm as chairman to provide continuity, while shifting his operational focus to lead the company's new hospitality venture. This structural realignment reflects an effort to balance internal stability with strategic diversification.
Timeline
2001: Ann Kelly joined the organization.
2013: Buck Hunt began his tenure as CEO.
July 1, 2027: Ann Kelly and Steve Brant will assume their new leadership roles.
Market Landscape
This move follows the standard corporate family office succession model, prioritizing institutional knowledge to bridge legacy operations with future growth. It underscores the trend of established firms utilizing internal talent to manage risk while venturing into new market segments.
Operators should monitor how this leadership transition impacts vendor relationships and capital allocation as the firm initiates its new hospitality project. Tracking the shift in executive priorities will be critical for partners currently working with the firm across its regional markets.
The takeaway
Maintaining continuity through internal promotion is a common strategy for preserving company culture during major pivots. Owners looking to scale should evaluate their own bench depth to ensure they can execute on future growth channels while keeping current operations stable.
What happens next
Ann Kelly and Steve Brant are scheduled to officially assume their new roles on July 1, 2027.
Further reading
For more on shifts in executive management, see our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HousingWire.
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