L+M Companies Names New Leadership to Drive Expansion

The firm’s transition to new executive leadership signals a push to scale its housing model across 15 states.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People

L+M Companies Names New Leadership to Drive Expansion

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L+M Companies has announced a leadership transition, appointing Eben Ellertson as CEO and Carrie Van Syckel as president and chief investment officer. The changes, set for full implementation on January 1, 2027, support the firm's broader strategy for national expansion.

Why it matters

The transition reflects a shift toward scaling L+M's vertically integrated housing model beyond its traditional markets. With over $25 billion in capitalization, the firm is aiming to leverage this internal leadership change to accelerate growth across 15 states.

The firm oversees a portfolio of more than 66,000 homes across 15 states, backed by total capitalization exceeding $25 billion. This operational scale has been built over a 40-year history.

The players

Eben Ellertson

Incoming CEO at L+M Companies who has been with the firm since 2010.

Carrie Van Syckel

Newly appointed president and chief investment officer at L+M Companies, previously serving as CIO since 2021.

Lisa Gomez

Current leader transitioning to the role of executive chair on January 1, 2027.

L+M Companies

A vertically integrated real estate firm based in Manhattan with over $25 billion in total capitalization.

Meta Development

A development entity in which L+M Companies maintains a strategic investment partnership.

The details

L+M Companies employs a vertically integrated approach that manages housing development and preservation in-house. The leadership change aligns with the firm's efforts to increase its footprint in regions including the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the Southeast, Texas, and California. The firm also utilizes strategic partnerships to support its investment activity, such as its existing stake in Meta Development.

2010: Eben Ellertson joined L+M.
2016: Carrie Van Syckel joined L+M.
2021: Carrie Van Syckel became chief investment officer.
October 27, 2026: Leadership appointments are announced.
January 1, 2027: Lisa Gomez transitions to executive chair.

Market Landscape

This move follows a documented trend of urban-focused developers exporting their core models to high-growth regional markets. It represents a strategic pivot for L+M as it seeks to extend a business model refined over 40 years in New York City to a national scale.

Operators should monitor whether this expansion shifts the firm's vendor procurement toward national-level contracts rather than region-specific partners. The transition of leadership signals a medium-term increase in competitive activity for housing projects in the firm's new target markets.

The takeaway

Large-scale real estate firms often consolidate leadership talent as they pivot from local dominance to regional diversification. Owners should watch this move as a signal that similar mid-market competitors may soon attempt to enter or scale their own operations in Texas, California, and the Southeast.