Our People

In order to effectively develop and service these projects, Hughes has assembled a staff of professionals that can successfully address all aspects of a project. Our staff includes personnel with specialties in acquisition and disposition, procurement of governmental approvals, development, site planning, design, construction management, leasing/brokerage, marketing, finance and accounting, and property management.

CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT

WILLIAM W. HUGHES, JR. - Mr. Hughes is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a J.D. degree in Law. Since 1963, Mr. Hughes has been involved in the real estate development business.

His career has included involvement in the Real Estate Departments of Security Pacific National Bank and Vons Grocery Company with responsibilities in location search, market analysis and lease/purchase negotiations. In 1967, he joined E. F. McDonald Shopping Bag Food Stores as Manager, Real Estate Division, and Attorney, where his responsibilities included development of company properties, lease/sale negotiations and legal documentation for all real property matters. Mr. Hughes joined Santa Anita Development Company, a neighborhood shopping center firm in 1970.

Mr. Hughes serves as the Chairman and President of Hughes Investments. In this capacity, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the Company and has direct supervision of all acquisition, development and leasing activities.

Mr. Hughes is an active member of California Business Properties Association, having served as its President and as Chairman of the Board of the Political Action Committee. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. He is also a member of the California Bar Association (Inactive).

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT

JOHN B. POTTER - John Potter is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Business Administration. Mr. Potter began his professional career in 1978 when he joined the Brooks Company of Newport Beach, a family company involved in ranching and real estate development.

After joining Hughes Investments in 1980, Mr. Potter served as Director of Leasing, with responsibility for all Hughes Investments projects. In 1986, he became an Associate Partner responsible for new development projects. His responsibilities include, acquisitions, major tenant negotiations, procurement of entitlements and overall responsibility for design, leasing and property management. He is currently a Senior Vice President with responsibility for Development. He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

MARILYN A. GUTWILL - Ms. Gutwill, a native New Englander, attended Quinsigamond College, Worcester, Massachusetts where her concentration was Business Administration.  She has been a California resident for more than 25 years.  Ms. Gutwill has broad executive management experience in finance and operations, financial reporting, investor relations, due diligence, loan management, analyzing financial performance and creating refinancing initiatives.

In her professional career she has served as auditor, controller, treasurer, COO and CFO. Prior to joining Hughes Investments in 1979, Ms. Gutwill was Chief Accountant for Property Investments West, an Orange County developer specializing in industrial and commercial development, particularly shopping centers.

Ms. Gutwill was formerly the company Treasurer of Hughes Investments and held responsibility for all accounting, forecasting, and accounting-related property management. Presently she is Chief Financial Officer and is in charge of operations for Hughes Investments. Ms. Gutwill's primary areas of responsibility are overall financial management, accounting and financial reporting, evaluating and improving processes, managing cash flow, reducing costs, increasing working capital, improving profit margins, providing financial training and helping to build overall enterprise value. Ms. Gutwill is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Institute of Real Estate Management. She is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of California and Hughes Investments' Corporate Broker.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT

THOMAS P. LYNCH - After graduation with honors from Westmont College and California State University - Fullerton, Mr. Lynch began his real estate career at Downey Savings & Loan Association in 1974, where he worked as a leasing representative for DSL’s extensive shopping center and savings branch locations in California and Arizona. After serving in various capacities including property management, loan operations and project management, he became Vice President, Director of Real Estate in 1981 with oversight over company personnel, joint venture relationships, direct development projects and savings branch locations totaling in the multiple millions of square feet. During this time he successfully completed law school, and passed the California Bar in 1980.

In 1984, Mr. Lynch left Downey Savings to form a joint venture with Howard F. Ahmanson, Jr. to develop shopping centers in California. In the next four years, he successfully acquired, developed, and renovated projects in Manteca, Culver City, Turlock, Oxnard, Bellflower, Riverside and Upland. Lynch Investment Properties was formed in 1989 to acquire all of the assets of the Ahmanson venture. The entire portfolio was successfully sold in the next several years.

Mr. Lynch is a member of the California Bar and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He also serves on the board of his church and is Chairman of the James L. Stamps Charitable Foundation.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT

ALAN JOHNSON - Alan attended Mount Royal College in his native Calgary, Canada and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. After graduation in 1983, he joined Coldwell Banker, now CB Richard Ellis, as a retail specialist, transferring to the Anaheim, California office in 1985. In 1989 Alan was hired by Hughes Investments and was appointed Vice President - Leasing. After nine years with Hughes Investments, Mr. Johnson joined the Irvine Company as Director of Leasing and concentrated on the development and leasing of several ground-up projects including The Market Place - Irvine, Northpark Plaza, Quail Hill, Trabuco Grove, Oakcreek Village, Irvine Spectrum Pavilion, Newport Coast, The Bluffs and several other projects throughout Irvine and Newport Beach. Alan completed transactions and formed relationships with Albertsons, Sav-on Drugs, Lowe's, Target, Kohl's, Office Depot, Ralph's, Ethan Allen, Vons, Sears and many other national tenants.

In September of 2003 Alan left the Irvine Company to serve as Senior Vice President, Development with Hughes Investments. Mr. Johnson will be responsible for all phases of acquisition and development at shopping centers throughout California, Utah and Idaho. Alan is a member of ICSC and has attained his Certified Leasing Specialist "CLS" credential.

VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

GEOFFREY B. REESLUND, AIA  - Mr. Reeslund is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Architecture. A registered Architect since 1977, for over 21 years Geoff worked for SGPA Architecture and Planning, one of the foremost retail/commercial architectural firms in the country. A Principal with SGPA since 1986, he provided leadership in the planning, design and entitlement processing of over 200 community, specialty, regional and entertainment centers throughout California and other Western states, including nine projects for Hughes. In addition, he served as SGPA's Southern California Marketing Director from 1993 to 1997, helping to expand their presence and Client base in the region.

As Director of Design and Construction at Hughes Investments, Mr. Reeslund oversees all aspects of project planning, design, governmental approvals, and construction. He assembles and manages the project consultant teams, works closely with tenants and their consultants, and coordinates the construction process to a successful completion.