Christopher P. McKee - President

As president of Optimus, Chris McKee is responsible for generation new build-to-suit construction, leasing and development opportunities. He also identifies acquisition and investment opportunities and coordinates sales and marketing activities.

Prior to joining Optimus, McKee served as President of McEagle Properties where he was responsible for generation new build-to-suit construction, leasing and development opportunities. He also identifies acquisition and investment opportunities and coordinates sales and marketing activities.

McKee was vice President of sales for industrial markets at BOC Water Services. Previously, he served as executive vice president of commercial and industrial services division at Environmental Management Corp., an operator of wastewater, water and public works systems be being sold in 2002.

Robert J. Lochner - Vice President, Development

With Optimus Development, Lochner is responsible for managing the design and construction teams throughout the project development process. As Vice President of Development, Lochner oversees site development and build-to-suit construction for all Optimus projects. He works with the general contractor to develop schedules and budgets in order to produce timely and cost effective delivery of projects. Additionally, Lochner works closely with municipalities, non-for-profit agencies, and other government agencies to collaborate on the best production of infrastructure throughout each development to best benefit the surrounding community while seeking governmental approval for zoning, permitting, inspection, and construction. Lochner also authors and manages tax credit applications for clients and projects to help achieve effective cost benefits. He works with lenders investors, and numerous governmental agencies to ensure effective project financing.

Lochner has 16 years of development experience in every area including expansions/remodels, retail, commercial, health care, and manufacturing. Prior to joining Optimus, Lochner served as Development Director for Westfield overseeing entitlement and development activities for five regional mall properties. There he negotiated leases and agreements for over $150 million in redevelopment and secured $18 million in public financing. Lochner also previously worked for May Department Stores as Director of Construction and as a project architect for Hastings+ Chivetta Architects.

Russell L. Caplin, Jr. - Vice President, Finance

Caplin’s primary responsibilities include developing investor relationships for Optimus with local, regional and national investors and investment groups. The vaious types of investment opportunities Caplin conducts include land and commercial development throughout the St. Louis metro area.
Caplin has over a decade of experience working with institutional and quasiinstitutional investors and lenders. In his role at Optimus, his experience allows him to structure optimal real estate capital solutions for development and portfolio financing.
Prior to joining Optimus, Caplin was a managing director at a real estate investment and merchant banking firm based in Miami, Florida. While there, he structured equity and debt capital for more than $2 billion of development and acquisitions.