Our
Leadership
LONGEVITY.
STABILITY.
VISION.
Leadership is defined by results. The essence of leadership is building and maintaining a team and guiding that team towards desired results.
These are the pillars of our Company – and these are our leaders.
John Westrum
Founder, Chairman
John A. Westrum is Chairman and Founder of Westrum Development Company, a privately held residential real estate development company located in Fort Washington, PA. As a second-generation builder, John Westrum cultivated his company into one of the largest market-rate residential real estate developers in the mid-Atlantic region. Since opening for business in 1987, Westrum Development Company constructed nearly 5,000 homes, improved 10,000+ building lots, rezoned over 7,000 units, and contributed to the development of more than 100 communities. Westrum credits the longstanding business success to:
- Cutting-edge vision of future residential markets
- Disciplined work ethic
- Simplified processes managed by great employees
- Team’s passion for delivering the best product at the best price
Westrum partners with dozens of municipalities and city agencies to transform obsolete, underutilized properties into vibrant, high-quality residential communities that meet the desires and demands of an ever-changing marketplace. This commitment to revitalization and land repurposing continues to drive the Philadelphia Neighborhood renaissance movement. To date, redevelopment of large-scale blighted and underperforming mid Atlantic urban properties occupy the largest share of his company’s portfolio.
Considered an expert in the building industry, John Westrum co-authored Philadelphia’s Ten-Year Property Tax Abatement: A Case Study, which assisted Philadelphia City Council decision to continue the city’s 10-year tax abatement program. Commitment to responsible development, preservation of open space and affordable senior housing alternatives prompts Westrum to serve on numerous business advisory boards and government-appointed councils as follows:
Business Advisory Boards
- Urban Land Institute – Member, Past Executive Committee, Shark Tank Panel – 2 Consecutive Years
- Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties – Member, Past President and Charitable Foundation Chair
- Building Industry Assoc. of Philadelphia – Board Member, Past President, Charitable Foundation Chair, Hall of Fame inductee
- Alkemy X – Board of Advisor member of Film Production company
Government Appointed Boards
- Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission – Commission Member and Member of Steering Committee
- Pennsylvania State Planning Board – Board Member
- Montgomery County Revitalization Board – Board Member
- Philadelphia Inclusionary Housing Commission – Commission Member
- Philadelphia Green City Strategy Committee – Member
- Mayor Nutter Transition Team Committee – Member of Zoning and Excess Property Committees
Industry-Related Panels/Case Studies
- Multifamily Executive (MFE) – Modular vs. Traditional Building
- Cornell Real Estate Council (CREC) – Current and Future Trends in Multifamily
- CenterBuild – Redefining the Live/Work/Play Paradigm
Philanthropic and Civic involvement
- Mural Arts Advisory Committee – Board Member, Past Chairperson
- Schuylkill River Development Corporation – Board Member
- Ambler Theater – Founder, Vice Chairman Emeritus. Member
- Prudential Fox Roach Charitable Foundation – Board Member
- Delaware Valley Habitat for Humanity – Former Vice Chairman, Past Board Member
- Germantown Academy – Former Board of Trustees Member
Business Advisory Boards
- Urban Land Institute – Member, Past Executive Committee, Shark Tank Panel – 2 Consecutive Years
- Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties – Member, Past President and Charitable Foundation Chair
- Building Industry Assoc. of Philadelphia – Board Member, Past President, Charitable Foundation Chair, Hall of Fame inductee
- Alkemy X – Board of Advisor member of Film Production company
Government Appointed Boards
- Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission – Commission Member and Member of Steering Committee
- Pennsylvania State Planning Board – Board Member
- Montgomery County Revitalization Board – Board Member
- Philadelphia Inclusionary Housing Commission – Commission Member
- Philadelphia Green City Strategy Committee – Member
- Mayor Nutter Transition Team Committee – Member of Zoning and Excess Property Committees
Industry-Related Panels/Case Studies
- Multifamily Executive (MFE) – Modular vs. Traditional Building
- Cornell Real Estate Council (CREC) – Current and Future Trends in Multifamily
- CenterBuild – Redefining the Live/Work/Play Paradigm
Philanthropic and Civic involvement
- Mural Arts Advisory Committee – Board Member, Past Chairperson
- Schuylkill River Development Corporation – Board Member
- Ambler Theater – Founder, Vice Chairman Emeritus. Member
- Prudential Fox Roach Charitable Foundation – Board Member
- Delaware Valley Habitat for Humanity – Former Vice Chairman, Past Board Member
- Germantown Academy – Former Board of Trustees Member
Our Leadership
John Mershon
Partner, Chief Financial Officer
John has a proven 30 year track record in the areas of creative financial management, investor relationships, strategic operations, and risk mitigation. John has been with Westrum Development Company for 25 years.
- Creates and manages Financial, Tax and Management Controls
- Maintains and Generates new Investor and Lender Relationships
- Successfully develops and communicates Business Plans, Financial and Operating Strategies to Lenders, Investors, Owners, and Boards
- Provides Critical Thinking Analysis to successfully implement New Business Opportunities, both Operationally and
Financially Experienced at Valuing and Acquiring Companies, from Initial Negotiations through Closing the Transaction - Cultivates Cooperative Relationships with Lenders
- Raised more than $100 Million in equity to date
Jon Herzog
Chief Executive Officer
Jon has 20+ years experience in the residential real estate and construction industry. Jon provides the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the company has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, people and systems in place to effectively grow the organization and ensure its financial strength and operating efficiency. Jon has been with Westrum Development Company for ten years.
- Manages all facets of company operations including construction, marketing, design, approvals and multifamily assets
- Executes vision of three company brands: Urban Multifamily, Suburban Multifamily, Senior Living Communities
- Certifications include Storm Water Consent Decree Implementation Certificate, OSHA Certification, First Aid/CPR, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program certified (SWPPP) and HazCom
- He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bucks/Montgomery County HBA and the Building Industry Action group of Philadelphia.
Executive Team
Brian McKenzie
,Vice President, Land Acquisition
Jessica Cuesta
,Vice President, Westrum Property Management
Shawn Paul
,Controller
Michael Maier
,Vice President, Approvals
