Our Leadership

Arnold Polinger is the President of Polinger Company, a comprehensive real estate management and development firm headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Post-graduation, he gained valuable experience as a clerk for Judge Levine of the Maryland Court of Appeals. Arnold is an active member of both the District of Columbia and Maryland Bar Associations.

Aside from his leadership role at Polinger Company, Arnold dedicates his time to various community engagements. He sits on the Boards of the DCJCC and The Levine School of Music. Previously, he contributed his expertise to organizations such as the Washington Performing Arts Society, The Weizmann Institute, Aish HaTorah, The Federal City Council, and the Jewish National Fund.

During his free time, Arnold enjoys playing piano and tennis, skiing, flying, and spending time with his wife Diane and their children Julie and Charlie.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Elliot Schnitzer attended Chicago Public Schools, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago Law School. After eight years of practicing law in Chicago, Elliot moved to Washington DC to accept a fellowship with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Soon thereafter, he shifted towards a career in business, specifically in real estate development.

Throughout his career, Elliot has been heavily involved in all aspects of commercial real estate, including development and management. In 1983, he joined forces with Arnold and the Polinger Company; since coming onboard, they have overseen the development and acquisition of millions of square feet of office space and thousands of residential units. During that time, they oversaw the development and acquisition of millions of square feet of office space and thousands of residential units.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Elliot has served on the Board of the Bethesda Urban Partnership for six years and on the Boards of numerous philanthropic organizations in the greater Washington area.

John Gordon, who has been with the company since 1985, spearheads Acquisition and Development for Polinger Company through its primary acquisition and development arm, Polinger Development Co., where he serves as the President.  John has played a pivotal role in acquiring numerous office and apartment buildings within the greater Washington DC market. Collaborating with institutional investors like State Street Global Advisors, ARES Management, and Principal Real Estate Investors, John has handled core and value-add investments.

His expertise in evaluating investment properties and his keen understanding of local markets, have helped solidify Polinger Development Co’s reputation in the DC-Area. In addition, John takes charge of asset management services for the Company’s institutional clientele. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University and a Master of Arts degree from American University.

Julie is the Chief Operating Officer at Polinger Company.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and a Doctorate of Psychology from George Washington University.

In her role as COO, Julie is responsible for overseeing daily operations, and ensuring efficiency and alignment with the company’s vision, values, and goals.  Her responsibilities include managing resources, optimizing processes, and leading initiatives to enhance efficiency and productivity across all departments. She places a strong emphasis on providing outstanding experiences for residents, clients, partners and employees. She also helped found Polinger Cares, the company’s group that focuses on philanthropic engagement and employee appreciation and wellbeing.

She lives in DC with her husband, Zach, and their three children. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Rebecca is an expert in the commercial real estate sector, specializing in the vibrant Washington DC market. Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in finance from American University and years of industry experience, Rebecca has skillfully managed intricate commercial transactions, spanning office, residential, and industrial properties. Her strategic acumen and astute observation of buildings and market dynamics have empowered her to deliver tailored solutions to clients, whether they are pursuing to lease, purchase, or sell assets.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Rebecca finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and their two children, attending their sports events, supporting her community, exploring new destinations through travel, and trying new restaurants.

VP of Human Resources, Tiaudra Taylor, is a seasoned professional recognized for her expertise in revitalizing HR departments. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Liberty University, she brings over a decade of experience in HR, specializing in employee relations and organizational development. Motivated by a passion for empowering individuals to reach their full potential, Tiaudra became a Certified Transformational Life Coach in 2016 and a published author in 2020. Through coaching, she has guided many individuals in overcoming challenges and achieving personal and professional growth.

Outside of work, Tiaudra enjoys hiking adventures, reading, and spending quality time with loved ones.

John Phillips serves as the Director of HR Operations at Polinger Company. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Polytechnic in Blacksburg, Virginia, before embarking on his career, where he began as an HR/Payroll Assistant.

Throughout his illustrious 25-year career, John Phillips has excelled in managing payroll and benefits. He possesses extensive experience in overseeing in-house payroll systems catering to multiple employers simultaneously, as well as seamlessly executing migrations to cloud-based HRIS platforms. His knowledge of complex payroll splits is second to none.

Beyond his role at Polinger Company, John is passionate about traveling, dogs, and avidly supports his favorite sports teams, particularly the Hokies. He boasts an impressive collection of antique sports memorabilia from Virginia Tech.

Brian Danhauser, the Chief Financial Officer, brings over 40 years of expertise in Accounting and Finance to Polinger Company, with 37 of those years dedicated to the firm. In his role, Brian oversees the Company’s corporate accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. Additionally, he acts as a crucial liaison to the Company’s auditors and assumes the role of Administrator for the Polinger Company 401k Plan. Brian earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Accounting and Finance from Augustana College.

Inessa is an experienced financial management leader with over 25 years of experience in the real estate field.  She has expertise in property management best practices, accounting systems integration, and banking innovations, allowing her to effectively streamline and automate accounting processes, and provide exemplary service to clients.  She leads a strong and diverse accounting team and takes pride in their accomplishments and growth.  Inessa has a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MS in Management and Information Systems from the University of MD.  She loves spending time with her family and experiencing different cultures.

Pamela, the Assistant VP/Controller for the accounting department, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University. She has over 37 years’ experience in accounting entirely in the Real Estate industry and is interested in the valuation of commercial and residential properties. She has an extraordinary commitment to the training and development of the project accountants in the accounting department, guiding them to success.

Pamela has worked for many prominent family-owned Real Estate Development Companies and has had a successful career, centered on financial analysis, budgeting, and property management accounting.

Pamela is a native Washingtonian and her passion for working with people traces back to the roots of her mother and grandmother. She is truly a people-person, who loves to travel, dance, and spend time with her two adult children and family.

Dawn joined Polinger Company as an Executive Assistant in 1984 after working at Bank of America, bringing with her extensive experience in banking, finance, and administration. Over the years, she has assumed the role of Partnership Administration, serving as a crucial link between Polinger Company’s managed properties and their investors. In 2012, Dawn added the responsibility of managing insurance for the entire portfolio. In this capacity, she is tasked with procuring insurance coverage and overseeing claims handling for both Polinger Company and the properties under its management.

In her free time, Dawn enjoys volunteering with various organizations, gardening, hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing.

Zubeida Elhindi is an accomplished commercial real estate manager responsible for overseeing a class A office portfolio in the DMV area. With more than 35 years of experience in property management, asset management, and construction management projects for the company’s institutional clients and partners, Zubeida brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She excels in areas such as tenant and client relations, financial statements, and budgeting, earning her considerable respect from her clients.

Since joining Polinger Company in 1987, Zubeida has proven to be an invaluable asset, demonstrating deep commitment and a very strong work ethic. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

Petrine Squires has been with Polinger Company since 1999.  Originally hired to head the Condominium Division, she remained on as a Regional Manager for both commercial and apartment buildings when the company discontinued condo management.

Ms. Squires’ experience has included positions as General Manager for many prominent condominiums in Virginia, as well as property manager of rental properties and shopping centers. She is an active participant in the local chapter of CAI and IREM – Chapter 77.

A firm believer in continued education, Ms. Squires holds a BA and MS in Business Education.  In addition, she holds many designations in the property management field, including CPM and ARM from IREM; RPA through BOMI; and the PCAM and CMAC from the CAI.

She enjoys spending her spare time at her condo at Virginia Beach and being entertained by her four adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild, and hopefully, more to come!

Jesse Martinez, CPM, Vice President -Residential, has worked for Polinger Company in the Residential Division since 2004. During that time, he has been involved in all aspects of property management, and works directly with asset managers, ownership, and third-party management.

Jesse has served as Chair of several industry associations and served as a Director of the IREM West-Central Chapter 92. He gained his CPM in 2018 as an IREM Next-Gen Leader and quickly began to serve on the IYP and Education Committee. In addition, he was an IREM Diversity Scholar in 2019. He has served as the Co-Chair of the PMA PACE Awards committee for four years.

Jesse was awarded the President’s Award for Distinguished Service by PMA in 2015.

When Jesse isn’t analyzing property, he follows his favorite baseball team, the Washington Nationals, and spends quality time with his wife and their three children.

Shonda, a Regional Portfolio Manager with Polinger Company, has over 25 years of Property Management experience, spanning a variety of roles.  During her career she has gained invaluable experience in project management, developing client relationships, maintaining customer service, and building teams. Her portfolio currently consists of residential mid-rise and garden style, as well as industrial business parks. She is professionally driven by delivering exceptional service, team development and being a lifelong learner in all things.

Shonda is a member of IREM and holds an Accredited Residential (ARM) designation; she is currently a CPM candidate.  She also actively participates in PMA. Shonda is a devoted mother of three, one son and two daughters. In her spare time, you’ll often find her at sporting events for her children, traveling to visit family, or just unwinding with a good Netflix series.

Chris, the president of Polinger Construction Services (PCS), a full-service General Contracting company with Electrical and Plumbing divisions, has over 35-years of experience.  In his current role, Chris oversees all construction operations at Polinger Company.  Chris and his highly skilled staff bring a wealth of experience to various commercial, residential, and retail construction projects. Under his guidance, PCS has successfully completed the build-out of over 1 million square feet of commercial and retail office space, as well as the renovation of more than 4,000 apartment units throughout the DC metro area.

Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University and has been an integral part of Polinger Company since 1988. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time boating.

Chris Sant joined Polinger Company over two decades ago as an Assistant Project Manager and has steadily climbed the ranks to his current position as Vice President of Polinger Construction Services. He holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Chris excels in estimating, marketing, management, sales, and operations. He is certified in OSHA 30 and LEED GA and is an active member of the Property Management Association.

In his leisure time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, and indulging in hobbies like hunting, fishing, and playing golf.

Jeff, a seasoned construction Project Manager with over 18 years of experience, brings a wealth of expertise to each project he undertakes. Renowned for his meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to quality, he has effectively managed a wide array of projects, spanning from interior commercial construction to capital improvement projects, for both Polinger Company and third-party clients. Jeff’s collaborative approach cultivates strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and team members, driving success through efficient communication and adept problem-solving skills.

Kimberly’s tenure at Polinger Company spans over two decades, marked by her journey through various roles to her current position as Director of Marketing. She earned an Associate Degree in Fine Arts from Catholic University of America and completed coursework in Digital Marketing at Columbia Business School. In her role, Kimberly oversees all marketing endeavors for the company’s residential portfolio. Her responsibilities extend beyond traditional marketing realms to include managing policies and procedures as well as personnel development, where she provides guidance and training to a team of over 25 employees.

Under Kimberly’s strategic leadership, Polinger Company has earned numerous Excellence in Marketing awards for website development, social media engagement, and corporate outreach. Kimberly’s commitment to excellence has also been recognized through the prestigious President’s Award for Distinguished Service from PMA, awarded to her on three occasions.

Gaoussou is a Marketing Specialist at Polinger Company, where he blends his passion for storytelling and marketing into impactful campaigns. He earned an Associate’s degree from the University of Houston and has spent the past two years refining his photography and videography skills. During this time, he has worked with over 30 companies across various industries, creating campaigns that effectively engage audiences and deliver measurable results.

Drawing from his experience, Gaoussou launched his own media marketing company, focusing on helping businesses boost their brand visibility and connect with their target audiences. By combining creativity with strategic thinking, he has developed projects that align with client goals and adapt to the fast-changing marketing landscape.

At Polinger, Gaoussou uses his entrepreneurial mindset and creative expertise to craft campaigns that leave lasting impressions. His focus on professional growth and staying updated on industry trends ensures his marketing strategies remain fresh and effective. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring innovative approaches to storytelling and finding new ways to push the boundaries of modern marketing.

Driven by a passion for excellence and an insatiable thirst for knowledge and coupled with an innovative spirit and commitment to progress, Aminat has emerged as a valuable member of the Polinger organization.  With a strong educational background and experience in both IT and property management, she has become highly respected in her work. As Director of the IT Department at Polinger Company, Aminat has played a key role in implementing cutting-edge systems and processes to update the company’s technological capabilities.  Beyond her drive to enhance user experience and efficiency, Aminat challenges herself to discover new ways to improve both the company and the community.

Antoin serves as the Systems and Training Manager at Polinger Company, leveraging his educational background in Computer Science from Fisk University. With a strong foundation in customer service and sales, he has accumulated 8 years of experience in the Property Management field, transitioning from a role in Leasing to his current position.

Beyond his professional achievements, Antoin has been recognized with Community Awards for Leadership and Mentoring Youth in the City of Bladensburg through MNCPPC. He continues to mentor through sports and other activities.

In addition to his commitment to Property Management, Antoin finds joy in spending quality time with his son, playing sports, and taking care of his family.

Randal has been serving as the Vice President of Engineering Services at Polinger Company since 2010, where he oversees the engineering program for the portfolio.

Randal graduated from the IUOE Local #99 engineering training program, as well as obtaining steam and mechanical licenses in Washington DC, Maryland, and NIULPE. Additionally, he holds a LEED AP designation from USGBC and has completed the SMT and SMA designations in the BOMI training program.

Active in professional organizations, Randal has dedicated his time to serving on the board of the National Institute of Power Engineers and their educational foundation for 5 years. He has also served as an instructor in their HVAC, Boiler, and Electrical training programs, as well as in the BOMI electrical program.

Randal is committed to community service and has been President of his community organization since 2017. As of 2024, he is a member of the Anne Arundel County Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission.