Core Team Overview

NavigatorCRE founders are leading experts in commercial real estate investment strategy focused on aligning successful teams for the benefit of their clients. Their mission to deliver streamline processes and innovative technology to all real estate professionals has been achieved through the creation of NavigatorCRE’s comprehensive platform. Together they formed a dynamic team to launch the most significant influencer in portfolio management for the entire real estate industry. 
 
Collectively, the Navigator founders have relationships with a large segment of the target market user community. They use NavigatorCRE successfully in their own practice and thoroughly understand how the system functions in order for it to be of maximum value for the success of each NavigatorCRE customer.

Taylor Odegard
CIO and Chairman of the Board

Taylor is the original visionary behind NavigatorCRE. He started developing innovative technology applications while gaining a Real Estate and Finance degree from USC. Nationally recognized as a pioneer in real estate technology innovation, driving significant transactions and success for his clients. Over the past decade he has refined best practices for data visualization and property research, while running his own web development company and collaborating with commercial real estate firms. His ability to develop proprietary code and digital functionality allowed him to lead a top-tier NavigatorCRE development team to create a revolutionary platform that significantly elevates performance levels of Commercial Real Estate professionals through the digitization of processes related to business development, market research, valuation, site acquisition, property and asset management through final disposition. ​

Russ Johnson
CEO and Director

Russ brings a 30 year history in business and entrepreneurial experience including 20 years with CBRE as a market leader and Senior VP focused in corporate services, CEO of a private cloud managed services company, founding director of a graduate school of business and leadership, managing partner in a diversified investment company and director of a private family foundation. While at CBRE, he co-Founded the Corporate Finance Group and pioneered the development of national industry practice groups. Early in his career, Russ recognized the need within the commercial real estate industry for the alignment and integration of big data, programs, tools and teams to create value for owners, advisors and vendors. Russ is now committed to make NavigatorCRE widely available through a robust and affordable SAAS offering, for the entire CRE community of industry professionals.

Andrew Knutzen
Director | Account Management 

Andrew guides our client experience from the first steps with NavigatorCRE, into an ongoing partnership, he is here to walk this journey alongside you. Andrew, along with our account management group, is a key part of reaching your corporate mission.  He excels at collaborating with team members to champion the technical setup process for all new clients. His thoughtful approach is gleaned from experience with multiple successful startups and leadership in complex scenarios. Andrew is also an avid outdoorsman who gets plenty of opportunity to practice leading new endeavors, whether through mountaineering expeditions, trips as a whitewater raft guide, or piloting a paraglider. Andrew is a skilled and trusted partner through many rewarding opportunities. Our company mission is to “Become Integral to The Success of Our Customers,”  meaning your success IS our destination.

Steven Staley
Lead | Software Development 

Steven leads our in-house development team at NavigatorCRE and the Navigator Cloud Engine. Steven has over a decade of experience in platform architecture, cloud application development and cloud database development and is a visionary on on how data management should be architected and deployed. Steven and his team continue to innovate  cloud based technology and the application for the Commercial Real Estate industry with robust data systems and a streamlined user experience.

Kris Allan
Director |  Retail and Corporate Solutions

Kris leads our retail and corporate solutions division and helps retail and corporate occupiers and landlords understand the power of technology when implemented into their site selection, tenancy and merchandising strategies nationally. Kris brings 30 years of success across the retail, luxury, real estate, and hospitality industries. Leveraging extensive experience in the retail space including management of the flagship store for one of the nation’s most renowned retail companies, she is a valuable asset for consumer facing companies looking for expert guidance in the areas of team building, branding, strategic planning, or customer experience. Her broad areas of expertise include commercial real estate, leasing, consumer experience, personnel management, team building, marketing, motivational speaking and customer service.

Kirk Olson
Director | Corporate Accounts & Deployment

Kirk leads our corporate accounts and deployment at Navigator as a visionary in how software should be successfully deployed to organizations. Kirk works alongside our sales team in designing the path to success for our clients by defining what goals they are trying to solve, how data can help achieve those goals, and then how our platform should be rolled out to your company to maximize value, adoption and growth. Kirk has a unique blend of technical design, organizational coaching and building successful outcomes for our clients via his unique design sprint process.

Forrest Messenger
CFO

Forrest has served clients through his wholly owned CPA firm over the past 20 years, Messenger Finance Corporation. With a hands-on approach his engagements include financial oversight in the areas of financial management, tax analysis, and accounting. He also works on compiled and reviewed financial statements of closely held businesses and nonprofit organizations. Forrest has extensive experience in construction accounting, cost accounting and development of financial systems and controls. Forrest has an undergraduate degree in liberal arts and a master’s degree in tax accounting. He has worked as a CPA since 1985, previously as a tax manager with Moss Adams, Seattle and later as a partner in the Seattle firm of Willett, Zevenbergen and Bennett, LLP