Sun Communities Taps Equity Residential CIO as New CFO
Event summary
- Robert A. Garechana joins Sun Communities as CFO on September 8, 2026, succeeding Fernando Castro-Caratini, who transitions to an advisory role.
- Garechana brings 20+ years of REIT finance experience, most recently as CIO at Equity Residential.
- Sun Communities operates 455 properties with 156,130 developed sites across the U.S. and Canada as of June 30, 2026.
The big picture
The appointment reflects Sun Communities' focus on strengthening its financial leadership amid a competitive REIT landscape. Garechana's extensive experience in capital markets and investment strategy positions him to advance the company's strategic priorities, particularly as the manufactured housing and RV sectors face evolving market dynamics. With 455 properties under management, the transition underscores the importance of disciplined financial management in a large-scale real estate portfolio.
What we're watching
- Capital Allocation Strategy
- How Garechana's multifamily REIT experience will shape Sun Communities' capital allocation in manufactured housing and RV sectors.
- Operational Optimization
- Whether the new CFO can drive efficiency improvements in Sun's diverse property portfolio.
- Financial System Improvement
- The pace at which Garechana implements financial system upgrades to support long-term growth.