Who We Are

Richard began his real estate career in 1961 with single-family home construction. Over the next decade, he broadened his scope to encompass the development, management and leasing of commercial real estate. Since 1973, Richard has led Willco, developing office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses and hotels, including the renovation of the world-renowned Mayflower Hotel. A native Washingtonian, Richard is continuing his family’s legacy of real estate development throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. In addition to leading Willco, Richard is passionate about serving the local community. His endeavors have included:

• Board of Trustees, American University
• Board of Trustees, McLean School of Maryland
• Member, Montgomery County Affordable Housing Task Force
• Board of Directors, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
• Associate Chairman, Israel Bond Sales, Washington, DC
• Volunteer, Montgomery County Park Police
• Member, Montgomery County White Flint Sector Plan Redevelopment Committee

Gary brings more than 25 years of experience across acquisitions, development, and asset management as the third-generation leader of the Cohen family real estate business. Over the past two decades, he led Willco Residential, overseeing the development of more than 700 residential units throughout Washington, DC. Gary recently pioneered Washington, DC’s first major office-to-residential conversion, transforming the former Peace Corps headquarters into 163 Class A apartment residences with 8,000 square feet of street-level retail. The project positioned Willco at the forefront of adaptive reuse in the District and demonstrated a forward-thinking strategy for repositioning obsolete office assets into high-performing mixed-use residential communities.

As Chairman & President, Gary works closely with the CEO to establish management policy and guide Willco’s strategic direction, with a focus on acquisitions, development, and long-term portfolio growth.

Prior to leading Willco Residential, Gary held positions at Axent Realty in Maryland and Newmark Companies in New York City, where he was involved in property management, leasing, and construction operations.

Gary has been active in Washington, DC’s charter school community, serving on the Board of KIPP DC and as the founding Board Chair of Inspired Teaching Public Charter School. He earned a B.S. from Syracuse University and an M.A. from Pace University in New York. He is a member of the Economic Club of Washington, DC and the Federal City Council.

Ryan provides strategic leadership and oversees day-to-day operation for Willco and its 50+ employees. Additionally, he oversees all asset management activities of its nearly four million square foot portfolio and is a member of Willco’s Board of Directors. He previously served as Willco’s Chief Operating Officer wherein he oversaw all leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, refinancing, and pre-development activities.

He joined Willco in 2016 following three years at DANAC, LLC, where he served as an Asset Manager. Ryan graduated with a BA from the University of Richmond and holds an MPS in Real Estate from Georgetown University. Ryan is an active member in the Maryland & D.C. chapters of NAOIP and ULI, and he was a recipient of DCA’s NextGen Real Estate Leaders Award in 2019.

Bruce is responsible for the overall financial oversight of the Company. He oversees the accounting team and works closely with the executive team on strategic planning and initiatives. He has over 30 years’ experience in the real estate industry including 18 years working with another prominent family-owned real estate company in the local area. Bruce has extensive experience with underwriting, financing, acquisition and disposition, leasing, and asset management. 

Bruce grew up in Montgomery County and is a graduate of the University of Maryland. He is a Certified Public Accountant and the co-owner with his wife of Schreiber Translations, Inc, a Language Services Company. He has many ties to the local community and he and his family are dedicated to giving back and providing service to the community.

With over twenty years of experience in the development and construction of office, retail, institutional and industrial properties, Bob oversees Willco’s developmemt, construction, pre-construction, and tenant improvements divisions. Prior to joining Willco, Bob was the Operations Manager at KADCON, a large Washington, DC general contractor, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations. Bob previously held the position of Senior Director of Construction at Opus East, where he focused on retail, industrial, institutional and commercial office development and construction. Bob earned a B.S. in Business Management with a minor in Architecture from The University of Maryland, University College – College Park.

Kellie is responsible for all aspects of Property Management, including short-term and long-range financial planning, operational and maintenance standards, personnel management and tenant relations.  Kellie has 20 years of commercial office and mixed-use property management experience.  Prior to joining Willco, Kellie worked for Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) for 16 years and was consistently recognized for increasing property values and occupancy rates by demonstrating sound financial, operational and leadership skills.  Kellie obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Radford University and a Master of Business Administration from Marylhurst University.  She holds the Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Real Property Administrator (RPA) Designations. Kellie is also a Board Member for CREW Northern Virginia.

Ed works alongside the CEO in cooperation with the Acquisitions, Construction, Accounting and Property Management departments to facilitate leasing transactions and close deals efficiently and on budget.  Prior to joining Willco, Mr. Asher spent 12 years at Moore & Associates as their VP of Leasing and has over 17 years of experience in landlord and tenant leasing transactions. His previous real estate experience began at CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield as a leasing agent.  Ed is a graduate of Frostburg State University and is a native Washingtonian.”

Clinton provides legal support for all aspects of Willco’s operations. He is responsible for the oversight and coordination of legal advice to Willco and its affiliated entities. Prior to joining Willco, Clinton was a Staff Attorney with Clark Construction Group, LLC. Clinton received a Bachelor of Arts from Huntington University and a Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. He is a member of the Maryland Bar Association.