Introducing Ovation’s Leadership Spotlight Series

At Ovation, we believe our strength lies in our people, and that leadership exists at every level. That’s why we’re proud to launch our new Leadership Spotlight Series, to highlight the incredible individuals who help shape our company from the inside out. This series will begin with members of our leadership team and eventually transition into Employee Spotlights, celebrating the diverse voices and talents that make Ovation thrive.

Meet Our CEO – Reinier Santana
To kick off the series, we’re proud to feature our CEO, Reinier Santana—a leader whose story embodies the spirit of growth, mentorship, and vision that defines our culture.

With two decades at Ovation, Reinier’s path from financial analyst to CEO is one of perseverance, purpose, and passion. In this Leadership Spotlight Q&A, he reflects on his journey, shares the values that guide him, and offers a look ahead at what’s next for Ovation and the multifamily housing industry.

Q: Could you briefly describe your current role and key responsibilities at Ovation?
A: As CEO of Ovation, I help set the vision and make sure we’re focused on what matters most. I work closely with our team to drive strategy, manage our real estate portfolio, and support our development, construction, and property operations. My job is to create clarity, remove roadblocks, and help our people do their best work.

Q: Reflecting on your 20-year journey with Ovation, how has the experience shaped you both personally and professionally?
A: I started as a financial analyst supporting our founding president, Jim Hernquist, and working alongside Alan Molasky. Back then, we had about 100 employees and 2,500 units. I was in an entry-level role and had the chance to learn the business from the ground up. Over the years, I’ve grown with the company, and I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by Alan, who gave me the space and support to develop into the leader I am today.

Personally, this journey has made me more grounded, reflective, and connected to the people around me. Professionally, it’s shaped my leadership, helping me become more intentional, focused, and curious about what drives the people I work with.

Q: Which of Ovation’s brand values resonates with you most, and why?
A: I genuinely love all of our values: Have Passion, Do it Right, Elevate Experiences, Always Improve, and Build Belonging. But if I had to pick one, it would be Always Improve. It aligns closely with one of my personal core values: lifelong learning. I believe in staying curious, growing through every experience, and constantly finding ways to get better—for myself, for our team, and for the people we serve.

Q: What is the best or most memorable career advice you’ve ever received?
A: Always do what you believe is the right thing. It clears out the gray areas and removes the uncertainty behind your decisions. When you’re guided by your own North Star, you stay aligned with your intentions, and that clarity makes it easier to lead, grow, and stand by the choices you make.

Q: What multifamily housing trend are you most excited about right now?
A: The opportunity created by the lack of new supply—especially as our city continues to grow. It puts us in a unique position to keep building and delivering more Affordable and Attainable housing for our community. I’m also hopeful that within the next 6 to 12 months, we’ll kick off our next market-rate project, which will help meet the demand and keep us moving forward.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about living or working in Las Vegas?
A: Honestly, everything! I love the access to the outdoors, the incredible dining scene, live concerts and shows, and how easy it is to travel in and out of the city. Vegas has this unique energy—it’s fast-moving, diverse, and always evolving, which makes it a great place to live and build something meaningful.