Our Team

Robert V. Lankford formed the company in 1982 to develop and manage commercial real estate. His ability to navigate the planning and execution of complex projects, with attention to every detail, has built a track-record of success in the private-, public- and non-profit sectors.

Prior to founding Lankford & Associates, Rob served 12 years as Vice President and Project Manager for The John Madden Company, a major Denver developer. There he oversaw the company’s construction subsidiary and was responsible for the master planning and execution of several large-scale development projects totaling more than three million square feet.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has been active in many business and civic organizations including the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown San Diego Business Attraction Program, and is a past Chair of the Board of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

As President of Lankford & Associates, Inc, Eric Smith oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, directs asset management and property management as well as development, acquisition, and construction management activities. With 30+ years of experience, Mr. Smith brings a broad depth of experience in feasibility, entitlement, design, construction, acquisition, and asset preservation and management.

Early in his career, Mr. Smith worked for an international construction company and prior to that for a civil engineering design firm.

Mr. Smith holds a postgraduate Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate and Finance from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky.  Mr. Smith serves on the board of HomeAid San Diego.

Greg Araujo joined Lankford & Associates, Inc. in 2018 with more than 15 years of industry experience. As Chief Financial Officer, Greg is responsible for all the Lankford & Associates’ financial functions, including accounting, treasury, corporate finance, and investor relations. He also oversees and manages all administration and human resources activities.

Prior to joining Lankford & Associates, he served as a Corporate Controller, for privately held residential and commercial real estate development companies in California.

Greg started his career at the accounting firm Ernst & Young, LLP in the assurance and advisory practice of the Los Angeles and Boston offices, and has been a licensed certified public accountant since 2001 (inactive status). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a Minor in Accounting, from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Sandra Carrillo has been an integral part of the Lankford & Associates team since 2014. As Property Manager, Sandra serves as tenant liaison and is responsible for overall property strategies and policies, annual budgets, management reports, and ensuring building code and regulatory compliance. She holds a California real estate sales license.

Alane Ratigan has served as an Accountant for Lankford & Associates since 2006. She is responsible for property management and development accounting and reporting. Her previous accounting experience includes work at Southwest Value Partners Management Company and Trizec Hahn Centers. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accounting from California State University Sacramento.

Stacey Lankford Pennington, Founder and Principal of SLP Urban Planning (SLPUP), serves as Urban Planning Strategic Counsel for Lankford & Associates.

Established in 2006, her San Diego-based firm operates at the intersection of sustainable urban planning and design, strategic activation, community engagement, placemaking, and public policy. Stacey brings her thought leadership to L&A projects, along with her innovative for successful community engagement and evolution. She earned her Master in Urban Planning at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where she was recognized for Highest Overall Achievement.

Mary Pampuch has more than 30 years of experience in the real estate development industry and has been involved on 2.4M square feet of development deals worth approximately $900M. Her experience stretches across all aspects of real estate development and property management including lease negotiations, lease administration, CEQA processing, construction management, project entitlement, environmental remediation, and restoration of environmentally sensitive habitats.

Prior to joining Lankford & Associates, Mary was involved in commercial/residential property management as well as residential construction and sales. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix – San Diego and holds an associate degree from Western Wisconsin Technical College. She holds a California real estate brokers license and a certificate in Construction Supervision from San Diego State University.

Mary serves on the Board of the Downtown San Diego Partnership and is active in the Urban Land Institute and National Association of Office and Industrial Properties.