Perhaps no other leadership team has the unique breadth of experience as vertically integrated developers, operators and owners of self-storage in the U.S. and Canada since 1983. This includes active development of nearly 100 Class 'A' properties, 20 in Ontario alone.
Bluebird’s principals conceived and developed the Bluebird brand in 2015 with the objective of being Canada’s first truly progressive coast-to-coast self-storage concept. The most modern management practices establish us as Canada’s industry leader. Our advanced Bluebird management platform was developed with the specific objective of scaling Canada’s most progressive self-storage concept across the country. Thanks to the favorable reception to our brand, we are close to reaching this important milestone.
Bluebird’s leadership team proudly continues the company’s nearly 40-year legacy as pioneers and innovators in the self-storage business.
Managing Principal and Head of Development
Mr. Bennett has been working in the self-storage development and management business since 1985, getting his start with his father, Richard Bennett, who was developing and continues to develop and manage storage properties in Canada and the United States.
Mr. Bennett, born in Canada, began developing self-storage properties on his own in 2002, in 2006 teaming up with Reade DeCurtins to develop properties in the Southeastern United States and urban Canadian markets.
Living and working in both the USA and Toronto, Mr. Bennett has wide experience in the self-storage sector, developing self-storage facilities in Ontario, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. With Bluebird and for Budget, Mr. Bennett focuses on managing and overseeing the development and financing of new storage centers.
Managing Partner and CEO
Mr. Koonin is focused on ensuring a great client experience, improving store performance and overseeing revenue management.
Prior to working in the self-storage industry, Mr. Koonin was a commercial banking executive specializing in credit product management, pricing and risk management.
Mr. Koonin is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds an MBA with Honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelors in Economics from Princeton University.
Managing Principal, & Head of Acquisitions & Director of Branding
Mr. DeCurtins began his commercial real estate career with The Providence Group in 1998, specializing in retail site selection and land brokerage. In 2004, Mr. DeCurtins co-founded Landmark Development Partners, which focused on building a portfolio of self-storage and retail mixed use developments in the Southeastern United States. In 2006, Mr. DeCurtins and Mr. Bennett joined forces to continue developing self-storage under the Budget brand in the United States and later, the Bluebird brand in Canada.
Currently Mr. DeCurtins focuses on market identification, store placement strategy, trade area trends, contract negotiation, and rezoning consultation. Mr. DeCurtins is a graduate of North Carolina State University and holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law.
Regional Manager
Mr. Kirton has been in self-storage for 8 years and has managed 25 locations in his portfolio, with 60 staff on hand and two million square feet to maintain. He and the staff he trains consistently rank at the top for closings rates. Prior to self-storage Mr. Kirton managed high rises in Saskatoon, and he has had a successful career as an entrepreneur, identifying niche opportunities and executing plans.
Mr. Kirton’s focus is to establish the Bluebird Storage brand in Western Canada and to have the Bluebird name associated with excellence.