Meet the team
We believe in hiring talented people, who care not only about execution but impact. We endeavor to retain our talent by fostering a collaborative and growth oriented culture and by providing market leading training and continuing education programs.
Frank M. DuPree
Founder
Frank M. DuPree
FounderMr. Frank DuPree founded Vista Capital in 2007. Prior to forming Vista, Frank served as Regional Vice President of Apartment Investment Management Company (AIMCO). His duties included full charge accountability for the operation of 156 apartment communities consisting of approximately 18,000 units located throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida. Prior to AIMCO, Mr. DuPree served as Asset Management for Insignia Financial Group where he was responsible for approximately 71 owned assets consisting of over 10,000 units.
Frank has been in the multi-family industry since 1978 serving in various capacities involving both asset and property management. He holds Real Estate Broker’s Licenses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and Tennessee; holds the Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) designation; holds the designation of Certified Property Manager (CPM) awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management; and is also recognized as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).
Frank is past-President of the Upper State Apartment Association and past-President of the South Carolina IREM chapter. He is a past member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and formerly served on the National Affordable/Workforce Housing Council. Additionally, he has served as a National Governing Councilor for IREM.
Bern DuPree
CEO
Bern DuPree
CEOBern DuPree serves as the CEO of Vista Capital Management Group, a position he assumed in 2024, to oversee all operations with a focus on corporate and business development.
Bern has a strong background in real estate investment, where most recently Bern co-led the multifamily investment sales team at Furman Capital Advisors. In that role, he was directly involved in facilitating over $1.5 billion of multifamily transactions across the Carolinas and Georgia. He is returning to Vista, where he previously served as a Vice President from 2008 to 2014. Bern is a graduate of Wofford College, holding a B.A. in business economics.
He maintains an active role in the industry and community as a Certified Property Manager, Past President of the SC Chapter of the Institute for Real Estate Management (IREM), Chairman and Founder of Alice House, and a former board member of the Greenville Housing Futures. He also previously chaired the Clements Kindness Fund for the Children and is a member of the Aspen Institute’s Liberty Fellowship class of 2025.
Blake Cross
President
Blake Cross
PresidentBlake joined Vista in December of 2024, as President. In this role, Blake oversees all property operations for the company. He has over 15 years of experience throughout the southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions. Blake has a unique blend of market rate, affordable, and student housing experience. Prior to joining Vista, Blake was Assistant Director of Multifamily Management for Druker + Falk, where he spent the last seven years.
Blake graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Political Science and a minor in International Affairs. He was also a member of the baseball team at UNCW and played for his childhood team, the Atlanta Braves, in their minor league system after graduation. When he is not working, he loves spending time with his wife Miranda, on a boat in a warm climate.
Tim McCullough
CFO
Tim McCullough
CFOTim joined Vista Capital Management Group in 2009. As CFO, he oversees all property accounting, external reporting, and corporate administration for the company. Tim has over 30 years of property accounting experience within the multifamily industry.
Prior to joining Vista Capital, Tim worked at two of the largest management companies in the country. At AIMCO, Tim served as an Assistant Controller for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions. Tim began his career with Insignia Financial Group where he worked for five years prior to its merger with AIMCO.
Tim graduated from Furman University with a degree in Business Administration. He holds the Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) designation which is awarded by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). When he is not working, Tim loves spending time with his family, traveling, and attending sporting events.
Mimi Means
Vice President of Affordable Operations
Mimi Means
Vice President of Affordable OperationsMarietta “Mimi” Means is a dedicated property management professional with over 29 years of experience overseeing multi-family housing, LIHTC compliance, HUD regulations, and senior communities across South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. She has led operations for 1,000+ units, ensuring compliance, financial stability, and property performance.
Before joining Vista Capital Management Group, Mimi served as a Regional Director, where she was responsible for the stabilization of new acquisitions, maintaining 97%+ occupancy rates, and overseeing capital projects, lease-ups, and compliance initiatives. She has extensive experience in budgeting, variance reporting, financial forecasting, and mentoring property managers to enhance operational efficiency.
She holds an SC Real Estate License and is a Certified Housing Credit Professional (HCCP) and Certified Financial Specialist (CFS).
Outside of work, Mimi enjoys fishing, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family and pets.
Megan Mardis
Area Manager
Megan Mardis
Area ManagerMegan brings over 15 years of comprehensive experience in property management, with a diverse background that includes multifamily communities, single-family homes, rent controlled developments, historic property restoration, full-scale rehabs, and new construction projects. She joined Vista Capital in December 2021 and currently serves as an Area Property Manager, where she oversees daily operations, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives asset performance across multiple property types. Megan holds a Property Manager in Charge (PMIC) license in the state of South Carolina and is known for her leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to resident satisfaction.
Francesca Sammartino
Area Manager
Francesca Sammartino
Area ManagerFrancesca has been in Property Management for twelve years and has experience in conventional housing, HUD, LIHTC, & RD. Her leadership, operational discipline, and commitment to resident satisfaction have consistently elevated the communities under her care. She currently serves currently serves as an Area Manager for SC, VA, and IN overseeing daily operations, compliance, and asset performance.
Deanne Jensen
Compliance Manager
Deanne Jensen
Compliance ManagerDeanne has been a dedicated member of the team at Vista Capital Management since 2011. Her roles have included Licensed Property Manager and Compliance Manager.
She holds several key professional designations, including Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Credit Compliance Professional (C4P), and Certified Professional of Occupancy (CPO). Furthermore, she maintains a Property Manager’s License for the State of South Carolina.
With 30 years of experience in the property management industry, Deanne has successfully managed compliance for various programs—including LIHTC, HUD, and Rural Development—across multiple states: North and South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Indiana, and previously Minnesota.
Deanne is recognized for her meticulous attention to detail, hands-on leadership approach, dedication to comprehensive training, and unwavering determination to achieve exceptional results in any circumstance.
Outside of her professional life, Deanne enjoys pursuing home improvement projects, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Nikki Marshall
Regional Manager
Nikki Marshall
Regional ManagerNikki is a seasoned real estate leader with more than 15 years of experience driving financial performance across complex residential portfolios. Her expertise spans strategic budgeting, revenue optimization, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance—ensuring every asset under her management performs at its highest potential.
Recognized for elevating property operations through disciplined financial management and a commitment to excellence, Nikki consistently enhances property value and operational efficiency. Her leadership style emphasizes accountability, communication, and team empowerment, enabling on‑site staff to exceed expectations.
Focused, analytical, and forward‑thinking, Nikki delivers measurable results that benefit owners, residents, and teams alike.