We are an experienced team of principals with deep investment experience, capable of driving development, construction, and operations.
Gordon McLaughlin is an experienced investor and operator with 20 years experience across a wide array of businesses and real estate assets. Prior to co-founding Element8, Gordon worked at Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL) where he held a variety executive leadership roles at THL’s portfolio companies. During his time at THL, Gordon served as interim Chief Operating Officer at an insurance software business, headed new market growth at a bank software company, and built a high velocity M&A integration capability for a leading health insurance distributor. Earlier in his career, Gordon was a senior investment analyst at JPMorgan, where he supported a multi-billion-dollar suite of real estate focused funds. Gordon covered special situation investments across all real estate classes, globally. Gordon was also a co-founder and general partner of Development Capital Partners, focused on public and private equity investment in emerging markets. Previously, he held roles at PNC, McKinsey & Company, and Charles River Associates. Gordon earned his MBA from Columbia Business School where he graduated top of his class as a McGowan Fellow. Gordon loves mentoring and coaching. An all-around athlete, he enjoys skiing, cycling, competing in triathlons and diving. He lives outside of New York City with his wife and three children.
Frank Sasso is a recognized leader in commercial real estate. Prior to co-founding Element8, Frank served as President of Kaufman Development, where he led the creation of over 2,000 multifamily units and over 600,000 square feet of commercial space while building a team of 50+ professionals. Under his leadership, Kaufman was consistently recognized as one of Central Ohio’s Best Places to Work and its developments have won several regional and national awards, including the Urban Land Institute Americas Project Excellence Award. Frank graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. In 2018, Frank was named to Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 and was honored in 2022 as one of Central Ohio’s most-admired C-Suite executives. Frank currently serves as Board Chair for BigBrothers BigSisters of Central Ohio and has twice been a Big Brother. He resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio with his wife and two children.
Matthew Tierney is Managing Partner of Development Capital, LLC a private investment firm headquartered in New York City. The firm invests in a wide variety of financial assets with a history in financial services, emerging markets and real estate. Matt joined Development Capital in 2002 to manage the firm’s private investments and was co-founder and general partner of Aperture Venture Partners, an early stage investor in healthcare. In 2008, he transitioned to head Development Capital’s investment efforts in emerging markets co-founding Development Capital Partners. He focused on public and private equity investments across markets but devoted significant attention to investments in frontier markets in Africa. Matt is a co-founder and Managing Member of EECP, LLC which invests in a broad array of private real estate opportunities. In addition, he serves on the investment committee for Proximity Parks, a Latin American real estate fund. Prior to Development Capital, Matt worked in a variety of professional services capacities. At Credit Suisse First Boston, he worked in the Global Corporate Finance group on merger and acquisition, equity and debt transactions in the technology, industrial and consumer goods industries. He serves on the Board of the Future Fund for Education, TechnoServe’s Global Advisory Council and is an Advisor to ALforEducation. He served as a term member at the Council on Foreign Relations and on the Board of Trustees of the Trinity School. Matt received his B.A. from Georgetown University and his M.B.A from Columbia Business School.
Christian Evanchec joined Element8 in 2025 as Director of Asset Management. In this position, Christian oversees the performance of the company’s portfolio and is responsible for property specific leasing and management. Additionally, Christian oversees diligence and closing efforts on new acquisitions. Prior to Element8, Christian was on the Capital Markets team with Colliers Cincinnati, where he focused on the acquisition and disposition of office and industrial investment property in Southwest Ohio and Kentucky. Before Colliers, he worked as an analyst with Bank of America’s private wealth management group in Greater Cincinnati. Christian studied Economics and Finance at Xavier University where he received his B.S. in Business Administration and was President of the Club Golf team. Originally from Pittsburgh, Christian currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
John Taylor is the CFO of Development Capital, LLC, a private investment firm headquartered in New York City and Element8 Partners, a value-oriented real estate investment firm with offices in New York, Columbus, and Charlotte. Development Capital invests in a wide variety of financial assets with a history in financial services, emerging markets, and real estate. John joined Development Capital in 2007 to oversee the accounting and financial reporting of the firm.
Prior to Development Capital Partners, John was the Chief Financial Officer at TechnoServe, Inc., an organization that strengthens agribusiness and markets for small-scale producers and entrepreneurs. Previously, John was the Controller for the Mikron Group (USA), a Swiss manufacturing company that develops and markets automation and machining systems. He was also a member of the finance team at the Early Learning Centre, an international educational retailer. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Accounting and Finance. He has served on the Boards of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, BuildOn, GoodWeave, and the Berkley Big Idea Competition.
