Amelia Patt-Zamir
Co-Founder, Principal
Amelia Patt-Zamir is a Founding Principal of Method Development with over 10 years of institutional experience in real estate investment and development. A metro-Detroit native, Amelia is passionate about participating in the city’s revival and is inspired by her father’s childhood in Detroit and her grandfather’s legacy as a business owner and entrepreneur in the city.
Amelia began her career at Jones Lang LaSalle in the New York City-based Capital Markets Group, where her team originated nearly $1 billion in commercial real estate debt and equity financing.
Amelia later joined the Acquisitions team at Clarion Partners. During her tenure, she managed the underwriting and due diligence for the closing and financing of nearly $500 million across 2.0 million sq. ft. of residential, retail and office developments. Prior to founding Method, Amelia oversaw the acquisition, pre-development and permitting of a 400,000 sq. ft. hotel and residential transit-oriented development in Boston’s Back Bay.
Amelia studied Architecture at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) and received a Masters of Science in Real Estate Development. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Amelia has served as adjunct faculty at GSAPP. In her spare time she enjoys gardening with her husband and two young children.
Rakesh M. Lala
Co-Founder, Principal
Rakesh “Rocky” Lala is a Founding Principal of Method Development with over 15 years of real estate development, acquisitions, and asset management experience. When Rakesh’s family first immigrated to the United States, they chose to settle in Detroit. These early influences with the city have led him to become a pioneer in Detroit’s urban renewal.
Rakesh began his career at Rock Financial, Dan Gilbert’s Real Estate lending group. He later joined the finance team at Westside Development, assisting in the acquisition of several multi-family buildings in the Midwest and developing a 200,000 sq. ft. mixed-use center in Las Vegas.
Before founding Method, Rakesh worked at Atlas Real Estate Partners, a New York-based owner-operator, where he acquired and oversaw multi-family value-add redevelopment projects. He successfully led the workout and managed the construction of a 174-unit fractured creditor-controlled condominium conversion in New York City.
Rakesh holds a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. Rocky is a board member on the Milwaukee Junction Business Association. In his spare time, Rocky enjoys exercising and spending time with his family, including watching his kids play soccer, swim and dance.
Garrett Ross
Senior Vice President, Development & Acquisitions
After completing his education, Garrett began his career as an analyst at LaSalle Hotel Properties, a hotel real estate investment trust. In this capacity, he worked with asset managers to oversee the financial performance of nine separate hotel properties. In his next role, Garrett joined Loews Hotels as a Senior Acquisitions Analyst, where he contributed to over $425M of new hotel acquisitions intended to grow the brand in emerging markets. Following this role, he joined the Sydell Group as a Senior Director of Acquisitions and Asset Management, leading new business in the United States and London, UK.
Garrett holds a BA in Finance with Specialization in Hotel Real Estate from Michigan State University. He belongs to the Detroit Developer Roundtable.
When Garrett was younger, he had an interest in architecture. This eventually morphed into an affinity for real estate, which led to his studies in the hotel program at Michigan State University. In his personal time, Garrett spends time with his rescue dog, Ellie, and renovates residential real estate in Detroit.
Jonathon Schumaker
Controller
Jon joined Method Development in 2023 as a controller. In this capacity, he manages all financial aspects of the business including, accounting, tax compliance, vendor payables, entity structuring, and oversees other organizational matters.
He began his career as a certified public accountant specializing in tax and accounting. He spent the first 12 years of his career with UHY LLP where he assisted clients with tax planning, tax preparation, and organizational structuring.
Jon earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University and a Master of Science in Taxation from Walsh College. He is a member of the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and MICPA (Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants).
In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and young son. He is also a true Detroiter with a die-hard affinity for the Lions and Tigers.
Keli Boyd
Community Manager
Keli, a Detroit resident, joined the Method team in 2023 to coordinate the company’s transition to in-house property management. Keli manages Method’s portfolio of occupied properties and liaises between the company, tenants, and vendors.
Keli started her career at UWM, working as an Underwriter II and then as a Senior Underwriter. While attending university and prior to entering the world of real estate, she held positions in every arena, from food service and marketing to nannying and teaching. Keli has an undergraduate degree in history and Asian studies from the University of Michigan and a graduate degree in history and philosophy, with a concentration in U.S. and European history, from Eastern Michigan University.
Keli has a profound adoration for Detroit and is extremely excited about being a part of the city’s long-awaited renaissance. When she isn’t on the job, you will likely find her experimenting in the kitchen, trying out a new restaurant with friends, or listening to a true crime podcast. Keli has a cat named Pimento and dreams of one day being a fluent polyglot.
