Ron Strom

Ron co-founded Blue Heron in 2011. He serves on the Investment Committee for each fund and works closely with Blue Heron’s partners and investment team to guide the execution of Blue Heron’s real estate investment strategy and the firm’s corporate strategy. Ron also helps to broaden and strengthen key relationships with investors, business partners, and other leaders in the real estate industry. Ron has over 36 years of experience spanning all phases of commercial real estate including development, acquisitions, dispositions, debt transactions, lease negotiation, asset management, advisory work, and brokerage. Prior to co-founding Blue Heron, Ron developed, acquired, and invested in multiple property types including residential, historic renovations, office, retail, land for development, student housing, and multifamily projects. He led the assemblage, development, and disposition of a portfolio of retail centers to a publicly traded REIT, the redevelopment and ground-up construction of two Whole Foods centers in North Carolina, and the development of four projects for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ron has served as a real estate consultant to Whole Foods Market, UNC-Chapel Hill, and GlaxoSmithKline. Ron has and continues to serve on numerous boards and in leadership positions within the greater Triangle area of North Carolina. He chaired a $2M Capital Campaign for WUNC Public Radio and served as the Chairman of the Board for Triangle Land Conservancy. He serves on the Leadership Council of Triangle Community Foundation. He has served on the boards of UNC Board of Visitors, the Self Help Venture Fund, the Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation, and continues to assist local agencies with affordable housing initiatives. As part of Blue Heron's entitling of one of its Fund I assets, he authored Chapel Hill's first affordable housing rental agreement which became a finalist for Urban Land Institute's 'best ideas' in the Triangle for 2014. Ron received a BS in English and Education from Vassar College and a Master’s of Education from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.