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Meet the Team | Leaders Behind Kenney Companies
Get to know the leadership and team members driving the vision and success of Kenney Companies across various sectors.
Kenney Companies team, executive leadership, company staff, business leadership
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Team

STEPHEN F. KENNEY

CEO

After retiring from a successful career as a starting offensive lineman in the NFL due to injury, Stephen Kenney initially started as a single-family residential developer in Raleigh in 1987, working alongside long-time Raleigh developer Dan C. Austin. Mr. Kenney’s first project, River Oaks on Falls of Neuse Road, was named the Outstanding New Residential Community in Wake County by the Raleigh-Wake Homebuilders Association. After developing several other area neighborhoods, Mr. Kenney was honored as the Triangle Developer of the Year and became recognized as an industry leader. Over time, Mr. Kenney expanded his company reach, which now includes multi-family residences and purpose-built student housing across the Southeast.

 

Today, Mr. Kenney remains actively involved in the oversight of day-to-day operations, including site selection, ground-up development, financial strategy, and value-add redevelopment. His biggest joy, however, is getting to work each day with his son, Steve. To him, this is his greatest accomplishment.

 

Mr. Kenney graduated from Clemson University as a First Team All-ACC offensive lineman and was later inducted into the Clemson Athletics Hall of Fame. After moving on from his beloved Tigers, Mr. Kenney played eight years as an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions. The Eagles honored him as a finalist for their 75th Anniversary Team, and he played in Super Bowl XV. His former head coach Dick Vermeil said he played with game with “pure toughness.” Mr. Kenney credits his accomplishments on the field and in business with an attitude of outworking others and always pursuing excellence.

 

Additionally, Mr. Kenney is proud to have been honored with the following positions and awards:

  • Member of the Board of Directors for Clemson University’s Master’s in Real Estate Development and the Richard H. Pennell Center for Real Estate Development
  • 1993 Developer of the Year Award for the Wake, Durham and Orange Counties Homebuilder’s Association
  • Best Places to Work in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC)
  • Chairman, City of Raleigh Road Bond Campaigns in 1998 and 2001
  • 1998 Winner of Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Business in Raleigh & Wake County, NC
  • Named “Tar Heel of the Week” by the Raleigh News and Observer in 2006

Jere R. Buch, CPM

President, Orange Star

An integral part of the team since 2009, Jere is responsible for supervising the daily operations of the multifamily and purpose-built student housing assets owned by Kenney Properties. He has spent his entire career of nearly 40 years in this industry, including extensive experience in new construction, acquisitions, dispositions, renovations, and repositioning of assets throughout the Southeast.

 

A Certified Property Manager (CPM), Jere received the CPM of the Year award from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Chapter 105 (2001) and served as President of both the Triangle Apartment Association and IREM Chapter 105. He is also a past board member of the Apartment Association of North Carolina. Currently, Jere is a member of the Urban Land Institute.

 

Jere earned his MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and his BS from North Carolina State University.

Stephen A. Kenney, Ph.D.

Vice President

After completing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Steve joined Kenney Companies in 2018. He initially dove into the day-to-day operations by working onsite with maintenance and management teams before transitioning to the corporate office. Today, Steve is involved in every aspect of the business, encompassing site selection, entitlements, financing, and value-add redevelopment. Steve is also engaged in asset management for the company’s existing apartment communities and forming the company’s overall investment strategy.

 

Steve has become a well-known member of the region’s real estate development community. His current memberships include the Triangle Community Coalition, Triangle Apartment Association, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Clayton Chamber of Commerce, and Urban Land Institute. He is presently serving his second term on the City of Raleigh Board of Adjustment. Steve is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Raleigh and holds a N.C. Real Estate Broker’s license and a N.C. General Contractor’s license.

 

Steve earned his Ph.D. and M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University, and his B.A. in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis.

AMY D. USREY

Executive Assistant

Joining the Kenney team in March of 2021, Amy primarily serves as the Executive Assistant to Mr. Stephen F. Kenney, working alongside him as he oversees all business operations. Amy also supports both Steve Kenney and Jere Buch, fulfilling an integral role in the day-to-day schedules, processes, and successes of the company.

 

Amy has served as essential C-Suite support in the Raleigh area for more than 30 years. She earned her BA in Journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill. An avid Tar Heel, she regularly attends UNC football and basketball games. Amy loves to travel and enjoys spending time at the beach and Lake Lure, NC.