David L. Messenger, born in 1970, is a finance professional with a notable career in real estate investment trusts (REITs). He joined UDR, Inc. in 2002 as Vice President and Controller and quickly climbed the ranks to become the Chief...

David L. Messenger, born in 1970, is a finance professional with a notable career in real estate investment trusts (REITs). He joined UDR, Inc. in 2002 as Vice President and Controller and quickly climbed the ranks to become the Chief Financial Officer in 2008. Under his watch, UDR focused on aligning executive compensation with company performance, emphasizing on measuring successful metrics like funds from operations. He was awarded shares worth $1.2 million as part of a long-term incentive plan aimed at boosting performance. Interestingly, David left the company in 2012 after a decade at UDR. During his time, he made significant insider trades, consistently selling shares valued around $2 million a month in the early 2020s. His background includes managing accounting functions, SEC reporting, and compliance. Before UDR, he ran a restaurant management company and worked at Ernst & Young in their real estate division, showcasing his diverse experience in both finance and management. He’s a critical figure in understanding how finance works within successful businesses, driving strategies that focus on growth and performance metrics.