Byron Cocke, co-CEO of Atlanta-based CF Real Estate Services, was killed in a plane crash Monday when his six-seater chartered airplane went down during a flight from Savannah to Cobb County, Ga.
Brett Finkelstein, the firm’s co-CEO, mourned the loss of his partner in a statement released today:
“Our co-CEO, Byron Cocke, and his wife, Catherine, passed away in the crash of a small plane. We are devastated by this tragic loss. They were philanthropic, creative, intelligent, caring, and entrepreneurial. Byron and Catherine were devoted to their five beautiful children, who are being cared for by their extended family. … Working with Byron was a joy. He personified love of family, love of company, and love for co-workers.
“I will continue to lead this solid and growing organization,” Finkelstein continued. “I’m confident in our senior team and their leadership, and we are working together to ensure continuity. We will always strive for the greatness Byron envisioned.”
CF Real Estate Services was founded in 2013 when Byron Cocke and Brett Finkelstein merged their firm, Cocke Finkelstein, with locally based Lane Co.
The union helped CFLane, created as a management entity after the merger, to increase its multifamily management portfolio from 8,000 units to more than 38,000 that year, helping it break into the 2014 NMHC 50 Managers list, at No. 34.
