areté collective mark collective of makers

Behind every project lies a business that is different.

From land planning and development to design and operations, we have built a multidisciplinary team to improve outcomes across the entire development lifecycle. Building on Denton House Design Studio’s 26-year track record, Areté Collective comprises seasoned property development executives, distinguished land planners, world-renowned architects and designers, and leaders in real estate development and hospitality. Our vertically integrated model ensures efficient and synchronized work across all teams.

Our Company

Executive Leadership

Rebecca Buchan
Co-Founder & CEO

Founder of Denton House Design Studio. Seasoned architectural and development executive with 25+ years of experience in destination resort and second-home real estate development. Oversaw planning, architecture, and design at Discovery Land Company for nearly a decade.

Joey Buchan
Co-Founder

Versed comprehension of the design process and operations and enhancing the client experience are solid pillars that Joey brings with his decades of experience as a founding Denton House Design Studio member. He continues directing day-to-day operations and business development for Areté Collective projects.

Tom Hogan
Co-Founder & CFO

Hospitality and development finance expert with 25+ years of experience, including within Marriott International (primarily The Ritz-Carlton brand), as CFO of Augusta National, and as CFO of Discovery Land Company.

Tyler Mills
Chief Development Officer

Skilled transactional attorney with experience representing companies of all stages across multiple industries. With a background in emerging companies and private equity practices, in addition to managing the legal needs, Tyler also focuses on the growth and management of our developments, translating strategy into action and creating the groundwork for success.

Ryan Butters
Chief Operating Officer

Dynamic lead with diverse experience and operational acumen, expertise lies in growth strategy, operations, venture capital, and sales. As the former Vice President of Strategy at Discovery Land Company, he drove scalable growth and profitability enhancements. Notably, Ryan spearheaded the seamless integration of development, design, and construction efforts.

Brandon Wig
SVP, Finance

Senior financial professional with proven leadership and oversight of global financial operations (North America, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America) in luxury hospitality, real estate development, and private residential club communities.

Emily Mayer
SVP, Marketing

For more than 15 years, Emily has partnered with clients to shape and execute brand strategies that drive growth for some of the world’s leading companies across luxury, design, real estate, and development.

Dave Rasmussen
SVP, Architecture

Tenured luxury residential development executive overseeing the design and community development of multiple luxury destinations, most notably Chileno Bay Club in Los Cabos, Mexico, and Gozzer Ranch in Harrison, Idaho.

Natalie Ellis
SVP, Interior Design

Globally recognized interior designer with specialized experience in the luxury design of custom residential homes, private amenity spaces, and other large-scale projects for high-profile clients.

Kris Kvarfordt
SVP, Planning & Landscape Architecture

Experienced landscape architect and land planner with decades of expertise in U.S. and international projects, including master planning for resorts, trails, open spaces, and detailed site design and construction.

Development Leadership

Joe Rentfro
Managing Director, Thomas Ranch

Experienced leader with 25 years in real estate, brand development, finance, marketing, and sales across diverse industries including master-planned communities, home-building, resorts, marinas, golf courses, retail, F&B, industrial parks, and higher education.

Frank Thurman
VP of Construction

With a strong background in construction management and a proven track record in the industry, Frank is well-equipped to lead our construction team on the North Shore. His wealth of experience, deep understanding of the local area, and commitment to excellence will be instrumental to our success on the North Shore.

Kiele Muraco
Development Director, Turtle Bay

With over 12 years of invaluable experience from her time with the Turtle Bay Development team, Kiele brings extensive local development knowledge to our organization. Her deep-rooted understanding of the community and its history makes her a vital asset. A native of Sunset Beach, Kiele is also a dedicated board member of the Turtle Bay Foundation and actively contributes to the Kahuku Burial Committee, reflecting her commitment to preserving the area's heritage.

Travis Joerger
Director of Golf

With over ten years of experience managing operations at Turtle Bay Golf, Travis brings invaluable expertise to our team. His dedication to delivering an exceptional course and outstanding service makes him a valuable asset to Areté Collective. Travis is passionate about encouraging more players to enjoy the game, and he actively supports local philanthropic efforts that benefit the community.

Our Services

Land acquisition

A strategic and ethical endeavor, we see ourselves as stewards of every piece of land we acquire, ensuring that the development process respects and enhances the land’s intrinsic value for generations to come.

Development

A force for positive change, development goes far beyond bricks and mortar, aiming to uplift communities, cultivate sustainable ecosystems, and forge a resilient connection between people and their evolving landscapes.

Masterplanning

With sustainability as a foundational pillar, our communities are thoughtfully planned with public realm and open green spaces at their core, while embodying low-impact principles at every step.

Design

Our designs are crafted to not only fulfil their functional purpose but to collectively orchestrate an immersive narrative that enrich the lives of individuals and the broader community.

Sales & marketing

A platform for storytelling and an invitation for individuals to be not just homeowners, but active participants in a community where their aspirations and the development's ethos converge.

Operations

Far beyond merely maintenance, as long-term owners, operations is a strategic function that seeks to maximize the well-being of our residents and value of our communities.

“Areté Collective comprises industry leaders who have helped shape community placemaking over the last two decades. Our vertically integrated model allows us to unlock greater value for the people, places, and communities we serve.”

Tom Hogan, Co-Founder & CFO

Merging Local Authenticity with Global Experience

10

States

10

Countries

95

Employees

28+

Development Projects

23+

Awards Received

25+

Years of Experience

map

Strategic Partners

Denton House Design Studio

Denton House Design Studio has appointed the world’s most glamorous residences and resort destinations, forging brand loyalty, and lasting value for our clients. We inspire awe with fine design but also with our meticulous teamwork, planning, and communication. We call on a full range of in-house talent including architecture, interior design, planning, and landscape as well as global connections to deliver stunning results.

David McLay Kidd

David McLay Kidd, a renowned golf course architect, combines his golf heritage and landscape design expertise to develop top-tier golf courses that marry classic beauty with ecological innovation. Rooted in honoring the sport's history and committed to sustainability, his projects range from Scottish locales to global landmarks, such as Bandon Dunes, highlighting his talent for creating revered golf experiences that balance tradition with forward-thinking stewardship.

Wasatch Group

Wasatch Global Investors is 100% employee-owned and 100% focused on active investment management. They bring unparalleled experience—and a global perspective—to micro-, small- and mid-cap investing. From the very beginning of Wasatch in 1975, their approach has emphasized collaboration and intellectual curiosity—and an unrelenting focus on the pursuit of superior risk-adjusted returns for our clients.

ERA-co

ERA-co is a global place consultancy that harnesses the power of data and analytics to unlock the true potential of neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Operating in the space between urbanism, business, and creativity, we explore the dynamic interactions between people and place to design truly human-centric experiences.

We're always looking for ambitious, creative and design-driven people to join our fast-growing team as we deliver excellence in everything we do.

View our available opportunities