Margaret Fitzgerald has been named chief financial officer of SparrowHawk, the Houston-based industrial real estate investment and management firm.
Fitzgerald brings more than 20 years of accounting, financial management and compliance experience to the organization. For the last 14 years, Fitzgerald was an executive with Hines Interests, serving in positions in Houston as well as in Luxembourg.
The appointment was announced by SparrowHawk CEO and Founder Alfredo Gutierrez. He notes that as the industrial marketplace nationally continues to enjoy significant tailwinds, SparrowHawk has aggressive plans to rapidly expand its footprint nationally, growing to $1 billion in assets under management within the next several years.
As CFO, Fitzgerald will assume the significant responsibilities that come with the financial operations of a real estate firm that owns more than 3 million square feet valued in excess of $250 million in markets across the United States. Fitzgerald will specifically oversee internal and external financial reporting, the annual external audit, investor relations and reporting, forecasting, debt compliance, cash management, financial modeling for acquisitions and leasing, budgeting, and insurance and risk management
Most recently, in a position she characterized as “an incredible, life-changing opportunity,” she served as VP, Investment Accounting-Europe at Hines Interests Luxembourg office. Chief among her responsibilities included implementing improvements to financial reporting and consolidation processes under IFRS and Lux GAAP; leading the review and standardization of processes and procedures; and coordinating the audits of investment vehicles with regular ongoing contact with external auditors, investors, and financial institutions. Additionally, she worked closely with Hines’ European and Investment Management leadership.
Fitzgerald began her career at KPMG in Houston, subsequently was a Staff Accountant for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and an Associate Director for Navigant Consulting. Ultimately, in 2008 she began her career with Hines Interests in Houston.
Fitzgerald graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in Accounting from Southwestern University. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas.
