Early Life
Robert Alan Faith was born in 1963 or 1964 in Oklahoma. He initially pursued a degree in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, with plans to follow in his father's footsteps in the oil industry. However, a recession in the oil industry led him to pursue an MBA from Harvard University, which he completed in 1986.
Rise to Success
Faith's career began at Trammell Crow Company, where he became a partner. In 1991, he co-founded Starwood Capital Group with Barry Sternlicht. In 1993, Faith founded Greystar Real Estate Partners in Houston, Texas. Under his leadership, Greystar has grown to become the largest operator of apartments in the United States. He also served as the South Carolina Secretary of Commerce from 2002 to 2006. Greystar currently manages and operates more than $320 billion in real estate across five continents.
Key Business Strategies
Faith's success is rooted in several key strategies. He built Greystar as an operator, focusing on excellent management to build investor trust and long-term performance. He has also shown a willingness to diversify, expanding Greystar beyond multifamily rental properties to include sectors like life sciences, single-family rentals, and industrial. He has also been able to turn downturns into buying opportunities.
Philanthropy
Faith established Greystar Giving in 2010, a company-wide philanthropic program supporting local and global nonprofits. In 2025, Faith personally donated $1 million to Junior Achievement.
