Howard Hughes Communities has promoted Kate Kaminski to president of the Arizona region where she will oversee the strategy, investment, development, and operations of Teravalis, the company’s 37,000-acre, master-planned community in Buckeye, Arizona. Kaminski succeeds Charley Freericks in a planned leadership transition.
In 2024, Kaminski joined Howard Hughes as chief operating officer of the Arizona region. Working alongside Freericks, she has been instrumental in building a team with exceptional technical capabilities and local expertise. She has also advanced Teravalis’ commercial strategy by strengthening relationships across the Greater Phoenix business community. Her recent appointment to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) board of directors builds on that work.
“When we brought Charley and Kate to Howard Hughes Communities a few years ago, we had this transition in mind,” says David O’Reilly, CEO of Howard Hughes. “Charley has helped establish a strong foundation for Teravalis, and Kate has earned the opportunity to build on it.
“She has advanced our commercial strategy, built a team with real depth, and established meaningful relationships across Greater Phoenix. Seeing the plan we envisioned come together is personally rewarding, and the credit belongs to both of them. I’m grateful for Charley’s leadership and continued involvement, and I have tremendous confidence in Kate.”
Courtesy Howard Hughes Communities
The transition comes as Teravalis builds on the opening of Floreo, its first residential village which will include 8,500 homes, and advances plans for the employment centers, commercial development, education, services, and amenities that will support the community’s long-term growth. Floreo opened for sales in late 2025 with seven active home builders and is welcoming residents.
“Teravalis represents an extraordinary opportunity to build something the Phoenix MSA has never had at scale. As we welcome our first residents, our responsibility is to deliver on the promise of this community. That means planning for the homes, employment, schools, services, and gathering places that support everyday life,” says Kaminski. “Charley and I have worked closely to build the team and foundation for Teravalis, and I’m grateful for his partnership and continued support, and I’m proud to lead this team as we bring that vision to life.”
Freericks, who will continue as senior advisor, says, “I’m proud of the foundation we have established for Teravalis and the partnership Kate and I have built. We have been working toward this transition from the beginning. Kate understands the business, cares about this team, and brings the perspective and energy to lead its next stage of growth. I look forward to supporting her and continuing to contribute to Teravalis.”
