John Shaak is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 1984. John is now an A330 Captain with Delta Air Lines. In his 33 years with Delta, John has served in many managerial capacities, including fleet team project manager, operations control center duty pilot, senior instructor pilot and FAA designee. During his career as an airline pilot, John used his time off to nurture his love for business creation. A serial entrepreneur at heart, he previously operated two different contracting businesses. Looking for a solution for a vacant commercial property they own, John and his wife Lisa of 37 years opened a serviced office space in Newnan, Georgia in 2016 where they have raised their three children. The office space, 15 Perry Street, has been a very important tool for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and remains one of their personal holdings. Longtime colleague and son’s football coach, Patrick Barberio and John teamed up in 2020 to grow Patrick’s thriving self-storage business and the two have grown to over $30M of assets purchased. They currently own seven properties together and have recently formed a new venture called Pilot Self Storage, where they own one property and are acquiring several others (). This partnership has expanded to include two more principals, Brett Vincent and Joey Petras.

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Brett has extensive experience in organizational development and leadership. In 2023, Brett joined with Pat Barberio and John Shaak in their Pilot Storage operation to purchase and manage self-storage facilities in Georgia and nearby states. Pilot Self Storage continues to build relationships and resources in operations management, finance and construction for the purposes of acquiring and building equity in self-storage. Purchases are financed with cash, owner financing, bank financing and private investors. We continue to build the internal structure, systems and a team of personnel to operate these facilities using local “boots on the ground”, central operations personnel, the latest technologies, internet marketing, accounting and financial management resources.

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Patrick Barberio graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate from the University of Florida in 1990. Since 1999, he has been flying the skies as a pilot for Delta Air Lines, where he combines precision and expertise with his passion for travel and technology. Beyond the cockpit, Patrick ventured into the real estate sector by investing in self-storage facilities, starting with the design and build of AllStarMiniStorage in 2007. His investment journey in the storage industry has flourished, fostering a network filled with camaraderie among fellow buyers and sellers. Patrick is also deeply committed to his community, having coached over 25 youth sports teams in various disciplines, including girls’ soccer, boys’ football, basketball and baseball. This role highlights his dedication to mentoring young athletes and promoting team spirit and sportsmanship. Family is central to Patrick’s life. He has been happily married to his wife, Patricia, for nearly 29 years, and together they have raised four children: Cassie (26), Austin (25), Jake (22) and Zach (21). Balancing a demanding career with community service and family life, Patrick exemplifies leadership, commitment and the pursuit of diverse interests.

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Joey Petras joined Pilot Self Storage in 2024 as the Chief Acquisition Officer with the primary task of identifying and underwriting self-storage facilities across the south and southeast. In addition to his involvement with Pilot Self Storage, Joey owns and operates Petra Rock Capital, a company he formed in 2022 to focus on self-storage ownership, development and financing. Prior to forming Petra Rock Capital, Joey spent 22 years working in commercial real estate investment banking, focusing on self-storage and hospitality properties. Over his career, Joey led deal teams responsible for originating over $3 billion of first mortgage and mezzanine debt on commercial properties located throughout the Southeast U.S. Most recently Joey was a Managing Director within Societe Generale’s corporate and investment banking division. Joey received a BBA in Real Estate from the University of Georgia and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Georgia State University. Joey is a 20+ year resident of Peachtree City, Georgia where he resides with his wife and five children (all boys). In his free time Joey enjoys coaching youth sports, traveling, hunting and fishing. Joey is actively involved in his local church and serves on committee for Young Life Fayette County.

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