Babcock Ranch
Our Founders
A Visionary Team With a Dream
Babcock Ranch is more than just a community; it’s a vision for the future of sustainable, resilient living. As America’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch is designed to coexist harmoniously with nature while embracing cutting-edge technology and innovation. At the heart of the project is a commitment to environmental preservation. A place where nature, technology, and community come together to create a model for future urban development.
Behind that vision is Syd Kitson and the forward-thinking team at Kitson & Partners. With decades of experience in real estate and sustainable the team’s vision is to build a community that not only addresses today’s environmental challenges but also anticipates those of the future.
Syd Kitson
Chairman & CEO, Kitson & Partners
Syd Kitson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kitson & Partners, a Florida-based real estate development firm recognized for its commitment to responsible growth and innovative community planning. A graduate of Wake Forest University with a degree in Economics, Syd had a notable career in the National Football League as an offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. After retiring from the NFL, he transitioned into real estate and founded Kitson & Partners in 1999.
Syd is best known for leading the creation of Babcock Ranch, the nation’s first fully solar-powered, climate-resilient new town. Babcock Ranch has earned national distinction, including recognition by Money Magazine as one of the “50 Best Places to Live in the U.S.”
Beyond his development work, Syd has served in key leadership roles across major civic and business organizations. He has been Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Council of 100, and the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. His leadership has been honored with multiple awards, including Time Magazine’s ‘Dreamer of the Year’, the Florida Council of 100’s ‘Governor’s Business Leader Award’, Builder Magazine’s ‘Legends Award’, and Wake Forest University’s ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’.
Tom Hoban
President & CEO, Kitson & Partners
Tom Hoban is President and Chief Investment Officer of Kitson & Partners. Tom helps set the company’s strategic direction with a focus on investment strategy and financial performance.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance, Tom spent eight years on Wall Street as an investment banker with Morgan Stanley, serving as V.P. of U.S. Acquisitions for the Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund. During this time, he executed more than $8 billion in real estate transactions across agency and principal businesses. He joined Kitson & Partners in 2003 and has more than 30 years of real estate and capital markets experience.
Tom serves on the Advisory Board for the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate at the University of Notre Dame, the board of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, the Executive Committee of Florida TaxWatch, and the Loxahatchee River Historical Society.
Mission Statement
Welcome to those of you who believe, as we do, that life is too short, and the earth is too precious, for mediocrity.
That people and nature are inseparable. That the world is changing fast and in need of bold new ideas.
And that it takes a strong team and innovative partnerships to rise to these challenges.
We are Kitson & Partners. Game changers. Value cultivators.
Creators of extraordinary environments that enrich the human experience.
