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LADERA RANCH, Calif. - SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE:SMA), a self-storage REIT with a market capitalization of $1.42 billion and currently trading near its 52-week high of $37.79, announced the appointment of Lora Gotcheva as an independent director, effective July 10, 2025.
Gotcheva brings over 25 years of financial management and investment experience to the board. She previously worked at CPP Investments from July 2010 until April 2025, most recently serving as a Managing Director specializing in private real estate investments, joint ventures, and public REIT investments. According to InvestingPro data, SmartStop has shown strong momentum with a 14.87% return over the past six months, though analysts note the company is currently trading above its Fair Value.
"With her deep real estate investment experience, specifically in publicly traded REITs both in the United States and Canada, Lora will bring valuable perspectives and skill sets that will serve SmartStop well as a newly listed REIT," said H. Michael Schwartz, Chairman and CEO of SmartStop.
Gotcheva holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
SmartStop Self Storage REIT is a self-managed real estate investment trust with approximately 600 self-storage professionals. According to the company’s press release, SmartStop currently has an owned or managed portfolio of 229 operating properties across 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, comprising about 164,300 units and 18.4 million rentable square feet. The company generates annual revenue of $235.8 million and offers a dividend yield of 4.38%. For detailed analysis and additional insights, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.
The company and its affiliates own or manage 43 operating self-storage properties in Canada, totaling approximately 36,400 units and 3.7 million rentable square feet.
In other recent news, SmartStop Self Storage REIT announced a monthly dividend for July 2025, set at $0.1359 per share, targeting an annualized amount of $1.60 per share. The dividend will be distributed to stockholders of record as of July 31, with payment scheduled for August 15. Additionally, SmartStop held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where five directors were elected, and BDO USA, P.C. was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year. The company also reported board changes, with Paula Mathews retiring and Lora Gotcheva joining as an independent director, effective July 10.
Analyst firms have shown confidence in SmartStop’s growth potential. Stifel reiterated its Buy rating, citing strong fundamentals and growth opportunities, while Raymond James upgraded the stock to Strong Buy, raising its price target to $44.00. Raymond James highlighted SmartStop’s high-quality portfolio and potential for margin expansion. SmartStop’s Toronto portfolio reported a 7.0% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025, contributing to the firm’s positive outlook. These developments underscore the company’s robust performance and strategic positioning in the self-storage sector.
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