SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA) Welcomes Wayne Johnson to Its Board of Directors
LADERA RANCH, Calif.-- SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE: SMA), a leading owner and operator of self-storage facilities across the United States and Canada, has announced the appointment of Wayne Johnson to its Board of Directors. Mr. Johnson currently serves as the Chief Investment Officer at SmartStop.
H. Michael Schwartz, Chairman and CEO of SmartStop, commented on the appointment, stating, "Wayne’s extensive industry knowledge and years of leadership within the self-storage and commercial real estate sectors make him an outstanding addition to our Board. His strategic vision has been crucial to our growth, and we are fortunate to continue to benefit from his insight at the board level. We eagerly anticipate his guidance as we pursue new opportunities and advance our long-term strategy."
Mr. Johnson has held the position of Chief Investment Officer since 2015 and served as President from 2019 until his new board appointment. He has been instrumental in the company’s success since its inception in 2013, previously acting as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions focused on self-storage investments. His experience includes senior leadership roles across various real estate platforms, including Chief Investment Officer roles for all of SmartStop’s Managed REITs and other real estate programs previously managed by SmartStop’s former sponsor.
Before joining SmartStop and its affiliates, Mr. Johnson had a notable career in commercial real estate development and leasing, overseeing projects that encompassed office, warehouse, retail, and self-storage facilities. He has developed and operated over one million square feet of self-storage properties.
A well-respected figure in the industry, Mr. Johnson is currently a member of the Self Storage Association’s Large Operator Council and has previously served as President and board member of the Texas Self Storage Association. He began his career in real estate in 1979 after earning a B.B.A. in finance and real estate from Southern Methodist University.
About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE: SMA) is a self-managed REIT with a dedicated team of over 1,000 self-storage professionals focused on expanding the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. Through its subsidiary, SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, SmartStop also sponsors self-storage programs and provides third-party management services across the U.S. and Canada. As of February 20, 2026, SmartStop manages a portfolio of more than 460 operating properties in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, totaling over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet. The company owns or manages 49 operating self-storage properties across four provinces in Canada, amounting to approximately 42,200 units and 4.3 million rentable square feet. Additional information can be found at smartstopselfstorage.com.