About Us

Compass Property Management was established in 1978 by Ralph Accola, as an offshoot of Compass Realty. As Compass Realty’s sale volume increased so did the demand from its clients for high quality property management services. Ralph Accola’s experience investing in and managing his own apartment complexes taught him early on the importance of well managed investment property. Ralph established Compass Property Management in order to meet the management needs of the clients who purchased investment real estate from Compass Realty. Compass Property Management has been providing top notch management services throughout the South Bay Area ever since.

Ralph A. Accola, Jr.

Ralph, broker and owner of Compass Realty & Property Management, has been involved in real estate since 1972. Ralph began his career in real estate by investing in apartment buildings, for his own account, while working as an Experimental Model Maker for NASA. He soon discovered that his real interest was in real estate sales and property management. Shortly thereafter, Ralph established Compass Realty and has been in business for 31 years.

Ralph has served as president of the Sunnyvale Board of Realtors, and is currently an active member of the following organizations: National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, and the Tri-County Apartment Association.

Major A. Wolfe

Major has been with Compass Property Management since 1985. Prior to joining Compass, Major worked as a manufacturing supervisor for Teledyne Microwave for 9 years. Due to his extensive management experience, Major chose to take on the responsibility of resident manager of his 13-unit apartment building in 1984. Soon thereafter, Compass acquired his building. Because Major’s apartment was so well managed, Compass extended him an offer for a full-time position as a property manager. He has been with Compass ever since.

David B. Shanks

Dave Shanks has been a property manager with Compass Property Management since 1999. When Dave joined the Compass team he brought with him 36 years of hands on experience in residential construction and property management.

Prior to joining Compass, Dave was VP of Construction Operations for the Houston branch of Silvestre Investments, an international real estate investment firm.

Dave is heavily involved in Native American charity work and is the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren.

Matthew R. Accola

Matt Accola graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree in Marketing and Communications.   Matt has been working for Compass since 2000 as both a property manager and licensed real estate agent.  He is primarily involved in marketing and leasing properties for Compass Property Management.

Arend K. Accola

Arend Accola graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics & Accounting. Arend has been pleasing both Compass’ owners and tenants since December of 2004. Arend is a licensed real estate broker and acts as both a property manager and financial bookkeeper for Compass Property Management.