Devon Self Storage, a California-based operator that owns or manages 32 facilities nationwide, has appointed Robert Francis as regional vice president of operations, responsible for the companys southeastern self-storage assets. Francis will oversee 23 facilities in six states comprising more than 1.6 million square feet. Direct reports include 44 employees, a regional director and two area managers. Francis will report to Angus Morrison, Devons executive vice president.

A 25-year industry veteran, Francis is president of The Heron Group, a Kissimmee, Fla.-based self-storage management company that also offers consulting and feasibility services. He began his career with Storage USA and has also worked with Public Storage Inc. and Southern Self Storage. He formed Heron Group in 2004.

Francis previously served nine years on the national Self Storage Association (SSA) board of directors, serving as chairman in 2008. He also has served on the Florida Self Storage Association board of directors and the SSAs southeast regional board. He is a licensed real estate broker in Florida and is a co-instructor for the SSAs Advanced Class on Valuation & Acquisition.

Devon Self Storage was 45th on the Inside Self-Storage 2013 Top-Operators List, an annual ranking of the industrys 100 largest operators based on net rentable square feet. Devons entire portfolio comprises more than 2.35 million square feet in 12 states.