3rd Annual Future of Midtown

MARK TORO founded Atlanta-based Toro Development Company in 2021 to create value by building community. As Chief Vision Officer, Toro will use a metric-driven approach to identify properties that have significant potential based on the promise of the locale. He and his team have multi-dimensional experience, positioning Toro Development Company to choose the right use or mix of uses for each redevelopment. Prior to starting Toro Development Company, Toro cofounded and led the North American Properties (NAP) Atlanta office where he oversaw $3.1 billion in real estate development, totaling 9.4 million square feet. He delivered industry-leading returns to his capital partners, became known nationally as a leader in experience-driven commercial real estate and left a legacy of great communities. His successes at NAP include the repositioning of Atlantic Station, development of Alpharetta’s $1 billion Avalon and the redevelopment of Colony Square. Toro currently serves on ICSC’s Board of Trustees, Midtown Alliance’s Board of Directors and serves as vice chair of the City of Refuge Board, where he chaired the $25 million “Shining the Light” capital campaign. He also serves on the Board of Directors of The ATL, a State authority that governs the expansion of public transportation in Metro Atlanta. Before cofounding NAP’s Atlanta office in 1996, Toro served in several leadership positions with Faison and Cousins Properties. He has developed, redeveloped or repositioned more than 70 properties totaling almost 30 million square feet during his career. He attended Rutgers University, where he met his wife, Nancy.

Hunter is responsible for development and construction of all Portman projects in the United States. He is integrally involved in all development and construction tasks that need to be undertaken for the successful completion of each project. Hunter has over 30 years of experience working on multiple product types, including town centers, sports and entertainment venues, museums and resorts. He previously served as Managing Director for OliverMcMillan for Buckhead Atlanta, as well as Chief Operating Officer of Richardson Development Group, where he specialized in large-scale, mixed-use projects. Hunter also worked with Turner Sports & Entertainment, and Himmel/Miller Klutznick Davis Grey. He earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Mr. Tague is President of AMLI Residential & Chairman of ADC and started with AMLI in 1981. He oversees AMLI's development and construction activities. Prior to joining AMLI, Mr. Tague worked for the Chicago law firm of Mayer Brown. He received a B.S. from Northwestern in 1971 and a J.D. from Ohio State in 1977. He is a past president and/or chairman of the Atlanta Apartment Association, the Georgia Apartment Association, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Mr. Tague is an officer or member of the ULI, NAIOP, REIAC, IDRC, and the NMHC. He is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Dr. Eloisa Klementich is President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. Previously, Eloisa served as managing director of business development at Invest Atlanta. In this position, she worked to attract new businesses and create initiatives that promoted job growth in Atlanta. Before coming to Invest Atlanta, Eloisa served as special assistant for economic development at the U.S. Economic Development Administration in the Office of the Secretary. She served as California’s assistant deputy secretary for economic development and commerce and has held various roles with city governments, including the consultant for Mexico’s President Vicente Fox, working on best practices for addressing constituent issues and requests. Eloisa holds a bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College and a master’s degree in business administration from el Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey. She holds two master’s degrees in urban planning and Latin American affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her doctorate degree in public administration from the University of LaVerne. Eloisa is also active in various business and civic organizations. She serves as a board member for the Latin American Civic Association, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, LaunchPad 2x, Startup Atlanta, and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. A graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2017, she is also involved with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, Georgia Economic Development Association, and International Economic Development Council.

Kris Mikkelsen, chief operating officer and managing director, joined Walker & Dunlop Investment Sales (WDIS) in April 2015 as part of the Engler Financial Group acquisition. Mr. Mikkelsen is responsible for the origination and execution of investment sales and equity capital raise for multifamily assets, with a focus on the Southeastern markets. Additionally, Mr. Mikkelsen serves as an officer within WDIS, contributing to the strategy and implementation of the firm’s active growth plan. Prior to the acquisition, Mr. Mikkelsen served as managing director and chief operating officer of Engler Financial Group, a prominent multifamily investment advisory firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time at Engler, Mr. Mikkelsen was responsible for the origination and execution of multifamily investment sales and equity capital raise efforts across the firm’s footprint, with a specific focus on Atlanta, Georgia and the Carolinas. During his tenure, Mr. Mikkelsen was directly involved with the origination and execution of over $6 billion in multifamily investment activity with an institutional client list including Prudential Real Estate Investors, AMLI/Morgan Stanley, GID, Principal Global Investors, JP Morgan Asset Management, Cornerstone Realty Advisors, Northwestern Mutual, AIG Global Real Estate, PCCP, Goldman Sachs, Waterton Associates, New York Life, Heitman, Mid-America Apartment Communities, CBREI, and many others. Mr. Mikkelsen has worked directly on behalf of some of the nation’s top developers, including Wood Partners, Trammell Crow Residential, Alliance Residential, Daniel Corp, Contravest, Dominion Realty Partners, Woodfield Investments, and Terwilliger Pappas. Mr. Mikkelsen is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in management and was a two-time All-American member and Captain of the men’s golf team. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Mikkelsen served as the founding chairman of the National Multi Housing Council’s Emerging Leader Committee and is currently a member of the Multifamily Gold Council for the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is the president of the Board of Directors for Atlanta Junior Golf, one of the Country’s oldest not-for-profit junior golf organizations.