2016 Delaware State of the Market

Mr. Hare joined The Buccini/Pollin Group in March 2008 as Senior Vice President for Development. His responsibilities include development management, acquisitions, public investment and government relations. He currently serves as Project Director for the Chester Waterfront Redevelopment efforts. Prior to joining the Buccini/Pollin Group, Mr. Hare served as the Deputy Director of the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC), a position which he held from 1995-2008. Mr. Hare was employed by the Delaware Economic Development Office starting in 1989 most recently serving as a Senior Development Specialist prior to being assigned to the RDC by Governor Thomas R. Carper in September, 1995. A native of Wilmington, Mr. Hare is a graduate of Archmere Academy and received a B.S. in Public Administration from St. Joseph’s University. He also attended Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hare serves on the Board of Directors for Archmere Academy, the Latin American Community Center, the Salvation Army, the Delaware Stadium Corporation, Friends of the Woodlawn Library, Riverfront Wilmington Improvement District, and the Rivers Edge Community Development Corporation. He also serves on the National Alumni Board of Saint Joseph’s. Mike serves as co-chair for the URBAN Land Institute’s (ULI) Delaware Regional Chapter. From January 2001 to December 2005, Mr. Hare served on the Wilmington City Council as an At-Large Member where he served on the Finance, Housing, and Licenses and Inspection Committees.

In May 2015, Bernice Whaley was nominated by Delaware Governor Jack Markell to serve as the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office where she now serves as a Secretary in Governor Markell’s cabinet and is responsible for the business and economic strategies for the State of Delaware. Bernice brings to the position innovative public and private sector experience. Bernice is a proven business executive with over 25 years of retail supply chain experience and several years of business consulting experience before joining the Delaware Economic Development office in 2009. Serving as Deputy Director she acted in the absence of the Director and managed the day to day activities and functions of a multi-faceted economic development agency.

Jeff oversees all aspects of project financing, constructing, leasing and operations of the portfolio. Prior to establishing LDG, Jeff served for 10 years in a similar capacity for the Commonwealth Group, a Wilmington, DE based full service real estate company. Commonwealth’s portfolio included office, retail, and multi-family projects located in Delaware. During his tenure with the firm, Jeff was responsible for the development of 12 projects comprising over 150 multi-family units and over 1 million square feet of commercial/retail space. Jeff received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from Virginia Tech in 1982 and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in 1984. Jeff is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Delaware. His family of five children live in the Newark area and he is very focused on giving back to the community through involvement in youth programs, assistance to local schools and health institutions and counseling students at the high school and college levels.

Paul’s career in real estate development began in 1974. Since that time he has developed office buildings, residential and apartment communities, and industrial parks. His development projects of the past 38 years total over 5 million square feet.In 1989, Paul started The McConnell Companies, Inc. primarily to purchase and develop land. That state evolved into projects that included 600 acres of residential home sites, one apartment community, one town-home community, and Centerpoint Industrial Park, which has over 1 million square feet and is owned and managed by McConnell Development, Inc.In 2002 and 2005, Paul led a team of investors in the purchase of 1201 N. Market Street, Delaware’s tallest building with 500,000 square feet and Hercules Plaza, which is leased and managed by McConnell Development and their partners.Paul is an active member of the community, with direct involvement in many local organizations. He is the President of the Board of Trustees for Layton Preparatory School in New Castle, DE, Member of the Board for St. Edmond’s Academy in Wilmington, DE and is the founder of the school’s Opportunity Fund.Paul is active in many business organizations as well. He is a Member of the Board for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, First State Innovation, FMP Media Solutions, and The Siegfried Group. He is also involved with the British American Business Council, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware Business Roundtable.Paul is an avid collector of cars. He also enjoys playing golf, and is a member of the following clubs: Bonita Bay Golf Club, Greenville Country Club, Fieldstone Golf Club, Stonewall Golf Club and the University & Whist Club.

In 1998 John Kaczowka joined CBRE specializing in commercial office and industrial properties. Mr. Kaczowka has over 25 years of experience in the Wilmington and Philadelphia markets. Prior to joining CBRE, Mr. Kaczowka was employed by LaSalle Partners as a Vice President and Group Manager. Mr. Kaczowka offers a unique background since he has served as a Tenant Advisor and understands all ownership functions including: budgeting, building operations, negotiating business terms and legal terms and construction management. He understands how to create long-term value through a creative leasing structure and efficient building operations.