Kirby Fowler is President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc. (“DPOB”), and

the Executive Director of the Downtown Management Authority – nonprofit organizations

working with the public and private sectors to make Downtown Baltimore a great place

for businesses, employees, residents, and visitors. Downtown Baltimore is the fastestgrowing

neighborhood in the City, and it ranks 8th in the country in terms of residential

density and 12th in the country in employment density.

DPOB employs approximately 140 people dedicated to: cleaning sidewalks and streets;

maintaining a hospitable environment; overseeing park spaces and greening initiatives;

promoting economic development; monitoring infrastructure projects; reducing traffic

congestion; providing business networking opportunities; and marketing Downtown

amenities.

Prior to joining DPOB, Kirby was Of Counsel to Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP,

and was also a partner in the law firm of Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver.

Previously, Kirby served as Special Assistant for Economic and Neighborhood

Development under Mayor Martin O’Malley. In that position, he worked on such projects

as The Brown Center at the Maryland Institute College of Art, the renaissance of

Belvedere Square, and the retention of existing businesses such as Phillips Seafood.

From 2001 through 2006, Kirby led the creation of the Station North Arts & Entertainment

District. During that time period, more than 108 new artists moved into Station North,

more than 14 establishments opened (including MICA’s Studio Center, Area 405, Load of

Fun, and Joe Squared), and two significant residential projects – Railway Express and

Station North Townhomes – were launched. In addition, special signage was installed, a

map guide was developed, and celebrations such as “Gotta Have Art” were held to

promote the district. In 2005, Kirby created the non-profit organization and hired the first

full-time Executive Director of Station North.

From 2009 to 2012, on appointment by Governor Martin O’Malley, Kirby served as

Chair of the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Commission, overseeing the lottery as well

as the licensing and operation of the new slots facilities in Maryland. During Kirby’s

tenure, the Commission drafted the first-ever regulations for slots facilities and table

games; granted licenses to the first five casinos to open in Maryland; and oversaw three

consecutive record-breaking years in revenue generation for the lottery.

In 2010, Kirby was asked to participate on an Urban Land Institute Advisory Panel,

providing advice to the City of Chicago on redevelopment of the Navy Pier.

Kirby also served on the Transition Teams for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and

Mayor Sheila Dixon.

He currently serves on several boards, including Baltimore Homeless Services (previously

Chair), Central Baltimore Partnership, Charles Street Development Corporation, The

Economic Alliance Advisory Board (previously Chair), Healthcare for the Homeless, Mount

Vernon Cultural District, Public Markets Corporation, and Station North Arts &

Entertainment, Inc. (previously Chair).

Kirby has been named “Influential Marylander” by The Daily Record; a “Leader We

Admire” by SmartCEO Magazine; “Baltimore Icon” by 89.7 WTMD; “Forty under Forty”

by Baltimore Business Journal; “Father of the Year” by the American Diabetes Association,

Maryland Chapter; “Breaking Boundaries” honoree by the International Interior Design

Association; Fullwood Foundation Valued Hours Award recipient; and The Daily Record

“Innovator of the Year” for the Charm City Circulator and “Operation: Storefront”. During

his tenure, The Partnership has also won awards from the International Downtown

Association for its Kids Month promotion (2010) and “Operation: Storefront” (2011), as

well as the Spencer Ellis Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects for

stewardship of the local environment.

Kirby is a graduate of Dartmouth College and New York University School of Law. He is

married to Carmina Perez-Fowler, and has two wonderful daughters.

Mr. Poverni’s expertise encompasses structuring and managing of the development life cycle, from project feasibility studies, to site control, financing, syndication, construction management, asset stabilization and disposition. Mr. Poverni founded the firm in 2011 and continues to be the driving force behinds its growth, and is thankful for the talented people that work at PSG to help make its’ projects and business lines a success day-in and day-out. Mr. Poverni holds a J.D. from the George Washington University, and an M.B.A from the University of Maryland.

Mark Pollak has practiced for more than 30 years with a focus on the public financing of complex real estate projects and sports stadiums. He also has experience creating public-private partnerships to develop central business districts. His clients include local institutions and companies as well as national corporations and major real estate developers and investors in the mid-Atlantic area.