Chicago Virtual Deep Dish: Multifamily

Mr. Schwartz co-founded Waterton with Peter Vilim in 1995 and serves as CEO and Chairman. Mr. Schwartz is responsible for strategic decisions and leadership of the firm’s business activities and operations, and participates on the Management and Investment Committees. Prior to co-founding Waterton in 1995, Mr. Schwartz was a vice president of acquisitions for Equity Residential Properties Trust (EQR-NYSE) and from 1985 through 1989 was with AMLI Realty Co. Mr. Schwartz holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. He is a member of the executive committee, a senior officer and chairman of the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC). He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and is previous chairman of the ULI Multifamily Blue Council and a member of the Pension Real Estate Association (PREA). Mr. Schwartz is a member of the Advisory Council for the Pritzker School of Medicine and the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Chicago, and serves on the Strategic Advancement Committee for the US Holocaust Museum and Memorial in Washington D.C.

Matt Fiascone, president of The Habitat Company, has led a full range of real estate development and investment activities for more than 30 years. Since joining The Habitat Company in 2011, Matt has been instrumental in strategizing, executing and managing capital events including development joint ventures, recapitalization of existing ventures and acquisitions. Matt has also established new relationships for both debt and equity, as well as strategic partnerships. As president he leads the creation and integration of the vision and growth of Habitat. During his tenure he has overseen the expansion of the company's footprint and assets under management with a focus on continuously enhancing the company's culture for its team members, partners and residents. Previously, Matt served as senior vice president for Inland Real Estate Development Corporation, where he originated and implemented real estate transactions involving assets valued at over $1 billion and negotiated and managed equity joint ventures. Matt serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Inland Bank and Trust and is a member of Lambda Alpha (a Land Economics Honorary Society), the Urban Land Institute and the National Multifamily Housing Council. Matt has been a frequent speaker and panelist for industry events. In addition, he is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin and Missouri. Matt has a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Bradley University.

Andrea M. Kuhn is the General Manager of Kastle Systems’ Midwestern Region. Andrea is responsible for the new business development as well as the operational success of Kastle’s Chicago-based office. A native of the Chicago area, Andrea began her career with Kastle in 2005. After directing the National Accounts program, Andrea was promoted to run the Chicago operations, and more recently, to assume the responsibility for the region’s growth. Prior to Kastle, Andrea had sales success in the technology sector as well as in Operations Management. Andrea is now a member in several national and local associations, including CREN, BOMA, and ASIS. In 2016, Andrea was proud to be recognized as part of Chicago’s Top 20 Under 40 Security Professionals by Security Systems News. This award is designed to recognize those young professionals who are making their mark on the industry and in their company. Andrea received her education from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

David Lizak, Comcast’s regional senior director of Commercial Development, has nearly 20 years of industry experience in a variety of technical and leadership roles, with a primary focus on new product and fiber facility rollouts. Recognized for developing high-performing sales organizations, in his role, David leads the regional Xfinity Communities team, which is responsible for acquiring and servicing large multi-unit residential customers, including apartment complexes, condominium associations, hospitals and colleges/universities). In addition to Xfinity’s state-of-the-art Internet and TV service, Xfinity Communities recently launched Smart Communities, an innovative new IoT platform that automates property management and helps attract residents by bringing smart technologies to individual units. David, who lives in Chicago, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, OH, with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship.

Kevin Donnelly is Vice President for Government Affairs at the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) based in Washington, D.C. and represents the interests of the multifamily industry before Congress and federal agencies focusing on technology, connectivity, risk management, operations and housing affordability issues. Prior to joining the Council, Kevin served as a Legislative Representative for the National Association of Realtors. Kevin also spent over seven years on Capitol Hill as senior staff for two members of the House, first for Rep. Steve Rothman (NJ) and finally for Rep. Phil Hare (IL). Kevin has a wide array of public policy experience and has served in numerous capacities on a variety of political campaigns throughout his career. Kevin completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, has done post-baccalaureate work at National Defense University, and completed his Masters in Public Management at Johns Hopkins University. Most recently, Kevin was appointed by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to serve on the Commission’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee’s “Increasing Broadband Investment in Low-Income Communities” working group.