Chicago Retail Forum

Over the past 15 years, Leon I. Walker, Esq. has spearheaded cutting-edge community development projects that have generated thousands of new jobs, and brought grocery stores and health care services into the food and health care deserts on Chicago’s south side. Mr. Walker is an innovator who continues to be at the forefront of utilizing new financing tools and blending funding streams. During his career, Mr. Walker has structured more than $100 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), including at the award-winning Roseland Medical Center, which was the first project to finance new construction with NMTCs in Chicago. He was also the first Chicago developer to use crowdfunding for new construction, raising $500,000 in two days from 61 investors in 26 states as part of the $20 million capital stack for the nationally recognized Englewood Square retail center, anchored by Whole-Foods. As the Managing Partner of DL3 Realty, Mr. Walker works closely with municipalities, anchor institutions, and Fortune 500 companies to implement projects that are sensitive to a neighborhood’s character while creating economic opportunities for those who live there. Mr. Walker’s projects are more than just bricks and mortar. They are designed to provide a stimulus that ultimately lifts economic prospects and quality-of-life for local residents. He calls his work “Venture Development,” as described in a recently released discussion paper that can be downloaded at dl3realty.com/venturedevelopment. Current projects include a new Jewel-Osco that will be the first grocery store to come to the Woodlawn community in over 40 years, helping to accelerate local revitalization efforts underway through the University of Chicago, Obama Presidential Center and local neighborhood organizations. He recently opened the new UI Mile Square Health Center in the South Shore neighborhood, collaborating with the YWCA to creatively co-locate critical health care and child care services at one site to better support the needs of families. He is also collaborating with Central City Productions to develop the nation’s first National Museum of Gospel Music, a highly inspirational project in the historic Bronzeville community on the site once occupied by Pilgrim Baptist Church, known as the birthplace of gospel. Mr. Walker is also leading the effort to develop social innovation hubs in Woodlawn, Chatham and Morgan Park. These new developments are anchored by some of Chicago’s most seasoned non-profit tenants including a Lighthouse call center providing 400 new jobs, a new Gift of Hope training center designed to prepare new candidates for medical careers, and University of Chicago sponsored co-working space for social enterprises. Given his catalytic projects and investment philosophy, Mr. Walker is often invited to speak to local and national organizations regarding economic development, Venture Development, and his experience with crowdfunding. Audiences have included the Chicago Bar Association, Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, American Bankers Association, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Entrepreneur Podcast Network. Mr. Walker serves as a Board member of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University and as a Commissioner of the Roseland Community Medical District. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Realty Club of Chicago, International Council of Shopping Centers Government Relations Committee, and The Business Leadership Council. Prior to taking on the leadership of DL3 Realty, Mr. Walker worked in corporate real estate services at Jones Lang LaSalle, and in real estate capital markets at Citicorp Securities. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Law School and Booth School of Business, and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He lives with his wife and two children in the Kenwood historic district on Chicago’s south side.

Stacy Short serves as Vice President and Leasing Director for the Western Division which includes managing the leasing responsibilities for RPAI’s properties ranging from Chicago West to California. Ms. Short joined the Company in August 2010. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Short was a Vice President with GVA Williams, a retail brokerage firm based in Stamford, CT. Ms. Short represented RPAI and other landlords with their leasing efforts in the State of Connecticut. Stacy received her bachelor of arts in urban economics from The University of Connecticut and is a credentialed Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS) with the ICSC. She is also a professor at the John T. Riordan School for Retail Real Estate Professionals in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Emi is a Senior Vice President in Heitman's Investment Research group. She is responsible for analysis of the North American retail and industrial markets, including identifying target markets for acquisitions and conducting market and property-level research for potential investments. Additionally, Emi researches macroeconomic and capital markets trends to shape major investment and portfolio strategies. She also analyzes demographic trends, particularly pertaining to millennials and their impact on real estate investment strategy. Emi received a BA with honors in Urban Studies from Stanford University. She is a member of the NAIOP Investment Management Forum, Lambda Alpha International Ely Chapter, and Stanford Professionals in Real Estate.

Ari Krigel is a Partner in the Real Estate Practice Group and a member of the Food Industry Team. Ari concentrates his practice in the area of commercial real estate, with an emphasis on acquisitions, dispositions, conventional and public financing, leasing, workouts and development. His experience includes drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, loan agreements, mortgages, commercial leases, forbearance and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure agreements, easements and performing due diligence for real estate transactions. Ari has represented large institutional investors, national and regional lenders and mid-market real estate investment and development companies. Prior to joining Freeborn, Ari was an Associate at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS Represented restaurant operator/developer in a 24 property sale/leaseback, and simultaneously closed $20,000,000 in loans secured by the assets of entities operating 63 fast food restaurants, including Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, T.G.I. Friday’s, Blaze Pizza, Old Chicago and Long John Silver’s. Represent real estate fund in the acquisition of $57,800,000 commercial office complex in Norfolk, Virginia. Represented owner of 400+ unit multifamily development in the negotiations of a $31,000,000 refinancing and construction loan utilized for renovations and the buyout of a minority partner TIC interest. Represented owner of hotel portfolio in connection with the sale of 15 hotels, including 10 fee properties and the assignment of 5 groundleases. Represented developer in note purchase, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, and the subsequent financing, including construction and mezzanine loans, and multifamily development. Represented company in the acquisition of well-known Lincoln Park restaurant and bar, and the attached apartment buildings. Negotiated the asset and real estate purchase agreement, loan documents and lease, and guided client through the municipal approvals including obtaining the licenses and permits required to operate a restaurant and bar. Represented a number of retail and commercial office landlords in the City of Chicago and locations throughout the county, and negotiated leases for retail stores, parking lots, and restaurants, and also commercial office leases for large downtown office towers and smaller regional properties.

Alice is a real estate advisory professional with extensive experience translating data from the broader market into actionable project-specific recommendations. As part of the Gensler Analytics team, she helps clients accurately interpret a wide spectrum of data and information to ultimately develop meaningful project directions based on objective fact. This often takes the form of market analysis, economic or financial modeling, program development, benchmarking, and case study research. She also has extensive experience in deal structuring and public-private partnerships. Alice holds Masters degrees in Real Estate Development and City Planning from MIT and holds an undergraduate degree in architecture, positioning herself as a conduit between quantitative analysis and design.

About Peter College: George Washington University Professional Experience: Balcor Company 1984-1987 First Dearborn Properties 1987-1990 Plymouth Court Properties 1990-1995 Pine Tree Commercial Realty 1995-Present Aggregate Pine Tree Portfolio: 78 Shopping Centers, $1.01 Billion Organizations: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chicago (Mentor) YPO (Real Estate Network Chair 2012-2014) ICSC ULI NAREIM Deerfield AYSO Deerfield Youth Baseball Association Boards: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chicago Standard Club of Chicago Harold Eisenberg Foundation George Washington University Center for Real Estate Advisory Board Marquette University Center for Real Estate Advisory Board Deerfield Park Foundation

Richard H. Tucker, CEO, formed Tucker in March 1996. Tucker draws on Mr. Tucker’s 39 years of experience in the development, redevelopment, financing, leasing, and management of real estate assets. Utilizing his expertise, Mr. Tucker has developed and/or acquired over ten million square feet valued in excess of $1 billion. Mr. Tucker is a leader in various influential industry associations. His leadership roles include past Co-Chair of the National Open Air Committee; past Director of the Illinois State Committee; and past Chairman of the Illinois governmental Affairs Committee. Mr. Tucker is also an active member of both the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as a frequent panelist at various national real estate conferences and other educational forums.

Joe Girardi is a Principal with Mid-America Real Estate’s Investment Sales Group, focusing specifically on the sale of retail properties. He has been directly involved in the completion of over $5 billion of investment sale transactions with a focus on urban retail and suburban shopping centers. Mr. Girardi has worked on a variety of assignments throughout the United States on behalf of private clients, public REIT’s, and institutional advisors including Apollo Real Estate Advisors, Blackstone Group, LaSalle Investment Management, RREEF, Regency Centers, Kimco Realty, Acadia Realty Trust, Lexington Corporate Properties Trust, Heitman, Grosvenor, Equity Group Investments, Weingarten Realty Investors, and Clarion Partners. Mr. Girardi graduated with honors from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. While at North Carolina State University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Illinois, as well as a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Mr. Melaniphy is the Director of Economic Development for the Village of Wheeling engaged in all facets of economic development, business attraction, business retention, marketing, grant administration, market feasibility analysis and business incubator programs. Preparation of comprehensive economic development strategies and implementation plans to meet short range and long range objectives. Mr. Melaniphy spent 20 years at Melaniphy & Associates, Inc., three years at Mid-America Development Partners and four years at the Village of Arlington Heights prior to joining the Village of Wheeling. Mr. Melaniphy directed multiple development projects including lifestyle centers, big box centers, hotels, and mixed-use developments. Some of the projects he has been involved in during his career include the Mall of America, Navy Pier, Bayshore Town Center, Easton Town Center, Town Center of Virginia Beach, Algonquin Galleria, Naperville Galleria, Hilldale Mall, Collin Creek Mall, Cottonwood Mall, Southridge Mall, Paradise Mall, Market Commons of Myrtle Beach, and many others. He has assisted numerous retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues with their site selection strategies both nationally and internationally.

David Pezza is a partner in the firm’s real estate group and is located in White & Case’s Chicago office. Mr. Pezza’s practice focuses on sophisticated real estate transactions, including the representation of private and institutional investors, and owners and developers in connection with the acquisition, disposition, development and financing of commercial real estate properties. He has also been involved in the negotiation and structuring of joint-venture agreements with respect to the various transactions he has been involved in. Mr. Pezza’s experience includes a wide range of asset types, including mixed use projects, land for development, retail properties, office buildings and hospitality projects.