Tribune Real Estate Holdings, LLC (TREH) is a subsidiary of Tribune Media. TREH owns and operates over seven million square feet of real estate nationally that is leased to Tribune Company and its affiliates, as well as to third parties. TREH also owns urban redevelopment sites in Chicago, Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Baltimore and other cities throughout the country. The company is actively pursuing office, multi-family, industrial, and mixed-use development in a number of these locations, primarily through forming strategic partnerships with local development partners.

Carrie Ruban is the Director of Workplace Solutions, responsible for the Midwest, West,

and International Portfolios for Capital One. She oversees the full lifecycle of real estate

from strategy, transactions, design & construction and operations for 2.5 million square

feet of office space. Prior to Capital One, Carrie was in Corporate Real Estate at United

Airlines overseeing the corporate headquarters relocation, global rebranding and Latin

American Design & Construction. Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in

Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of

Management at Northwestern University.

Ofa joined Amerigo in 2016 as Chief of People and Enterprise, overseeing all aspects of human capital and the evolution of the Amerigo enterprise globally. Prior to Amerigo, Ofa was the Global Head of Resourcing for BP, where she was responsible for recruitment activity across 26 business functions, supporting 17,000 internal clients worldwide. Ofa brings expertise in fulfilling human capital needs at global institutions such as HSBC and Nike and experience across various sectors, including trading, investment banking, healthcare, as well as experience working in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Fiji, and the United States. Ofa is passionate about cultivating a culture of humility, success and spirit at Amerigo. She received a Bachelor of Business from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Sydney.

After years of practice with some of the top national firms, Dan Kraiss now focuses

on applying his design expertise and business acumen to making sure that BOX

Studios excels in corporate interior design as well as base-building rehabilitation,

new construction, health care, hospitality, fitness centers, and high-end retail

sectors. As a working Principal, he contributes to the firm’s collaborative philosophy

and outward vision. Mr. Kraiss considers stewardship of the environment and

preservation of resources a matter of utmost importance and leads BOX Studios’

efforts in this essential area.

Mr. Kraiss is especially inspired by the BOX Studios’ growing portfolio of technology

and internet based companies. “We have taken these companies, most notably

Groupon, from low-budget start-ups through explosive growth periods, to respected

publicly traded companies,” says Kraiss. “They challenge us to provide more

efficient, unique and progressive designs. To keep up with some of these

companies’ phenomenal growth rates, we have to constantly reinvent the way we

conceptualize and deliver designs and produce construction documents.”

Dan believes in BOX Studios’ drive to use design as a tool to advocate progress

toward better working conditions and flexibility to adapt to change. “As the digital

transformation continues to spread through various business sectors, BOX Studios

will be ready with innovative solutions at the forefront of office design for tech-savvy

companies.”

Dan Kraiss attended Northern Illinois University, receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts,

Interior Architecture degree. He is a member of the United States Building Green

Council (USBC), a registered LEED Accredited Professional, and member of the

Chicago Loop Alliance.

John Ryder has been a member of the Kelso-Burnett team since 1999 working as a Vice

President, Branch Manager, Division Manager. Kelso-Burnett has been a leader in

electrical and communication construction in Northern Illinois since 1908. Our complete

capabilities include electrical, voice/data communication, central office, fire alarm,

security, sound and audio-visual.

John Ryder, a 1991 graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BA in Liberal Arts and

Sciences, came into the electrical industry by becoming a Project Manager with

Broadway Electric. At Broadway Electrical, John’s responsibilities included estimating,

managing, and closeout documentation for various electrical projects ranging in size

from a few thousand to one million dollars.

In 1999, John joined Kelso-Burnett Co. as a Division Manager out of the Rolling

Meadows branch location. Over the years with Kelso-Burnett, John has focused on the

electrical construction of commercial office, institutional, tenant build-out, and design-

build projects. His projects have ranged in size from a few thousand dollars to twenty

million dollars. John Ryder has personally completed various large-scale projects for

companies and organizations such as Allstate Insurance, Charles Shaw Technology &

Learning Center, Dominican University, General Services Administration (GSA),

Lawrence Hall Youth Services, Union Station, United States Postal Service (USPS), NU

Willard Hall, and W.W. Grainger to name a few.

In 2017, John was named Executive Vice President & COO of Kelso-Burnett Co and

continues serving as the Branch Manager of Rolling Meadows, overseeing the

performance of his branch consisting of five Division Managers. John’s branch

completed the expansive 2011 Rivers Casino project in Des Plaines, Kellogg School of

Management at Northwestern, Wrigley Field modernization and many projects

throughout the Chicago land area.

John furthers his education in the electrical industry as a member of the Electrical

Contractors Association (ECA) of Chicago. John also is a supervising electrician for Cook

County and held the title of “Contract Manager of the Year” in 2007 for Kelso-Burnett.

Since joining Gensler in 2006, Eric’s leadership and design oversight has transformed workplace environments for an array of clients across the globe, including Wilson Sporting Goods, Northwestern University, Capital One, Procter & Gamble and GE.

Eric has worked with his teams to solve some of his clients’ most complex problems through an inclusive and adaptive leadership style. He has extensive experience completing projects for clients in financial firms, professional services, technology and consumer goods industries — bringing a sharp perspective and clear humility that inspires clients and colleagues alike. Eric is a Registered Architect and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Catholic University of America and a Master’s of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

An exceptional communicator, innovator, and visionary leader, Cheryl Durst has spurred progress, driven

change, and encouraged the expansion of the Interior Design industry. As the Executive Vice President

and Chief Executive Officer of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Cheryl is committed

to achieving broad recognition for the value of design and its significant role in society, through both

functionality and engagement in every day work spaces and the built environment. Demonstrated by her

active involvement in connecting industry professionals, including designers, manufacturers, clients, end-

users, and employers, she has worked to promote an understanding of how design impacts human behavior

and affects all aspects of shared spaces.

In 1997, Cheryl joined IIDA as the Senior Director of Education and Professional Development. Promoted to

Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in 1998, she began the task of rebuilding and redefining

the organization, which was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and closure due to tenuous member

relationships and organizational mismanagement. Despite these significant challenges, Cheryl implemented

an aggressive fiscal redevelopment and turnaround strategy that incorporated a series of presentations,

critical member outreach, and transparent communication efforts to earn back stakeholder trust. Through

her efforts, she was able to revive the association and reposition it as a profitable enterprise, integral to the

interior design community and dedicated to furthering the profession of interior design.

Today, with 15,000 members across 58 countries, Cheryl oversees the strategic direction of IIDA, curates and

publishes Perspective, the association’s thought-leadership journal, manages a team of 25 professional staff

members, leads the 10-member International Board of Directors, and directs all outreach and programmatic

efforts, including more than a dozen annual global design awards programs, which recognize worldwide

excellence in interior design. Cheryl is closely associated with the organization’s vision and mission and is

deeply involved in engaging design industry leaders and the client community on the myriad issues that

encompass the intersection of design, business, and strategy.

Cheryl’s ability to engage audiences with insight and humor has positioned her as a sought-after keynote

speaker, guest lecturer, panelist, and moderator at both domestic and global conferences and seminars.

With topics ranging from “The Future of Design” to “The Impact of Culture, Brand, and Place,” her

presentations explore the value of design as a social, cultural, and economic force. In addition, she delivered

the commencement address at the New York School of Interior Design, receiving an Honorary Doctorate in

Fine Arts for her contributions to the industry, and was the Martin Luther King Guest Lecturer at the School

of Architecture, University of Michigan.

An enthusiastic and energetic volunteer, Cheryl has participated on numerous boards and committees,

including the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Harrington College of

Design, US Green Buildings Council, the Kohl Children’s Museum Women’s Board, and the Literacy Foundation

of Chicago. She holds dual bachelor degrees in print journalism and economics from Boston University and is a

LEED-accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Prior to Cheryl’s tenure at IIDA, she was the Director of Programs and Education with Merchandise Mart

Properties in Washington, DC. Cheryl’s industry experience also includes employment with Knoll, American

Seating, and Westinghouse Furniture Systems. She is a member of the World Future Society and firmly

believes in the connection between place, history, and human behavior, as well as the effect attitude, culture,

and design have on shared-space environments. She is the creator and curator of the innovative IIDA series,

What Clients Want, which examines the designer/client relationship.

In recognition of her contributions to IIDA and the profession of design, Cheryl was awarded Honorary IIDA

Fellowship by her International Board of Directors in 2009. In 2015, she was named one of Newcity’s Design

50, an annual list of influencers who promote and present design in Chicago. Cheryl has also been referred to

by Interior Design magazine as “an ambassador for innovation and expansion, and a visionary strategist.”

Mr. Pachucki is Founder and Principal of the IBT Group LLC, which focuses on creative urban

developments in metropolitan areas. Current projects include 1200 Fulton, a full-block creative

office, retail and entertainment complex in the West Fulton Market area of Chicago.

Mr. Pachucki is responsible for strategic management of all development activities for IBT Group

including pipeline, acquisition, financing, planning, leasing and project execution. He has over

30 years of real estate experience and has been involved in the development of over ten million

of square feet of office, residential and retail space throughout the country during his career.

Prior to the formation of the IBT Group, Mr. Pachucki started and oversaw retail development in

the Midwest for Opus Group of Companies, a family owned real estate company which was one

of the largest privately held real estate companies in the country.

Prior to OPUS he spent several years with Balcor as Vice president where he was responsible for

an extensive national portfolio of 2,000,000 square feet of commercial space and 60,000

residential units. An architect by training, Mr. Pachucki spent several years with at the time the

largest architectural firm in Wisconsin, Mochon, Schutte, Hackworthy & Juerisson, where he was

involved in various aspects of the design process for institutional and commercial buildings

including airports, schools and residential projects.

Mr. Pachucki graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in

Architecture and also completed graduate level studies at the University of Wisconsin Graduate

School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

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.

R2 currently owns and operates more than 1.5 million square feet of real estate, primarily in Chicago and the Midwest, and its principals share deep industry experience, having transacted more than $1 billion in real estate investments on behalf of previous ownership structures in all major asset classes and investment strategies.

From 2007 to 2011, R2 principals built and eventually liquidated a highly successful student-housing platform at several major Midwestern universities. Since 2011, the R2 principals have consolidated more than one million square feet of creative office assets in Chicago and the Midwest, building a vertically integrated platform to manage all aspects of the investment process.

R2 is a widely experienced developer, having completed multi-family, mixed-use, retail, and office projects, and is currently developing two mixed-use developments on Chicago’s Goose Island that total more than 700,000 rentable square feet.

In addition to its core platform, R2 operates several discretionary funds to programmatically pursue its real estate investment strategies.

As a member of Skender’s executive leadership team, Clay plays an integral role in strategic business

initiatives, particularly those relating to operational excellence and building customer relationships. He

also oversees and collaborates with Skender’s team of interior project executives, who develop and

execute the growth strategy for Skender’s award-winning interior construction market.

With nearly 20 years of construction experience, Clay has directly managed or overseen millions of

square feet of interior tenant improvement work, including many of the most prestigious and pioneering

projects in recent Chicago history. His interior construction expertise spans numerous sectors, such as law,

technology, financial and professional services, and non-profit.

Skender tailors its preconstruction and construction services to every project, proactively addressing each

client’s unique needs. With a focus on efficiency, quality and delivering tremendous value, Clay helps

direct the production and successful implementation of these client-focused project delivery plans.

Clay volunteers with the homeless shelter network BEDS Plus Care and is a long-time coach of

Since 1988, Paul Fishbein has established a distinguished track record in commercial real estate by

creating innovative solutions resulting in significant savings for his clients and returns for his investors. He

has experienced success as both a commercial real estate broker and developer with over $750 million in

transactions and developments to his credit. Paul is a Founding Partner of Merit Partners, a Chicago

based firm focused on the re-development of the 1.5 million square foot former Marshall Field campus at

4000 West Diversey. Prior to Merit, Paul spent 16 years as a partner with Centrum Properties and

Amerimar Enterprises where he was a partner in charge of the 1.6 million square foot Montgomery Wards

campus at 600 West Chicago and 600,000 square foot Lafayette Corp. Center in Boston.