Ohio State of the Market

Will Follett is the Senior Producer for Bisnow's Midwest market, where he oversees content and strategy for 40+ annual programs aimed at connecting and advancing the commercial real estate industry. He previously worked at GovExec, the largest B2G marketing and events platform for public sector leaders. A New England native turned longtime Midwesterner, he holds a degree in political science from Drake University and lives in Chicago where he enjoys the city's restaurant scene and the occasional triathlon.

The visionary mind behind lndusPAD Group of Companies, OHomez, XOLogistic, and HuddleUp is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with over 27 years of experience in real estate investment, redevelopment, and community development. With a keen eye for identifying value-add opportunities, he brings a unique perspective to transforming real estate projects. His expertise lies in dissecting the multifaceted challenges inherent in real estate ventures, including location dynamics, cultural nuances, economic landscapes, financial limitations, market fluctuations, architectural constraints, community dynamics, leadership demands, and policy frameworks. Through meticulous analysis and strategic foresight, he surgically enhances the agility and adaptability of assets, ensuring their seamless alignment with the ever-evolving market dynamics. Mr. Makkar's journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in the realm of real estate. Beyond his academic accolades, he has amassed invaluable hands-on experience in both traditional and avant-garde approaches to urban development. His passion for revitalizing communities and reimagining urban spaces has propelled him to the forefront of the industry. Throughout his career, Mr. Makkar has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. His projects not only generate economic value but also prioritize environmental stewardship and community engagement. By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge design principles with practical solutions, he has earned a reputation for delivering projects that transcend mere aesthetics, leaving a lasting positive impact on the surrounding environment and its inhabitants. Furthermore, Mr. Makkar's entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond his professional endeavors. He actively seeks out opportunities to mentor and empower the next generation of innovators and change-makers in the field of real estate and urban development. Through workshops, lectures, and strategic partnerships, he fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ensuring a legacy of sustainable growth and progress. As a forward-thinking leader in the industry, Mr. Makkar remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in real estate development. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a relentless pursuit of excellence, he continues to shape the future of urban living, one transformative project at a time. Now, as the company has expanded its footprint to encompass 8 different states and a diverse portfolio of ventures, Mr. Makkar has charted a new course for IndusPAD. Recognizing the potential of the Midwest region, he has relocated the company's headquarters to the vibrant Chicagoland area. This strategic move signifies his commitment to embracing new challenges and opportunities, as he sets his sights on shaping, molding, and leaving an everlasting positive impact in the region.

Andy DiBlasi is a Managing Director for Investment Sales, based in Columbus, Ohio. In his role, Mr. DiBlasi is responsible for the marketing and sales of multifamily assets throughout the Midwest, with an emphasis on Ohio. Throughout his career he has sold or been intricately involved in the development of over $2.6 Billion in multifamily real estate. Before joining Walker & Dunlop, Mr. DiBlasi served as an Investment Division Sales Manager at Donald R. Kenney and Company (DRK), overseeing their full-service Investment Sales Brokerage, which consistently ranked as the top multifamily real estate brokerage in Central Ohio. Prior to that, he began his career as a Commercial Real Estate Agent in Atlanta, Georgia. He later worked with various multifamily real estate development firms in Atlanta and Tampa, handling land acquisition, pre-development efforts, and project capitalization for over $700MM in development across the Carolinas, Florida, and Texas over seven years. Andy earned his bachelor's degree from the Ohio University. Additionally, he is a member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, the Ohio Association of Realtors, the Buildings Industry Association (BIA), and the Nation Association of Industry and Office Properties (NAIOP). He also volunteers with the Ohio State University Real Estate Graduate Program, participating in industry case studies and panels.

Sheryl is Co-Managing Director of Gensler Columbus as well as a Global Building Transformation & Adaptive Reuse Leader. With 40 years of experience, she is widely recognized for leading award-winning building transformation projects including The Old Chicago Post Office, The Mart, and The Book Depository, in Detroit. As she spearheads Gensler’s growing presence in Ohio, she brings her deep knowledge of design strategies focused on place, brand, sustainability, and repositioning to the region. Sheryl works closely with clients and developers to understand their goals and vision, tapping into the firm’s ongoing research and multipronged expertise to define detailed design solutions. Her previous experience at Gensler includes leading a dynamic studio, managing strong client relationships, and guiding the successful delivery of numerous projects in Chicago and around the Midwest. Sheryl’s insights on stranded assets and building conversions are frequently shared by real estate and design platforms, regionally and nationally. She is an active member of Urban Land Institute’s Redevelopment and Reuse Product Council and recently served as the Chicago Board Chair of Humble Design, a nonprofit that transforms empty dwellings into homes for individuals, families, and veterans transitioning out of homelessness.

John’s diverse real estate background includes extensive property management experience with central business district class A office high rise, industrial, office/flex, retail, suburban office, and public facilities management. In addition to his property management background, John has distinguished himself in all aspects of tenant improvement and building construction. John has worked for such industry leaders as Hines Interests, Cabot Industrial Trust (now Cabot Properties) and CB Richard Ellis. John received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science at the University of Richmond. John is a graduate of Culver Military Academy and a former United States Army Officer and helicopter pilot. EXPERIENCE: Principal and Founder - Cincinnati, Ohio 2001 to Present RICORE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. GENERAL CONTRACTING PARTNERS, LLC. RICORE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SPECIAL ASSETS, LLC. Vice President and Midwest/West Regional Director Cabot Industrial Trust Cincinnati, Ohio 1998 –December 2001 Vice President and Director Commercial/CB Richard Ellis Cincinnati, Ohio 1994 – 1998 AFFILIATIONS • Former Chairman, Deerfield, Ohio Township Trustee Advisory Board • Former Board of Zoning Appeals Commissioner, Deerfield Township • Founder & Former President, Cincinnati Chapter – Culver Alumni Association • Member Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) • Member Institute of Real Estate Management • Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) EDUCATION • United States Army Flight Training Academy, Fort Rucker, Alabama, 1988 • University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, 1987 - BA, Economics • Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana, 1983 - Cum Laude • Active Real Estate Broker’s License, Ohio – 2003 to present • Active Real Estate Broker’s License, Kentucky – 2009 to present

As Director of Business Development at Corix, Alexis leads the advancement of sustainable thermal energy infrastructure that empowers communities to thrive. With a focus on high-efficiency district energy systems, she collaborates closely with developers, municipalities, and institutions to design and deliver resilient, low-carbon solutions tailored to local heating and cooling needs and long-term climate goals. With over 12 years of diverse experience spanning engineered thermal systems, waste heat recovery, low-carbon fuels, and utility infrastructure, Alexis brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic insight. She specializes in guiding complex energy projects from concept through execution—developing technically robust and financially sound solutions that align with the evolving needs of Corix’s partners and the communities they serve. Alexis holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cleveland State University, where she focused on Thermal-Fluid Mechanics and Energy Systems. Committed to workforce development and the future of engineering, she serves as Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Committee at CSU, helping to shape academic programs that prepare graduates to tackle today’s most pressing energy challenges.