Born and raised in Austin, TX, Ari Rastegar believed that there was room in the opaque private equity world for a real estate firm that puts investors first. Instead of making money from investors, why not make money with investors?

Motivated to make his vision a reality, he then started his firm in 2006 with just a $3,000 loan for his first real estate project while receiving his Juris Doctorate degree from St. Mary’s University Law School. After graduating in May of 2009 and becoming licensed to practice law in Texas, he and Rastegar Property Company have grown to see much success investing across 38 cities in 12 states representing 7 different asset classes. His resolute work ethic has even earned him honorable mentions from renowned sources like Forbes where he was labeled “The Oracle of Austin” and a spot as the youngest inductee to grace the Commercial Observer’s Power 100 List, which ranks the top most influential power players in the commercial real estate world.

He is one of the most productive owners, developers, and buyers in the Austin real estate market.

Joseph F. Pitchford serves as managing director for Crescent Real Estate Equities, LLC. His responsibilities include project identification, development, and execution company-wide. Mr. Pitchford has more than twenty years of experience in commercial real estate, particularly in real estate development and project management.

Prior to joining Crescent, Mr. Pitchford served as senior vice president and regional director with Concord Eastridge, Inc. and as vice president and regional partner with Hines, where he organized and opened Hines' Arizona office.

Mr. Pitchford received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and his Master of Business Administration from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.

As CEO of VCC, Derek Alley is the senior officer responsible for implementing the strategic plan for the Company. After growing up in Little Rock and learning many roles on jobsites and projects, Derek went to Stanford University to earn his BS in Management Science and Engineering, Derek then started his career in investment banking. Afterwards he moved to BlackRock, Inc in their Private Equity Real Estate Acquisitions Group based in San Francisco, CA. Under his guidance, VCC is consistently listed in the top 100 contractors by the Engineering News Record, largest contractor in Arkansas, a top 15 multifamily contractor, and recognized as the largest retail contractor in the Country. Derek is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, ICSC, ULI, the Texas Real Estate Council and sits on multiple boards including the Encore Bank Board of Directors and the Variety Charity of Texas.

For over 20 years, Pam has gained experience throughout all phases of the construction process. Her extensive and eclectic experience

stretches from Project Management and Estimating for Class A Interior / Medical Office/Industrial Flex /Industrial Office /Warehouse

projects. At Gordon Highlander, Pam focuses on effectively managing client and subcontractor relationships as our VP of Sales. She

helps deliver successful projects on time and under budget, while garnering repeat business. As part of her commitment to building

strong and lasting relationships throughout the construction community, she is member of CREW-Dallas and a founding board member

of the Association of Professional Women in Construction (APWC).

Born and raised in South East London, Adam has always been a ken sportsman; representing his high school in Soccer, Rugby and Cricket. He started his working life as a Police Constable in Central London and then moved on to becoming a “Mens Grooming Expert” (which led to him appearing on The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent & GQ). This career path bought Adam to Dallas, Texas where he met his wife and decided to settle down. In Texas, Adam chose to start over or “re-tool”, and pursued a Management Degree at SMU. Once his studies were complete, Adam moved into sales of HVAC where he touched many commercial construction projects. Adam loves the thrill of new challenges, and meeting new people and can't wait to start his career with Bisnow in Dallas.