2016 Development & Construction Forum

Jeff DeBruin supervises Trammell Crow Company’s Dallas/Fort Worth area Construction Group. The Construction Group possesses the capability of managing the entire development process including assisting with property assessments, conceptual planning, initial scope and budget establishment, programming, scheduling, design, construction, and comprehensive reporting of same for projects spanning a wide variety of product types. Currently, Mr. DeBruin’s chief responsibilities include project execution, operational support and oversight, business development and staffing assignments. Mr. DeBruin, and the construction group as a whole, serves as a single point of contact for project communication and control. His construction background in Project Management, Estimating and Purchasing; process driven and detailed personality; and knowledge of both the development process and local market serve to benefit the client. This experience, gained in a variety of product lines, specifically serves developments in capacities such as consultant contracting, conceptual planning, early profiling of comprehensive project costs and mitigation of risks to both project schedule and budget. This role routinely entails proactive involvement and reporting from concept through occupancy.

Jeff is a Project Executive at DPR Construction in the Dallas-Fort Worth office, with over 24 years of construction industry expertise. His background provides a balance of private and public sector residential, hospitality and commercial developments, including The Union Dallas, Factory Six03, and Capital One. In his role, Jeff delivers projects successfully by combining strategy, direction and highly motivated leadership with experience, organization, passion and dedication. He oversees commercial and corporate office projects, and guides ongoing preconstruction process and strategic client partnerships. This scope of work encompasses supporting regional growth strategies and administering business development best practices. Prior to joining DPR Construction, Jeff was an integral team member at a large general contractor, where he worked on many iconic projects in the Dallas area such as the Perot Museum, the Gaylord Texan Resort, the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel and One Arts Plaza. He recently served on the Real Estate Council Foundation Board and chaired its Professional Services Committee.

Mr. Straley has spent most of his career on the contractor/developer side of the business, which creates a unique perspective on value proposition at the infancy stage of projects. He led the Preconstruction Divisions at both Duke Realty and Panattoni, which allows him to quickly evaluate the proposed costs on a wide variety of projects. His focus on the pre-construction phase of the business will provide numerous value propositions at the most important part of your project, the beginning. He was also responsible for contract negotiations on all projects in the Central Region and thus provides him an advantage to clients on the best delivery system and contract type based upon the project particulars.

Kevin Crum serves as vice president, development for Crescent Real Estate Equities, LLC. Mr. Crum is responsible for managing the overall timeline, progress and development budget for the McKinney & Olive office and retail project in Uptown Dallas. He has been responsible for the development and/or investment management of over 40 projects in Texas, Arizona, California, and Colorado, including The Hotel and Residences at the Ritz-Carlton and The Tower Residences and Regency Row, Ritz-Carlton in Dallas.

Rob Huthnance is responsible for leading the company’s overall East Coast business development as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of CT’s development initiatives in the East. Formerly, Mr. Huthnance served as a senior officer at Prologis where he had overall market and capital development responsibilities throughout the state of Texas and border markets in Mexico. Mr. Huthnance was president of the North Texas Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and is a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. A Dallas native, Mr. Huthnance earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Texas. He resides in Dallas with his family.

Mr. Ord serves as director of development and is responsible for the sourcing, coordination, and execution of project development for Greystar owned projects. Prior to his current role, Mr. Ord was the vice president of construction and development for Ord Properties, Inc. and was responsible for coordinating the development, construction and sale of multifamily residential homes in select areas across California, Arizona & Utah. Mr. Ord has experience in all phases of development, construction, and sales. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and a licensed General Contractor in the state of Utah. Mr. Ord received a BBA degree in Construction Management from Brigham Young University (BYU) where he also played football. He received an MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU) with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate and is also fluent in Spanish.

Rick Cavenaugh is the founder and President of Stoneleigh Companies, a private real estate development company. His 36-year national career in real estate includes building successful development and ownership companies including Stoneleigh, Fifield Companies, Prime Residential/Ambassador Apartments and Pacific Realty. Rick graduated in 1982 with a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and is very involved in student leadership initiatives at U of I. He has been involved in numerous housing initiatives and is an active industry speaker. In Dallas, Stoneleigh’s most current activity includes One Uptown, Waterford Market (Frisco) and Switchyard (Carrollton).

Corbett Nichter was named regional leader for A&P's Gulf States region in January 2013. Prior to joining A&P, Corbett held senior management positions with Turner Construction Company and CF Jordan Construction. In these roles, Corbett was responsible for business development, marketing, contract negotiations and operations, and for the overall performance of market verticals and geographic business units. Corbett serves on the boards of directors for the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center and Helping Restore Ability and has been active in the community through organizations such as the Happy Hill Academy & Home and the Presbyterian Night Shelter. He also served on the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, helping to secure financial commitments in excess of $2M annually to support the agricultural youth of Texas. In 2002, Engineering News-Record recognized Corbett with the prestigious Newsmaker of the Year Award, and in 2007 he graduated from Leadership Dallas, a program of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Corbett earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX and his MBA from Houston Baptist University in Houston, TX. He and his wife, Heather, have two children, reside in Grapevine, TX and are members of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, TX.