Tim Schaffer is the founder and president of AREA Real Estate Advisors established in 2002. He leads the firm’s transaction services, which include office, retail and industrial leasing, sales, brokerage, tenant representation, property management, and corporate service.

Tim has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most notable forces in the Kansas City real estate community. His more than 30-year career showcases many of the area’s most significant and most high-profile real estate transactions, effectively changing the skyline and helping to reshape the modern-day workplace in the metro.

With a primary focus of representing both tenants and landlords in the repositioning of their assets, Tim has worked with a collective which includes both national and local heavy hitters such as TEVA Pharmaceuticals, The American Academy of Family Physicians, Waddell & Reed, Dairy Farmers of America, Freightquote, Lockton Insurance, and the Phoenix office of Polsinelli Shughart. Tim also has extensive experience in large tenant built-to-suit developments, and lease restructures for companies such as Freightquote, TEVA Neuroscience, and Dairy Farmers of America, Lockton Insurance and Waddell & Reed.

Tim has also established a focus in representing some of the fastest growing technology firms in Kansas City which include PayIt, Backlot Cars, symplr, Tesseract, Freightquote and SMG. Most recently, he is known for repositioning lightwell, a 750,000 square foot downtown office tower, into a destination for technology-driven companies seeking an innovative environment to attract and retain top talent. Since its transition in 2020 he has attracted such companies as Wework, PayIt, Backlot Cars, The Kansas City Tech Council, Veeva Systems and Alight Analytics.

Tim’s results-oriented and exceeding expectations approach helps him to produce well-researched and comprehensive solutions for his clients. One of his greatest strengths is identifying and overseeing the highly skilled teams of professionals including economic development, legal, financial, architectural and construction needed to bring a project to close. Tim has a long-term view of his client relationships and excels in controlling all aspects of a transaction adding maximum value to his client’s real estate decisions.

Tim has served on the Metropolitan Board of Realtors, the Johnson County Board of Realtors Commercial Investment Division, the Kansas City, MO Board of Zoning, and the Downtown Council, which exemplifies his ongoing commitment to the revitalization of Kansas City.

As a noted industry thought leader, Tim has been quoted and sought out as a commercial real estate expert in such publications as The Kansas City Business Journal, Kansas City Star, MetroWire Media and Midwest Real Estate News.

Andrew Lack, PE is a Structural Associate and leader of Martin/Martin’s Kansas City office, he is focused on expanding the firm’s engineering services in Kansas and Missouri. With 19 years of experience, Andrew's portfolio includes ground-up design, renovation, investigation, and construction administration across a diverse range of building types. He brings a collaborative approach to every project, working closely with architects, owners, contractors, fabricators, and consultants to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that meet each client’s goals.

Andrew is a strategic leader in sports and entertainment facility design, contributing to projects that enhance community identity and regional growth. His notable work includes West Plaza Enhancements to Children’s Mercy Park, renovations to Busch Stadium, Coors Field, Wrigley Field, and facility upgrades to Paycom Center, Cable Dahmer Arena, Desert Diamond Arena, and Lambeau Field. He is also involved in new ground-up projects such as the Denver Broncos Training Facility, Mansfield Multi-Use Soccer Stadium and the OKC Multi-Use Soccer Stadium. Passionate about community impact, Andrew serves as the Board Chairman for the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Kansas City, guiding high school students towards careers in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering.

Matt is the Managing Partner at Overland Property Group (OPG), with extensive expertise in all things real estate development from architecture, construction, planning, management, investment, and public relations. His broad skill set enables him to drive the OPG teams on all aspects of real estate development, making him essential to OPG's success. With a passion for innovation and a clear vision for the future of housing, Matt has been instrumental in leading the company to achieve national success and recognition.

In a relatively short time, Matt has accomplished remarkable milestones, from his time directly developing communities to his current role leading the company, including winning multiple national and regional awards for groundbreaking developments. As a thought leader in the industry, he has served as the keynote speaker at numerous national events, sharing his insights and innovative ideas to spark action, encourage and inspire others in the field. His ability to solve complex problems and cultivate meaningful relationships with stakeholders has been a cornerstone of his career, consistently ensuring the success of OPG’s projects and partnerships.

Beyond his leadership at OPG, Matt is deeply committed to advancing affordable housing and community development. He actively serves on several boards focused on these areas, lending his expertise to drive impactful initiatives. His dedication to creating housing solutions that meet the needs of communities reflects his passion for making a difference through thoughtful development.

Matt’s visionary approach and multifaceted skills have not only propelled OPG’s growth but also established the company as a leader in the real estate development industry. His ability to balance creativity with strategic execution, coupled with his unwavering commitment to excellence, makes him an invaluable leader in the field.

Matt lives in Leawood, Kansas with his wife Julie, their wild young boys Miles and Palmer, and their Bernese Mountain Dog Vail. In his spare time, Matt enjoys traveling with his family and relaxing at the lake or beach.

Lindsay Hicks is the President and CEO at Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City and brings more than fifteen years of nonprofit experience. Prior to her appointment as CEO in 2022, Lindsay served as the Vice President of Development for Habitat KC and has been with the organization for nearly eleven years. She collaborates with key staff members, board members, residents and municipalities to create and execute Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization efforts.

She is a board member of the Kansas City NARI chapter, a Blue Valley Education foundation board member, a Kansas City Centurion, a member of the Healthy Equity committee at United Community Services of Johnson County and serves on the MARC Regional housing partnership strategy committee. Additionally, Lindsay is the chair of the Home Modification Coalition of Greater Kansas City.

Ryan is a Managing Director of CBIZ, CBIZ CPAs P.C. Shareholder, and the Central Regional Industry Co-Leader for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (A/E/C) industry. With nearly 20 years of dedicated experience, Ryan specializes in providing attestation, compliance, and consulting services to businesses within the construction sector. He has developed deep expertise in the unique financial, operational, and regulatory challenges facing construction companies, from family-owned firms to large national and international contractors, including ESOPs.

Based in Kansas City and serving the Central region, Ryan leads a specialized team that supports a wide-ranging client base, including major multi-national enterprises and innovative local startups. His comprehensive approach has made him a trusted advisor for clients seeking guidance on complex accounting standards, risk management, and industry-specific tax strategies.

He works closely with clients and engagement teams to ensure projects are performed efficiently and effectively from start to finish. Ryan is committed to resolving critical issues in a timely manner and ensuring client needs, expectations, and deadlines are consistently met.

As the Central Regional Industry Leader for the A/E/C practice, Ryan plays a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction and growth of the industry team. He is dedicated to identifying emerging opportunities in the marketplace and aligning the team’s strengths to best serve both clients and prospects. Ryan focuses on fostering collaboration across CBIZ service lines, ensuring that each engagement benefits from the most knowledgeable and experienced resources within CBIZ. By emphasizing innovation and client-focused solutions, he has helped the practice expand its reach, enhance its service offerings, and achieve sustained growth.

Ryan has been recognized for his commitment to ongoing professional development within the construction finance community. In addition to his CBIZ leadership, Ryan currently serves on the board of the Kansas City Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) chapter. He has presented throughout the region for multiple different construction organizations including CFMA, AGC, ABC, etc., sharing insights on emerging trends, best practices, and regulatory updates affecting the construction industry.