Mario Cuevas is the general manager of Moderno Porcelain Works in Minneapolis, MN. Before guiding the porcelain industry, Mr. Cuevas was an architect at his firm, AMC & Associates in Houston, Texas. He became involved with the planning of fabrication facilities around the country. Mr. Cuevas quickly learned the equipment and machinery. Seeing a massive opportunity for growth in the then-unknown quartz industry, he soon relocated to the Twin Cities in 1996.

As director of expansion for Technimar in Minnesota, Mr. Cuevas was a pioneer in spreading the newest and best surfacing throughout the Midwest. In 2001, his own companies AMC Midwest and AMC Wisconsin continued to be leading fabrication and installation facilities for quartz and granite. In 2008, AMC was acquired by Cosentino, who entrusted him to serve as the general manager of Stone Systems for the next 10 years.

Among the many awards, Mr. Cuevas has received recognition for outstanding commercial sales with Stone Systems for his work on the monumental Olympic Village in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Carrying the belief that porcelain is today where quartz was 20 years ago, Mr. Cuevas lives on the cutting-edge of products and always explores new ways to improve how things are done.

With years of financial planning and advisory experience and more than a decade of success in building exceptional businesses, partnerships, and lasting impressions, PJ is responsible for accelerating the growth of new client acquisitions while generating strategies and plans that help foster long-term results. PJ serves as a trusted member of a highly specialized team at NorthRock Partners who seamlessly tailor financial and lifestyle advisory services to help clients make the impact they want on the world. In addition, he is the co-founder of South Side Initiatives, a real-estate company that focuses on building and sustaining affordable housing and mix-use commercial properties in the Minneapolis and surrounding metro area.

With a background as a professional athlete who has traveled the globe, PJ thrives on developing the strengths and abilities of others as he continues to form solid relationships on the foundations of respect, diversity, and inclusion.

PJ revels at the thought of providing clients with the highest level of service and expertise, equipping exceptional people to live extraordinary lives. Before joining the NorthRock Partners team, PJ served as a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Private Client Group, helping to counsel and educate clients on financial matters and investment opportunities. From being featured on major media outlets like BBC and CBS for his humanitarian work to serving as a guest and keynote speaker for several conferences, podcasts, and events, PJ delivers a unique and valuable perspective.

In addition to serving and developing local communities through his involvement with multiple non-profit organizations, he also plays an active role in leading economic development initiatives for the City of Minneapolis, serving as the Co-Chair of Economic Recovery Work Group and is the Vice President of the Minneapolis NAACP. In 2010, PJ graduated from The Ohio State University, earning himself a Bachelor of Science and Economics. When he’s not spending his time mentoring and coaching the future leaders of tomorrow, PJ enjoys leveraging his diverse insights and experiences to drive change and equality throughout his community and beyond. PJ’s mission in life is to make 1,000 BIPOC millionaire’s!

Blake joined Oppidan in 2018 as President, where he oversees Oppidan’s strategic direction, expansion, operations and continued growth in the senior housing, mixed-use, industrial, retail and multi-family sectors.

Prior to Oppidan, Blake served as Managing Director of CBRE, Inc. in Minneapolis and Senior Vice President of Cassidy Turley in Phoenix. He has been named “40 Under 40” by the Minneapolis Business Journal in 2014, 2016 CBRE Market Leader of the Year, and a Top 10 Overall Producer in the Phoenix market from 2008-2012. Blake is active in his community and is a board member of the Young Presidents Organization, Rein in Sarcoma, The Thielen Foundation, Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Blake earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Villanova University in Philadelphia.

Current Responsibilities

Brandon joined Hempel in 2024 as Executive Vice President of Development, where he is responsible for directing new development and investment activities of commercial and multifamily properties.

Previous Experience

Brandon was previously at United Properties from 2004 to 2024. He started as a retail broker and joined United’s development group in 2006. From 2006 to 2013, his notable projects included the historic Minneapolis Ford Center office renovation/conversion, Nicollet Mall Nieman Marcus office conversion, the Penn & American mixed-use redevelopment in Bloomington, MN, Bielenberg Gardens shopping center in Woodbury, MN, and headquarters projects for Be the Match and CH Robinson. He also acquired the Days Hotel in partnership with the University of Minnesota, which led to the formation of a joint venture partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation to master plan the East Gateway campus into a future healthcare innovation district.

Brandon led United’s industrial development from 2014 to 2020. During this time, he developed approximately 6 million square feet of industrial space, valued at nearly $600 million, including the state’s most environmentally sustainable industrial building—the LEED Silver Midway Stadium Business Center. Beginning in 2016, Brandon led the planning of one of Minneapolis’ largest public-private projects, the 48-acre riverfront redevelopment of Upper Harbor, which will include a 20-acre park, affordable housing, an amphitheater, and advanced manufacturing space.

In 2020 Brandon was promoted to lead all of United’s commercial development and investments in the Twin Cities region.

Prior to United Properties, Brandon worked in the A&R Department for Def Jam Records in Hollywood, CA.

Professional and Community Involvement

Brandon’s industry achievements include Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 40 Under 40, 2019 NAIOP Minnesota President, 2014‐2017 NAIOP Minnesota Public Policy Chair, past founder/chair of the Commercial Real Estate Diversity Collaborative, and volunteering for ULI’s Urban Plan program—teaching high school kids about the complexities and tradeoffs in real estate redevelopment.

Education

Brandon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in entrepreneurial studies and finance, with a minor in marketing from the University of Minnesota-Carlson School of Management.

Rafi is a commercial real estate finance veteran with over 15 years of experience in CRE structured finance, loan origination and equity investments. Prior to founding PLG, Rafi spent his career on Wall Street where he was a Managing Director at Ladder Capital, a publicly traded REIT. At Ladder, Rafi focused on CMBS origination, balance sheet and mezzanine loans as well as equity investments. Prior to Ladder, Rafi worked at Gramercy Capital conducting asset management and loan workouts. Rafi began his career at Credit Suisse in its large loan commercial real estate group. Throughout his career, Rafi has originated and closed over $2.5 billion of commercial real estate loans throughout the country. Rafi has a BS from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.

Jeffrey is always looking for an everyday chance to do something for the greater good. As Cuningham’s Live Executive Director, he gets a lot of those chances. In this role, he provides the critical thinking necessary to solve complex challenges facing the industry. His work includes senior living, student living, condominiums, market-rate apartments, affordable housing, hospitality, retail, health care, industrial, corporate and master plan projects. Jeffery’s practical approach to future trends helps clients differentiate themselves in competitive markets. At the end of the day, Jeffery believes that, when engaged, people recognize their contribution and bring it to a project, creating teams of collaborative people that can change the world.

Katelyn drives all aspects of North Shore Development Partners, from acquisitions to development and asset management of the portfolio. As the primary source of communication between cities, lenders and other stakeholders, she helps ensure every development is successfully executed and continues to thrive.

Prior to joining North Shore Development Partners, Katelyn worked in acquisitions and development for another real estate development firm serving the Twin Cities and Boston markets. Katelyn earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a double major in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics; and Finance, Investment, and Banking. She’s an active member of the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association and Urban Land Institute—but she’s not all about real estate. When she’s not at work, you can find her cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers and exploring all corners of her ancestral home of Ireland.

Carole Mette brings more than a decade of commercial real estate experience to Sherman-Associates and will drive all aspects of development projects, including deal structuring, acquisition, the design entitlement process, tracking market data, and negotiating financial terms with stakeholders. At Sherman Associates she provides owner representation throughout the entire development process, and her responsibilities include pre-development activities, project financing, managing the project financial closing process, and overseeing the construction process. Mette is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

With a laser focus on expansion, Jay has sourced more than $200 million worth of acquisitions and developments since JR Hospitality was founded in 2008. With an out of the box methodology, Jay negotiates and executes development projects, franchising, construction processes and acquisition opportunities.

Jim has over 29 years of experience in the A/E/C Industry with a focus on the construction phase of projects. He has been a key member of many successful teams in various sectors such as Office, Hospitality, Mixed Use, Multifamily, Institutional, and Industrial.

Jim has extensive experience in all aspects of the construction industry and focuses on the construction phase of projects. His broad perspective and understanding of the principles and procedures required

for successful construction projects enables him to proactively assist all parties to achieve common

goals.

Jim is detailed oriented and has the ability to focus on the true priorities of a project and completing them timely. He professionally engages and works with the contractor on each project to encourage the

construction of the final product as it was designed.

Bryan Huntington represents clients in enforcing property rights, including landowners and contractors involved in litigation and negotiations against governmental subdivisions (such as counties, cities, and townships) and government agencies. His work covers eminent domain, inverse condemnation, zoning, administrative law, and payment disputes. Bryan also litigates contract disputes and is dedicated to obtaining justice for clients when misrepresentations are made about real property conditions during real estate transactions. His clients include developers, landowners, contractors, builders, surety companies, condominium owners, landlords, and tenants. Additionally, Bryan is a Rule 114 qualified neutral (mediator) in Minnesota