Federico “Fred” Castellucci III is the CEO of Castellucci Hospitality Group. He spent his formative years working in restaurant kitchens before studying Hospitality Management at Cornell University. Upon graduation in 2007, he assumed the reins of Sugo restaurant located in Johns Creek, and since then has changed the direction of the company from a single restaurant to a multi-unit, multi-state restaurant group, which includes: recently awarded one MICHELIN star and one of 2023 Esquire’s Best New Restaurants Mujō, three locations of The Iberian Pig including two in Atlanta and one in Nashville, 2024 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Outstanding Hospitality Cooks & Soldiers, Double Zero, and Sugo. As CEO, Fred is responsible for leading and directing the vision of Castellucci Hospitality Group, including all of the company’s growth decisions, concept ideation, high-level operations of current businesses, and leadership development.

In addition to his roles within the company, Fred has served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Restaurant Association and is actively involved as a mentor, advisor and investor in early-stage hospitality technology companies. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, he was named to Atlanta Magazine’s “Atlanta 500 – Our City’s Most Powerful Leaders,” as he continues to serve as a voice for the Atlanta restaurant community. In 2018, he was named “Restaurateur of the Year” during the GRACE Awards hosted by the Georgia Restaurant Association and was a recipient of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Small Business Person of the Year” award and “Forty Under 40.” In 2024, Fred was named to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta list of Iconic Mentors.

Fred is the father of four (three daughters Olivia, Vivian and Cecilia and son Michael) and husband to his wife Lauren.

Penelope Cheroff, President and Founder of The Cheroff Group, is a commercial real estate broker and consultant with over 25 years of experience, specializing in the retail and restaurant industries. Penelope has an extensive background in operations, having worked for many years as owner/manager of both restaurants and retail clothing stores. This hands-on experience has enhanced her knowledge and expertise.

Ms. Cheroff serves both the private and public sectors. Her clients include developers, owners, operators, architects, retail and restaurant chains, government agencies, and attorneys. She has successfully completed assignments in Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Alabama, and California.

Penelope Cheroff's credibility is evidenced by the repeat and referral business of (1) many major institutions and corporations such as Turner Sports and Entertainment, Turner Properties, Hines, TIAA-CREF, Post Properties, Equitable, Prudential, DIHC, etc. and (2) many national and local restaurant chains such as the Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Houlihan's, Applebee's, Fado Irish Pub, Cru Wine Bar, Dancing Goats, Watershed, Hudson Grille, Metrotainment Café's, Bantam & Biddy, Watershed, Taco Bell, and Subway. Institutions and corporations have entrusted Ms. Cheroff with the highly visible retail and restaurant components of their most prestigious projects. Restaurant chains have used Ms. Cheroff as an outsource for their real estate work in her market. These types of clients are the foundation of her business.

Penelope Cheroff is a founding member, as well as a board member, of the Restaurant and Real Estate Connection (RARE Connection). RARE is a network of restaurant real estate brokers and consultants comprised of top restaurant and retail real estate professionals in major metropolitan areas. Ms. Cheroff is actively involved in local, national, and international organizations, including: The International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Realtors, the Restaurant and Real Estate Connection (RARE), the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors and Atlanta's Midtown Alliance.

Ms. Cheroff supports her community and City by serving on the Piedmont Park Conservancy (as a board member) and on Atlanta's NPU-E and the Development Review Committees for SPI-16 and SPI-17 as an active neighborhood, and business, representative.

Chris Faussemagne formed Westbridge in 2010 after developing the White Provision project that created the Westside Provision District. The firm focuses on creating moments through design and placemaking by repurposing buildings past their useful life. In 2018, Chris partnered with Atlanta-based Third & Urban to build a platform centered on developing larger-scale adaptive reuse projects across the South. After growing a team that developed over 825,000 square feet of mixed-use space in Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and Orlando, Chris relaunched Westbridge to continue its work on a smaller number of projects that tie into the fabric of the communities they serve. While development remains the core of the company, Westbridge also ensures foundations are created by working with neighborhood and local leaders to guide land use and policy.

Chris currently serves on the Board of The Upper Westside Improvement District (CID) and the Westside Community Improvement Association.

Tyson Strutzenberg joined Trinity Capital Advisors in 2019 and leads the development and asset management efforts for Trinity’s life science platform. In this role, he is responsible for project design, construction, leasing, and finance. Prior to joining Trinity Capital Advisors, Tyson was COO and SVP of Asset Management at Rising Realty Partners, a vertically integrated developer and investor in Los Angeles. While at Rising, Tyson oversaw the company’s portfolio, executing business plans for 20 properties totaling over five million square feet (over $1.3 billion in value). Previously, he was a Managing Director in the commercial group at Kennedy Wilson in Beverly Hills for five years. Tyson has a total of 20 years of industry experience and holds a BS from Purdue University, an MS from Stanford University and an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.

Alicia Knight is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Real Estate

and Development at NC State University. Ms. Knight is

responsible for leadership and oversight of the university’s

real estate operations across the state, including

development, acquisition and disposition, leasing and asset

management and real estate planning.

Ms. Knight’s team is also charged with implementation of NC

State’s innovation district project on Centennial Campus. The

project - which will be implemented through a public-private

development partnership with Lincoln Harris, in partnership

with Goldman Sachs Asset Management - will encompass

approximately 30 acres of land and be developed as a mixed-

use “learn-live-work-play” environment. Adjacent to NC

State’s College of Engineering, the NC State Plant Sciences

Building and the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, the new development will

expand and supplement the existing innovation ecosystem in support of NC State’s education,

research and statewide outreach mission. The project will also bring significant new amenities

to Centennial Campus.

Ms. Knight joined the team at NC State in June 2020. Previously Ms. Knight spent her career in

private higher education and led a diverse operations organization including real estate and

development, construction, facilities operations, and business and auxiliary services. Ms.

Knight holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA from The George

Washington University School of Business.

Elizabeth McMillan joined Crescent Communities in 2002 and currently serves as a Vice President for Commercial development. Elizabeth is responsible for entitlement, predevelopment and execution of developments across the commercial platform. Focused mainly in the Carolinas, Elizabeth has completed successfully, with no oppositions, over 12 rezonings and developed over 2200 acres and 9 million sf. Responsible for public private partnerships, Elizabeth has successfully negotiated over $40 million in public incentives. Elizabeth’s notable projects at Crescent Communities include: Ally Charlotte Center, The River District, Elizabeth on Seventh and has recently led the launch of Crescent’s life science platform, The Yield. At Crescent Communities, Elizabeth previously held the positions of Senior Director, Director of Development, Project Manager, Assistant Project Manager and Marketing Specialist.

Elizabeth is the current Chair for ULI Charlotte and recently completed two terms as a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission. She also is a graduate of Leadership Arlington and past board member of University City Partners and the Junior League of Charlotte, a non-profit women’s group aimed at organizing and promoting volunteer activities in the community.

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a LEED Accredited Professional and a licensed real estate broker in North and South Carolina.

As a Senior Vice President for Lincoln Property Company, David Connor is responsible for the leadership of Lincoln in the Raleigh-Durham market. His responsibilities include identifying suitable development and investment opportunities in the market, as well as working with investment partners and clients to ensure that the Lincoln team is effectively executing strategic goals of each property and client. In addition, David oversees all retail development and leasing activities for Lincoln throughout North and South Carolina, including identification of suitable development and investment opportunities, managing anchor tenant relationships, entitlement processes, and financial underwriting.

David’s 30 years of previous experience provides him with a wealth of knowledge in all phases of development, leasing and brokerage. Prior to his current position from 2000 through 2003, David was the Senior Vice President for the Raleigh-Durham market at Trammell Crow Company. There, David focused on developing all lines of business for Trammell Crow, including development, leasing, management, and tenant rep/site selection assignments. Previously, David served as the Director of Leasing at Hunter and Associates from 1993 to 2000. He was responsible for leasing a retail portfolio in the Raleigh-Durham market ranging in size from 750,000 to one million sq. ft.

Adam is the CEO at the helm of the New York City office; he also leads the firm’s business development efforts nationally and oversees all marketing and public relations initiatives.

Adam is the first point-of-contact for new clients. Frequently it’s Adam who introduces clients to SGA—highlighting the firm’s high-tech capabilities, its speed to market, and its buildable project solutions. He is a team-builder: After learning about a potential client’s needs, he determines the best talent to address them. As part of his marketing oversight responsibilities, Adam often outlines SGA’s scope of services and oversees contract negotiation with many of the firm’s clients. A critical component of Adam’s approach is to remain in close contact with clients as the project proceeds. He always plays a consultative role once a project begins, and for projects based out of the NYC office, he maintains high-level of involvement through every stage of a project’s lifecycle.

Behind the scenes, Adam oversees all initiatives related to SGA’s public relations and marketing efforts, including social media, sponsorships, participation at industry events, and white papers. He’s an industry expert, frequently writing and speaking about sustainability, life-sciences development and other expanding markets.

Zak Snider is Executive Managing Director in Savills Raleigh office. As a leader in commercial real estate, Zak leverages his creativity, strategic deal-making acumen, and experience representing the world’s largest landlords and executing over 11 million square feet of real estate transactions to provide exemplary advisory services to Savills national life sciences team.

Prior to joining Savills, Zak recently executed over one million square feet of life science leases in just 17 months in the Raleigh-Durham area. On behalf of WeWork, Zak was the asset manager for the $1 billion sale and $200 million redevelopment of 424 Fifth Avenue, a 660,000-square-foot former department store, into an office building. Zak’s experience also includes serving as Senior Vice President at the Agency Group in CBRE’s Midtown Manhattan office. During his time, Zak and his team represented ownership at Hudson Yards, the largest private development in the history of the United States, for the anchor tenant leasing and office condo sales of 10, 30, and 55 Hudson Yards.

Greg Capps serves as Managing Director for Longfellow Real Estate Partners, the largest privately held investor and developer of life science buildings in the United States. Mr. Capps oversees the coordination with Longfellow's Partners to set and execute the strategy for the firm's continued growth and presence in North Carolina. To date, Longfellow has developed a North Carolina portfolio of more than 4 million square feet and key assets throughout Research Triangle Park and Durham. Prior to joining Longfellow, Greg held positions with Newmark Knight Frank, Savills Studley, TriProperties, Inc. and JLL.

Jon’s education and experience are an irreplaceable asset to our clients. His ability to present and complete projects on time and within budget is second to none. Along with Jon’s’ engineering degree, MBA from Notre Dame, GC License, Real Estate Broker license, and twenty years’ experience, Jon is a fantastic communicator.

Eric is an Executive Vice President leading the Life Science Practice group for the Raleigh-Durham market working with both landlord representation and providing occupancy solutions for tenants. Eric brings valuable knowledge of the capital investment needed to support research and manufacturing operations for these clients. He partners with other JLL Life Sciences hubs including Boston, San Diego and Bay Area to enhance our expertise and service delivery to our clients.

Eric believes in embracing an enterprising philosophy to leasing – acting quickly to create and seize opportunities for his clients and generating solutions for the evolving challenges they face. He dedicates himself to driving exceptional results, leveraging a unique balance of creative ingenuity and financial acumen to deliver comprehensive leasing strategies. Through innovative property marketing, competitive analysis, and risk minimization with thoughtfully negotiated leasing, Eric’s results-driven leasing strategy positions his clients in the Triangle for success.

Eric brings over 13 years of industry experience. Before JLL, Eric served as a Senior Vice President at Colliers, specializing in landlord representation of office and life sciences buildings. Eric graduated from The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, with a BS in Business Administration. He serves as a board member for TRAOBA and is actively involved with NAIOP and ULI. Additionally, he supports the Joey O Bocce Classic to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.

Danielle M. McGuire AIA, DBIA is the Science Practice Director at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, overseeing the firm’s diverse global portfolio of science and engineering projects. Danielle grew-up thinking she was destined for a career in the sciences and the only question was scale - studying gluons or hot jupiters. While at University, Danielle became fascinated with how the built environment tells the story of the people for whom the buildings were created and how in turn those buildings affect those people's lives.

After graduating with a Master of Architecture, Danielle worked on a wide variety of projects eventually finding her niche, combining her love of science and drive to create places to improve the lives of their inhabitants. Infinitely curious, Danielle focuses not just on understanding what is needed in research buildings today - but in working with her clients to project what will be needed in the ever changing world of discovery.

With over 30 years of experience, Danielle’s portfolio includes commercial, university and government research buildings. These projects are intentionally designed to be adaptable and grounded in creating research environments that are as much about the people who work in them as they are about the equipment they use.

“Even as technology advances, it’s people—their thinking, ideas, and “a-ha” moments—that are the key to discovering what we don’t yet know. We partner with our clients to create adaptable buildings to house new technology and tools, while never losing sight of the need to design good spaces for the people who fuel discoveries.” Danielle McGuire

Tim leads HDR’s Education and Science practice in the Research Triangle. Over the past 30 years, he has developed a robust portfolio of science and education projects, from ground up life science research to interdisciplinary institutes at renowned universities. Tim thrives on being part of design processes that support life-changing scientific advances and believes that at the root of good design is an understanding of human behavior and how the physical environment can affect these behaviors.

With more than 20 years of experience in development, design, engineering and construction, Jon Fayard has extensive expertise in all phases of Life Sciences, including R&D/discovery (incubator and startup), pre-clinical/clinical research, manufacturing, commercialization and post-market research. Fayard is a former COO and Certified Six Sigma Green Belt by the Quality Institute of America. He is well-versed in managing full scale project life cycle from his time on the Owner’s side to working for a developer and top tier brokerage firm, as well as a premier manufacturing company and in design-build construction. Fayard uses a diverse, open-minded approach to solving problems for his clients, allowing them to focus on research rare and genetic diseases while he and his team bring their facilities goals to life.