Ben Conwell leads Cushman & Wakefield’s e-Commerce and Electronic Fulfillment Specialty Practice Group, Industrial Services for the Americas. He is focused on intellectual property development and presenting Cushman & Wakefield’s leading capabilities in e-commerce and direct-to-consumer fulfillment industrial facilities to current and potential clients. The former director of North American real estate for Amazon has deep experience in locating and building electronic fulfillment and e-commerce facilities, having led the largest and fastest expansion of network capacity in that company’s history. While at Amazon, Ben managed a fulfillment network of 90 facilities comprising 60 million square feet and helped deliver 25 million square feet of build-to-suit projects alone. He also has held leadership roles at commercial real estate firms, specializing in capital formation, investment management, asset management and land development.

Conor C. Flynn was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kimco

Realty Corporation and to the company’s Board of Directors in

January 2016 and continues to serve as the company’s President.

Mr. Flynn joined Kimco in 2003 as an asset manager and has

held a variety of senior leadership roles with the organization

including that of Chief Operating Officer, Chief Investment

Officer and President, Western Region. Mr. Flynn received a

B.A. degree from Yale University and a Master's degree in Real

Estate Development from Columbia University. Mr. Flynn is a

licensed real estate broker in California, and a member of

National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts

(NAREIT), Real Estate Roundtable, Urban Land Institute (ULI)

and International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Federal Realty is one of the oldest real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the country and was formed in 1962 here in the Washington D.C. area. Federal is a publicly owned company trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:FRT). The company is a proven leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of some of the best recognized and special retail destinations in the country including Bethesda Row, Pentagon Row and Congressional Plaza in suburban D.C.; Santana Row and Third Street Promenade in California; Barracks Road in Charlottesville Virginia and 80 more interesting and community-enhancing shopping environments.

The company is and has been guided by New Jersey native Don Wood since 2002 who, along with a dedicated and passionate management team and their staffs, is committed to a philosophy of balance in all that they do. From environmental and socially responsible initiatives and operations, to supporting the communities in which they do business, to the creation of true retail social destinations that improve the quality of life for many, to providing a superior return to its stakeholders; Federal Realty is proud of its long history and corporate citizenry.

Don has been with Federal Realty since 1998, where he is a Trustee and has served in positions from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer to President before being named its Chief Executive in 2002. Prior to his affiliation with Federal, Don spent 8 years at New York-based ITT Corporation where he served in various capacities, including Deputy Controller and Chief Financial Officer, of wholly-owned subsidiary Caesars World, Inc. The first 7 years of his career were spent at accounting firm Arthur Andersen, leaving in 1989 to work for client Donald Trump as the Vice President of Finance for the newly acquired Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

Don is very active charitably through his work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In 2002, Don took the reins of the Breath of Life Gala, at the time a fledgling event supporting Cystic Fibrosis research, and, with the help of a committed and tenacious team of volunteers and CFF staffers, grew the Gala into what has consistently been one of the most financially and experientially successful events in Washington D.C. and the number one gala nationally for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Don’s daughter, Rachel, was born with the genetic disease.

Don received his Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair State College in 1982, where he graduated with honors and subsequently received his CPA from the state of New Jersey. He is a past chair of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and also serves on the Board and Chairs the Investment and Strategic Advisory Committee of Post Properties (NYSE:PPS), an Atlanta-based apartment company. He is also a member of the U.S. Capital Chapter of the World President’s Organization (WPO), and was previously named “Entrepreneur of the Year in Real Estate” by professional services firm Ernst and Young. He has been married to Stacey Sykes Wood for 26 years and has four children who he is immensely proud of named Ian (24), Jason (22), Kevin (21) and Rachel (21).

Joseph F. Coradino is Chief Executive Officer of PREIT, a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE: PEI), since 2012 and Chairman of the Board since 2016. PREIT owns and manages a portfolio comprising over 20 million square feet of dynamic retail properties, primarily shopping malls, with a concentration in two top 10 markets, Philadelphia and Washington DC including flagship properties in the Philadelphia market – Fashion District and Cherry Hill Mal.

Mr. Coradino is a visionary leader in retail real estate with an impressive track record of accomplishment. As CEO during a major transition in retail, he had the foresight to take swift action to improve PREIT’s portfolio well-ahead of its industry peers, making important business decisions that enabled the Company to capitalize on today’s retail evolution and continue to thrive. His vision for the Company was built on foundational precepts including strengthening its balance sheet, creating a quality portfolio, establishing operational excellence with a laser focus on internal growth. He has been with PREIT since 1998 and has been a member of PREIT’s Board of Trustees since 2006.

Mr. Coradino serves on Temple University’s Board of Trustees, is a member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of their Facilities Committee. He is a Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of the Center City District and the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He is one of the founding members of PHL Cares, a business-led initiative investing in real solutions to street homelessness.

Mr. Coradino has served on numerous charitable boards and was honored to receive the 2019 Leadership Award from Rutgers University and LEAP Academy University School, 2018 Breath of Life Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and 2016 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America Cradle of Liberty Council and to co-chair the Academy of Music 158th Anniversary Concert and Ball in 2015. In 2009 he was the recipient of the Heart of Philadelphia Award from the American Heart Association for his leadership and dedication to the community.

Mr. Coradino has been profiled in numerous business publications and is a featured business leader in the book, “Wisdom at the Top” by Scott D. Rosen. He has appeared as a guest on national business shows on both CNBC and MSNBC.

A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, Mr. Coradino also holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Arizona.

Melissa Gliatta is Chief Operating Officer of Thor Equities. Ms. Gliatta works closely with Thor Equities Chairman & CEO Joseph Sitt to expand the company’s business activities. Her responsibilities include overseeing asset management, leasing, human resources, development and construction, as well as marketing and property management in major markets including London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, DC and Montreal. In 1995, Ms. Gliatta joined Thor Equities and Ashley Stewart where she played a prime role in operating and expanding the company to 380 stores in over 100 cities. In 2000, Mr. Sitt decided to divest his interest in Ashley Stewart and focus exclusively on Thor Equities. Ms. Gliatta was named Vice President of Thor in 2003, focusing on operations and management of the company’s growing commercial real estate portfolios. She was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2010 and Chief Operating Officer in 2016. Ms. Gliatta’s strong leadership and operational skills – developed during her time at Ashley Stewart – enabled her to attract a team of experienced and dedicated professionals to Thor Equities, and help grow the company into a full-service real estate firm with offices in New York, London, Paris, Mexico City, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami.

Joseph Ferrara is a second-generation builder with nearly 30 years of construction and development experience. As one the creating principals of BFC partners, Joseph has been an integral part of the firm's growth. During his tenure he has been responsible for the construction and development of over 6,000 affordable and market rate units throughout the city. While still involved with the construction process, Joseph has made managing the firm's branding and marketing initiatives his primary focus. He's the creative force behind the firm's award-winning sales galleries, and recently he sold through the entire high-profile Schaefer Landing project in Williamsburg and Toren Condominium in Brooklyn. He's also brought his eye for design to the selection of the finishes used in the private and public spaces within each of the BFC developments. Under his direction, BFC has receive multiple marketing awards for branding, collateral material, interior design, and first-class sales galleries, and he is currently leading the marketing efforts for over 1 million square feet of new mixed use developments in addition to the firm's latest project, Empire Outlets. This will be the first retail outlet center in NYC. Joseph is a true real estate visionary and native New Yorker. He is currently residing in Staten Island with his wife of 24 years Elvira and four children, with his eldest now working alongside him, helping to continue building great projects. Joseph is also a board member of "Blue Heron Humanitarian League" a non-profit organization he founded in 2010 as a vehicle to promote awareness of persons in need. Empowering individuals to make the most of their giving.

Awarded:

Best High-rise & Best Penthouse by CNBC World Wide Property Awards for the America's.;

2014 US Maxxi Silver ~ Marketing Excellence ~ Brand Development & Positioning;

2014 Addy Award for Collateral Material, Brochure & Campaign; Urban Pioneer Award 2014;

National Housing Conference / New York Housing Conference ~ Private Developer of the Year ~ 2009;

American Cancer Society ~ Distinguished Community Service Award 2013.

Mr. Polese is Thor Equities’ senior leasing professional, responsible for optimizing the asset performance of the company’s real estate portfolio. Mr. Polese joined Thor Equities in August 2003, bringing over 25 years of real estate industry experience in acquisitions, asset management, financing and dispositions. He also possesses extensive national experience in shopping center development, having executed innovative expansion plans in regional malls, strip centers, outlet properties and downtown locations. Prior to his role as a senior executive with Thor Equities, Mr. Polese served as Executive Vice President of Real Estate for Urban Brands, working for Mr. Sitt. He had previously been Senior Vice President for Real Estate for New Jersey-based Petrie Stores Corp. Mr. Polese graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Political Science. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Robert K. Futterman is the founder and Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of RKF. Headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Northern New Jersey, San Francisco and Toronto, RKF has been responsible for $20 billion in aggregate real estate transactions since its inception in 1998.

Robert has more than 25 years of retail real estate experience and has personally been involved in transactions totaling in excess of $10 billion. He has successfully created one of the leading retail real estate firms in the US and the dominant player in the New York metro area. With unparalleled expertise in landlord and tenant representation, new construction, leasing, sales and market analysis, he is unrivaled in the industry.

Throughout his distinguished career, Robert has been a leader in revitalizing several of New York’s most significant retail markets, including the renaissance of New York’s Union Square South, Times Square, 34th Street/Herald Square, SoHo, Columbus Circle and the Meatpacking District. He has also served as an advisor to the Port Authority of NY & NJ for the World Trade Center redevelopment.

Robert has also made an impact on retail markets outside of New York City. He has played an integral role in reshaping the retail landscape of Las Vegas’ Strip and also been involved in retail real estate in South Florida, specifically in and around Miami.

Robert has worked on behalf of many of the nation’s premier retailers, including: Apple, Adidas, Barnes & Noble, Topshop, Gap, Guess, Fairway Market, FedEx Office, Forever 21, Tourneau, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, J.Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Bed Bath & Beyond, and 24 Hour Fitness. He has also completed transactions with an array of domestic and international retail brands deals such as Bottega Veneta, Brooks Brothers, Emilio Pucci, Nordstrom, Prada, Rebecca Taylor, Sandro, Vince and Whole Foods Market.

Robert has also represented an impressive list of developers, landlords and institutions on their retail real estate, including Related Companies, Vornado Realty Trust, SJP Properties, The Howard Hughes Corporation, Milstein Properties, Hines, The Durst Organization Inc., Silverstein Properties, RFR Realty, Forest City Ratner Companies, Taconic Investment Partners, The Carlyle Group, Fisher Brothers, Glenwood Management, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, Extell Development Company, Morgan Stanley, Edward J. Minskoff Equities, Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, Jamestown Properties, SL Green Realty Corp., CIM Group and MetLife. Iconic retail and mixed-use projects in which Robert has been involved include The Shops at Columbus Circle at Time Warner Center, Grand Central Terminal, 270 Greenwich Street, 401 West 14th Street, The Times Square Building and the South Street Seaport in New York City, and Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas.

Prior to founding RKF, Robert spent 15 years with Garrick-Aug Associates, where he was the top producer. While no longer in existence, Garrick-Aug Associates was formerly the leading retail leasing firm in New York.

Robert is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and is a licensed Salesperson in the states of Connecticut and New York. He is a four-time winner of the REBNY Retail Deal of the Year (2001, 2005, 2009 and 2010) for creativity and contributions to Manhattan’s retail landscape. Robert is a frequent speaker and lecturer on retail real estate and has participated in programs on behalf of BloombergLINK, Urban Land Institute, ICSC, REBNY, NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Columbia Graduate School of Business and BISNOW.

Andrea Olshan serves as Chief Executive Officer of Olshan Properties and is responsible for the strategic direction of the company, its investment activity and capital partnerships. Through her membership in the Investment Committee, Ms. Olshan evaluates new investment opportunities and represents the Company in its third-party investments. Prior to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Olshan Properties, Ms. Olshan served as the Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for the day-to-day functions of the Olshan Properties operating divisions: leasing, property management, asset management, development and construction. Her strategic accomplishments included consistent double digit revenue and net asset value growth. During her tenure at Olshan Properties, the company has developed or acquired 7 million square feet of income-producing real estate including retail, residential, hotel and office assets. In addition to her real estate career, Ms. Olshan is actively involved in numerous civic and social service organizations. She serves on the Steering Committee of the Council of Conservators at the New York Public Library, as class Co-Chair for the Harvard College Fund, is President of the Graduate Board of the Hasty Pudding Club -- Institute of 1770, and serves as Trustee of the Horace Mann School. Ms. Olshan also serves as board member of the 92Y and co-chairs their Emerging Leadership Committee. Ms. Olshan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard and received her MBA from Columbia Business School.

Kenneth F. Bernstein is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Acadia Realty Trust, the retail real estate investment trust (REIT) that he co-founded in 1998. Acadia (NYSE:AKR) remains focused on delivering long-term, profitable growth for all of its stakeholders via its dual – core and fund – operating platforms and its disciplined, location-driven investment strategy. The company is accomplishing this goal by building a best-in-class core real estate portfolio with meaningful concentrations of assets in the nation’s most dynamic street-retail corridors and making profitable opportunistic and value-add investments through its series of discretionary, institutional funds.

Mr. Bernstein previously served as Chief Operating Officer of RD Capital, Inc., a privately-held investment company that merged with publicly-traded REIT Mark Centers Trust in 1998, creating Acadia Realty Trust. Prior to that, Mr. Bernstein was an associate with New York-based law firm Battle Fowler LLP.

Mr. Bernstein received his B.A. from the University of Vermont and his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law. Mr. Bernstein is a Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the past co-chair of the ICSC Open-Air Centers Committee. He is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and formerly served on its Board of Governors. He is also a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Real Estate Roundtable, and the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO), where he is a member of the Board of Advisors and was the founding chairman of the Real Estate Network. Mr. Bernstein is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Department of Real Estate at Baruch College and serves on the Boards of BRT Realty Trust (NYSE:BRT) and Golub Capital (NASDAQ:GBDC).

As a Senior Vice President of Leasing for Triple Five Sandi is responsible for overseeing and managing the leasing teams consisting of 8 full time leasing managers and Vice Presidents and 3 outside leasing consultants at Mall of America and American Dream, two of nations largest entertainment and retail destinations. Along with the her day to day deal making and merchandising strategic planning, Sandi directs the leasing teams day to day deal making, bringing new tenants to our portfolio, networking within the national and international retail market places, manages the merchandising plans with our architects and CAD people, initially approves the day to day deals, and implements the overall deal workflow. With over 25 years of experience in leasing, development and merchandising of some of the countries premier shopping mall including Tysons Corner Center, The Shops at Northbridge, Queens Center, Cross County Shopping Center, Flatiron Crossing, Jersey Gardens, Westfield Garden State Plaza and Westfield World Trade Center, Sandi joined Triple Five in October of 2012 after having long term tenure with some of the nations largest retail developers such as Glimcher, Macerich and Westfield in Vice President roles. Sandi is a graduate of American University in May of 1988 with a BSBA in Real Estate, Finance and Urban Development.

Mr. Morey brings more than 25 years of real estate operating experience. At GGP he is responsible for digital marketing, creative and information technology. Mr. Morey was previously managing director for Alvarez & Marsal, leading their European real estate advisory restructuring practice. While at Alvarez & Marsal he directly advised on €7 billion worth of real estate positions across 12 countries throughout Europe. Prior to Alvarez & Marsal, Mr. Morey served as chief operating officer of CityScape, a private Nigerian-based real estate development company focusing on large mixed-use projects in West Africa in excess of $1 billion. Mr. Morey has held similar real estate and operating positions including senior vice president and chief information officer at Equity Office Properties where he was instrumental in the integration of the company’s various acquisitions and streamlining its underlying operating model. He is also a former partner with Ernst & Young Kenneth Leventhal where he was instrumental in advising other REITs, developers, investors and retailers on how to improve their underlying performance. In 1988, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego.

An expert in trend-spotting, neighborhood transformations, sales and leasing and all things fashion, Faith Hope Consolo is far more than the Chairman of the Retail Leasing and Sales Division at Douglas Elliman in New York. She’s also a powerful voice in the global community.

It’s no wonder smart investors, entrepreneurs, developers and top-tier fashion icons – such as Cartier, Fendi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, Versace, and Saint Laurent – rely on Consolo’s comprehensive expertise for their strategic business positioning, retail planning and prime visibility for the highest reward.

With a far-reaching proficiency as an author, advisor, roundtable leader and speaker, mentor and dealmaker, the Queen of Retail, as Consolo is known, has a keen insight on fashion’s retail landscape, from regional trends and influences, to global shifts and the revitalization of retail corridors domestically and abroad.

A trusted mentor, Consolo is a board member of the national Commercial Real Estate Women’s Network (CREW), for whose New York chapter (CREW New York) she serves as chairman emeritus. Her guiding voice has been embraced by real estate, specialty, economic and service-based organizations, and myriad causes have benefitted from the Faith Hope Consolo Foundation.

Consolo also has shared her insights as a guest instructor at colleges, lecturer for professional organizations and keynote speaker at far-ranging conferences, as well as through her self-authored quarterly compendium on New York City’s real estate industry, The Faith Report, and her popular blog, The Faithful Shopper. Her columns regularly appear in a multitude of publications, and she’s often quoted by, and on-air with, media news front-runners near and far.

Crain’s New York Business rates Consolo as one of New York's 100 Most Influential Women in Business and she’s been profiled by Real Estate Forum as a Woman of Influence annually since 2008. Like no other, Consolo is the go-to source for industry notables and neophytes. Who needs Faith? We all do.

Allesandra Taffe is the Vice President of the real estate company for IKEA in the US, and supports the acquisition and development of new locations as well as the management of the existing stores and support units. With a background in Store Management and project development, Allesandra has managed IKEA stores in both the US and the UK, and has been instrumental in building IKEA’s current establishment plan.

IKEA US is number 2 in the US home furnishings market; a major player that grew from a small niche retailer with 15 stores to a nationally recognized retailer with 43 stores, soon to be 46. IKEA, the leading home furnishings company, is recognized by millions around the world for offering great value and price, as well as being a good company and employer with strong social and environmental programs.

Before joining IKEA in 1994, Allesandra worked as a retail manager, specializing in Home Furnishings, both in New York and the Mid-West.

Allesandra graduated from Middlebury College with a majorin Fine Arts.

Jeffrey joined Equinox in August of 2006 as an Executive Vice President and Chief Development

Officer. In such capacity, he oversees all real estate development activities for the Company's brands, domestically and internationally.

Prior to accepting such position, Mr. Weinhaus was a senior partner in Rosen Weinhaus LLP, a

Manhattan-based law firm that specialized in business and real estate law. While at Rosen Weinhaus, in

addition to representing numerous clients on a variety of business and real estate matters, Mr. Weinhaus served as Equinox‘s outside general counsel. After graduating from The University of Michigan in 1987, and The Boston University School of Law in 1991, Mr. Weinhaus practiced law at national firms, Katten Muchin & Rosenman LLP and Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.

Mr. Mehra is a co-founder and principal of The Prusik Group. Prior to founding The Prusik Group, Mr. Mehra spent four years as Vice President of Retail Development at Forest City Ratner Companies. While at Forest City Ratner Companies, Mr. Mehra most notably served as project executive of East River Plaza, a $400 million, 500,000 square-foot big-box retail center anchored by Manhattan’s first Target and Costco. Mr. Mehra has extensive experience with all aspects of development including property acquisition, design, leasing, and financing. Additionally, Mr. Mehra has successfully closed more than $350 million of various financing vehicles including traditional construction loans, low-interest public money loans, triple tax-exempt Empowerment Zone bonds, and New Markets Tax Credits.

Prior to joining Forest City Ratner Companies, Mr. Mehra lead the design and construction of municipal infrastructure projects in Oregon and Washington, DC as a project manager at Black & Veatch.

Mr. Mehra is a graduate of Cornell University, where he earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees. Mr. Mehra also earned a Master of Business Administration degree with honors from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. He is the president of his Chelsea co-op where he resides with his wife and son.

Louis G. Conforti became a Director of Washington Prime Group Inc. on May 27,

2014 and served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from June 20, 2016 until

October 6, 2016 when he became Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Conforti served as

Principal/Executive Director of Colony Capital, Inc. as the Global Head of Strategy

as well as focusing on publicly traded investing from April 2014 until June 20, 2016.

Mr. Conforti was Managing Director of Balyasny Asset Management LP (“Balyasny”),

an alternative investment manager firm, from December 2013 until April 2014.

Prior to his service with Balyasny, Mr. Conforti was Global Head of Real Estate for

UBS O’Connor, the alternative investment management division of UBS AG, a

financial services firm, from October 2008 to November 2013. During that time, he

also served as Senior Portfolio Manager of O’Connor Colony Property Strategies, a

partnership with Colony Capital LLC.

Mr. Conforti also served as Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Investments

at the hedge fund firm of Stark Investments from January 2005 to October 2008.

His predecessor real estate hedge fund, The Greenwood Group, was acquired by

Stark Investments in January 2005. Mr. Conforti served as Co President and Chief

Financial Officer of Prime Group Realty Trust (“Prime”), a publicly traded office and

industrial property real estate investment trust, from June 2000 to October 2003;

as its Executive Vice President Capital Markets, from June 1988 to November 1999,

and as its Senior Vice President Capital Markets, from June 1998 to November

1999. Prior to his service with Prime, Mr. Conforti worked at the investment

banking firms of CIBC World Markets and Alex Brown & Sons within their real estate

investment banking and capital markets divisions.

Mr. Macnab has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2004 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since February 2008. Mr. Macnab has served as a director of DDR Corp. since 2003, and served as a director of Eclipsys Corporation from 2008 to 2010, and Per Se Technologies, Inc. from 2002 to 2007. Mr. Macnab has been an independent director of Cadillac Fairview Corporation, a Canadian corporation, since 2011, and an independent director of American Tower Corporation since December 2014. Mr. Macnab is also a member of the Board of Governors of NAREIT.

Ira D. Cohen is the Vice President of Real Estate for Coach, Inc. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all business development and legal matters related to Coach’s North American real estate portfolio. Currently, Coach’s portfolio comprises more than 500 “Coach” and “Stuart Weitzman” full-price and outlet stores, as well as in excess of 700,000 square feet of prime Manhattan office space. Recently, in conjunction with Coach’s 75th anniversary, the brand celebrated the opening of a 20,000 square foot “Coach House” on 685 5th Avenue as well as the relocation of its corporate headquarters to the newly constructed 10 Hudson Yards. In 2012, Ira founded The Vibe Group, LLC, a company that specialized in servicing international apparel and accessory companies looking to expand their North American footprints by increasing retail and wholesale sale channels. Amongst other duties through his work with The Vibe Group, Ira held the role of Legal Counsel / Head of Real Estate for Suit Supply USA, Inc. In this capacity, Ira played an integral role in The Netherlands-based men’s fashion company’s rapid growth throughout the U.S. and Canada. From 2004 – 2012, Ira served as General Counsel / Director of Real Estate for Elie Tahari, Ltd., where he provided daily advice on aspects of corporate affairs, retail growth strategy, financing, real estate investment, distribution and licensing, litigation and employment matters. Prior to that role, Ira acted as Legal Counsel for HypoVereinsbank (a German real estate investment bank) for seven years, during which time he worked with large scale developers on the financings of numerous well-known and highly structured retail, office and multi-family construction and permanent loan facilities throughout the U.S. He began his career as a real estate attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. Ira holds a M.S. in Real Estate Finance from New York University, and a B.A. and J.D. from Emory University. He is admitted to practice law in New York and resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters where he has continued to play fast-pitch softball on the same team for the last 20 years.

Brad Hutensky is the founder and CEO of Hutensky Capital Partners, manager of two closed-end, discretionary retail investment funds. In that capacity, he is responsible for overseeing all activities of the funds with a focus on fundraising, investment strategy, sourcing investment opportunities and developing an overall strategy for creating asset value for retail real estate investments. He also serves as the President and owner of The Hutensky Group, a leasing and property management affiliate of the funds. Mr. Hutensky is active in the International Council of Shopping Centers, having served as its 55th worldwide Chairman in 2012-2013, and currently serving as an Executive Board member. He has served as Chair on the Urban Land Institute’s Commercial Retail Development Council, and frequently speaks on retail real estate topics for multiple organizations.

Real estate is in Joel’s DNA. The son of a Cuban architect, he grew up in Miami, traveling to inspect sites with his father and even helping to design two of his childhood homes. After attending the University of Florida and Harvard Law School, Joel became a partner at Goulston & Storrs. After leaving to conduct real estate deals on his own, he soon joined his friend, Steve Samuels, who was looking for some help in growing a development company.

Joel is passionate about seeing a new district come to life after years of work. “That’s the best part, watching our new project come to life and be woven into the fabric of the community in which it resides.”

Outside of work Joel enjoys being, quite literally, outside. He loves cycling, boating, tennis “and any other sports I can still survive.” He’s also quick to add, “I’m a big fan of American craft beers.”

Joel serves as Chair of the Boston Main Streets Foundations and as a member of the Board of Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, a non-profit CDC that builds affordable housing and promotes economic development in Roxbury.

David Kitchens serves as Principal-in-Charge of Cooper Carry's Alexandria, Virginia office. In 30+ years of service with Cooper Carry, David has led mixed-use design efforts on a variety of award-winning projects including Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida. This mixed-use development has been recognized by a variety of organizations including the AIA, which bestowed upon it the Excellence of Design Award. David's work includes Bethesda Row in Bethesda, Maryland, which was awarded the Best Block in America 2002 by The Congress for New Urbanism, the Excellence Award from the Urban Land Institute and the DC/MD NAIOP Award of Excellence for Best Smart Growth Master Plan.

David grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving Bachelors and Masters degrees in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His graduate studies concentrated on urban design and pedestrian urban spaces. He participates on AIA and ULI-sponsored Urban Design Assistance teams, making recommendations to cities for downtown redevelopment and transit-oriented development.

Recent work includes regional and national projects in Dublin, OH; Bridgeport, CT; and Nashville, TN. Notable projects in the Washington, DC area include redevelopment planning and design at Landmark Mall and Oakville Triangle in Alexandria, VA; and the redevelopment of Ballston Mall and Crystal City in Arlington, VA. He has also recently completed the design of the Woodley in Washington, DC and Halstead Tower, in Alexandria, VA.

David is active in the Urban Land Institute and serves on the national Public/Private Partnership Council, is an active participant on regional Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs) and is the Chair of the Baltimore/DC regional Transit Oriented Development Council. He is active the DC/MD Chapter of NAIOP and serves as chair of the Annual Awards for Excellence Committee. In his professional career, David’s central goal is to create great buildings and environments in connecting communities where people develop relationships as they live, work, play and learn.

Michael Garreffa’s career has spanned over 20 years where he has held key leadership positions in Media, Advertising & Technology gained primarily with large global corporates such as: HARMAN International, Mood Media, Viacom | MTV International and J.Walter Thompson.

Presently he is Head of Retail Alliances EMEA with HARMAN Professional Solutions focusing on global brands. Harman Professional Solutions brings together their market leading brands in audio, lighting, video and control to create the best end-to-end solutions for our enterprise customers all over the world.

Michael Prifti is an architect of significant diversity with architectural experience in new construction and adaptive re-use projects for institutional and development clients, with single-purpose and mixed-use programs. Mr. Prifti is proficient in complex project management and taking plans from concept to completion.

Mr. Prifti and BLTa recently completed the Revel Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. He led the team responsible for ensuring that all 65 architecture, design, and construction partners worked together to deliver Revel on time and within budget. Additionally, he was crucial in the design of the back-of-house facilities, making it one of the most impressive and efficient in the industry.

Additionally, Mr. Prifti has extensive mixed-use experience which includes the design of DC USA, a transit-oriented retail complex in Washington, DC and the in-progress One-2-FiveLIVE a 28,000 square foot retail and entertainment complex in Harlem, NY. DC USA has revitalized an area that had seen a troubled economic environment and One-2-Five LIVE anticipates to do the same.

Mr. Prifti has received a number of honors and awards, including the Thomas Ustick Walter Award in 2010, the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2005, Architect of the Year from the Coalition of Commercial Real Estate Association in 2004 and 1999, and the Richard Upjohn Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects in 2002. He earned both his Master of Architecture and BA degrees from The University of Pennsylvania.

He has a national practice and possesses a unique understanding of the core business needs of his clients. David consistently receives high praise from both his clients and opposing counsel for his breadth of knowledge and ability to navigate complex negotiations. His client base includes developers, landlords, tenants, entrepreneurs, investors, and other parties, whom he represents in a variety of real estate related matters including shopping center, office and residential development, sales, acquisitions and leasing, including underlying corporate work pertaining to partnerships and joint ventures.

He also has extensive experience in the real estate matters of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, including signature restaurants of several of the top chefs in the world.

David is long standing member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is a frequent continuing legal education presenter on a variety of real estate topics, including sustainable initiatives and in-depth analysis of specific developments, the issues encountered and the impact on surrounding areas.

Ronald A. Kaplan, CPA, is a partner with CohnReznick and is the Firm’s Commercial Real Estate Industry

Leader. Ron has more than 20 years of experience providing assurance, due diligence, business advisory, and

tax services to clients in the commercial, residential, retail, and hospitality sectors throughout the United States

and internationally. Ron regularly provides assistance and advisory services to clients as they negotiate

agreements with lenders, equity partners, and fund managers. In addition, he advises clients on accounting

and tax matters throughout the agreement process, from initial drafting through completion.

Ron’s clients are generally private companies with multi-state operations and include real estate opportunity

funds, property management firms, partnerships, contractors, institutional lenders, REITs and joint ventures, as

well as other corporate and family owners and investors. Ron has a particular focus on real estate opportunity

funds, with clients ranging from start-ups to established funds. His clients benefit from his experience in critical

areas, such as fair value reporting, compliance monitoring, investor relations, and fund performance.

Prior to joining CohnReznick, Ron was in charge of the real estate practice for the New York office of a large

national public accounting firm. In this role, he oversaw the practice’s client services, account management,

and team development functions. He was also active in the firm’s training activities, leading presentations on

the real estate business for professionals both within the firm and at national industry conferences.