Registration Questions

Call: 202-684-2034
Email: eventregistration@bisnow.com

Request Speaker Information

Speaker Topics

Tell us a Little More

Speakers and Panels

Developing For Tomorrow, Today

Steven Schwarz

Steven Schwarz

Founding Partner

ViaWest Group

Laura Ortiz

Laura Ortiz

President

Evergreen Devco

Roy Bade

Roy Bade

Chief Development Officer

Caliber Co

Brian Kearney

Brian Kearney

Senior Vice President - Development

Catellus Development Corporation

Stan Johnson
Moderator

Stan Johnson

Shareholder

Greenberg Traurig

Steven Schwarz

Founding Partner

ViaWest Group

Steven leads all aspects of ViaWest Group with primary emphasis on investment and development strategy, deal-sourcing, and capital markets activity. He has thirty years of experience in the development, operations and financing of all types of real estate, with deep experience in industrial and office properties. Through involvement in over $3 billion worth of projects, Steven has provided build-to-suit, speculative development, acquisitions, dispositions and property management services in multiple product types in the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast U.S.

Prior to forming ViaWest Properties in 2003, Steven led the development as SVP of The Plaza Companies, a full service, medical-office, senior-living development, and property management company. Prior to joining Plaza, Steven rose through the ranks to become COO and EVP of The Hewson Company, a privately-held, real estate development company in the Western U.S. in which capacity he developed properties ranging from mid-rise office buildings to a 2.2MM s.f. industrial complex. Other work experience includes Real Estate Finance work with SunTrust Banks in Atlanta, GA.

Steven graduated from The University of Texas Honors Program with a B.A. with Honors in Marketing. He has served as Chairman of the NAIOP Arizona Chapter, on the National Board of Directors of NAIOP, and in national and local capacities with Urban Land Institute (ULI). He has also served on numerous local and national boards and councils of non-profit philanthropic, civic and industry organizations including Greater Phoenix Leadership, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, as Board Chairman of the Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix and on the National Board of JFNA.

He resides in Paradise Valley, Arizona with his wife Jennifer and has three grown children.

Laura Ortiz

President

Evergreen Devco

Laura Ortiz is a Managing Principal and oversees the firm’s retail developments and its Development Managers. Her responsibilities also include new client development and relationship management, tenant lease negotiations, and developing and implementing tools and systems for the management of Evergreen’s projects. Laura graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance & Economics from the University of Arizona. She has been with Evergreen since 1994.

Construction Analysis and Outlook

Jay Ramos

Jay Ramos

Senior Director, Real Estate Development

Opus Development

Daniel Perez

Daniel Perez

VP - Real Estate Development & Construction

Senior Resource Group

Darryn Jones

Darryn Jones

Business Development Executive

Mortenson

Mike Bontrager

Mike Bontrager

VP/General Manager

Alston Construction, Inc.

Will Gleason
Moderator

Will Gleason

Principal

Dekker Perich Sabatini

Jay Ramos

Senior Director, Real Estate Development

Opus Development

Jay Ramos is an accomplished real estate professional with experience in land acquisitions, financing and asset management. Jay serves as a Senior Director of Real Estate Development at Opus and is responsible for directing Multifamily development in Arizona. Jay began his career with UBS Investment Bank in Los Angeles, California. Most recently, Jay held roles at Leon Capital Group and Mark-Taylor Residential. At Leon Capital Group Jay was responsible for seven multifamily projects totaling 1,100 units in various stages of development. While at Mark-Taylor Residential, Jay was responsible for strategic oversight and financial performance of a Class-A, multifamily apartment portfolio consisting of 2,200 units and a market value of $650M. Jay’s focus at Opus is pursuing and managing development opportunities from concept through occupancy and disposition. Jay is a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in Desert Storm. Jay grew up in the Central Coast of California having received a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.

Daniel Perez

VP - Real Estate Development & Construction

Senior Resource Group

Daniel G. Perez is Vice President of Real Estate Development and Construction at SRG - Senior Resource

Group. LLC.; He is an award winning-architect with 37 years of experience in Design, Development and

Construction of Various market sectors national and Internationally; Senior living, hospitality,

residential, Corporate Commercial, among other mixed-use developments.

His vast experience based on project excellence and performance, guides the strategic capacity of

organization In Overseeing resources and multidisciplinary teams in a highly collaborative manner,

(North America, South America and Europe) Mr. Perez received his Architectural and Urban Planning

education, training and Licensing in Colombia, South America and MS in Construction Management

(ASU) and MBA (Thunderbird School of Global Business) education in the United States of America.

Capitalizing on these professional skill sets, and 37 years in the Development, Design and Construction

Industry.

Awarded recognitions for “Architectural Design Excellence” and “Sustainable Projects”, other

recognitions by the American Institute of Architects and USGBC in several LEED Certified Projects, thus,

in the United States, South America and Europe. Also, recently, recognized by the Colombian

Government with the prestigious “Colombian Entrepreneurship in Foreign Countries” award; Mr. Perez

continues assertive in pursuing the Development, Design and Construction practice of Innovation,

Energy Efficiency, using Technology + Integrated Project Delivery Method + Global materials and

systems procurement, DMFA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) with Virtual Construction to

generate developments with less risk, high Functionality and Operability of high-quality environments.

Mr. Perez, also foments mentoring and actively stirs up a professional Mentor program in

entrepreneurship, Architecture, Real Estate Development and Construction for young professionals,

thus, nationally and internationally, that allows for new graduates to become more competitive in those

areas of expertise.

Along these lines; in his past roles as Principal Architect in multinational firms such The DLR Group, Leo

A Daly, Jacobs Engineering, Fluor Daniel Corporation, PerezMcGee International Architecture and

Development (Co-founder) or/and as a part of Development companies, such, UC residential

Communities, IDM Companies where he has led the Development and/or the Construction divisions.

Either, his work in projects for other Developers like HINES, RYAN CO., TRAMMELL CROW-CBRE, DMB,

THE DAVIS COMPANIES, OPUS, BARKER PACIFIC GROUP, among others; Continues being his passion.

Darryn Jones

Business Development Executive

Mortenson

As a Market Executive with nearly 14 years of experience, Darryn is focused on problem solving, making use of his experience to anticipate needs, and searching for opportunities to develop strategic partnerships to deliver value Mortenson’s customers. Darryn is responsible for setting the strategy for the development of healthcare, industrial, and mission critical assets for Mortenson’s Phoenix Office. Darryn previously served as the Vice President of Emerging Technologies at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, where he was responsible for bringing projects to the market that delivered over $600M in capital investment and over 3,000 jobs. A native of Baltimore, Darryn received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Johns Hopkins University, where he was a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar.

Mike Bontrager

VP/General Manager

Alston Construction, Inc.

Mike Bontrager is a visionary and makes it real through sound strategy. He grows organizations by understanding market trends and leveraging talent and resources with relentless execution. He is a servant leader energized by solving complex problems for customers, colleagues and other organizations. Respected as creator of high performing cultures, a strategic decision maker and good communicator. Mike Bontrager oversees the strategic direction and overall growth performance of the Arizona office.

With 39 years of construction experience, he directs all activities including pre-construction, scheduling, project and field management, marketing and business development. Mike’s expertise includes growing organizations through market introduction, market sector growth and a service-oriented culture. His role extends to showcasing Alston’s reputation for integrity, community involvement and client-centric solutions.

He is currently the Chair of the Beatitudes Campus Board of Directors. In addition, he serves on The Better Business Bureau Board of Directors.

Mike has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University.

Will Gleason

Moderator

Dekker Perich Sabatini

As an urban planner with a background in construction, Will loves to create plans that result in things getting built. With a specialty in public-private coordination, he works at the macro-scale to shape the evolution of cities and towns.

Will leads our landscape and planning studio and brings his long-range perspective to firmwide strategy. By listening and problem solving, he guides a range of projects through the land use approval process. Drawing energy from collaboration, he enjoys engaging with the public and channeling a wide range of perspectives into cohesive plans.

His mentorship helps develop the firm’s future leaders. He is most rewarded by seeing plans come to life. When he’s not working, Will likes biking, golfing, and pretty much anything outdoors. He also loves world travel and uses it as an inspiration to bring a little more urbanity back home.

Why You Can't Miss This Phoenix Construction & Development Event

What You'll Learn About Phoenix Commercial Real Estate:

  • How are Phoenix leaders keeping projects on time and within budget despite national challenges in labor, costs, and regulations?

  • What tools, technology, and processes are being implemented to enhance construction strategies? 

  • What is the current temperature of new development in Phoenix? Which asset classes are finding success heading into 2023 and which are not?

  • Which Phoenix neighborhoods are the hottest and where is the next opportunity?

  • How are rising interest rates and high inflation impacting construction and development decision-making?

  • How are projects currently being financed and how are lenders and investors assessing risk?

How You'll Do More Business:  By joining Bisnow’s event, you'll learn about the latest in construction dynamics surrounding labor, materials, and project timelines. You will learn how these trends are impacting the development strategies of the most active firms navigating the current climate to deliver the most notable projects. Gain critical insights into new technology, designs, and innovations, and understand how new investment and financing trends are influencing commercial real estate in Arizona.

Projects To Be Discussed:

Who You'll Network With: Owners, developers, investors, brokers, city and government officials, business consultants, architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, bankers, tenants, and more.   

Why You Should Attend This Event: Bisnow events bring together the biggest power players in the industry to identify opportunities, build your network and expand your business. With the largest audience of commercial real estate professionals in the world, no one knows how to help your business more than us. Join Bisnow as we jump into the multifamily market to analyze its strengths and strategize on its areas of opportunity. 

For questions, recommendations, comments or press inquiries please email our Event Producer Brandon Elsasser at brandon.elsasser@bisnow.com!

Agenda

Time Activity
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Breakfast and Open Networking
4:00 PM
4:45 PM
Developing For Tomorrow, Today

Keystone Projects and Pipelines Influencing the Market

4:45 PM
5:30 PM
Construction Analysis and Outlook

Deep Diving Costs, Project Strategies, and Regional Innovations

5:30 PM
6:00 PM
Closing Networking

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR SAFETY

We hosted more than 72,000 attendees live, in-person around the globe in 2021. Our commitment to safety is no different in 2022. Our events follow all local Covid-19 regulations and protocols. In the interest of the safety of all our guests, we recommend taking a rapid or PCR test for proof of negative results before attending any gathering.

We will update attendees should any regulations be updated before this event is held. We look forward to hosting you soon to do what we do best: network, connect, and engage to do more business.