As Chief Investment Officer for Urban Renaissance Group (URG), John Bliss has overall responsibility for the company's investment activities and relationships with institutional and private investment partners. In his role, he strives to incorporate the entire URG team and our capital partners early in the investment decision process.

Prior to joining Urban Renaissance Group, John was Chief Investment Officer for Metzler North America, overseeing North American investment activities. He also served on Metzler's management team and investment committee. From 1996 to 2004, John was a principal and Senior Vice President for Seattle-based Unico Properties. He shared overall responsibility for Unico's investment activities, including acquisitions, joint ventures with institutional partners, placement of property level debt financing, asset recapitalizations and dispositions. His personal real estate investment transaction experience totals more than $1.5 billion of direct responsibility since 1990.

John serves on the Executive Committee of the Advisory Board for the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington, as well as on the board of Bellwether Housing and the Seattle Chapter of NAIOP John is also an active member of the Urban Land Institute.

As a Principal of Spectrum Development Solutions, Jake’s expertise spans complex land use issues, transit-oriented mixed-use development, healthcare and historic renovations. Jake began his career developing affordable housing projects in New York City and currently oversees a variety of projects and clients throughout the greater Seattle area including Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Saint Mark’s Cathedral.

Throughout Jake’s career, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the community in developing mixed-use and multifamily housing. Recent examples include Anthem, Decibel, and Reverb which created nearly 300 apartments of workforce housing for young professionals, teachers, nurses, and civil servants. Jake’s passion is evident in his desire to always keep what’s best for the community at the forefront of his decisions.

Mr. Keller is the Vice Chairman of MREG and a member of MREG’s Investment Committee. He also serves as the Chairman of MRED, MREG’s development subsidiary, and Senior Adviser to the MRECS Investment Committee with respect to construction and other heavy transitional loans. Mr. Keller has over 40 years of experience in real estate investment, development, and construction, formerly leading Mack Urban, LLC, Urban Partners, LLC, Keller Equity Group, Inc., Keller CMS, Inc., and Keller Construction Company, LTD. Mr. Keller currently holds many board and community leadership roles, including Vice Chair of the Land Use Leadership Committee and Member of the Advisory Board of ULI (Urban Land Institute) Los Angeles, Board Member of the Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA), Board Member of the UCLA Health System, and member of The Los Angeles Coalition for the Economy and Jobs (The L.A. Coalition). Mr. Keller previously held leadership roles as Chairman of Eimago (formerly Union Rescue Mission Foundation), Chairman of the Board of Directors at Seven Arrows Elementary School in Pacific Palisades, California, Board Member of the L.A. Streetcar Initiative (LASI), member of the stakeholders group board of the DTLA South Park Business Improvement District (BID), Board Member of Friends of Waterfront, Seattle, and Board Member of Friends of the LA River (FoLAR). Mr. Keller attended the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Kevin Daniels has over 30 years of real estate experience, including leasing, development and property management, and is the President of Nitze-Stagen & Co., Inc. and Daniels Real Estate, LLC. Nitze-Stagen focuses on the investment into and Daniels Real Estate the redevelopment of, landmarked structures and community redevelopment projects in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Daniels is recognized as a leading voice for historic preservation in his community and is nationally recognized on the issue of stimulating economic development through preservation efforts. Over the last few years his development team has received two National Preservation Awards and numerous local & state awards for their work. Recently he was named Seattle’s 2015 Downtown Champion and was the first recipient of the Urban Hero award from the International Sustainability Institute, and received the Washington State Special Achievement Award and the Judge’s Choice Award from the National Association of Office & Industrial Properties for his work to save the historic First United Methodist Church in Seattle. The American Institute of Architects has made him an honorary member in Seattle for his body of work.

Mr. Daniels’ current projects include the construction of a 43 story high-rise office tower in downtown Seattle as part of the preservation of the last historic sanctuary building within the central business district (culminating a nearly 25 year preservation court battle) and the largest transit oriented development in the Pacific Northwest- Stadium Place (culminating a 25 year planning effort). The firms’ current property investments and past development activity in Seattle include Starbucks Center (currently the largest, at 2.1 million square feet, and oldest LEED-EB Gold certified building in the country), Union Station corporate campus (a 1.1 million square foot office campus sitting on top of the regional light rail transit center) and Merrill Place (a full block mixed use in historic Pioneer Square).

Mr. Daniels serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Trust for Historic Preservation where he is vice-chair of the Audit Committees. He also serves on the Board of Regents for Gonzaga University and is co-chair of the Alliance for Pioneer Square. Mr. Daniels serves on the boards of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and Historic Seattle as board emeriti. Mr. Daniels is actively involved in Operation Comeback in New Orleans and has worked with AIA and AWB on seven trips to bring architects and other professionals to the lower Ninth Ward rebuilding effort. In addition he recently worked with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Shanghai office (Roots & Shoots program) to bring the EcoAudit program to the United States with the establishment of the first program office in Seattle. In collaboration with the Cool School Challenge this sustainability education program for youth is now spreading across the country. Finally, Mr. Daniels has assisted the National Trust in the creation of the Preservation Green Lab offices in Seattle.

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Callahan drives the vision, strategy and overall direction at Urban Renaissance Group (URG), a full-service commercial real estate operating company with approximately 6.2 million square feet of office space, nearly 80 employees and multiple award-winning acquisitions and redevelopments.

With more than twenty years’ experience in the real estate industry, Patrick has been directly involved in numerous multi-million dollar lease transactions, acquisitions, development projects, assimilations, asset repositions and renovations. His firm has placed more than $500 million in capital on behalf of clients in downtown Seattle and Portland in the last 24 months alone.

Prior to founding URG in 2006, Patrick held numerous key roles at Equity Office Properties Trust (EOP). As Senior Vice President, he oversaw a business unit of 18 million square feet, 114 buildings, 300 employees and more than $450 million in revenues in Seattle and Bellevue, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Denver, Co. He was also directly involved in more than 30 million square feet of acquisitions and 2.5 million square feet of completed development projects across nine markets. He played a significant role in one of the largest transactions in U.S. history when EOP acquired Spieker Properties for $7.2 billion in February 2001.

As the founder and CEO of Urban Visions, Greg governs the strategy, direction, and value creation for the firm’s development portfolio. A fifth-generation Seattleite, Greg has over 30 years of industry experience and has formed more than 30 ventures with value in excess of $1.5 Billion. Notable past projects include Millennium Tower, 4th & Madison, 5th & Madison, 901 5th Avenue, and the Reedo Building. Current projects under design and construction include 200 Occidental, Second and Pike, Stadium East, and 888 2nd Ave. Prior to forming Urban Visions, Smith was a Principal of his father’s real estate property management firm, Martin Smith Inc., and the Founder/President of MSI’s development subsidiary, Martin Smith Development Corporation. A respected leader and frequent speaker in the community, Greg is embedded in the fabric of Seattle real estate. He is known for his strong engagement with key stakeholders as well as leadership roles in shaping land use and development patterns throughout key neighborhoods in Seattle. Greg currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Pacific North West chapter of the World Presidents Organization (Chapter Chair), and the University of Washington Foundation.

In 1996, Henry Liebman founded American Life, Inc. and has since served as our Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, he oversees all daily company operations and strategic planning.

Henry has more than 20 years of experience in real estate law and immigration law and more than 30 years experience in commercial real estate management and investment. He has served as Managing Partner of Coe Nordwall Liebman, LLC. Henry also founded Northwest International Bank and served as its first board chairman.

Among these distinctions, Henry is frequently invited to speak on business and immigration topics at organizations throughout the Northwest and abroad. He is quoted frequently and has written several articles on a variety of subjects. Additionally, he authored The Immigration Handbook, which has been published in the U.S., Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Henry earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Washington in 1973 and received his Juris Doctor degree from The University of Puget Sound in 1980. His experience in immigration law, finance, and real estate is both extensive and eclectic and provides particular value to American Life, Inc. and its investors.

As CEO of Goodman Real Estate for more than 15 years, George believes the company’s mission, vision, and values has created a culture that has attracted extraordinary professionals and kept the company on a successful course. During his tenure, he has overseen the teams that developed, acquired, and disposed of over 350 assets in four countries. With experience spanning roles in finance, accounting, property management, asset management, and capital markets, George’s knowledge, experience, and skill move GRE in the direction of the future of real estate. George graduated from the University of Washington and earned his CPA, CPM, CCIM, and RPA real estate designations.

George finds satisfaction by challenging his team to achieve their goals while ensuring each person is encouraged and has opportunities to grow. He considers every team member at GRE to be a leader and supports them as they develop an understanding of their strengths and how to use them within the organization. George firmly believes there is a significant shortage of housing nationwide due to questionable regulatory policies. He advocates for the removal of barriers that policy makers can influence, both legislative and regulatory, so that housing supply will increase for the benefit of current and future generations.

George believes that a portion of profitable work should go toward those at risk in the community. This belief led George to create IMPACT—a company-wide program with a mission to provide a sense of place for all of GRE’s community by collaborating with local non-profits to serve the vulnerable with a focus on shelter, community, education, sustainability, and relief. He personally serves on several non-profit boards, including WBPA, CRISTA, V16, and the North Seattle College Real Estate Program.

George and his wife have three grown daughters, live near the University of Washington, and like to spend time boating, skiing, traveling, and financially supporting local charitable organizations.

In November 2014 Jon Scholes became President and CEO of DSA following six years as the organization’s Vice President of Advocacy and Economic Development. He believes downtown Seattle is an essential voice of leadership in a rapidly growing and evolving city.

Jon’s passion for taking on big issues is reflected in his 15 years of work in nonprofit advocacy, local government, and senior positions on statewide political campaigns. At DSA he leads a diverse team focused on creating a healthy, vibrant and inviting downtown.

Jon is a member of the Visit Seattle Board of Directors and the Downtown Transportation Alliance and has served on a number of city and county task forces on transportation, homelessness and housing. He is a Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winner and a graduate of Leadership tomorrow. He attended the University of Texas in Austin before graduating from the University of Washington.

Jon lives in downtown Seattle with his wife and seven-year-old twins, Parker and Avery. In his spare time Jon sails, skis and rides motorcycles. He loves how much mental focus and presence each activity requires.

Mr. Guincher is the president of Continental Properties LLC (“CP”), with over thirty years of

experience in the real estate industry, and has directed the development of over 3,800 multifamily

units over the past twenty-five years in the Puget Sound region. CP has developed the

highest quality apartments and condominiums in the Seattle area, setting numerous price per unit

and absorption records for the region.

Mr. Guincher holds a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Finance and Real Estate from the

University of British Columbia. He has been married for twenty-six years, with two children,

ages twenty-two and nineteen.

In his real estate practice, Matt represents local and national developers, builders and lenders in all

aspects of acquisition, development, financing, construction, leasing, and disposition for single and

multi-family residential, mixed-use, office, and retail projects—with a focus on creative, cost-efficient

results. He creates private equity and debt funds for private regional lenders and other real estate-related

companies, and assists them on completing a range of financing transactions.

Matt’s work often involves large, complex projects such as assisting Chris Hansen and his affiliates in

the assessment, procurement and financing of a property portfolio for development and construction of a

new multi-modal use sports arena complex in the SODO district of Seattle, and representing King

County in its coordinated sale and ongoing operation of real estate for the expansion of the Washington

State Convention Center.

As CH&’s Managing Partner, Matt leads the firm’s business success, and has successfully developed

and implemented the firm’s strategic plan. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm,

including supervision and oversight of the firm’s administrative, financial, technological, and business

development functions.

Matt cares deeply about Seattle and the Puget Sound region. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels appointed

Matt to serve on the Council for Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA), a

public corporation chartered by the City of Seattle in 1973 which owns, operates, and manages the

properties in the nine-acre Pike Place Market Historic District. Matt is now the chair of the PDA

Council.