Future of Alexandria

With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of research and business, Salmon is serving as the managing director of Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus, leading a cross-functional delivery team to set the vision for the campus and launch key efforts. Salmon came to Virginia Tech to oversee a discovery-to-market approach to strengthen industry partnerships and innovation: LINK, the Center for Advancing Industry Partnerships, and LAUNCH, the Center for New Ventures. Prior to Virginia Tech, Salmon served as director for RTI's Innovation Advisors, where she led consulting engagements for federal, corporate, and foundation clients to implement best practices in innovation, identify and evaluate new technologies and products, and develop commercialization strategies and partnerships. Salmon joined RTI in 2011 from the Duke University, Fuqua School of Business and Office of Licensing and Ventures, where she led a full spectrum of commercialization and technology transfer activities. She is often asked to lecture on topics of innovation and holds five issued patents. Salmon has an B.A. from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and an M.B.A. from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of research and business, Salmon is serving as the managing director of Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus, leading a cross-functional delivery team to set the vision for the campus and launch key efforts. Salmon came to Virginia Tech to oversee a discovery-to-market approach to strengthen industry partnerships and innovation: LINK, the Center for Advancing Industry Partnerships, and LAUNCH, the Center for New Ventures. Prior to Virginia Tech, Salmon served as director for RTI's Innovation Advisors, where she led consulting engagements for federal, corporate, and foundation clients to implement best practices in innovation, identify and evaluate new technologies and products, and develop commercialization strategies and partnerships. Salmon joined RTI in 2011 from the Duke University, Fuqua School of Business and Office of Licensing and Ventures, where she led a full spectrum of commercialization and technology transfer activities. She is often asked to lecture on topics of innovation and holds five issued patents. Salmon has an B.A. from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and an M.B.A. from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business.

Stephanie is President & CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP). Appointed by the Board of Directors in April 2015, Stephanie has held leadership roles in the organization since 2005. In her position, Stephanie provides strategic and financial oversight to two hosted organizations: SBDC and Capitol Post. She also offers advice and information to the Alexandria City Council, Planning Commission and City Departments. Stephanie serves in various capacities on Boards, Commissions and Committees related to economic development, marketing and business throughout the Washington, DC region. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in City & Regional Planning from the University of Virginia, and an MBA from the UVA's Darden School of Business. As an Alexandrian, Stephanie’s favorite thing about the city is the diversity of new boutique fitness studios and restaurants opening up all around

Lori Melancon serves as VEDP’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications, responsible for marketing the Commonwealth for business, including the VEDP and Virginia brands, websites, event and trade show marketing, and external communications. She also played a key role in Virginia’s successful bid for Amazon’s HQ2. Before joining VEDP in April 2017, Melancon led economic development marketing efforts at Louisiana Economic Development and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. During her tenure at LED, she modernized the Louisiana brand for business, managed all components of the organization’s marketing and communications program, and created innovative tools for regional and local partners. Lori has also worked for two advertising agencies, managing relationships with both economic development and private-sector clients.

A founding principal of Stonebridge, Douglas Firstenberg directs firmwide strategic planning, oversees landmark development projects, and plays a key role in major transaction negotiations. Under his leadership, Stonebridge has developed several of the region’s most innovative and successful urban mixed-use properties, including breakthrough transit-oriented developments and public/private initiatives. Mr. Firstenberg has more than thirty-five years of real estate industry experience, leading complex development projects totaling more than 10 million square feet and $4 billion in value. Mr. Firstenberg started his career with K.S. Sweet Associates, a Philadelphia-based real estate and investment firm where he was named partner. In 1993, he co-founded Stonebridge Associates in Washington, D.C., and led the transformation of the firm into an urban infill mixed-use developer. Mr. Firstenberg graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts and currently serves in leadership roles of several industry and charitable organizations.

In early 2004, Mr. Cohen founded and became President / CEO of Perseus TDC. He has an active role in every project Perseus TDC undertakes from acquisition financing, development, marketing and leasing. Mr. Cohen has been an active participant in the Washington area real estate business since 1971. He began his career as a broker with Barnes Morris & Pardoe. In 1982, he became President of Barnes Morris and oversaw the growth of the firm into a leading and successful brokerage company. In 1991 Mr. Cohen and P. Wesley Foster Jr. became partners and merged Long & Foster Commercial with Barnes Morris and Mr. Cohen became Chairman and CEO of the combined company and soon thereafter acquired the Kaempfer management Company and grew that to manage more than 13 million square feet of office. In 1998 the company was sold to Insignia Financial Group and Mr. Cohen remained as the regional executive manager. A demonstrated real estate professional, Mr. Cohen has been involved in the acquisition and disposition of numerous real estate projects. He has acquired, on behalf of various partnerships, land for development and buildings for investment. He has invested in multiple projects such as a 150,000 square foot building at 2121 Virginia Avenue and is the developer of a partnership that owns land to develop over 700,000 square feet in the NOMA submarket of Washington, DC known as Storey Park. Some of the notable projects Mr. Cohen has been involved with include Redland Corporate Center, a 350,000 square foot office development; 1110 Vermont Avenue, a 308,000 square foot office redevelopment; 2440 M Street, a medical office building; 2101 M Street NW Hilton Hotel; 14W, a 250,000 square foot mixed use residential project; 1577 Spring Hill Road, McLean, VA. Mr. Cohen is a member of the Economic Club of Washington and the World Presidents Organization. He is a former member of the Young Presidents Organization and he has served on the Board of Visitors at Duke University, the boards of WETA, Norwood School, DC National Bank, Sovran DC National, George Washington University Cancer Center and Global Relief Technologies, a disaster relief technology company. member of Global Relief Technologies, a disaster relief technology company.

Steve Boyle is Chief Development Officer and responsible for all development leasing, and acquisition activities in EDENS’ Mid-Atlantic portfolio. Steve joined EDENS in 2001, opening the company’s regional headquarters office in Washington, DC. He has since grown that office to more than 80 team members with a portfolio of more than 45 properties. He has been instrumental in leading the company’s expansion into urban, dense areas with projects, such as CityVista, a mixed-use center anchored by an “urban style” Safeway in Washington, DC, and Mosaic, a two million SF mixed-use project in Fairfax, VA. He is currently leading the five million SF Union Market project in Northeast DC. Prior to joining EDENS, Steve was an investment broker with CB Richard Ellis in Los Angeles, as well as with Rosenthal Shuler in Washington, DC. A native of Long Island, NY, he graduated from Princeton University. He is a board member of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, Green Acres School and the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District. Steve has spoken at Gallaudet University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, George Mason University and the University of Virginia.

Professional Expertise Darian LeBlanc is an Executive Vice Chair at Cushman & Wakefield and one of the leading advisors in the United States for large-scale government and institutional real estate transactions. Based in the Washington, DC region, he leads the firm’s Government Services Group (GSG), a specialized team focused on securing and structuring federal, state, and municipal lease transactions nationwide. Over the course of his career, LeBlanc has completed more than 40 million square feet of leasing transactions with an aggregate value exceeding $15 billion. He is widely recognized for navigating some of the most complex and high-profile government requirements in the country, delivering solutions that align public-sector needs with private investment objectives. In addition to his leasing practice, he is an integral member of Cushman & Wakefield’s Investment Sales platform, advising on transactions involving government-leased assets. LeBlanc is regarded as a key figure in the National Capital Region’s commercial real estate industry, particularly at the intersection of federal transactions, economic development, and institutional investment. Drawing on 30+ years of experience in both the public and private sectors, he advises clients on transaction strategy, portfolio optimization, and public-private partnerships, and is known for bringing clarity and execution to highly complex assignments. He has received numerous industry honors, including repeated recognition from CREBA, NAIOP, and national media outlets. Professional Affiliations • District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) • Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association of Greater Washington, DC (CREBA) • Maryland/DC National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) • Northern Virginia National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Major Transactions Landlord/Owner Representation • MetLife, Constitution Center, Washington, D.C. - Multiple agencies, 1.4M sf • The JBG Companies, The Parklawn Building, Rockville, MD – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 935,386 sf • Beacon Capital Partners, Polk & Taylor Buildings, Crystal City, VA – U.S. Department of Defense, 911,818 sf • Stonebridge, Three and Four Constitution Square, Washington, DC – U.S. Department of Justice, 839,000 sf • Boston Properties, Patriots Park, Reston, VA – Confidential Tenant, 706,482 sf • Boston Properties, Springfield Metro Center, Springfield, VA – Transportation Security Administration, 625,000 sf • Stonebridge, Two Constitution Square, Washington, DC – U.S. Department of Justice, 575,760 sf • The World Bank Group, 600 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC –U.S. Department of State, 463,151 sf • Related Companies, Carlyle Innovation Campus, Alexandria, VA – National Science Foundation, 400,000 sf • Stonebridge, One Constitution Square, Washington, DC – U.S. General Services Administration Headquarters, • 330,000 sf • Principal Real Estate, 1200 1st Street, NE, Washington, D.C. – District of Columbia, 291,838 sf • Paramount Group, 425 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 285,561 sf

Pillsbury partner James Bobotek concentrates his practice on a variety of construction and insurance matters. Jamie guides clients through all phases of development and construction of commercial properties, including preparation, review and negotiation of development, design, construction, design-build, and related agreements. Jamie also counsels clients in analyzing insurance coverage claims, formulating risk management strategies, and developing contractual insurance requirements. Jamie has secured many favorable outcomes for commercial policyholders on CGL, builder's risk, commercial property, business interruption, E&O, cyber, professional liability, D&O, pollution, fidelity and other claims. Representative Experience Drafted and negotiated construction, design, and development contracts for projects totaling billions of dollars. Represented public-private partnerships with respect to construction, design, and ancillary agreements relating to United States military housing privatizations across the country, including projects in California, Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Nevada, Georgia and Missouri. Drafted form construction and design contract packages for owners, developers and contractors for use throughout the United States. Achieved partial summary judgment against AIG entity in connection with property insurance coverage dispute for multinational university arising from the 2010 earthquakes in Chile. Obtained a summary judgment ruling in a Student Financial Corp. bankruptcy legacy case for an additional insured/policyholder under a fidelity bond (financial institution bond) in connection with alleged Ponzi-scheme losses. Obtained a dismissal of first-filed insurance carrier declaratory judgment action, allowing an iconic brand company's $18 million flood loss claim to proceed against carrier in carrier's home forum of Tennessee. Deployed novel theory to defeat insurance carrier effort to align parties to create federal court jurisdiction, creating favorable new law in removal disputes with insurance carriers. Represented a telecommunications provider in successful prosecution of its claims against its E&O insurer confirming coverage for class action claims alleging cyber-related activities. Obtained significant recovery under a builders risk policy on behalf of a contractor for a delay claim arising out of a subcontractor's provision of defective materials. Procured multi-million dollar defense and indemnity recovery under "personal injury" CGL coverage relating to a discrimination suit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of multiple claimants. Obtained recovery under an event cancellation policy for two class action suits brought as a result of logistical difficulties in connection with a client's presidential inauguration-related experiential student conference. Obtained full property loss and business interruption coverage, as well as defense and indemnity coverage for third-party suits, arising out of a catastrophic fire at a defense contractor's warehouse facility. Attained defense and indemnity coverage for an international construction company arising out of concrete plant emissions. Obtained defense and indemnity coverage under a professional liability policy for an engineering company faced with excess exposure. Recovered full pre-suit indemnity for a government contractor in a construction claim related to faulty subcontractor work. Protected a commercial developer's interests under a builders risk policy in connection with a faulty workmanship claim. Represented clients in various industries in structuring and negotiating the terms of their cyber insurance programs. Professional Highlights Member of the Insurance Recovery & Advisory practice, named by Law360 as a Practice Group of the Year in 2015 and 2016. Member of the ABA's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, co-chair of its Construction Subcommittee and appointed vice-chair of the Committee's 2017 Annual CLE Seminar and Meeting. Authored "Builders Risk Insurance," New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition, Chapter 50 (updated 2016) and "Understanding Product Liability Insurance," New Appleman Insurance Law Practice Guide, Chapter 30B (2013). Presented "Mind the Gaps: Potential Gaps Between Cyber and Other Commercial Policies," at the ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation CLE Seminar, March 2016.

Evan Goldman recently joined EYA as Vice President of Land Acquisitions and Development. Evan brings a decade of mixed use and multi-family experience to the EYA development team and will work on sourcing new deals as well as shepherding projects through the development process. Prior to joining EYA, Evan was a Vice President of Development at Federal Realty Investment Trust in Rockville, MD. In that role for seven years he was primarily responsible for managing the development of Pike & Rose a 24 acre 3.4 million square foot award winning mixed use neighborhood in North Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to Federal Realty, Evan was a Partner at the Holladay Corporation; an urban infill mixed use development company in Washington, DC, and he was an Associate for Tishman Speyer Properties in New York City. Evan holds an MBA in Real Estate and Finance from the Wharton Business School and a B.S. in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University. Evan enjoys teaching and regularly guest lectures at Cornell University, Georgetown University, the Catholic University and the University of Maryland College Park. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Urban Land Institute Washington and he was a founding Board Member of Friends of White Flint. Evan recently received the 2012 Livable Communities Leadership Award from the Washington, DC based Coalition for Smarter Growth. Evan lives in Washington, DC with his wife and three young children.

Mark Bulmash is President, Mixed-Use/Master Plan Development for Presidium, which he joined in October 2020, where he oversees the planning and development efforts for Velocity, River Park and The Pecan District. From 2011 to 2019, he was Senior Vice President, Development for The Howard Hughes Corporation, where he oversaw the Central and Southeast regions. Mr. Bulmash is a 35-year real estate veteran, who spent time at the Taubman Company, Related Companies and Forest City Enterprises, as well as, founding his own real estate advisory firm, Bulmash Real Estate Advisors, LLC. He is currently a member of International Council for Shopping Centers (ICSC), the Urban Land Institute, current chair of ICSC’s Global Design & Development Jury, and was a member of the inaugural class of ICSC's Certified Retail Property Executives (CRX), the Center Build’s Planning Committee and Advisory Board for the Penn Institute for Urban Research. Mr. Bulmash earned his MBA from The Wharton School and his MCP from The University of Pennsylvania. He earned his BS in Architecture from The University of Michigan.

Austin Flajser is in charge of day-to-day operations of The Carr Companies with over 40 executive suite, hotel, commercial and retail assets under management in 8 markets across the country. These assets account for over $180M in annual operating revenue and over $200M of new projects currently in the development pipeline. Austin received his Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University, his Masters in Real Estate from Georgetown University and his Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University.

Katie W. Grissom is a Director – Merchandising & Leasing at Asana Partners. Grissom has six years of commercial real estate experience in operations and retail strategy. Prior to Asana Partners, Grissom was the Director of Franchise Consulting at Pure Barre, an L Catterton portfolio company and one of the nation’s leading fitness brands with over 450 locations. Additional portfolio companies of L Catterton include, or have included, Restoration Hardware, Fly Wheel, Velvet Taco, Peloton, Chopt, Corepower Yoga, and Punch Bowl Social. At Pure Barre, Grissom’s team was responsible for driving studio level financial performance and increasing same store sales. Grissom was responsible for consulting and operations across the entire store base, many of which share overlapping demographic attributes with the Asana Partners target market strategy. Prior to her role in franchise consulting, Grissom led corporate studios from California to Florida. Grissom actively supports local micro-lending organizations in the Charlotte area. She is involved in the Real Estate professional community as a member of ICSC and ULI. Grissom received a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a concentration in Corporate Finance. Grissom is a graduate of Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Spanish and a Minor in Economics.

Mr. Finley is a Senior Vice President at Avanath Capital Management, LLC responsible for investment acquisitions Prior to joining Avanath, Mr. Finley was a Vice President, Risk Policy at Centerline Capital Group where his responsibilities included the underwriting of both debt and equity executions. Transactions were primarily multifamily and included joint venture and preferred equity investments and Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae DUS, CMBS, and CDO financings. In addition, Mr. Finley was part of a dedicated investment team responsible for the origination, underwriting and asset management of investments made on behalf of the California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”). Mr. Finley was a Senior Underwriter at Hawthorne Savings, later acquired by Commercial Capital Bank, in El Segundo, California. At Hawthorne his responsibilities included all aspects of the underwriting process for construction, purchase, and bridge financing on multi-family, high-end single-family, single-family tract development, condominium, and retail properties. Mr. Finley received his Bachelors degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

As a Principal for Cooper Carry, Steve has been a leader in bringing national recognition to the design work of the firm. Cooper Carry projects have been recognized with more than 60 design awards over the past decade, including the Urban Land Institute Award of Excellence for Bethesda Row. With offices in Atlanta, New York, Alexandria and Newport Beach, he and his partners have built a 59 year old firm that understands the strong ties between architecture, landscape, urban planning and sustainability. It is the understanding of these disciplines as well as a highly collaborative work environment that allows Cooper Carry to create value for its clients and the cities across the world in which they work. Steve joined Cooper Carry in 1986 and has successfully completed many complex projects of various building types, primarily office, corporate, multi-family and mixed-use projects. He has led multi-million dollar projects for developers and government clients. Steve remains tied into the everyday workings of these projects throughout each stage of design and construction. He is responsible for the production of complete, well coordinated documents and management of the project as the primary contact of the Owner's representative. Steve received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame while also spending a year in the Notre Dame Rome Studies program in Italy. He is a member of ULI, DBIA, NAIOP and the AIA.

Bob joined Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh in 2015 and is an associate in the firm’s Land Use & Zoning practice group. His practice focuses on securing zoning and land use entitlements including rezonings, special exceptions, special use permits and development special use permits in Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Fairfax and the Town of Vienna. Prior to joining Walsh Colucci, Bob gained valuable experience representing condominium and homeowners associations throughout Northern Virginia. Bob graduated from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC after earning a Bachelor’s degree in government from the College of William and Mary. He and his family currently reside in Fairfax County.

Kevin Reynolds is Executive Vice President and Regional President, Director of Sales for United Bank, a subsidiary of United Bankshares, Inc. with $14 billion in assets and over 80 branches in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Formerly president and director of sales for Cardinal Financial Corporation, Kevin joined United Bank in April 2017, following its acquisition of Cardinal Bank. Prior to establishing Cardinal Bank with a select group of community bankers in 1998, he held executive and management positions with several leading area financial institutions, including George Mason Bank and American Security Bank. Kevin’s volunteer efforts, business expertise, and hands-on support have helped organizations throughout the area raise funds and awareness for their causes. His contributions have made a difference to organizations as diverse as the American Heart Association, Cornerstones, The Economic Club of Washington, DC, Rotary International, The Gladney Center for Adoption, Children’s Science Center, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Special Olympics, Homestretch and The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation. He serves as chairman of the United Cardinal Classic, an annual golf tournament that has raised $5.3 million to benefit Inova Kellar Center and community organizations around the area. Kevin’s contributions toward improving the quality of life in the region are widely recognized and reflect his years of service and dedication. He was elected board chairman of the 2015 World Police & Fire Games, the second largest multi-sport event in the world, surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games. He was awarded the 2012 Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year for Large Businesses, and was finalist for the 2012 Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Executive Leader of the Year. Kevin was named the 2010 Business Citizen of the Year by the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce and was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2009 as one of Washington’s most outstanding fundraising volunteers. That same year, he was honored by Leadership Fairfax with a Regional Leadership Award for fundraising leadership. A graduate of The College of William and Mary, Reynolds earned an MBA in Finance/Business from The George Washington University. He lives in Oakton, Virginia with his wife, Stacey, their two children, and two golden retrievers.