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Election Recap: What The Results Mean for D.C's CRE Future

Elliot Doomes

Elliot Doomes

Commissioner, Public Building Services (PBS)

General Services Administration (GSA)

Bob Peck

Bob Peck

Former PBS Commissioner, GSA

Government Practice Co-Chair, Gensler

Daniel Mathews

Daniel Mathews

Member of the Public Buildings Reform Board

Founder, Mathews Associates

Norman Dong

Norman Dong

Former PBS Commissioner, GSA

Partner, FD Stonewater

Darian LeBlanc
Moderator

Darian LeBlanc

Executive Vice Chair

Cushman & Wakefield

Elliot Doomes

Commissioner, Public Building Services (PBS)

General Services Administration (GSA)

Elliot Doomes serves as the Commissioner of the Public

Buildings Service (PBS) at the U.S. General Services

Administration (GSA).

As PBS Commissioner, Elliot manages the nationwide

asset management, design, construction, leasing,

building management and disposal of approximately 360

million square feet of government-owned and leased

space across the United States and six territories.

Elliot joined GSA as Regional Administrator for the

National Capital Region in January 2023. Prior to GSA, Elliot served as Professional

Staff on the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the

Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives. He also served as Counsel

for the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency

Management on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of

Representatives for over a decade. His principal responsibility was to advise Committee

Members on GSA’s Real Property activities.

Doomes began his career as a Legislative Assistant in the office of Congresswoman

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) where his primary focus was on economic development

in the District of Columbia. His signature staff work included passage of the Federal and

District of Columbia Real Property Act of 2006, which executed a complicated land

exchange between the District of Columbia, GSA, the National Park Service, and the

Architect of the Capitol that has enabled hundreds of millions of dollars of economic

development within the District of Columbia.

Doomes graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

and earned a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center in

Washington, D.C.

Bob Peck

Former PBS Commissioner, GSA

Government Practice Co-Chair, Gensler

Bob brings tremendous professional experience and industry expertise to his dual roles as a Leader of Gensler’s Firmwide Government Practice and the Southeast Region Director of Consulting. Bob served for eight years as Commissioner of the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service, responsible for design, construction, leasing and management for more than 375 million square feet of space housing more than 1.1 million employees with an annual budget of more than $9 billion. He has been a land use attorney, commercial real estate mortgage banker and broker and has also served as President of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Vice President for Public Affairs at the American Institute of Architects. He received his B.A. cum laude with distinction in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Yale Law School. A Gensler Principal, Bob has been a visiting Loeb Fellow at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and a visiting lecturer at Yale College. An Honorary Member of both the AIA and American Society of Landscape Architects, in 2012 he received the AIA Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture.

Daniel Mathews

Member of the Public Buildings Reform Board

Founder, Mathews Associates

After 25 years of federal service in Congress and the executive branch, Dan founded Mathews Associates LLC in 2021 as a strategic consulting and business development firm. He helps his clients navigate the highest levels of Washington and the complex world of federal real estate and government procurements to expand their revenue, identify new partners and enter new markets. In 2024, President Biden appointed Mathews to the Public Buildings Reform Board, which is tasked with making recommendations to realign the federal real estate portfolio. He also serves on the Industry Advisory Group of the US State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. In addition, Mathews is a board member of both the Federal Real Property Association and the National Federal Development Association. He has extensive experience with federal real estate issues and served as Commissioner of the US General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service, where he led the 375 million square foot civilian real estate portfolio of the federal government, over 5,000 employees, and a $12 billion budget. Mathews graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in government and philosophy. He is married, has two daughters, and resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

Norman Dong

Former PBS Commissioner, GSA

Partner, FD Stonewater

Norman Dong served as the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service (PBS) for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

As PBS Commissioner, Mr. Dong lead one of the largest and most diversified public real estate organizations in the world. Mr. Dong managed the nationwide asset management, design, construction, leasing, building management and disposal of approximately 374 million square feet of government-owned and leased space, accommodating over 1 million federal workers, and covering all 50 states, six U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Additionally, Mr. Dong oversaw an annual budget of approximately $10 billion and a workforce of almost 6,000.

Prior to joining GSA, Mr. Dong was Acting Controller at Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he was responsible for coordinating government-wide improvements in all areas of financial management, including financial reporting, improper payments, open government, and real property management.

In addition to his Federal experience, Mr. Dong also has worked at the state and local levels of government. In the District of Columbia, he held several positions, including Deputy Mayor for Operations and City Administrator under Mayor Anthony A. Williams. And in Connecticut, he served as special assistant for finance and accounting in the Office of the State Comptroller.

Mr. Dong also has experience working in the private sector. In his role as Vice President at ACS, Inc., he managed several business units that provided operational and financial solutions for state and local government clients.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a Master’s degree from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. He currently resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two sons.

Darian LeBlanc

Moderator

Cushman & Wakefield

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

A Wave of Relief: 2025 Economic Outlook

What the Fed rate cut implications mean for investment and financial trends moving forward

Lee Chen

Lee Chen

Managing Director

HH Fund

Moriah Thomas Parker

Moriah Thomas Parker

SVP, Portfolio Management and Investor Relations

FCP

Rachel Salerno

Rachel Salerno

Managing Director

Artemis Real Estate Partners

Bob Buchanan

Bob Buchanan

Founding Principal

Buchanan Partners

Mark Franceski
Moderator

Mark Franceski

Managing Director - Research & Securities - Research

Zelman & Associates

Moriah Thomas Parker

SVP, Portfolio Management and Investor Relations

FCP

Moriah Thomas Parker leads client development and strategic capital raising execution, including maintaining relations with current investors and expanding the firm’s institutional, consultant, and wealth management capital relationships. In addition, Thomas Parker is responsible for strategic portfolio analysis, on-going fund management, and portfolio risk evaluation. She is a member of the firm’s management committee and serves as the sponsor of FCP’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion operational committee. Prior to joining FCP, she worked at The Carlyle Group, where she managed financial reporting & analysis for the Europe, Ireland, and Middle East Northern Africa buyout private equity strategies. Thomas Parker is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association, Urban Land Institute (mentor for WLI Virginia inaugural Career Development Program for Women of Color) and African American Real Estate Professionals of DC. She graduated from Howard University where she earned her BBA with a concentration in Finance. Moriah also holds a Real Estate Financial Analytics Certificate from MIT School of Architecture and Planning.

Rachel Salerno

Managing Director

Artemis Real Estate Partners

Ms. Salerno is a Managing Director responsible for global capital raising at Artemis. Ms. Salerno has 10 years of investment management experience building and strengthening relationships with institutional as well as high net worth investors and consultants. Ms. Salerno joined Artemis in September 2013 and is based in metropolitan Washington, DC.

Prior to joining Artemis, Ms. Salerno worked at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC and the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy. Ms. Salerno holds a BS in Political Science from Clemson University and an MA in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Ms. Salerno sits on the International Affinity Group of the Pension Real Estate Association (PREA) and participates in the following associations where Artemis holds membership: Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE), International Real Estate Inc. (IREI), Asian Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles (ANREV), and the European Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles (INREV).

Bob Buchanan

Founding Principal

Buchanan Partners

Mr. Buchanan is a Principal of Buchanan Partners, a full service real estate

development company in office, retail, industrial, residential, and large mixeduse

planned communities. Mr. Buchanan is the President of the 2030 Group, an

association of Washington metropolitan area business leaders focused on

regional long-term decision-making and solutions. The mission of the 2030 Group

is to advance a strong regional economy with new employment opportunities

and sustainable prosperity for current and future residents of the Washington

metropolitan area.

Mr. Buchanan was recently recognized in the Washington Business Journal’s

“Power 100” list of the region’s most influential business leaders. Until recently, Mr.

Buchanan was chair of VisArts, a premier visual arts organization in the capital

region that’s based in Rockville. His extensive past community involvement also

involves Chair of Loudoun County Economic Development Commission and

Founding Member of the Ballston Partnership.

Mark Franceski

Moderator

Zelman & Associates

Mark Franceski is a managing director of research and securities at Zelman & Associates, based in Bethesda, Maryland. In his role, he is responsible for leading multifamily industry and REIT research for the firm. He has nearly 20 years' experience as a commercial real estate market research expert and data strategist specializing in the multifamily sector. Prior to Zelman, Mr. Franceski served as executive director of multifamily analytics at global brokerage Avison Young and spent 10 years as head of research at Bozzuto, a national mixed-use investor, developer, builder, and operator, where he focused on market research, business intelligence, and data analytics. Mr. Franceski earned his bachelors degree in economics from Washington and Lee University and his masters degree in business administration from George Mason University. Outside of the company, he serves as adjunct faculty for Georgetown University’s master’s in real estate program, teaching real estate market research and analysis. Mr. Franceski lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and four children.

The Developer's Outlook: Our 2025 Forecast

From affordability to hottest submarkets, learn what owners see in store for D.C. in the New Year

Andrew Son

Andrew Son

CEO

District Wharf Properties

Thomas Skinner

Thomas Skinner

Managing Partner

Redbrick LMD

Michael Darby

Michael Darby

Principal & co-Founder

Monument Realty

Carmen Romero

Carmen Romero

President and CEO

True Ground Housing Partners

Chris Boone

Chris Boone

Vice President of Multifamily

Lessard Design

Marcus Goodwin
Moderator

Marcus Goodwin

Managing Director

Cushman & Wakefield

Andrew Son

CEO

District Wharf Properties

Andrew Son is the President of District Wharf Properties, the company that oversees the investment in The District Wharf (“The Wharf”), a 3.5 million square foot mixed-use waterfront neighborhood located on the Washington Channel of the Potomac River. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations and strategic plan for his firm, Andrew is responsible for the overall performance, operations, and financing of The Wharf, a multibillion-dollar development that includes 1.0 million square feet of trophy and Class-A Office, 904 apartment units, 821 hotel rooms, over 400,000 square feet of entertainment, restaurants, and shops, a world-class marina, and over 17 acres of park and public spaces.Previously, Andrew led Asset Management for The Wharf as Senior Vice President for Madison Marquette, co-General Partner for the project. He was also Vice President of Asset Management at JBG SMITH Properties (NYSE: JBGS), where he managed 33 retail and mixed-use properties in the JBGS REIT and legacy private equity funds, including the company’s extensive retail footprint in National Landing, Virginia, home of Amazon’s second headquarters (HQ2). Andrew has also held positions in asset management, development, and finance with RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ), Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT), and JLL (NYSE: JLL). Andrew is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Additionally, he serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board for the Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) in Washington, DC and in several volunteer leadership positions with Dartmouth College, where he earned an AB in Government.

Thomas Skinner

Managing Partner

Redbrick LMD

Tom Skinner is a founding member of Redbrick LMD and is one of the firm’s three Managing Partners. He has invested in and developed close to $2 billion in real estate assets and established a pipeline of over $4 billion in future development projects.

Prior to founding Redbrick, Tom invested in or founded numerous operating businesses primarily in the real estate, technology and financial services industries. Tom began his professional career at McKinsey & Co. where he worked with financial institutions on strategy issues. Tom earned his Ph.D. in economics from MIT and his BA in economics from Oxford University.

Michael Darby

Principal & co-Founder

Monument Realty

Michael J Darby is the principal and founder of Monument Realty, one of the most prolific integrated real estate service firms in the Washington, DC area. Mr. Darby has built Monument into a full-service real estate firm with expertise in Acquisitions, Development, Construction Management, Property Management, Leasing, Investment Sales for Commercial, Residential and Retail property. Through his dynamic leadership and visionary thinking, Mr. Darby has been a driving force in Monument's success for over 23 years and an active member of the Washington region's construction and development industry for nearly 40 years. Mr. Darby served as a senior vice president for Akridge prior to founding Monument. He also directed a number of downtown development projects while at The Carr Company, including such landmark restoration projects as the Willard Hotel and the Southern Railway Building. Today, Monument is transforming neighborhoods throughout the DMV with innovative projects like the new SoNYa district and residential buildings in NoMa, as well as the unprecedented assemblage and preservation project in Chinatown.

Mr. Darby began his career in his native Australia, working with a Melbourne-based general contractor, and holds a degree in Construction Engineering and Business from the University of Melbourne. Mr. Darby has been active in numerous regional real estate organizations over the years and encourages Monument employees to participate in leadership roles in such organizations as the DC Building Industry Association, NAIOP, ULI, Real Estate Group and CREW DC. He is an avid skier, cyclist and kite-surfer and enjoys community outreach. He and his company have been long time supporters of the annual Real Estate Games, a charitable sports competition that supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and he was the co-chair for six years.

Chris Boone

Vice President of Multifamily

Lessard Design

As Vice President at Lessard Design, Christopher leverages over 25 years of proven leadership in architecture and construction, guiding projects through every phase of development-from visionary concepts to successful execution. His expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family residential, where he has consistently delivered transformative designs that balance creativity with functionality. Renowned for his ability to meet demanding deadlines and exceed client expectations, Christopher is committed to shaping vibrant, sustainable communities through innovative solutions. On a national scale, he has played a pivotal role in managing complex, high-profile developments, with budgets reaching up to $400 million-demonstrating his strategic oversight and unwavering focus on excellence.

Marcus Goodwin

Moderator

Cushman & Wakefield

Mr. Goodwin is a Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield where he specializes in representing clients in lease transactions, acquisitions/dispositions, and financing assignments. He is an expert in financial modeling, deal sourcing, deal structuring and execution. In his career, he has underwritten dozens of completed acquisitions and has handled all phases of commercial real estate development. He also has extensive relationships across national political and non-profit organizations. Marcus uses his unique experience and skill set to facilitate complex transactions. Mr. Goodwin received his BA in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Real Estate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Opening Remarks

Joe LeMense

Joe LeMense

Managing Director

United Bank

Joe LeMense

Managing Director

United Bank

Joseph LeMense is the managing director of community development & nonprofit banking at United Bank, the largest headquartered community bank in Greater Washington. With over 40 years of experience, LeMense guides the Bank’s nonprofit business development and lending initiatives throughout the Bank’s markets in eight states and the District. He focuses on providing personalized financial solutions to mission-based organizations involved in community development, affordable housing, education, social services and trade associations. LeMense joined United Bank in 2004, most recently serving as a senior vice president of commercial banking. In this role, he developed and managed long-term lending relationships, primarily in the nonprofit, biotech and government contracting industries. LeMense’s areas of expertise include tax exempt bond finance, tax increment finance, Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) financing and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) and New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) financing. A fifth-generation Washingtonian and fourth-generation graduate of Georgetown University, LeMense is a board member of the Jubilee Housing Advisory Board and a former mayoral appointee to the D.C. Public Charter School Credit Enhancement Fund Committee. He is an active volunteer and advisor with the Georgetown University Alumni Club of Washington, D.C. as well as a guest lecturer at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business. A 2015 graduate of Leadership Montgomery, Joe was also a charter member and past president of the Metro Bethesda Rotary Club.

Why You Can't Miss Our Final Event of 2024

What You'll Learn:

  • After almost a year of anticipation, the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates by half a percentage point, providing one of the more significant cuts since March 2020. With some investors breathing a sigh of relief, and other fearing implications of a looming recession, how can D.C. investors best prepare for the new year?

  • As D.C.'s political officials and developers work to reform policy on evictions that have impacted local developers, how will the focus on policy impact affordability in and around the District moving forward?

  • No matter who wins, a new President will be in office come January. How will changes in policy impact development, infastructure, and economic trends throughout the District?

  • With new leases and grants from GSA, how does the changing federal government's office footprint impact local deals and developments?

  • What do top developers predicts will be the lasting trends come 2025?

Why this Matters: "Survive Til '25" suddenly takes on a whole new meaning for D.C.'s owners, developers, and investors. In the last month alone, there has been massive shifts in terms of economic, political, investment and development outlooks throughout the District, directly influenced by current events. Join us for our final DMV event of the year as we opine on how rate cuts, elections, and policy may change the fabric of D.C. development and investment come 2025. 

Who You'll Meet: D.C.'s top owners, developers, policymakers, investors, leaders, and more. 

For questions regarding our content, speaking, and sponsorship opportunities, please email our Director of Event Production, Elizabeth Baker, at liz.baker@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact ellie.boyle@bisnow.com no later than 7 business days prior to the event.

Articles You Need to Read

Venue

The Westin Georgetown, Washington D.C.
2350 M Street NW
Washington D.C. 20037

Ballroom: Washington Ballroom and Washington Foyer


Hourly Self-Parking
Valet Day Parking: $38 plus tax

Get Directions

Agenda

Time Activity
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
Registration, Breakfast and Networking
2:00 PM
2:45 PM
Election Recap: What The Results Mean for D.C's CRE Future
2:45 PM
3:00 PM
Networking Break!
3:00 PM
3:45 PM
A Wave of Relief: 2025 Economic Outlook

What the Fed rate cut implications mean for investment and financial trends moving forward

3:45 PM
4:30 PM
The Developer's Outlook: Our 2025 Forecast

From affordability to hottest submarkets, learn what owners see in store for D.C. in the New Year

4:30 PM
5:00 PM
Additional Networking!

Sponsors

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