DMV 2025 Office Summit

Jason Winans is the Executive Vice President of Asset Management at CCLC, overseeing all leasing and property management activities. Jason has over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate, focusing on asset management and acquisitions of a variety of property types including office, retail, multi-family, mixed-use properties. Prior to joining the Land Company, Jason worked for Stonebridge Associates, RECP, Barings, and most recently BentallGreenOak. A graduate of SUNY Binghamton, Jason lives in Loudoun County, Virginia with his wife and two children.

Melina Duggal, AICP is the Senior Director of Market Analytics at CoStar and Homes.com in Washington, D.C., where she provides strategic insights on real estate trends across for-sale, multifamily, office, industrial, and retail sectors. With over 25 years in real estate consulting and market analytics, Melina has advised developers, investors, and policymakers on market conditions and investment strategies. She teaches real estate at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Previously, she led Duggal Real Estate Advisors, taught at the University of Maryland and George Mason University, and worked with RCLCO, a real estate consulting firm. Melina holds a bachelor’s degree in honors anthropology and Spanish and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan.

William Ruppe is the Vice President of the Government Services Group at Lincoln Property Company, where he represents property owners in lease and development opportunities with the Federal Government. With a focus on the D.C. Metro region, William brings years of experience as a Tenant Representative for the Federal Government, overseeing procurements for leased space. He has worked on high-profile projects, such as the TSA Headquarters in Springfield, VA and the USCIS Headquarters in Camp Springs, MD. With his expertise in the federal real estate market, William has also played a key role in projects such as the SBA Headquarters in Washington, DC and the CISA SCIF in Arlington, VA. Additionally, he has played a crucial role in the development of the TSA Training Center in Atlanta, GA and the CBP Field Office in Atlanta, GA. With his vast knowledge and experience in the federal real estate market, William is a trusted advisor to his clients. His dedication to providing exceptional service and his ability to navigate complex government procurement processes make him a highly sought-after expert in his field.

Byrdy Kelley is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Melan Property Management. She is responsible for the oversight of Melan’s strategic direction, and overall growth. With over twenty years of experience in the commercial and multifamily real estate industry, Byrdy’s wealth of knowledge allows her to successfully develop lasting relationships with clients while continuing to expand Melan’s reputation for providing above and beyond top-tier service. Over the span of her career, Byrdy’s managed 2,310 multi-family conventional and affordable units, and over $3 billion and 51M sqft in commercial assets. Byrdy has held leadership titles for industry-related organizations, participated on national boards and received a local and regional TOBY award with BOMA, along with an international nomination. She has held her Green Associates Certification with USGBC and holds her Certified Property Manager Certification with IREM.

Lauren Riley joined the Firm in 2019 and works in the Land Use and Zoning practice group in the Arlington office. She primarily focuses on securing zoning and land use entitlements including rezonings, special permits, and special exceptions. Before joining the firm, Lauren worked for the general practice law firm of Walton & Adams, P.C., where she gained valuable experience in eminent domain practice, zoning and land use research, and civil litigation. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Alabama in 2015 and graduated from William & Mary Law School in 2018, where she was an articles editor for the William & Mary Business Law Review. While in law school, Lauren was a summer associate for the Firm and for the City of Hampton Attorney’s Office. She also served as a research assistant to Professor Lynda L. Butler, working on global land use and environmental research.

Katie oversees the leasing of TMG’s 5.6 million square foot office portfolio. She manages both landlord and tenant broker relationships and leads all proposal and lease negotiations on TMG’s behalf. Katie has over 22 years of experience in commercial real estate, including in-house leasing, brokerage and market research. Prior to joining TMG, Katie was a vice president with Boston Properties, where she oversaw the company’s Reston Town Center portfolio. She began her career with Lincoln Property Company, where she focused on research and brokerage in Washington, DC. Katie received her B.S. in management from Georgetown University.

Adam is a Senior Vice President, Managing Director of the DC leasing team. Adam’s responsibilities include co-managing the Washington, D.C. leasing team, alongside Merrill Turnbull. The team brings an expert approach to marketing, leasing and sales of commercial real estate while providing clients with analysis of lease terms and market information. Adam joined Lincoln Property Company in 2006 and has completed over 3 million square feet of lease or sale transactions totaling over $1.6B in gross value representing multiple third party landlords. He also works with numerous private sector tenants on their real estate requirements. He is a licensed salesperson in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland. Adam is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and a graduate of Shepherd University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Adam resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife and four children.

Brendan Dowd is the Vice President of Sales at Boland, the leading provider of commercial HVAC systems, services, and building energy solutions in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Since joining the company in 2001, Brendan has held progressively senior roles across sales, operations, and management, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his leadership. Prior to his current position, Brendan served as Service Team Leader, where he managed key client relationships and played a pivotal role in enhancing brand recognition for the Boland organization. Brendan’s career has been shaped by more than two decades of hands-on experience within Boland, complemented by a strong academic foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph’s University, an MBA from the University of Maryland, and is a LEED Green Associate (LEED GA), underscoring his commitment to sustainable building practices and energy efficiency.

Will Pizzano is the Director of Preconstruction at Pizzano Contractors, a third-generation, family-owned commercial general contractor based in Alexandria, VA. Since joining the firm, Will has been instrumental in guiding its growth across the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with a particular focus on commercial interiors, building repositionings, secured spaces, and office-to-residential conversions. Under his leadership, Pizzano has successfully delivered transformative projects for some of the region’s most prominent owners, developers, and tenants, including major repositionings at Market Square, 80 M Street, and 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. With a reputation for providing reliable budgets, minimizing disruption during occupied renovations, and fostering strong partnerships with building and leasing teams, Will helps position Pizzano Contractors as a trusted partner in reshaping the DC office market. He represents the third generation of the Pizzano family carrying forward the company’s “Whatever.It.Takes” ethos, established in 1958. Will lives in Alexandria with his wife and two daughters and can be found fishing wherever water is wet in his free time.

For the past 20 years, Bob Bradley has helped scale software and technology companies from early-stage startups to mature, high-growth organizations by building scalable and repeatable revenue engines. He currently serves as Vice President of North America at Re-Leased, a global leader in property management software, helping their clients run a better real estate business. Previously, Bob was Chief Revenue Officer at Leonardo247, where he played a key role in driving growth and value creation. He has also held senior leadership roles in multiple EdTech, AdTech and GovTech companies, including leading one to a successful exit. Bob holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

Austen Holderness serves as Carr Properties’ Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer and oversees all ground-up development activity at Carr Properties, from deal acquisition through the stabilization of each asset, including oversight of all matters related to design, development, construction management, and joint ventures. His responsibilities include sourcing and evaluating new development opportunities. Prior to joining Carr Properties, Austen distinguished himself as a Senior Development Associate at CarrAmerica Realty Corporation. During his career he has managed $2.75 billion (five million square feet) in commercial real estate development. Austen received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina and his Master of Business Administration from the Darden School of Business at The University of Virginia.

Brian A. Cotter is an Executive Vice President of Commercial Leasing with JBG SMITH, where he is responsible for the firm’s commercial leasing efforts. Mr. Cotter oversees a portfolio of properties totaling more than 8 million square feet, along with future development projects in National Landing, Reston, and the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor. He also plays a leading role in the creation and implementation of JBG SMITH’s marketing efforts throughout the DC region. Prior to joining JBG SMITH, Mr. Cotter spent the previous ten years at Tishman Speyer, where he focused on office leasing throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. During his tenure at Tishman Speyer, he participated in the completion of more than three million square feet of transactions. Prior to Tishman Speyer, Brian worked for CBRE in Tysons Corner where he focused on office research in Northern Virginia. He is an active member of NAIOP Northern Virginia, a board member of CoreNet Global, and is the immediate past president and current board member of the Commercial Real Estate Broker Association of Greater Washington, DC.

As Senior Vice President and Head of Residential Development, Stephen is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day efforts for residential/mixed-use projects nationally with involvement in acquisition, finance, construction, and management activities. Stephen’s experience has been interdisciplinary with contributions to several complex and high-profile projects across a wide variety of asset types. Prior to joining the firm, Stephen worked at the Related Companies across the development platform with involvement in a multitude of ground-up new development, fund investment re-development, asset management, acquisitions, and design/construction oversight efforts in both New York and Boston. Prior to Related Companies, Stephen worked as a Project Architect/Team Lead at Rafael Viñoly Architects on projects including 432 Park Avenue in New York and Marble Arch Park in London. Prior to RVA, Stephen worked with the Mitchell Architectural Group on various professional/academic research, healthcare, and advanced technology projects across New England. Stephen holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology. He has lectured and served as a design critic at various universities, is a licensed architect and private pilot.

Mr. Sullivan is responsible for overall project execution of new mixed-use, office, and residential buildings in the Washington, DC region. From acquiring new sites, securing entitlements, leading design, to overseeing construction, Sean coordinates all aspects of a project’s life cycle. Sean is currently managing 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue (480,000 trophy office building), and leading the entitlement effort on a new downtown residential opportunity (in excess of 500 residential units). Prior to BXP, Mr. Sullivan served as a Development Associate with Merlone Geier Partners in San Francisco, an Investment Sales Associate for CBRE in Tokyo, Japan, and an Investment Sales Analyst at Trammell Crow Company. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the UCLA-Anderson School of Management.

As Vice President, Patrick has the experience necessary to look at a project and identify scheduling and cost gaps, and he has the ability to fill those gaps with creative and innovative solutions. He helps clients and designers from the concept phase onward to find the right path to building efficiently. Building repositioning is an extensive process with complicated sequences, and Patrick finds the simple solutions hidden within the elaborate operations. Having been with DAVIS since he graduated college, he has played a fundamental role in positioning DAVIS as one of the nation's best builders. Patrick also ensures our teams have the support they need to make every project a winner. He also contributes his time to organizations that make our industry better, like Leadership Greater Washington!

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.

Brandon Ernst is the Senior Executive Vice President at Lincoln Property Company. Brandon has thirty years of diversified professional experience in real estate property management and facilities. His primary responsibility is the oversight of Lincoln Property Company’s Mid Atlantic Region for a variety of institutional third party managed real estate assets including high and low rise commercial office buildings, retail centers, service centers/warehouse facilities and industrial parks totaling approximately 26 million square feet.