Jason Berry was raised in Los Angeles with a passion for cooking and dining. From a young age, he gravitated to the restaurant industry where his love of all things food could be combined with a deep respect for genuine hospitality. He received a BS in Business Entrepreneurship and Japanese from the University of Southern California and later earned an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In over three decades in the restaurant business, Jason has worked with a wide variety of concepts from Wendy’s to California Pizza Kitchen and Houston’s (Hillstone) in both front and back of house positions. In 2004, he joined Rosa Mexicano as Regional Director of Operations, overseeing the company’s growth from three to nineteen locations around the world. He was named Chief Operating Officer in 2011. In 2014, Jason moved to Washington, D.C. and formed KNEAD Hospitality + Design with his partner Michael Reginbogin. Together, they have collaborated on the design and creation of what is now the KNEAD family of restaurants.

Anthony Lanier founded EastBanc in 1987 and remains its President and majority shareholder. In his capacity as President, Anthony is involved in all development decisions and strategic direction of the firm. Over the course of his career Anthony has co-developed over four million sf. of mixed use commercial Real Estate in multiple countries, with a transaction volume in excess of three billion dollars.

He believes in urban revitalization, long-term values and superior quality paired with forward looking design in all aspects of re-development. Coupled with that philosophy he aims for long-term aggregation of assets and real estate as a complete business environment.

Reed Landry is the co-founder and managing partner of Mission Group, which operates six bars and restaurants in Washington DC including Mission Dupont, Hawthorne, Mission Navy Yard, The Admiral, Salazar and Royal Sands Social Club. Reed and his business partner Fritz Brogan have overseen two large scale build-outs, including the newly opened Royal Sands Social Club (13k sf) and its next door neighbor Mission Navy Yard (12k sf) as well as four refurbishments of second generation spaces. Mission Group employs more than 500 local residents and lives by the adage that it is more fun to eat in a bar than to drink in a restaurant.

Anna Valero is president and co-founder of Pirate Ventures, a hospitality and media company

which focuses on Delivering the Unexpected by curating environments and experiences where

people feel welcome, acknowledged and safe.

She transformed an 80 year-old former drug store into Hook Hall, DC’s premiere 13,000 square-

foot multi-flex venue where corporate events, neighborhood gatherings, weddings, bar mitzvahs

and community programming like movie nights and farmer’s market functions are hosted. She

and her business partner launched the first axe throwing and rage room concept in the DMV –

Kraken Axes & Rage, with multiple locations. Pirate Ventures’ events company has built more

than 19 different event properties to date, including the iconic Taste of DC, Drink the District,

Rock the Core and Cherry Blossom Beer & Wine Festival.

With a diverse background in event planning and production, fundraising and marketing and

brand campaigns, Anna’s projects have taken her to locations around the world. For past

clients she specialized in the programmatic planning and production of conferences, galas and

special meeting events for foundations and associations, such as the Rockefeller Brothers

Fund, Gates Foundation and Sister Cities International. Additionally, she has experience in

overseeing political fundraising for congressional candidates, attorney general races, as well as

assisting with the management of political action committees.

The American University graduate was recently recognized as a Washingtonian of the Year by

Washingtonian Magazine and was included on the “Power 100” list by Washington Business

Journal. She created the Hook Hall Helps initiative, a COVID-19 relief center effort started in

partnership with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to provide out-of-work

hospitality industry colleagues with access to daily meals, supplies, and up-to-date information

and training. The initiative raised nearly $1,000,000 through a mix of foundation and individual

support and provides tens of thousands of meals.

For over 35 years, Papadopoulos Properties has helped local and national landlords, retailers, and restaurateurs find success in Washington DC, Maryland & Virginia.

Hotel developer clients include Magna Hospitality, Westmont Hospitality, Highgate Hospitality, Carr Hospitality, Red Lion Hotels, Met Life, Westbrook Partners, Southern Management, Quadrangle Development, Donohoe Company,

Brands represented, Park Hyatt, Fairmont, Hilton, RL, Intercontinental, Marriott-Autograph-Ritz Carlton-Residence Inn-Marquis

A native of the Washington, DC area, Austin joined H&R in 2017 and specializes in landlord and tenant representation throughout the greater Baltimore and Washington DC region. He represents multiple regional and national landlords including KIMCO, Kite Realty, Time Equities, Finmarc, Eisner & Co, and Combined Properties. His tenant clients include national occupiers such as Chase Bank ATM, GEICO, uBreakiFix, Thrive Pet Healthcare, Goodwill, American Freight Furniture, Club Champion, Premier Martial Arts, LL Flooring, Poke Bros, and multiple local retailers.

EDUCATION, AFFILIATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Indiana University, B.S. in Sports Marketing

Member, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

Member, ChainLinks Retail Advisors

Co-Chair; The Green Group Retail Network

Paul Weinschenk is Chief Operating Officer at Peterson Companies where he oversees all aspects of the company’s retail, office, and industrial operating portfolios, including asset management, leasing, risk management, and marketing.

Previously, he was Vice President and Managing Director for the Retail Division at Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRE) and oversaw the growth and operations of WRE’s then 2.4 million square foot retail portfolio.

Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Peterson Companies as Vice President of Retail Development and was instrumental in the development and leasing of Fairfax Corner, Virginia Gateway and East Market among others.

He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and served a three-year term as State Director for Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. Paul is also past President of the University of Virginia School of Architecture Foundation.

Paul holds a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Masters of Business Administration from The Keenan-Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina.

As the President of Rappaport, Henry Fonvielle oversees the leasing strategy for third-party

landlord and tenant representation services and all shopping centers within the company’s

extensive portfolio. Dedicated to reinvigorating, designing, and constructing top-tier mixed-use

developments and shopping centers within the D.C. market, Henry utilizes over 35 years of

experience in the retail industry to create well-organized and exceptional projects from

conception to completion. With comprehensive knowledge in a wide array of retail types

including urban, mixed-use, neighborhood, lifestyle, and power centers, Henry is recognized as

a trusted retail advisor and an expert in the commercial real estate industry.

His ability to form and cultivate close-knit partnerships within his team and among his clients

enhanced Rappaport’s reputation as a well-respected and experienced firm committed to

cultivating places. Under his leadership, the company’s leasing and brokerage portfolio soared

from 35 to over 170 properties. Prior to joining Rappaport, Henry was Senior Vice President and

Retail Department Head for the Vornado/Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty.

Henry is Co-Founder of the Skyland Workforce Center Leadership Council, member of the

Executive Leadership Team for the Alzheimer’s Association – Ride to End ALZ, Emeritus

member of the Foundation Board and Ball Chair of Children’s National Hospital, member of the

Bisnow Diversity Board, Board member for Tall Ship Providence Foundation, Board member

and Gala Chair for Atlas Performing Arts Center, and At-Large member of the Board of the

USTA-Mid-Atlantic. Henry formerly served as Vice-Chair for Washington Tennis and Education

Foundation, Board member for Federal City Council and Washington DC Economic Partnership.

Drew Gorman has over thirty years’ experience in the shopping center development business. Mr. Gorman is a Principal for MCB Real Estate. Prior to joining MCB, he was Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for ECHO Realty. Prior to joining ECHO, Drew was the Managing Director for Faison where he was responsible for all development, leasing and sales activities for the Northeast / Mid-Atlantic region. He also served as Senior Vice President of development for Palisades Realty & Development and Chief Operating Officer-Northeast Region for Federal Realty Investment Trust.

In 2021, Mr. Gorman joined MCB Real Estate as a Principal, to bolster and co-lead their development, acquisitions and asset management departments. Since joining MCB, Mr. Gorman has been involved in the acquisition and development of multiple projects totaling over 2 million square feet in all major asset classes.

Mr. Gorman has a M.B.A. degree from Loyola College in Baltimore and a B.S. degree from Towson University. He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute.

As Executive Vice President of Leasing for Macerich, F.K. Grunert oversees merchandising and leasing for the company’s one-of-a-kind, market-dominant retail properties in the New York City, Washington, D.C. and Chicago areas. He directs leasing strategies not only for existing properties but also for redevelopments, a core strength for Macerich.

With more than 20 years in the retail real estate industry, Mr. Grunert started his career in research with Finard & Company, and later relocated to Rochester, NY, to join the Wilmorite leasing team. He became part of Macerich in 2004 with the acquisition of Wilmorite.

He has been instrumental in shaping the success of a number of key Macerich properties, including Tysons Corner Center and Queens Center, as well as the ongoing repositioning of Kings Plaza and Green Acres Mall.

Mr. Grunert graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from St. Lawrence University. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, as well a board member of a local private ski club.

Patrick Slagle has been a dynamic presence in the retail commercial real estate industry since 2009. Now as a Vice President at Colliers, Patrick specializes in restaurant and hospitality leasing and acquisitions with a focus on planning and development of new and existing concepts. This focus is accompanied by a vast network of local and global operators and landlords as well as concept development through financial modeling, operational planning, portfolio management, and systems implementation. Patrick brings a unique perspective to a wide range of client needs through years of working in the hospitality with a focus on the physical needs of an ever-demanding industry. Prior to joining Colliers, Patrick worked at boutique brokerage firms in DC to continue the growth of some of the best operators and neighborhood developments in the DC Market.

Nicole Hall is the Business Development Manager for Restaurant Retail for the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation. In this role, Nicole is responsible for the attraction, retention, and expansion of Prince George’s County business. Nicole obtained her BS in Business Administration from The College of New Jersey and is an alum of the Cornell University NGA Executive Leadership Development Program. Originally from New Jersey, Nicole Hall is a successful business professional with 20 years of experience in sales, procurement, business development, and project management.

She started her career as a Store Manager with Acme Markets, where she quickly ascended the ranks. This experience led her to understand the food retail supply chain. Nicole honed her sales, procurement, and supply chain skills as a category manager for Wakefern Foods. In this role, Nicole managed a $500 Million sales portfolio and facilitated record-breaking sales campaigns for top CPG brands. Nicole is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and leads the Prince George’s County Delegation to the Annual Retail Convention in Las Vegas. In her current role, Nicole was instrumental in the successful openings of key attractions to Prince George’s County due to her thorough retail knowledge, strategic planning, and business development skill set.

Kent S. Digby serves as Executive Vice President and Senior Asset Manager for all Peterson entities at National Harbor. Kent oversees the effective operation of National Harbor, a 350 acre mixed-use development featuring hotels (including the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and MGM National Harbor), offices, thousands of residential units, scores of shops and restaurants, a marina, and The Capital Wheel.

As an Executive, Kent offers an impressive record of hands-on leadership with excellent communication skills which he uses to continually motivate focused teams toward goal attainment. He is known for providing a stabilizing influence regardless of the situation and is persistent, resourceful and innovative with relentless initiative and exceptional problem solving skills. Kent has been a valued employee of Peterson Companies for over 10 years. He was instrumental in opening National Harbor, and has played a key role in making National Harbor an exciting waterfront destination and exceptional community.

Prior to joining Peterson Companies, Kent served as the Executive Vice President of Management & Marketing for the Mills Corporation for over 15-years.

Kent serves as the President of the National Harbor Owner's Association as well as President and Chairman of the National Harbor Convention & Visitors Association.