Fireside Chat

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  Granvel Tate

  H. Granvel Tate, III, is a senior real estate and finance executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning investment banking, real estate development, and public- private partnerships. He currently leads real estate activities at Invest Atlanta, Atlanta's economic and community development authority. He began his career at Goldman Sachs advising financial institutions on M&A and public offerings and has since held senior roles at General Growth Properties, The Michaels Organization, and Pivotal Housing Partners. His expertise includes underwriting, capital structuring, and asset management for affordable and workforce housing and mixed-use development. He holds a B.S. from Florida A&M University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

  InvestAtlanta

  VP, Real Estate Operations

  Keynote

  Granvel Tate

  VP, Real Estate Operations

  InvestAtlanta

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  Althea Broughton

  Althea is a partner in the Real Estate practice. She has held several leadership roles at the firm, including serving as the former co-chair of the Real Estate practice, and the Affordable Housing industry team, the former Hiring Partner, and the former co-chair of the Diversity Committee. Althea is a leading practitioner in real estate law, representing developers, owners, and governmental agencies in structuring complex commercial real estate transactions. While her primary focus is affordable housing and community development, she has led transactions for many different types of projects. These projects have involved joint ventures, mixed-income housing, mixed-use developments, public-private partnerships, private equity, conventional and government-based debt financing, and federal, state, and local subsidies, such as low-income housing and other tax credits and TAD funding.

  Arnall Golden Gregory

  Partner

  Moderator

  Althea Broughton

  Partner

  Arnall Golden Gregory

Creative Strategies Propelling Affordable Housing Forward

Aligning subsidies, public programs, and creative development strategy to maintain momentum in a constrained environment

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  Darion Dunn

  Darion Dunn, P.E. is a seasoned real estate developer, engineer, and civic leader with a track record of managing over $1 billion in transportation, infrastructure, and real estate projects. His expertise spans urban redevelopment, mixed-income housing, and strategic capital structuring, all driven by a commitment to creating thriving, holistic communities. Darion began his career in real estate investment while earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a Certificate in Economics at Georgia Tech. He started by acquiring and rehabilitating single-family homes, leveraging his engineering and financial acumen to implement efficient construction management and cost controls. After graduating, he expanded his portfolio to multifamily properties and founded Atlantica Properties in 2010, focusing on sustainable, community-driven real estate development. Before leading Atlantica Properties full-time, Darion built a strong foundation in engineering and project management. He worked as a Project Manager at Harrington, George & Dunn, P.C., where he gained expertise in site design, land planning, and infrastructure development. At Croy Engineering, he managed large-scale municipal bond and tax-funded projects, overseeing critical transportation and infrastructure improvements. He later served as the Director of Capital Improvements and Planning for the Buckhead Community Improvement District, where he directed high-impact urban projects that enhanced mobility and economic development in one of Atlanta’s most dynamic business districts. Beyond his professional work, Darion is actively involved in the Atlanta community, serving on the boards of the Atlanta Apartment Association, the Georgia Tech School of Civil & Environmental Engineering Advisory Board, Open Doors, and Star-C. He strongly believes that real estate development should be a catalyst for equitable growth, balancing economic opportunity with long-term affordability. His leadership at Atlantica Properties reflects this mission, ensuring that every project contributes to the strength and resilience of the communities it serves.

  Atlantica Properties

  Founding Partner

  Darion Dunn

  Founding Partner

  Atlantica Properties

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  Cecil Phillips

  CEO

  Place Properties

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  Robert Fink

  Robert Fink brings more than 20 years of experience in real estate development and accounting to his position as Chief Development Officer and has held senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. Throughout his career, Robert has focused on creating high-quality, affordable housing that meets community needs and enhances residents’ lives. His expertise includes strategic planning, site selection, financing, and fostering collaborative partnerships. As a former Vice President for a private firm in Atlanta, he played a vital role in the creation of more than 1,350 affordable housing units across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His work involved various financing mechanisms including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Tax Exempt Bonds, HOME, HUD, and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). As a previous Director of Housing Finance and Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in Atlanta, he managed the competitive scoring process for Georgia’s multifamily affordable housing program and oversaw an annual allocation of more than $550 million in federal and state tax credits. He played a key role in directing underwriting, construction, and environmental teams while providing guidance to developers about compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 42 and the Qualified Allocation Plan. Additionally, Robert advised on asset management issues, loan modifications, and other technical matters, strengthening the state’s affordable housing initiatives. As Chief Development Officer, Fink oversees project management and construction management, coordinating communications with planning, design, finance, construction, and property management associates throughout the development process. Fink is a graduate of Oglethorpe University and is a licensed CPA in Georgia. He is active in his church and resides in Gwinnett County with his wife and three children.

  Columbia Residential

  Chief Development Officer

  Robert Fink

  Chief Development Officer

  Columbia Residential

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  Joel Reed

  Joel Reed is based in Atlanta, GA and serves as Southeast Market President for Gorman & Company with a primary focus on Florida and Georgia projects. Joel has 20 years of experience in urban design, planning, and development. Joel’s experience ranges from senior affordable housing to luxury condominium buildings in Miami and the Florida Keys. He brings considerable knowledge and understanding of the development process given his history as a municipal planner, designer, development consultant, and developer in the private sector. Joel holds a Master of Arts in Urban Planning and Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, both from the University of Illinois, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Wheaton College. Joel is registered under the American Institute of Certified Planners.

  Gorman & Company

  Southeast Market President

  Joel Reed

  Southeast Market President

  Gorman & Company

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  John Hundley

  John Hundley, AIA, LEED AP is an accomplished architect and Studio Director of Rosemann & Associates’ Atlanta office. With over 30 years of experience, he leads the design team, ensuring exceptional client service and project execution. His expertise in management, planning, and design helps transform visions into reality. At Rosemann, community-focused design is at the heart of the work. Since joining in 2022, John has played a key role in shaping multifamily affordable housing, senior living, and student housing projects nationwide. His background in healthcare, commercial, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse deepens his commitment to creating housing that enriches lives. John believes good design fosters a true sense of “home.” His experience across diverse housing sectors gives him insight into evolving needs at every stage of life, ensuring functional and meaningful communities. A Memphis native, John launched his career in his hometown before living in Dallas and eventually settling in Atlanta. If you hear him humming Walking in Memphis, it’s just a nod to his roots. Outside work, he enjoys golf, home renovations, sporting events, the gym, and traveling with his fiancée, Nicole. He’s also a proud father of three college-age children pursuing their own paths in higher education.

  Rosemann & Associates

  Atlanta Studio Director

  John Hundley

  Atlanta Studio Director

  Rosemann & Associates

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  Rick Cunningham

  I am a personable, intelligent, and result-oriented leader who understands the importance of each member of my team and have a unique ability to harness and leverage every person's strengths to get remarkable results. I am a high-energy individual with strategic planning, coaching and facilitation, marketing/business development, urban design, and management expertise with over 40 years of experience in Architecture, Engineering, Planning, and Development including a focus on sustainability and resiliency. A licensed Architect from 1982, I have Master’s Degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering including course work in community, regional and transportation planning. My experience has been mostly at senior management levels; in large, medium, and small firms at local, regional, and national levels. I have been successfully responsible for managing regional programs and teams; planning and leading strategic marketing/business development plans and pursuits; planning, managing, and delivering large projects; extensive internal and external relationship development, team-building and partnership-forming; and growing staff and new offerings across multiple businesses lines in new and multiple locations to meet our clients’ needs and expectations. My experience includes 4 years as Planning Director for the City of Omaha, NE; over 4 years as the Deputy Director for Development Services for DeKalb County, GA; and currently the Southeast Region Senior Public Relations and Development Manager for LDG Development, LLC. My diverse list of clients includes federal, state, regional, county and municipal agencies and private organizations. I have served as coach, facilitator, project principal, project manager, and project architect on a range of projects which have included project planning and programming, new, renovation and retrofit construction. Projects include a full range of vertical projects and infrastructure projects (transportation, water, wastewater, and natural resources) accomplished under various contract vehicles – Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity, Open-End, General, direct and as a sub-consultant.

  LDG Development

  Senior Public Relations and Development Manager

  Moderator

  Rick Cunningham

  Senior Public Relations and Development Manager

  LDG Development

Accelerating Approvals and Delivery at Scale

Zoning, permitting, feasibility, and construction strategies to shorten timelines and reduce risk

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  Cassius Coleman

  Founding Principal

  Five Points Development

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  Torian Priestly

  As Chief Development Officer of The Benoit Group, Mr. Priestly is in- charge of day-to-day oversight and management of Real Estate Development, Development Advisory and Construction Management Operations for TBG.HealsoprovidesTheBenoitGroupwithexpertise in utilizing LIHTC, Tax-Exempt Bonds and HUD221(d)(4) financing. During his tenure with The Benoit Group, Mr. Priestly has developed over $600 Million in multi-family and senior housing units in NC, SC, GA, and IL. Mr. Priestly also has ownership in Marsh Creek Village a 20,000-square-foot retail/ office property in Atlanta. Prior to joining The Benoit Group, Mr. Priestly served as Vice President of Development for Ambling Development Partners. In this position he was responsible for overall development projects throughout the southeast, including the development of 887 units valued at $92 million. Mr. Priestly simultaneously served as VP for Ambling International, partnering with the Bermudian Government as advisor to the Island’s construction, demolition, environmental remediation, and hospitality development projects. As a member of the SunTrust CDC team and Transom Development from 2002 – 2006, Mr. Priestly served as First VP working closely with SunTrust CDC Asset Management team on existing assets as well as developing LIHTC deals for Transom Development. Prior leadership positions include the management and development of multi-family projects for Regent Partners, the construction of over 2,500 units totaling $175 million, rehabilitation and asset management of over 800 units throughout the southeast, and the leadership support in the conceptual master plan and rehabilitation plan that was instrumental in J. A. Jones Military Housing Privatization Group’s award of $150 million in U.S. Army Housing Privatization projects. Mr. Priestly has also worked for one of the largest general contractors in the country, where he served as project manager for several municipal and private developments in Atlanta and Tennessee. Education/Affiliations: A native of North Carolina, Mr. Priestly graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. He is an active member of the National Low- Income Housing Coalition and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for NC A&T State University Real Estate Foundation. Mr. Priestly is also affiliated with the following committees/ organizations: Krimson Community Foundation (KCF) Board Member Executive Committee Member of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (GA/SC) Urban Land Institute Member Former Board Chair for NC A&T Real Estate Foundation. Yes! Atlanta (Mentoring Program) Member of Atlanta Chapter of NC A&T Alumni Association Grove Park Foundation Board Member Veterans Empowerment Organization Board Member President Aggie Gentz Foundation Member of Council for Quality Growth

  Benoit Group

  CDO

  Torian Priestly

  CDO

  Benoit Group

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  Patrick Otellini

  Patrick Otellini is the National Affordable Housing Director with Swinerton and leads their affordable housing efforts in Company-wide. Prior to joining Swinerton, he served as the Chief Resilience Officer and Director of Earthquake Safety for the City and County of San Francisco under Mayor Edwin Lee and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the city’s resilience strategy: Resilient San Francisco – Stronger Today, Stronger Tomorrow. He received his Master of Construction Management from New School of Architecture and Design and his Bachelor of Political Science from Westmont College. He also serves on the boards of Rebuilding Together San Francisco and Urban Education Academy.

  Swinerton

  National Affordable Housing Director

  Patrick Otellini

  National Affordable Housing Director

  Swinerton

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  Mary Brooks

  Mary A. Brooks is an Environmental Planning Department Manager based in Terracon’s Macon, Georgia office, with more than three decades of experience in environmental planning, natural resources, and regulatory compliance. She serves as a Professional Wetland Scientist and Terracon Approved Project Reviewer, providing leadership and oversight for environmental planning services including Clean Water Act Section 404/WOTUS assessments, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, Section 401 Water Quality, threatened and endangered species evaluations, watershed protection planning, and federal and state environmental review processes. Mary has extensive experience leading complex NEPA reviews for federal, state, and municipal clients. Her work includes managing Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and Categorical Exclusions (CEs), while ensuring compliance with Section 106, Section 7, and other cross-cutting federal regulations. She regularly coordinates with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), preparing defensible documentation that supports informed decision-making and meets strict regulatory timelines. Mary is one of Terracon’s HUD Practice Resource Group Leaders and has prepared and managed HUD-related environmental reviews and applications for nearly three decades. As a Professional Wetland Scientist, Mary leads wetland delineations, jurisdictional assessments, and permitting efforts, and provides quality assurance reviews and staff development to strengthen internal technical capabilities. She also oversees watershed assessments and watershed protection plans for multiple municipalities, including the planning and execution of long-term biological monitoring programs to support Georgia Environmental Protection Division compliance. In addition, Mary leads habitat assessments and species-specific surveys for federally and state-listed threatened and endangered species, supporting Section 7 consultations and project permitting through coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Her work emphasizes technical accuracy, regulatory integrity, and collaborative solutions that reduce project risk while protecting sensitive natural resources.

  Terracon

  Environmental Planning Department Manager

  Mary Brooks

  Environmental Planning Department Manager

  Terracon

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  James Anderson

  James has over 28 years of architectural experience across a wide range of sectors, including senior living, multifamily housing, hospitality, retail, commercial warehouses, and data centers. His work encompasses both complex renovations and large-scale, ground-up developments, with a primary focus on multifamily housing and senior living communities. James has designed and delivered a variety of projects including multi-family, retail, hospitality, data centers, as well as senior living projects—from independent cottages and ILUs to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities—integrating key services such as dining commons, wellness centers, and personal care amenities that support the aging-in-place philosophy. He has extensive knowledge of building codes, construction types (Types I, II, III, and V), and best practices for integrating specialized functions such as food service within residential environments. A skilled collaborator, James works closely with consultants, contractors, and regulatory authorities, including zoning boards, f ire marshals, and code officials. These relationships allow him to streamline agency reviews, expedite approvals, and keep projects on schedule. His technical expertise, combined with a client-focused approach, ensures that every project he leads balances design innovation, functional performance, and regulatory compliance.

  A3 Architecture

  Managing Partner

  Moderator

  James Anderson

  Managing Partner

  A3 Architecture