Best Practices in Executing Stadium District Developments

Executing large-scale projects through public collaboration, community alignment, and financial strategy

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  Jeremy Strife

  Jeremy Strife is the Executive Vice President of Development for the Atlanta Braves where he oversees daily leasing, property management, and future development of the Braves Development Company. Strife was brought into the Atlanta Braves organization in 2015 to spearhead the development of The Battery Atlanta, the 2.25-million-square-foot mixed-use campus surrounding Truist Park. As part of the Braves executive leadership team, Strife was instrumental in BDC’s April 2025 acquisition of Pennant Park – a 32 acre, six building office complex adjacent to Truist Park. BDC's groundbreaking strategy has become a benchmark for future stadium-centric projects, utilizing sports entertainment to stimulate economic growth and enriching the guest experience well beyond game days. Following the grand opening of The Battery Atlanta in 2017, Strife assumed leadership of the Braves Security Services and Braves Parking Services teams and acted as the head of Braves Health Preparedness guiding the company through 2.5 years of the evolving COVID19 pandemic. Jeremy serves on the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors, SelectCobb Board of Directors, and Cobb Transportation & Mobility Committee. Prior to joining the Braves, Strife spent nine years with S&P 100 company, Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG), where he specialized in leading dynamic teams focused on asset management, acquisition transitions, ground-up developments, and redevelopments across the U.S. A native of Carthage, N.Y., Jeremy and his wife Ellen reside in Cobb County. He is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs Law.

  Atlanta Braves

  EVP, Development

  Jeremy Strife

  EVP, Development

  Atlanta Braves

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  Blake Goodman

  As CEO of Four Stones, Blake Goodman leads the firm’s charge to deliver transformative real estate projects, including serving as Master Developer for Trilith Studios and organizations such as the U.S. Soccer Federation. Under his leadership, Four Stones has established a strategic partnership with Momentous Sports Fund and oversees a dynamic portfolio of multi-family asset acquisitions and developments throughout the southeastern United States. Committed to building a world-class team of innovative decision-makers, Blake focuses on scaling each of the firm’s core pillars to ensure sustained growth and a positive impact. Prior to establishing Four Stones, Blake served as Executive Director of New Restaurant Growth for Chick-fil-A, Inc., and managed Real Estate Investments for the Cathy Family. In these roles, he pioneered a data-driven platform leveraging customer insights to propel Chick-fil-A’s domestic and global expansion. A graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned both a BBA and JD, Blake further honed his leadership expertise through Stanford University’s Executive Program for Growing Companies. Blake resides in Georgia with his wife, Kim, and their five children.

  Four Stones Group

  CEO

  U.S. Soccer Training Center in Fayatteville

  Blake Goodman

  CEO

  Four Stones Group

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  Adam Parker

  Adam leads Carter’s mixed-use development projects and public-private partnerships nationwide. Since joining Carter in 2016, Adam has managed all components of the development cycle including sourcing opportunities, coordinating with municipalities, fostering neighborhood relations, securing project financing, and overseeing project construction and dispositions. Adam is currently directing The Grounds, a 100-acre mixed-use project in partnership with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, as well as serving as the firm’s lead of the ongoing pro bono work with At Promise Youth Centers. Outside of work, Adam draws on his experience from complex, high-impact, public-private partnerships as a member of the Board of Directors of Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s official economic development authority.

  Carter

  SVP

  The Grounds Mixed-Use Project at Wake Forest

  Adam Parker

  SVP

  Carter

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  Lamar Wakefield

  By nurturing quality relationships with employees, clients, and contractors, Lamar’s emphasis on people permeates every aspect of the firm’s business. He channels his expertise and vast architectural implementation experience into a successfully executed project. Lamar has led several successful projects in the Atlanta metro region, including Avalon, Atlantic Station, Interlock and Halcyon. His expertise in creating vibrant mixed-use developments that trigger further growth around sports venues, such as The Battery, is unprecedented.

  NELSON Worldwide

  National Mixed-use Practice Leader

  Lamar Wakefield

  National Mixed-use Practice Leader

  NELSON Worldwide

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  Nick Ruzicka

  Nick Ruzicka is a Senior Project Manager with JE Dunn Construction, currently overseeing the $500 million mixed-use development, The Henry at The Battery. In this role, Nick leads project operations, profitability, safety, and team performance, serving as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and ensuring project success aligns with client goals. He manages the entire project lifecycle—from planning and execution to closeout—with a focus on procurement, client satisfaction, and financial outcomes. Nick’s experience spans large-scale industrial, institutional, and commercial projects, with a specialization in multi-phased and mixed-use campuses delivered through both Design-Build and traditional Design-Bid-Build methods. Most recently, he oversaw the expansive growth of the SCAD Campus in Midtown Atlanta. Nick holds a Bachelor of Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Dayton and an MBA from the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech.

  JE Dunn Construction

  Senior Project Manager

  Nick Ruzicka

  Senior Project Manager

  JE Dunn Construction

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  Malaika Rivers

  Malaika Rivers is the Founder & President of Pontem Resources. She helps businesses and governments work together to imagine and build great places. She works with a wide variety of changemakers — from CEOs to city mayors — to find cost-sharing strategies for pressing development needs. With a focus on transportation, mobility, connectivity, and placemaking, Malaika’s work builds physical infrastructure as well as sustainable organizations to support it. Having worked for and with real estate developers, consulting firms, governments, and planning organizations, she crafts strategies that bring vision, process, funding, and politics together to achieve healthy ROIs. Malaika’s work includes the billion-dollar, sports-anchored, mixed-use development models of Centennial Yards (Atlanta Hawks) and The Battery Atlanta (Atlanta Braves). She is the foremost expert on Community Improvement Districts (CIDs). Having formed and led CIDs over decades, Malaika advises on how these development tools effectively channel infrastructure funding into commercial centers. Malaika is a 100 Influential Women to Know, a Georgia 500, and a 25 Power Women to Watch. She received her B.S. from Virginia Tech and her C.M.E. from Harvard Business School. She frequently contributes to various media outlets and publishes forward-thinking reports, including how CIDs may be positioned at the forefront of smart cities and digital transformation. Malaika’s drive to conquer challenging terrain for her clients extends to her personal life. Whether hiking mountains or exploring deserts, Malaika is in constant pursuit of the way forward.

  Pontem Resources

  President & Founder

  Moderator

  Malaika Rivers

  President & Founder

  Pontem Resources

The Art of Placemaking

Creating energy, curating tenant mix, and activating entertainment districts beyond game day

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  Lauren Abernethy

  Lauren Abernethy is the Vice President, Marketing of Braves Development Company with the Atlanta Braves. She is responsible for the creation and implementation of the overall strategic marketing direction of The Battery Atlanta including development of compelling marketing and special events programming in efforts to increase customer traffic, tenant sales, digital footprint, and create mutually beneficial relationships with asset partners, retailers, advertisers, sponsors, grassroots organizations, and the surrounding business community. Lauren has over 20 years’ experience in program development, public relations, and strategic marketing for property management across the Southeast with Simon Property Group serving in various positions including: Regional Vice President of Marketing, The Mills; Director of Marketing & Business Development of Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA; West Town Mall in Knoxville, TN; St.John’s Town Center in Jacksonville, FL, Melbourne Square in Melbourne, FL; and Biltmore Square in Asheville, NC. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Lauren has lived in Atlanta for 15 years. She is a graduate of Mars Hill University in North Carolina, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Public Relations & Art with a minor in Business Management.

  Braves Development Company

  VP

  Lauren Abernethy

  VP

  Braves Development Company

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  Peter Sorckoff

  Founded in 2018 by Peter Sorckoff, Seer World is an independent strategic consultancy with full-service agency capabilities, based in Roswell, GA. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to rebuild trust in an increasingly polarized society while harnessing the power of fandom to create value beyond mere transactions. Seer World stands apart from other firms through its integration of cutting-edge methodologies, including neuroscience, moral foundation theory, social psychology, behavioral economics, and cultural anthropology. This unique approach allows us to anticipate behavior, shape opinions, and create lasting connections that strengthen communities and organizations. By leveraging our extensive network of researchers, land-use planners, urban designers, market analysts, and infrastructure experts, we provide a seamless, end-to-end service that transforms vision into reality. Specifically, we evaluate the full spectrum of statutory financing tools including revenue bonds, Tax Increment Financing, Community Improvement Districts, and other regulatory or incentive-based structures that may be underutilized and revenue opportunities that optimize the manifest or product-array uniquely suited to the development. Seer’s strategies are designed to create long-term value for clients and the communities they serve. Seer has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results in the sports and entertainment sector, with a focus on design-build and multi-use district developments. Seer’s expertise is evident in its collaboration with industry leaders like the Atlanta Braves, where Seer played a pivotal role in creating strategies to optimize fan engagement through the built environment and in doing so maximizing the revenue potential of the manifest and the stadium at-large. By combining cutting-edge design strategies with a deep understanding of community needs, Seer has consistently delivered projects that drive economic growth, enhanced the sense of community, and created vibrant spaces that serve as hubs for diverse audiences. Our innovative approach to multi-use district development ensures that each project not only meets the needs of today but also positions stakeholders for long-term success.

  Seer World

  Founder

  Peter Sorckoff

  Founder

  Seer World

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  Judy Moore

  SVP, Strategic Partnerships

  Live! Hospitality & Entertainment

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  Ryan Woods

  Ryan Woods is the Design Director of The Beck Group’s Atlanta office, where he leads the creative vision and strategic direction of the architecture studio. With more than a decade of experience, Ryan is known for delivering award-winning, community-centered projects that balance design excellence with real-world impact—shaping Atlanta’s urban fabric and influencing the broader built environment. Ryan’s portfolio includes some of the city’s most transformative developments, including Peachtree Center, Phipps Plaza, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He also led the design of The Melody, Atlanta’s first city-led rapid housing initiative—an innovative project that delivered 40 transitional housing units in under 90 days and has since become a national model for addressing homelessness through design-build delivery. A passionate advocate for integrated design and leadership development, Ryan is widely recognized for fostering collaboration, mentoring emerging talent, and advancing equity within the industry. He currently serves on the HOPE Atlanta Young Professionals Board, is actively involved with Central Atlanta Progress, and is a graduate of LEAD Atlanta (Class of 2024)—supporting efforts focused on downtown revitalization, civic leadership, and community impact. Ryan served as Vice President of Membership and Diversity for NAIOP Georgia, where he led the organization’s first diversity-focused internship program. Ryan’s leadership and design work have earned national and statewide recognition. In 2025, he was named one of Building Design + Construction’s 40 Under 40, a national honor recognizing the most influential young leaders in the AEC industry. He has also received NAIOP’s Developing Leader of the Year, and has been recognized by both Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine as a 40 Under 40 honoree. Ryan holds a Master of Architecture from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Texas Tech University. In his role at Beck, he continues to push boundaries through human-centered, mission-driven design, creating places that are not only beautiful but also purposeful, resilient, and enduring.”

  The Beck Group, Atlanta

  Design Director

  Ryan Woods

  Design Director

  The Beck Group, Atlanta

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  Michael Owens

  Mayor Michael Owens made history as the first mayor of Mableton since its incorporation. As the city’s top elected official, Mayor Owens leads with a commitment to innovation, transparency, and service to all residents.

  City of Mableton

  Mayor

  Moderator

  Michael Owens

  Mayor

  City of Mableton

Fireside Chat: Municipal Collaboration Driving Placemaking Initiatives

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  Kwanza Hall

  Kwanza Hall currently serves as Chairman of Develop Fulton, the Development Authority of Fulton County. In this role, Kwanza helps shape the organization's strategic direction, championing policies that drive investment, job creation, and inclusive economic development across Fulton County. Under his leadership, Develop Fulton has amplified its focus on catalytic growth sectors such as clean technology, logistics, advanced manufacturing, biomedical innovation, and fintech. Originally appointed to the board in 2023 and elected chairman in 2024, Kwanza brings over 30 years of experience in public service, business development, and civic engagement. In 2020, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia's 5th District, completing the late Congressman John Lewis's term. He also served on the Atlanta School Board and spent 15 years as an elected member of the Atlanta City Council. Beyond his public service, Kwanza leads a government affairs and consulting firm that connects the public and private sectors to advance community-focused economic strategies and innovation. A native of Atlanta, Kwanza graduated from Benjamin E. Mays High School and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is widely recognized for his commitment to equity, smart growth, and long-term community transformation.

  Develop Fulton

  Chairman

  Kwanza Hall

  Chairman

  Develop Fulton

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  Shaneel Lalani

  Shaneel Lalani is Chief Executive Officer at Lalani Ventures. Since he founded the company in 2012, Lalani has grown Lalani Venture’s real estate portfolio to more than two million square feet of commercial space, with a vast majority of properties located in Georgia. Under Lalani’s leadership, Lalani Venture’s core business strategy focuses on purchasing underperforming assets and adding value through renovations and strategic leasing strategies. He has completed more than 100 real estate transactions that are valued at approximately $250 million. In November 2020, Lalani acquired Underground Atlanta with plans to maximize the potential of the historic entertainment destination and complement the surrounding investment in Downtown Atlanta. On the heels of the Underground Atlanta acquisition, Lalani purchased 34 Peachtree, a 300,000-square-foot office building in Downtown Atlanta, with plans to revive the office tower that currently sits at 33% occupied. Lalani and his family migrated to Atlanta 20 years ago from India, and he currently resides in Decatur with his wife and daughter.

  Lalani Ventures

  CEO

  Shaneel Lalani

  CEO

  Lalani Ventures

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  Steve Labovitz

  Steve Labovitz focuses on government affairs at a local and state level, with an emphasis on legislative consideration, economic development, public finance, privatization and government efficiency. He has extensive experience in formulating public-private partnerships for companies that have business issues with the government sector. In the area of economic development, Mr. Labovitz has been instrumental in working with both governments and developers in creating tax incentives for large development projects including establishing tax allocation districts in order to create and implement public-private partnerships. Mr. Labovitz was counsel and architect for the tax allocation district and the public financing utilized for the Atlantic Station project, the largest Brownfield development project in the country. Prior to joining Dentons, Mr. Labovitz served as Chief of Staff for the City of Atlanta from 1994 to 1997. Generally regarded as having brought business acumen and organization to Atlanta's City Hall, Mr. Labovitz was instrumental in the redevelopment of the downtown business district. He is noted as the architect of the financial and business terms leading to the US$141 million Philips Arena in downtown Atlanta, where an additional US$72 million in public improvements were associated with the arena. Parlaying that experience, Mr. Labovitz served as one of the principal negotiators for the City of San Diego in its construction of a new baseball park as part of its downtown redevelopment efforts. He has since worked on several other major and minor league stadiums around the country, including representation of the Atlanta Falcons in negotiations with governmental entities, including the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and other stakeholders to secure a new state-of-the-art football stadium. Mr. Labovitz was recently named one of Atlanta’s 500 most powerful leaders by Atlanta Magazine and one of Georgia’s most powerful and influential lawyers by Men Looking Ahead Magazine. He has been recognized as a “Georgia Super Lawyer” in the area of Government Law by Atlanta Magazine and has been named to Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite in Governmental Affairs numerous times. In 2025, Mr. Labovitz received the Justice Robert Benham Award for his commitment to community service.

  Dentons

  Partner

  Steve Labovitz

  Partner

  Dentons

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  Ben Blachman

  Ben Blachman leads Bisnow's Atlanta and Savannah markets, connecting commercial real estate companies across Georgia with the audiences, platforms, and events that move their business forward. A Houston native now based in New York, Ben has spent four years helping CRE firms cut through the noise — pairing them with the right media, sponsorship, and event strategies to build visibility, relationships, and pipeline in competitive markets. Today, he helps shape how Atlanta's most active developers, brokers, lenders, and builders show up in the market.

  Bisnow

  Head of Georgia

  Moderator

  Ben Blachman

  Head of Georgia

  Bisnow