Keynote Address: City of Atlanta Chief Policy Officer Courtney English

How is the City of Atlanta collaborating with the development community to foster investment in affordable, workforce and market rate housing options?

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  Courtney English

  Courtney English believes in leaving thing better than he found him. An Atlanta native, English was the youngest person to hold city-wide office in Atlanta’s history, first elected to the Atlanta Board of Education at age 24. In 2014 at age 28, he was elected unanimously by his colleagues to serve as that board’s chairman—the youngest in the history of the school system. During his tenure in the board, he raised teacher pay, increased classroom spending, increased the graduation rate from 51% to a record high of 79%, and sent more students off to college. A former classroom teacher who understands that healthy communities were needed to support students and their families, he went on to work for a non-profit affordable housing developer where he helped create and refurbish thousands of affordable housing units throughout metro Atlanta, including the addition of wrap-around services to support those residents in the surrounding communities. During the height of the 2020 Covid Housing Crisis, English served as director of community development for affordable housing nonprofit Star-C, raising $11M to help more than 4,000 economically impacted Atlanta residents stave off eviction, while helping the city and surrounding communities expand access to affordable housing, reduce tenant transiency, and improve student education through innovative programs, partnerships, fundraising, and growth. Today, English serves as the Senior Advisor to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, where his policy portfolio includes some of Atlanta’s most pressing public challenges, including affordable housing, economic development, youth engagement, and closing Atlanta's long-standing equity gaps. English earned a Bachelor's degree from Morehouse College with a focus on political science and his Master of Arts degree in organizational psychology and leadership from Columbia University. He has served as a public speaker, sharing insights and perspectives on ambitious topics including global engagement, learning preparedness, neighborhood advocacy, public-private partnerships, and strategic policy development. He has been invited to participate in a variety of national conferences and educational forums including Harvard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Emory University. English is a pioneer in building partnerships and creating solutions. Raised in Atlanta’s West End, he readily credits his mom for his community-driven spirit. Her unconditional love and exemplary work ethic serve as guideposts in helping him develop others, young people, and emerging leaders alike. Courtney English is a devoted husband to his wife Kelly, who is better than he is at pretty much everything.

  City of Atlanta

  Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor to the Mayor

  Keynote

  Courtney English

  Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor to the Mayor

  City of Atlanta

Capitalizing on a Downturn

How can you identify opportunities, distress, & remain active with the market in flux?

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  Ambrish Baisiwala

  Ambrish brings over 27 years of global real estate experience to his role at Portman where he is responsible for the overall management and performance of the firm. His broad geographic and work exposure brings a strong corporate strategy and property development skillset to Portman. Prior to joining Portman, he was Development Director of ALDAR Properties PJSC in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he was responsible for a development portfolio in excess of $20 billion. Earlier in his career, he was Development Manager for the Greater Union Organization for the Middle East and India. Prior to that, Ambrish held various senior positions with Coopers & Lybrand Consulting and the TATA Group. Ambrish has worked in the USA, China, India, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australia, across a broad spectrum of property types and responsibilities. Ambrish has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree from the University of Rajasthan, India, and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, Australia. He is active in the community and participates on the boards of Central Atlanta Progress, Midtown Alliance, Atlanta Police Foundation, Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta Beltline Partnership, Piedmont Park Conservancy, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

  Portman Holdings

  CEO

  Ambrish Baisiwala

  CEO

  Portman Holdings

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  Matt Bronfman

  Matt Bronfman is a Principal and the Chief Executive Officer of Jamestown. Mr. Bronfman joined the company in 1998 as General Counsel and in 2002 was named Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer. He became CEO in 2012, and is responsible for managing Jamestown’s global operations and overseeing corporate strategy and execution. Under Matt’s leadership, Jamestown has grown its portfolio of assets in the U.S. and expanded into Latin America and Europe. Mr. Bronfman has more than 25 years of experience in real estate and has led the acquisition, redevelopment and oversight for over $20 billion in projects, including Chelsea Market in New York City, Ponce City Market in Atlanta, Industry City in Brooklyn, the Innovation and Design Building in Boston, and Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. Prior to joining Jamestown, Mr. Bronfman practiced law at Holland & Knight. He currently serves on the boards for the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Jewish Federations of North America, and is Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Mr. Bronfman also serves as President of the board of Directors for the Jamestown Charitable Foundation, which supports nonprofits to help make cities more enjoyable places to live and work. He has been recognized as a leader in the industry and is a recipient of the Real Estate Roundtable President’s Circle Award; New York Observer’s 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate in 2013 and 2014; Commercial Observer’s Top 100 Most Powerful People in Commercial Real Estate from 2015 to 2020; Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEO in 2017; 2019’s 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend; and Atlanta Magazine’s Top 500 Most Powerful Leaders of 2019. Mr. Bronfman graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Tufts University in Boston and attended law school at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, graduating magna cum laude.

  Jamestown

  CEO

  Matt Bronfman

  CEO

  Jamestown

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  Daniel Siegel

  President and Principal

  Peachtree Group

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  KC Conway

  KC Conway, CRE, CCIM, MAI, is Principal and Research Director of Red Shoe Economics, LLC, a privately-owned economic forecasting and consulting research firm exclusively serving the commercial real estate industry. He is a member of The Counselors of Real Estate. His extensive resume includes positions with the Atlanta FED, University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce, SunTrust, Monmouth REIC, a publicly traded REIT, and Colliers International as its U.S. chief economist. He is currently on the board of UMH Properties, Inc., a public equity REIT, and serves as the CCIM Institute's chief economist.

  Red Shoe Economics

  Principal and Research Director, CRE

  KC Conway

  Principal and Research Director, CRE

  Red Shoe Economics

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  Ryan Mills

  Ryan Mills, CPA, is a partner in CohnReznick’s Atlanta office and a member of the Firm’s Assurance Practice. Ryan has provided accounting services for a variety of clients in the real estate industry, including REIT’s, as well as real estate clients in the industrial sector. These services include financial statement audits, the evaluation of internal controls, keeping clients updated on government required standards, and various agreed- upon procedures engagements. Ryan is responsible for providing audit and consulting services to real estate clients in the commercial real estate arena, as well as to clients that have received federally sourced funds. He is also responsible for providing audit services to companies of varying sizes and structures. Ryan is responsible for working effectively with audit staff in the areas of training, supervising, and reviewing their work. Throughout these engagements, he has shown effective communication with the clients not only in order to carry out his duties, but also to provide suggestions on how to improve client operations.

  CohnReznick

  Partner, Audit

  Moderator

  Ryan Mills

  Partner, Audit

  CohnReznick

Market Lynchpin Developments

What is the future of experiential mixed-use projects that are defining CRE activity in the metro area?

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  Mark Toro

  MARK TORO founded Atlanta-based Toro Development Company in 2021 to create value by building community. As Chief Vision Officer, Toro will use a metric-driven approach to identify properties that have significant potential based on the promise of the locale. He and his team have multi-dimensional experience, positioning Toro Development Company to choose the right use or mix of uses for each redevelopment. Prior to starting Toro Development Company, Toro cofounded and led the North American Properties (NAP) Atlanta office where he oversaw $3.1 billion in real estate development, totaling 9.4 million square feet. He delivered industry-leading returns to his capital partners, became known nationally as a leader in experience-driven commercial real estate and left a legacy of great communities. His successes at NAP include the repositioning of Atlantic Station, development of Alpharetta’s $1 billion Avalon and the redevelopment of Colony Square. Toro currently serves on ICSC’s Board of Trustees, Midtown Alliance’s Board of Directors and serves as vice chair of the City of Refuge Board, where he chaired the $25 million “Shining the Light” capital campaign. He also serves on the Board of Directors of The ATL, a State authority that governs the expansion of public transportation in Metro Atlanta. Before cofounding NAP’s Atlanta office in 1996, Toro served in several leadership positions with Faison and Cousins Properties. He has developed, redeveloped or repositioned more than 70 properties totaling almost 30 million square feet during his career. He attended Rutgers University, where he met his wife, Nancy.

  Toro Development Company

  Founder, Chief Vision Officer

  Mark Toro

  Founder, Chief Vision Officer

  Toro Development Company

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  Brian McGowan

  Brian McGowan is the President of Centennial Yards Company building the most exciting sports, entertainment and business district in the UNIVERSE - in the coolest city in the United States. McGowan has over 20 years of economic development experience working at all levels of government. He was appointed to senior economic positions in both the Schwarzenegger and Obama Administrations and was the CEO of Atlanta’s economic development agencies where he served under two Mayors. He was also the Executive Vice President/COO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Principal with the global law firm Dentons. He was also the founding CEO of Greater Seattle Partners which promoted and grew one of the most economically influential regions in the world. McGowan is currently a Non-resident Fellow at the Brookings Institute.

  A CIM Group Company

  President at Centennial Yards Company

  Brian McGowan

  President at Centennial Yards Company

  A CIM Group Company

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  Tim Perry

  Tim Perry is passionate about the power of community building and all the ingredients needed to create a great place: walkability, connectivity, hospitality, street-level energy, events and the right mix of uses. He deeply believes that fixing high-potential-but-challenged mixed-use developments or bringing new experience through additional neighborhood density is the best way North American Properties can give communities the great places they deserve. As Managing Partner, he is responsible for advancing North American Properties’ vision and strategy to acquire, reposition, and redevelop mixed-use communities as well as adding to the firm’s portfolio of fortress commercial properties. Tim has driven North American Properties’ acquisition strategy for over a decade ultimately serving as North American Properties’ Vice President of Acquisitions in 2009, Director of Investments in 2012 and Chief Investment Officer in 2015. He previously led the acquisition, due diligence, capitalization or disposition teams for landmark communities Atlantic Station, Avalon, Colony Square, Newport on the Levee, Birkdale Village and Avenue East Cobb; and the debt/venture capitalization through his career of over $2.5 billion of total value.

  North American Properties

  Managing Partner

  Tim Perry

  Managing Partner

  North American Properties

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  Greg Bennett

  As a lead designer, Greg has over thirty-four years of professional experience concentrated on master planning, designing, and managing a variety of complex building programs that include over 10 million SF of Corporate Build-to-Suit and Class "A" Speculative Office Buildings, High and Low-rise Multifamily Residential, Hospitality, Retail, Educational and Mixed-use Developments located in urban as well as suburban settings. He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and a member of NAIOP, Urban Land Institute, and the Building Enclosure Council - BEC Atlanta.

  Smallwood

  Principal

  Greg Bennett

  Principal

  Smallwood

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  Wayne Thompson

  Wayne brings more than 25 years of extensive industry knowledge and expertise to his role as Hotwire Communication’s Executive Vice President of Technology and B2B Service Delivery. Wayne is responsible for growing the innovative technology company’s footprint in core market areas by building a robust, reliable and secure network, establishing and building relationships with key partners, developing and implementing new technologies, and delivering products and services while enhancing the overall customer experience.

  Hotwire Communications

  EVP, Technology & B2B Service Delivery

  Wayne Thompson

  EVP, Technology & B2B Service Delivery

  Hotwire Communications

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  Andrea Barry

  Andrea Barry has over two decades of experience in creative professional services, with a focus in the real estate development, hospitality, architecture, engineering, construction, and design industries. She holds a BFA in Visual Communication with an emphasis in Design and Marketing and is a Certified LEED Green Associate. Throughout her roles in design, advertising, marketing, program management, and business leadership, her passion has been helping clients achieve their business objectives through creative storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and innovative communication strategies. As the Director of Client Success for NINE dot ARTS, Andrea focuses on strengthening client relationships while helping partners achieve maximum value and engagement through their curated art programs and creative placemaking efforts. She is especially focused on helping clients leverage opportunities for positive social impact and meaningful contributions to the creative economy.

  Nine dot Arts

  Director

  Andrea Barry

  Director

  Nine dot Arts

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  Greg Eisenman

  As Managing Director of Franklin Street’s Retail Tenant Representation in Atlanta, Greg Eisenman brings over a decade of experience to the retail real estate services business. In this role, he focuses on the representation of retail, restaurant and service occupiers, working with them in strategic growth and development through site selection, lease and purchase transaction and market planning. Mr. Eisenman leads a team of professionals who provide services to clients ranging from publicly traded retailers and Fortune 500 players to local entrepreneurs, helping each to develop and implement their strategies, working to secure the best real estate and the most ideal economics possible. The team strives to meet and exceed their clients’ real estate needs and expectations through extensive market knowledge accumulated through experience, research and analysis in representing both landlords and tenants in their real estate needs.

  Franklin Street

  Managing Director of Retail Tenant Services

  Moderator

  Greg Eisenman

  Managing Director of Retail Tenant Services

  Franklin Street

Regional Competitiveness Outlook

Where does Atlanta stand amongst competition from Dallas, Miami etc. in attracting top tenants?

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  Leonte Benton

  President

  T. Dallas Smith & Company

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  Chris Ahrenkiel

  As Executive Vice President of Commercial Leasing and Office Development, Ahrenkiel is responsible for activating office developments on many of Selig’s prime land holdings across Atlanta. Chris came to Selig in 2018, after 11 years with Tishman Speyer, where he was the Atlanta Managing Director, overseeing the firm’s activities in the region. Most recently, he was responsible for the development, leasing and sale of Three Alliance Center, a +500,000 SF trophy office development which set an Atlanta pricing record, trading for $534/SF. Prior to that, Chris led the leasing for Two Alliance, Colony Square, Midtown Plaza, Interstate North and Palisades. Chris started his commercial real estate career at Trizec Properties. Ahrenkiel is very involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of InvestAtlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors. In 2017, Ahrenkiel graduated Leadership Atlanta and remains actively involved. In 2015, he was named as one of Atlanta’s 40 under 40 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and is consistently recognized by the publication as a Who’s Who in Commercial Real Estate as well as a Top Producer. Previously, Chris served on the Board of REGA (Real Estate Group of Atlanta), Georgia Institute of Real Estate, Georgia State University Real Estate Alumni Board and was a co- founder of NAIOP Future Leaders (NFL). Chris graduated with a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia (1998) and with an M.B.A. with a concentration in Commercial Real Estate from Georgia State University (2003). When not working or volunteering, Chris enjoys spending time with his two sons, Byrne and Porter.

  Selig Enterprises

  EVP

  Chris Ahrenkiel

  EVP

  Selig Enterprises

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  Brooke Gothard

  Brooke Gothard has been representing commercial real estate clients since 2010 alongside her long-time partners Wendy McArthur and Leigh Martin. She specializes in office tenant representation and her clients include local Atlanta companies as well as regional and national corporations. She and her partners manage lease and sales transactions and assist with strategic planning related to their clients’ office needs. Brooke has a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the technology and professional services sectors having represented and advised many of these types of firms during her career. Her knowledge of the office market conditions and trends enables her to provide thoughtful, strategic and creative solutions that align with her clients’ business needs. Prior to joining JLL in 2015, Brooke and her partners were at CBRE where they completed several million square feet of assignments in Atlanta as well as nationally and internationally. Brooke is active with Venture Atlanta, one of the largest Venture Capital conferences in the country and serves on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Board of Advisors.

  JLL

  Managing Director - Tenant Representation

  Brooke Gothard

  Managing Director - Tenant Representation

  JLL

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  Mike Flanagan

  Mike joined Arch Amenities Group after acquisition of LifeStart to lead the firm's growth. Working with national and regional leadership and leading the new business development team, Mike focuses on maintaining, enhancing, and growing client relationships across the portfolio. Experience Mike has more than 30 years of experience in fitness and real estate operations.  Mike most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for LifeStart’s portfolio of 100 properties. He had direct oversight of the management divisions of their fitness and hospitality platforms. He lead operations, design, construction, sales and marketing, growing the management portfolio from 29 sites to 100. The main catalyst of growth was the added scope of full-building programming and amenity management. LifeStart helped Tishman Speyer launch their ZO program in the Chicago and Boston Markets and subsequently started providing Community Engagement and hospitality management solutions for groups like Zeller, MBRE, Shorenstein, Brookfield, Silverstein and CIM. Education and affiliations Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation from the Illinois State University, a Master of Science in Exercise Science from Illinois State University and a Master of Education from University of Illinois Chicago.

  Arch Amenities Group

  CGO

  Mike Flanagan

  CGO

  Arch Amenities Group

• Moderator

  G. Wilson Horde III

  Partner

  Burr & Forman

Housing Landscape Analysis

How is Atlanta keeping up with the expanding workforce with housing stock of all types?

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  Eugene Jones

  Mr. Jones has a 35-year record of strong leadership experience in public housing operations, new construction, capital construction, resident services, accounting and finance, auditing and maintenance, and Housing Choice Voucher programs. He currently serves as president and chief executive officer at Atlanta Housing, the southeast region’s largest public housing authority, serving more than 25,000 families, seniors, veterans and those with disabilities. He has served in top leadership positions in eight major cities in the United States and Canada, including Chicago, where he was president and CEO of the nation’s second largest housing authority from 2015-2019. Prior to Chicago, Mr. Jones served as president and CEO of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation from 2012-2014. He also served as executive director of housing authorities in Detroit and Indianapolis, and held key roles in housing agencies in Kansas City and San Francisco.

  Atlanta Housing Authority

  President & CEO

  Eugene Jones

  President & CEO

  Atlanta Housing Authority

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  Vicki Lundy Wilbon

  Vicki Lundy Wilbon is a Principal and President of Real Estate with The Integral Group LLC (Integral), an Atlanta-based real estate development and investment management firm. In this capacity, she plays a significant role in developing corporate policy and driving execution towards the successful accomplishment of strategic goals. Ms. Wilbon also serves as President of Integral's Community Development Division. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm's redevelopment initiatives, many executed through public/private partnerships. Integral has distinguished itself in the marketplace by completing some of the nation's most successful and transformative residential and mixed-use developments through thoughtful and innovative master planning and implementation. Ms. Wilbon has worked extensively in the Real Estate development industry for over thirty-five years. Under Ms. Wilbon's leadership, Integral has amassed a multi-family development portfolio of nearly $700 Million. Through her experience in "place- making" and multi-phased redevelopments, she has managed every aspect of comprehensive development programs including master planning with community participation, managing public/private partnerships, inspiring creative design, and developing and implementing innovative financing structures. Ms. Wilbon has mastered the use and layering of federal, or other public funds, with private equity, conventional debt, and other funding sources. She has structured and implemented numerous urban revitalization projects and developed strong relationships with institutional debt and equity providers. Ms. Wilbon serves on the Saint Joseph Health System (Atlanta) Board of Directors, the Georgia State University Honors College Board of Advisors, and the Board of Directors of Reinvestment Fund.

  Integral Group

  President of Real Estate

  Vicki Lundy Wilbon

  President of Real Estate

  Integral Group

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  Harvey Wadsworth

  Harvey comes to Portman Residential from Mill Creek Residential Trust where he led development operations for the Atlanta region, and prior to that, Jamestown Properties. He brings a strong focus on mixed-use development, urban high-rise construction and strategic multi-family development to our team, managing national operations and overseeing strategy and execution. Harvey has spent his fifteen-plus real estate career building Atlanta, and has been involved in the development of more than 4,000 multifamily homes with a total capitalization of over $1.2 billion. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, Real Estate Group of Atlanta, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

  Portman Residential

  Managing Director

  Harvey Wadsworth

  Managing Director

  Portman Residential

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  Steve LaMontagne

  Steve LaMontagne is a Partner at Moore Colson and leads the firm’s Real Estate Practice. Steve has extensive experience in all sectors of the real estate, construction and hospitality industries, including fund managers and advisors, registered investment advisors (RIAs), REITs, developers, institutional investment vehicles, operating properties, and syndication of private and public partnerships. During his 35+ years of experience in the real estate industry, several years were spent in capital markets working exclusively on real estate transactions. In his role as leader of the Moore Colson Real Estate Practice, he works with a variety of real estate clients. His expertise includes real estate investing, accounting, financial reporting, and auditing matters. Prior to joining Moore Colson, Steve was an Assurance Partner and leader of the Southeast Real Estate Practice with the international accounting firm of KPMG, LLP. Steve worked with KPMG, LLP since 1983 as a CPA. Steve became the leader of KPMG’s Atlanta real estate practice in 1997 and shortly thereafter became the Director of the Real Estate Practice for the entire southeastern United States. He also served on several National Committees utilizing his expertise in the area of real estate finance including leasing, mergers and acquisitions, financings, public offerings and sales of real estate.

  Moore Colson CPAs & Advisors

  Partner & Real Estate Practice Leader

  Moderator

  Steve LaMontagne

  Partner & Real Estate Practice Leader

  Moore Colson CPAs & Advisors

Film Studio Real Estate Emergence

What characteristics are driving the rapid expansion of this growing product type in the metro area?

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  Frank Patterson

  President & CEO

  Trilith Studios

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  Michael Hahn

  Michael’s company Capstone South Properties is the developer of Electric Owl Studios. This is Michael’s third film and television studio development project. Michael looks forward to the opening of Electric Owl Studios in early 2023.

  Co-Founder, Electric Owl Studios

  CEO Capstone South Properties

  Michael Hahn

  CEO Capstone South Properties

  Co-Founder, Electric Owl Studios

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  Rahim Charania

  Rahim B. Charania is a business leader with over 20 years of experience, acquiring and reorganizing business operations into efficient, highly profitable businesses. He has used his expertise in business management, strategic planning, finance and sales to distinguish himself as a leader and an innovator. Rahim’s entrepreneurial skills and creativity have shaped his vision into several successful businesses. Rahim serves as Founder and Managing Director of Woodvale, a leading alternative investment firm providing solutions for clients along with strong and consistent returns for investors. Woodvale’s deep experience in special purpose real estate development, equity capitalization and debt re-structuring creates a single source solutions provider for the needs of today’s commercial real estate market. In addition to Woodvale, Rahim has founded two other successful business that continue to make a measurable impact in the industries the serve. In 2011, Rahim founded American Fueling Systems (AFS) a national leader in the fueling industry, providing gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas and Liquefied Natural Gas to the transportation and energy sectors. He has taken AFS from an idea to a nationally recognized leader in the energy and fuels marketplace. In 2016, Rahim created Three Ring Studios (TRS) and is now the Chairman of one of the largest Studio production campuses in Georgia’s growing film and TV production industry. With over 250,000 square feet of sound stages space and over 100,000 square feet of office space. TRS has positioned itself to be a premier facility for film and television productions of all types, offering an impressive array of sound stages, state-of-the-art post-production facilities and world-class support services amid an inspiring, historical setting. These successful businesses have afforded Rahim many opportunities to be recognized for his efforts by industry and civic leaders across the U.S. In 2011, Rahim was named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 40 Executives under 40 and in 2012 Georgia State University honored him with the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. In 2015, he was recognized as the Businessperson of the Year from the largest Chamber organization in the South East, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Rahim has been published in many publications including Forbes and Success magazines, sharing his business insights. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and Executive MBA from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.

  Woodvale

  Managing Partner

  Rahim Charania

  Managing Partner

  Woodvale

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  Brennen Dicker

  Brennen Dicker, a film and video professional with 20 years of experience, is Executive Director of the Creative Media Industries Institute at Georgia State University. Before joining Georgia State, Dicker was the general manager of Atlanta operations for SIM International, a company that provides production and post-production services to the film industry. In that role, he worked with companies such as HBO, Warner Bros. Television, AMC and Netflix. He also was the chair of the Atlanta Advisory Council for the Savannah College of Art and Design. As chair, he helped to create an international festival to showcase trends in design and innovation for media production and intensive 48-hour media production workshops for students. Dicker has served as an executive board member of the Georgia Production Partnership and is the former chair of its government relations group. Through the organization, he has been an industry liaison for the state legislature and governor’s office. In addition, he was chair of the steering committee for the 2018 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which is the largest film festival in Georgia. He is a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Dicker’s appointment as executive director of the CMII is playing a key role in Georgia State’s efforts to fulfill its strategic plan, aimed at elevating the university’s reputation for excellence and innovation in research, scholarship and creative endeavors. The CMII aligns with a strategic goal to highlight the arts and media, and to use the university’s strengths to create opportunities for exploration of the intersections among creativity, technology and entrepreneurship as metro Atlanta’s media industries in film, television, gaming and more form a vital part of the regional economy.

  Georgia State University

  Executive Director of the Creative Media Industries

  Moderator

  Brennen Dicker

  Executive Director of the Creative Media Industries

  Georgia State University