Ric & Alison Call out the B.S.

• 

  Ric Campo

  Richard Campo is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Camden Property Trust. Mr. Campo has served in this capacity since May 1993. As the Chairman and CEO of one of the nation’s largest multifamily Real Estate Investment Trusts, Mr. Campo holds strategic roles within the real estate industry. He is currently a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ('NAREIT') where he serves on the Board, the National Multifamily Housing Council ('NMHC') where he was past chairman, and the Urban Land Institute ('ULI'). Mr. Campo began his real estate career after graduating from Oregon State University in 1976. After working for a private Houston real estate company, Mr. Campo co-founded Camden’s predecessor companies in 1982 and has spent almost 30 years building a company of great people that are renowned for their management proficiency, their development and construction capabilities and their savvy in the areas of technology, training and marketing. He has led the development, management, acquisition and disposition of real estate properties valued in excess of $20 billion; and under his leadership, Camden has grown from a Texas-based real estate firm with assets valued at $200 million in 1993 to an industry leader with a national footprint and assets valued at more than $10 billion. Mr. Campo serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations that focus on the economic development, business outlook and future growth of Houston, including Central Houston, Inc., the Greater Houston Partnership, and the Super Bowl LI Host Committee. Mr. Campo is also the past Chairman of the Houston First Corporation, a local government corporation that facilitates the city's economic growth through the business of conventions and the arts. Mr. Campo is a frequent speaker on real estate and development related topics for both industry- related and non-industry conferences and associations and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

  Camden Property Trust

  CEO

  Keynote

  Ric Campo

  CEO

  Camden Property Trust

• 

  Alison Malkhassian

  Alison Dimick Malkhassian is a 30-year veteran of the real estate industry with more than 25 years exclusively dedicated to all facets of multifamily investments. Her experience runs across a variety of capital platforms, including investment banking, pension fund advisory, public REIT and private equity. Over the course of her career as a multifamily specialist, she has overseen or completed the acquisition of over $1.1 billion in assets, $725 million of dispositions, $300 million in structured finance transactions, and $2 billion in M&A transactions. In 2012, Malkhassian formed Alara Ventures to focus on investing exclusively in multifamily opportunities offering high risk-adjusted returns. Alara achieves this by utilizing moderate levels of leverage; investing in highly desirable or unique locations; in assets especially well-suited to a definable demand in the renter market within that specific location; and, offering multiple exit opportunities. The firm invests with its high net-worth investor partners and to date has acquired approximately 1,500 units valued at over $165 million. Prior to forming Alara Ventures, she served as an Officer and Senior Vice President of Camden Property Trust where she led acquisitions, dispositions, and research for the company between 1997 and 2003. In her capacity as a company Officer, she sat on the Investment Committee and approved in excess of $1 billion in development activity during her tenure. Malkhassian has served as the Director of Multifamily Investments for The Lionstone Group where she was responsible for all aspects of the firm’s multifamily platform including the development of its multifamily investment strategy, research, acquisitions and dispositions. Prior to that she served as President of U.S. Residential, a subsidiary of U.S. Advisors, where she was responsible for the Company’s multifamily investments. Before joining US Advisors, Malkhassian served as EVP and Chief Investment Officer for WMC/Walden Investment Partners, a subsidiary of Olympus Real Estate Partners. She is a long-time member of National Multi-Housing Counsel and has been featured in articles in London Financial Times, Barron’s and other publications regarding investment strategy and structured transactions. She graduated from The University of California at Davis and lives in Houston with her husband and son.

  Alara Ventures

  CEO

  Moderator

  Alison Malkhassian

  CEO

  Alara Ventures

Keynote Interview: Joe Russo, CEO, Caydon

• 

  Joe Russo

  Joe Russo started the Caydon team in 1999 and continues to be hands-on from concept to successful completion of every project. He is always one step ahead of the market in predicting new, desirable locations and makes the most of every viable opportunity presented to him.

  Caydon

  CEO & Principal

  Keynote

  Joe Russo

  CEO & Principal

  Caydon

• 

  Gary Rucker

  Current Principal, Ryan, Houston office Specializes in the valuation, assessment, taxation, and exemption of real and personal property on a state and local level for clients in a variety of industries, including commercial and industrial property, financial institutions, hospitals and healthcare systems, public utilities, and not-for-profit charitable and civic organizations. Previous Managing Director, ONESOURCE Property Tax, property tax consulting firm Responsible for the property tax practice in the Houston market. Director, State and Local Tax Services, national accounting firm Partner, national property tax consulting and software firm PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS Mr. Rucker has given many presentations throughout his career to various executive boards, state taxing authorities, and professional associations in the property tax industry. BOARD & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Texas Association of Property Tax Consultants Served on Board of Directors (2004–2009) EDUCATION & ACCREDITATION Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, Finance, University of Houston Senior Tax Consultant Designation, Texas Association of Property Tax Consultants

  Ryan

  Principal

  Moderator

  Gary Rucker

  Principal

  Ryan

Carpe Diem: Houston's Condo Boom Is Here!

• 

  Jacob Sudhoff

  Jacob Sudhoff, CEO of Douglas Elliman Texas, took the helm in September 2019 when his decade-old firm Sudhoff Companies joined forces with one of the nation’s largest independent residential real estate brokerages by sales volume, expanding its presence into the state of Texas for the first time. As CEO of the Texas Region, Jacob is responsible for rolling out the Douglas Elliman brand around the state, with offices located in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. In his executive leadership role, he oversees the company’s complete suite of services which includes development marketing, builder marketing, traditional real estate sales, relocation, and commercial real estate. Sophisticated research and analysis are conducted under his tutelage, providing pertinent market data and information to Douglas Elliman’s clients across the nation. With over 20 years of industry experience and an integrated approach to real estate sales and marketing, Jacob is a real estate veteran whose vision and entrepreneurship contributed to the transformation of Houston’s residential landscape. Jacob is a former top-producing agent with sales in the billions, which is a rare but beneficial trait for the person at the helm. His extensive real estate expertise includes both residential and commercial sales, capital markets, planning, design, and procurement for residential projects, which allowed him to create a niche in luxury high-density residential development. An entrepreneur at heart, Jacob is involved in multiple businesses which intersect with real estate: CASA, a luxury interior design showroom featuring refined Italian brands, and Vernon G. Henry & Associates, Inc., an urban planning and development consulting firm. Always dedicated to giving back to the community in which he serves, Jacob has chaired the AIDS Foundation Gala and is a supporter of Preservation Houston, Covenant House, and the Houston Community Foundation. He also invests his time and resources to foster the next generation of real estate leaders through the facilitation of an ongoing and robust mentorship and internship program.

  Douglas Elliman Texas

  CEO

  Jacob Sudhoff

  CEO

  Douglas Elliman Texas

• 

  Acho Azuike

  Acho Azuike manages DC Partners' real estate development and investment activities including compliance with all EB-5 Program requirements. Mr. Azuike has over 12 years of experience in the real estate industry with experiences ranging from real estate finance to real estate development. He graduated from The University of Texas with BA in Economics and received his MBA from Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business.

  DC Partners

  COO

  Acho Azuike

  COO

  DC Partners

• 

  Robert Bland

  Robert Bland, Jr. brings over twenty years of residential real estate experience with a unique emphasis on in-depth market knowledge. A top producing realtor with Martha Turner Properties, Robert has earned the distinction as the number one Top Producer Award for 2001, 2002 and 2003. In addition for nearly a decade, he has figured prominently in the Houston Business Journal's Top 25 Residential Realtor List. A native Houstonian, Robert graduated from St. John's School and received his BBA from the University of Texas. He also earned his MBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.

  Pelican Builders

  Founder & Principal

  Robert Bland

  Founder & Principal

  Pelican Builders

• 

  John Hammond

  John D. Hammond is the President and CEO of Riverway Title Company. In 1997, Mr. Hammond began his commercial title insurance career with Partners Title in Houston. In May of 2005 he joined First American Title – Tanglewood. Then in July of 2012, First American Title – Tanglewood became Riverway Title Company. In 2015, Mr. Hammond purchased Riverway Title Company. Mr. Hammond has been in the Houston commercial real estate arena since 1982 as an owner, broker and lender. His knowledge of commercial real estate and title insurance helps him assist his clients in every facet of their commercial transaction from start to finish. With experience in all types of commercial property transactions, Mr. Hammond’s network of business contacts and relationships in the commercial real estate industry has made Riverway Title Company one of the premier title companies in Texas capable of handling any type of commercial transaction. Mr. Hammond received his Bachelor of Business with honors and Masters Degree from the University of Houston. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Bayou City Breakfast Club, and Braeburn Country Club. He is a founding investor of the University Of Houston C.T. Bauer Graduate Real Estate Program where he currently serves on the Executive Advisory Board and the Finance Committee. He is also a founding stakeholder of the School of Entrepreneurship at the University Of Houston. Mr. Hammond serves on the Board of Directors of Texas Inter-Faith Housing Corporation, and is a Life Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and the University Of Houston Alumni Association.

  Riverway Title

  President & CEO

  Moderator

  John Hammond

  President & CEO

  Riverway Title

Forward-Thinking Development: Resiliency, Innovation, Technology & Sustainability

• 

  Jonathan Delcambre

  As Partner and Lead Designer at BKV Group, Jonathan brings 19 years of national and international experience in housing, hospitality, and mixed-use projects. He cultivates value through developing close working relationships with colleagues, clients, contractors and consultants, providing a high level of personal involvement and investment in projects so they are successful and rewarding for everyone involved. Since helping launch BKV Group’s newest practice site in Dallas, Texas and Hanoi, Vietnam, Jonathan has leveraged the opportunity to design and strengthen the community with each project he touches, creating them to be unique and innovative, while nimbly adapting to the environmental, contextual, and sociopolitical nuances each site presents. In currently working on projects all over the world including but not limited to Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, Canada, and Asia, Jonathan takes a holistic and long-term approach to his projects, constantly exploring how BKV Group can be a positive change for the community, and the people his buildings serve.

  BKV Group

  Senior Design Leader and Managing Partner

  Jonathan Delcambre

  Senior Design Leader and Managing Partner

  BKV Group

• 

  Michael Patton

  Michael Patton is the Founder & CEO of Fetch. Founded in 2016, Fetch is the first off-site package solution for the multifamily industry. Michael and the Fetch team work to solve last-mile delivery for apartment buildings, accepting all resident packages at off-site warehouses and coordinating scheduled, door-to-door delivery. A native of Nashville, TN, Michael graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BSB in Finance. Prior to Fetch, he held various corporate finance and pricing roles at UnitedHealth Group and Constellation Brands. Michael is also an avid marathon runner, having completed 14 and qualified for Boston.

  Fetch

  Founder & CEO

  Michael Patton

  Founder & CEO

  Fetch

• 

  Randy Mair

  Randy Mair – Vice President of Sales, Modments Manufacturing Company, a custom offsite construction company in Houston TX – With more than 20 plus years as a sales professional spanning a multitude of industries has allowed me to amass a very structured approach to sales. Randy is a veteran of the high- tech realm but grew up around construction, in fact several family members were contractors. Randy is a computer Science major. He is a Native Texan and Native Austinite. He is an avid hunter and sportsman. Honorably discharged from the US Navy as an Operational Specialist 2nd class.

  Modments

  Vice President

  Randy Mair

  Vice President

  Modments

• 

  Kate Good

  Kate Good has been leasing apartments her entire adult life. She quickly gained recognition from her employer, Trammell Crow, as the number one leasing consultant by leasing 52 apartments and closing 48 renewals in one month! Her expertise and enthusiasm took her up the ladder in the corporate world until 15 years ago. She then decided to start her own business as a professional speaker and marketing solutions expert. Kate has shared her innovative ideas with many organizations, including Apartment Associations in 53 cities, and national conventions such as 18 presentations at The National Apartment Association Annual Convention, 24 appearances at the Multi-Family Brainstorming Sessions, 10 presentations at the International Builders Show, and is an eight time presenter at the Multi-Housing World Annual Convention. She consistently receives the highest marks possible for her content, presentation style and audience involvement. Her presentations have been described as “enthusiastic,” “cutting-edge,” and “quality information.” Each year she is proud to share her depth of knowledge with over 20,000 industry professionals. What sets Kate apart from other speakers is her career commitment of always working on site. For 14 years Kate consulted with companies across the United States and Canada to create game changing leasing and marketing programs for new construction and distressed communities. In 2012, Kate joined forces with Hunington Properties to create Hunington Residential which is the multifamily development and management arm of this firm. Kate serves as Principal of Multifamily Development and Operations. Her first community, Vargos on the Lake in Houston, TX, broke ground in the third quarter of 2013. Three additional apartment communities started development in the summer of 2014. Twelve years ago, Kate joined three of the industry’s top speakers to form The Apartment All Stars, an educational tour delivering high energy events in association with local Apartment Associations. The team has now grown to seven and expanded to offer private events for individual companies and Webinars.

  Hunington Properties

  Principal, Multifamily Development & Operations

  Kate Good

  Principal, Multifamily Development & Operations

  Hunington Properties

Networking Lunch & Multifamily Market Economic Outlook

• 

  Luis Torres

  Dr. Luis Torres received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico. He received a masters in economics from the University of Texas at El Paso, where his dissertation received honors. He later earned a scholarship to participate in the American Economic Association Ph.D. Summer Minority Program. His Ph.D. is from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he specialized in international economics and econometrics. During his doctoral studies, he worked at the El Paso Branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve. From 1995 to 2012, he was with Banco de Mexico in the research department and the institutional liaison department. He has more than 15 years of central banking experience. Dr. Torres studies the Texas economy and real estate market as well as researching the U.S. and world economies. He developed regional indicators that measure economic activity in the real estate industry and forecast housing and commercial markets. Luis also oversees the following Center publications: Texas Housing Insight, Outlook for the Texas Economy, Texas Border Economy, and Texas Quarterly Commercial Report. Dr. Torres has taught classes and seminars at U.S. and Mexican universities, as well as in national and international forums. He has published various articles in academic and nonacademic publications about banking, international economics, trade and applied econometrics.

  Texas A&M University

  Research Economist, Real Estate Center

  Luis Torres

  Research Economist, Real Estate Center

  Texas A&M University

Value-Add vs New Development: Taking Advantage of New Opportunities In The Market

• 

  Stacy Hunt

  Stacy has been with Greystar and its predecessor firm since 1982 and is currently responsible for national client relations and new business pursuit for the company’s 670,000 unit domestic management operation. Since joining Greystar, Mr. Hunt has helped build the firm’s management portfolio through the opening of regional offices in Arizona, Florida and additional offices in Texas. Stacy is a member of the National Apartment Association, the National Multi Housing Council joint legislative committee, the board of directors of the Houston Apartment Association and the Westchase District, Treasurer of the Better Government Fund of the Houston Apartment Association and is a licensed Texas broker. He also served as president of the Houston Apartment Association in 1992 and the Texas Apartment Association in 1998. In 1973 Stacy earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas. Mr. Hunt has witnessed the firm’s growth from 2,000 units to its current ranking as the largest apartment manager in the United States, with more than 670,000 units in 43 states. Greystar also manages approximately 24,650 units in China, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The company’s owned portfolio consists of over 51,000 units including 87 properties under construction and 31 stabilized properties in markets across the US. Mr. Hunt is based in Houston, Texas, and the Greystar corporate office is located in Charleston, South Carolina.

  Greystar

  Executive Director

  Stacy Hunt

  Executive Director

  Greystar

• 

  Jeb Cox

  Jeb Cox serves as Senior Managing Director and leads Mill Creek Residential’s development activities in Houston and Austin. During his real estate career, Mr. Cox has been involved in the acquisition, development and construction of nearly 10,000 apartment homes with a capitalization of over $1 billion. Prior to Mill Creek, Mr. Cox was a Managing Director in Trammell Crow Residential’s Houston office where he was involved in all aspects of the development process, as well as disposition and refinancing activities. Prior to that, he served as Director of Multifamily Acquisitions for the Creekstone Companies and was a brokerage associate with CBRE. Prior to starting his real estate career, Mr. Cox served as a Legislative Aide for a US Senator in Washington, DC and lived in Botswana, Africa where he worked in a photographic safari camp in the Okavango Delta. Mr. Cox holds a Bachelors of Arts from the Virginia Military Institute.

  Mill Creek Residential

  Senior Managing Director

  Jeb Cox

  Senior Managing Director

  Mill Creek Residential

• 

  Bryant Nail

  As Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Bryant Nail oversees all mixed-use, high-density urban development projects for Madison Marquette. Prior to the June 2018 merger of PMRG and Madison Marquette, Mr. Nail served as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Multi-family Development for PMRG. Mr. Nail brings more than 20 years of experience in real estate development, not only in high-density urban development but also in retail, office and the hospitality industry. Prior to joining PMRG, Mr. Nail served as Partner and Vice President of Development for Amicus Partners, Ltd. where he was responsible for all aspects of mid to high-rise residential development projects in Addison Circle, Dallas, Houston, and Plano. Among the notable projects he worked on is the Eastside Village development, a four-story wood frame project adjacent to the Downtown Plano DART Station. Before Amicus Partners, Ltd., Mr. Nail worked for Post Properties, a publicly-traded REIT based in Atlanta, as Vice President of Development in the Western region, encompassing all aspects of real estate development, including land acquisitions, financing, political interface, design and construction, property development, as well as leasing and marketing. He was responsible for development projects in Jackson, Mississippi, Dallas, Addison, and Denver, Colorado; including the highly received and awarded new mixed-use community, Addison Circle Phases I and II, in Addison, Texas, and the St. Luke's hospital site development in Denver. Both prospects were public private partnerships where the municipalities contributed over $20 million for infrastructure to support the developments. Mr. Nail is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and its Urban Revitalization Council, The Real Estate Council (TREC) of Dallas and serves on the board of directors for the Addison Business Association.

  Madison Marquette

  Executive Vice President and Managing Director

  Bryant Nail

  Executive Vice President and Managing Director

  Madison Marquette

• 

  Darren Sloniger

  CEO

  Marquette Companies

• 

  Michael Vaughn

  Since 2015, Arch-Con has delivered more than 2,000 units and nearly four million square feet of multifamily developments. Michael Vaughn has served Arch-Con for 16 years and leads the Multifamily Division overseeing estimating, project management and construction for the entire division. Vaughn has extensive knowledge of the market, including absorption rates, unit mixes and popular trends for amenity spaces. He uses his industry expertise to build relationships and continues to build solid teams of executives, project managers and field personnel with a vast array of experience in garden-style, wraps, low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise and mixed-use developments. He is OSHA certified and holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Stephen F. Austin State University. Vaughn is a member of the Young Leader Committee for Camp For All and is an active member in the Houston Apartment Association.

  Arch-Con Corporation

  Senior Vice President

  Michael Vaughn

  Senior Vice President

  Arch-Con Corporation

• 

  Shane Wilson

  Shane Wilson, AIA, is the founding Principal for W Squared Architects based in Houston, Texas. With over 20 years of experience in the field he leads collaborative, multidisciplinary design teams on projects ranging in scale from mid-rise to mixed-use high-rise campus developments. Shane integrates complex program requirements to design buildings tailored to the needs and cultures of his clients. Before refining concepts to engage both project context and environment, Shane’s design process includes research, analysis, discovery, optimization, composition and placemaking.

  W Squared Architects

  Founding Principal

  Moderator

  Shane Wilson

  Founding Principal

  W Squared Architects

Finding Deals & The Anatomy of the Capital Stack

• 

  Cole Kellogg

  Cole Kellogg is FCP's regional head of Texas and is responsible for the firm’s multifamily investments throughout the state. He specializes in underwriting core, core+, and value-add acquisitions, ground-up development and structured finance opportunities. Prior to joining FCP in 2016, Cole worked in the Asset Management group of J.P. Morgan Chase. He graduated with a BA from Vanderbilt University in 2013.

  FCP

  VP, Multifamily Acquisitions

  Cole Kellogg

  VP, Multifamily Acquisitions

  FCP

• 

  Ricardo Rivas

  Mr. Rivas joined Allied Realty in 2001 and he has successfully directed or assisted the acquisition/development of over 2,300 multifamily units for a total aggregate value of over $240 million. Mr. Rivas’ responsibilities include all aspects of managing Allied Realty’s multifamily investment businesses that include acquisition and development. Mr. Rivas oversees the acquisition and disposition of assets, market feasibility, site selection, project design, permitting, construction management, and project financing. Mr. Rivas formed and oversees Allied’s first private equity fund launched in 2013 to develop multi-family assets in the major metropolitan areas of Texas. Mr. Rivas’ professional affiliations include being a member of the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC) Emerging Leaders Committee, the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the Houston Apartment Association (HAA). A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Mr. Rivas is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and he is currently C.P.A. eligible while pursuing his Master of Science in Accountancy at the University of Houston. Mr. Rivas received his M.B.A. from the University of North Alabama. He is a also a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of North Alabama and was named All-Gulf South Conference and Academic All-Gulf South Conference for two consecutive years as a 4-year member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis team (both as player and Assistant Coach).

  Allied Orion Group

  CEO

  Ricardo Rivas

  CEO

  Allied Orion Group

• 

  Richard Leibovitch

  Mr. Leibovitch is the co-founder of Arel Capital and is responsible for the firm’s investment activities. He is an investment professional with 30 years of experience, managing risk and identifying investment opportunities across a wide array of asset classes. Mr. Leibovitch, through his holding companies, owns a significant residential portfolio, which he has acquired, renovated and upgraded over the past 20 years. From 2003 to 2012, Mr. Leibovitch served as the Chief Investment Officer, a member of its Executive Committee and board member of Gottex Fund Management, a publicly-traded fund of hedge fund firm with over $7 billion in assets under management. From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Leibovitch was the Global Head of Trading and Derivatives for Putnam Investments. He was a member of their Executive and Management Committees. From 1985 to 1998, Mr. Leibovitch was a senior executive at JP Morgan, where he held a number of senior trading positions including Head of Derivatives Trading, Head of Mortgage-Backed Securities Trading and Co-Head of Equity Derivatives. Mr. Leibovitch received a B.A. (Hons.) from McGill University and an M.Phil from Cambridge University.

  Arel Capital

  Managing Partner

  Richard Leibovitch

  Managing Partner

  Arel Capital

• 

  Alec Morris

  Alec Morris is an Investment Associate at AECOM Capital and is on the investments team, based in New York. He joined AECOM Capital in June 2015 and is responsible for sourcing and underwriting new investment opportunities, as well as asset management of existing AECOM Capital deals including Flushing Commons, 3300 Main Street, and Paramount Miami Worldcenter. Morris received his BS from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration with a minor in Real Estate in May 2015.

  AECOM Capital

  Associate

  Alec Morris

  Associate

  AECOM Capital

• 

  Kevin Kirton

  Mr. Kirton co-founded Buckhead in 1996, and has since been its Chief Executive Officer. He is also CEO and a founding principal of Funding Incorporated, an FHA and Fannie Mae-approved multifamily lender which originates, funds and services multifamily mortgages nationwide. Before founding Buckhead, he served as Manager of Commercial Lending for Main Street Mortgage, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, and as Executive V.P. of Citadel Mortgage Co., one of the nation’s first FHA-approved multifamily co-insurers and Fannie Mae DUS lenders. As a result of this experience, Mr. Kirton has an extensive knowledge of multifamily lending, financial operations, development and management. Mr. Kirton earned a B.A. in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis.

  Buckhead Investment Partners

  CEO

  Kevin Kirton

  CEO

  Buckhead Investment Partners

• 

  John Sloot

  John Sloot is a Vice President for Hunt Mortgage Group (HMG), focusing on originating, term, and bridge loans for multifamily & commercial real estate properties across the country. All executions are direct through HMG’s Agency relationship (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac), FHA/HUD and HMG’s Proprietary Lending Programs. Prior to joining HMG, John was an AVP in Associated Bank’s Commercial Real Estate Group where he provided support and asset/portfolio management needs for the group. John was responsible for managing a commercial real estate portfolio of 40+ assets/credit facilities with commitments totaling in excess of $200 million. John also assisted the group in closing in excess of $500 million in new commitments during his time with the company. Before joining Associated Bank, John was a Sr. Commercial Real Estate Analyst at BMO Harris Bank (fna Amcore Bank) where he was in charge of underwriting real estate debt transactions. John began his career and received formal credit/underwriting training through MB Financial and their Leadership Development Program where he rotated through various divisions of the Commercial Bank. Throughout his career, John has assisted in closing over $1 Billion in real estate transactions. John graduated from Roosevelt University with an MBA in Real Estate and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration (BBA) from Roosevelt University.

  Hunt Real Estate Capital

  VP

  John Sloot

  VP

  Hunt Real Estate Capital

• 

  Braden Griffith

  Braden Griffith is an Associate with Higginbotham, and offices in Houston, Texas. Braden joined the Higginbotham team in 2018 and is focusing his practice within the commercial real estate and habitational worlds. He focuses on designing and implementing insurance programs to protect firms with growing and complex portfolios. He and his team are experienced with clients in excess of $4B in assets and understand development (new and existing), construction, management, and acquisition/exits. Braden graduated with a BA form St. Edwards University in 2011.

  Higginbotham

  Associate

  Moderator

  Braden Griffith

  Associate

  Higginbotham

Tackling Affordable, Attainable, & Workforce Housing

• 

  Joy Horak-Brown

  As New Hope Housing’s founding President and Chief Executive Officer, Joy oversees real estate development, property management, social service programming, fundraising, marketing, public relations, and administration. Joy began in 1993 as New Hope’s first employee and has since led the organization to its 31-year legacy as the leading provider of affordable, permanent Housing + Services in the State of Texas. With Joy’s leadership, New Hope Housing has grown from a small organization that operated 40 units of studio-efficiency housing, to one with more than 1,500 apartment homes at 11 affordable communities across Houston. New Hope has additional developments under construction and in the funding pipeline, including affordable housing for families and seniors. The organization is also consulting with other organizations wishing to replicate its model. New Hope Housing’s historic mission of offering exclusively SRO housing for the formerly homeless broadened in 2013 to include supportive housing for vulnerable families, and again in 2021, to include working families and individuals with modest incomes. In 2023, New Hope expanded its mission even further to include supportive housing for seniors (55+) living on modest incomes. Fifty-five percent (55%) of New Hope’s portfolio is dedicated to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), serving the chronic homeless. Since inception, New Hope Housing has assisted more than 13,000 people, and has raised more than $285MM in layered, debt-free financing for capital expansions, organization operating funds and resident services. New Hope has received numerous prestigious local, national, and international awards honoring the organization’s innovative and transformative approach to community change.

  New Hope Housing

  President and CEO

  Joy Horak-Brown

  President and CEO

  New Hope Housing

• 

  Matt Shafiezadeh

  Matt Shafiezadeh is the founder of Urban Genesis, a real estate investment and development company with acute strategies tied to advancing affordability across multiple product classes. Since its founding in 2013, Matt has grown Urban Genesis to $1.4 billion of AUM. Prior to Urban Genesis, Matt was a senior investment officer at Lionstone Investments where he sourced over $2.0 billion of commercial real estate assets across the country. Matt also spent time at both Highland Capital Management and Lazard Freres & Co on Distressed Investments and M&A/Restructuring. He graduated in finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007.

  Urban Genesis

  Founder

  Matt Shafiezadeh

  Founder

  Urban Genesis

• 

  Tom McCasland

  Prior to working for the City of Houston, Director McCasland served as the CEO of Harris County Housing Authority. In this role he implemented policies to ensure transparency and public accountability, and resolved multiple federal investigations related to waste, fraud and abuse that preceded his tenure. His efforts ultimately guided the housing authority back from the brink of bankruptcy, reducing operating expenses by nearly 50 percent, improving services to clients, and increasing salaries for the housing authority’s lowest paid employees. In order to maximize the benefit of limited taxpayer dollars, he prioritized affordable housing funds for Harris County’s neediest residents such as homeless schoolchildren, homeless veterans and seniors living in poverty. He also worked with the Houston Parks Board on successful legislation, funding mechanisms and grant applications related to a $500 million expansion of linear parks and trails along Harris County’s 10 major bayous. He previously served as the director of research for the gubernatorial campaign of former Houston Mayor Bill White and provided general counsel services to local government entities while practicing law at Vinson & Elkins LLP. Director McCasland received his bachelor’s degree from Hobe Sound Bible College, a master’s degree from Baylor University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Yale Law School. He is an avid cyclist, runner, and public transit rider.

  City of Houston

  Director, Housing and Community Development

  Tom McCasland

  Director, Housing and Community Development

  City of Houston

• 

  Rick Guttman

  Founder

  Dakota Enterprises

• 

  David Staas

  David’ real estate practice includes development, leasing, financing, acquisition, and sale of hotels, office buildings, multi-family residential properties, shopping centers, mixed-use developments, airports, convention centers, and sports and entertainment venues. His public law practice includes public-private partnerships, economic development, public information, entitlements, grants, and other local government matters. His practice focuses on the travel, convention, and visitor industry. This includes developing, leasing, operating, managing, and marketing of convention, sports, and entertainment venues and airport facilities. He serves in leadership positions with several professional organizations, including as a member of the Urban Land Institute’s national Travel Experience and Trends Council.

  Winstead PC

  Shareholder

  Moderator

  David Staas

  Shareholder

  Winstead PC