Solving The Affordable Housing Crisis

Expanding Accessibility, Increasing Supply, Accelerating Development

• 

  Terry Harris

  Terry Harris is the Founder and Principal of Visionary Developments Enterprises, established in 2018. His career began with the rehabilitation of single-family homes and evolved into single-family, multifamily, and now mixed-use commercial developments. Driven by the commitment to creating spaces that foster growth and transformation, Harris is dedicated to delivering thoughtfulness, and innovation across every project. Together with his team, he collaborates with leading architects, engineers, designers, financiers, and advisors — continually advancing the work, the company, and his own evolution.

  Visionary Developments Enterprises

  Founder & Principal

  Terry Harris

  Founder & Principal

  Visionary Developments Enterprises

• 

  Ted Handel

  As Chief Executive Officer of Decro and its affiliated entities, Mr. Handel is responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of the company, pursuit of new housing opportunities, and oversight of a portfolio with 28 developments and over 1,500 housing units in California and Florida. Prior to joining Decro, Mr. Handel had more than 25 years of experience in developing, financing, syndicating, operating, constructing and managing affordable housing developments. Mr. Handel represented nonprofits and National Equity Fund (NEF) as counsel in affordable housing transactions, formed California nonprofit public benefit corporations, and advised nonprofit Board of Directors on legal compliance issues. At NEF, he closed 57 development deals representing a gross equity investment by this low-income housing tax credit syndicator of $315 million. Mr. Handel is President of The Carter House, Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates a HUD Section 811 housing development in South Los Angeles, and serves on the Board of the Hockey Equipment Lending Program, Inc., a nonprofit that supports disadvantaged youth playing that sport. He is the former Chair of Los Angeles Lawyer, a Los Angeles County Bar Association publication, and has been published in that magazine and the Los Angeles Business Journal. Mr. Handel has been a speaker at the National Association of Housing and Rehabilitation Officers Summer Conference and conferences of Housing California and the Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing. He is admitted to practice law in California and received a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School (Los Angeles) and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Southern California.

  Decro

  CEO

  Ted Handel

  CEO

  Decro

• 

  Martin Porter

  Founder & CEO

  Logos Development

• 

  Jay Stark

  Principal

  The Pinyon Group

• 

  Mark Lahmon

  Mark Lahmon, AIA, is a Los Angeles native. He spent 7 years working as a carpenter before receiving a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University with honors in 1997. He began his career in architecture working for two Pritzker prize architects in Rem Koolhaas and Frank O. Gehry before landing at KFA in 1999 to focus on housing and adaptive reuse. Mark eventually moved on to become a founding partner of PSL Architects concentrating on affordable housing for 10 years before launching Lahmon Architects in 2015. Specializing in all areas of housing with a specialty in affordable housing, the firm believes well-designed architecture that exhibits a unique character not only retains value but also contributes to one’s self-worth through a sense of comfort, pride, and empowerment. LA’s design process is a composition of project requirements that explore the opportunities of their relationship between context and program through the sensible articulation of innate building components that define mass, space, surface, and detail with a careful devotion to the element of the experience. Lahmon Architect’s is an active contributor to helping solve the current housing epidemic through design, outreach, leadership, and support service contributions. To date, Mark is responsible for over 40 housing projects providing over 2,000 units, with design recognition at the local and national levels.

  Lahmon Architects

  President

  Mark Lahmon

  President

  Lahmon Architects

• 

  Matthew Haas

  Matthew Haas is SVP for Key Bank’s CDLI team covering CA, NM, AZ and NV. In this role, as a senior banker, Matthew works to advance community lending and investment opportunities with for profit and nonprofit developers of affordable housing for both LIHTC properties and workforce / missing middle housing. While at KeyBank over the past two years, he has financed over 2,000 units totaling almost $400mm in debt. In addition, he has advanced the growth of KeyBank’s equity syndications platform by identifying new partner investors for both debt and equity participations. Prior to Key Bank, Matthew Haas was the Director of Investor Relations for the Western US at Berkadia Affordable Housing Tax Credit Solutions, a national syndicator of affordable housing credits for 2 1⁄2 years and Director of Investor Relations and Fund Management for 8 years at Merritt Community Capital, a nonprofit CA-only syndicator. In these two positions, Matthew was able to raise over $600 million in equity for 63 properties financing over 5,000 units of affordable housing. Matthew has over 25 years of affordable housing and community development experience in three major markets of NY, Illinois and California having been employed by key organizations and companies involved in the planning, development and financing of affordable housing. He has held positions as Deputy Director of California Lending at the Low Income Investment Fund, a national CDFI; Multifamily Manager of LIHTC funds for Community Investments at Fannie Mae, a GSE; a VP and Client Manager for Community Development lending at Bank of America; a Senior Acquisitions Officer at National Equity Fund; and Senior Program Manager for Illinois Housing Development Authority. Matthew’s other professional positions have included Assistant Director of Senior Housing and Healthcare Development at St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation in Brooklyn, NY and Assistant Architect and Project Development Manager for the New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Matthew has an M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a B.A. in Architecture / Environmental Design from UC Berkeley. Currently, Matthew serves on the Board of Holos Communities and is a Project Review Committee Member for Innovative Housing Opportunities.

  KeyBank

  Senior Relationship Manager & Senior Banker

  Matthew Haas

  Senior Relationship Manager & Senior Banker

  KeyBank

• Moderator

  Daniel Gehman

  Director, Multifamily

  Ware Malcomb

High Rates, Higher Stakes

Capital Markets, Debt Financing, and Deal Flow in a Volatile Market

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  Daniel Kattan

  Daniel Kattan is an executive director of high yield originations at PGIM Real Estate. Based in Los Angeles, Daniel is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and structuring high yield and structured real estate investments including senior loan, mezzanine, and preferred equity investments for the western U.S., including the Mountain States and Texas. Prior to joining PGIM Real Estate, Daniel was with Canyon Partners Real Estate where he was a Vice President with a focus on equity acquisitions and high yield debt originations throughout the Western US. In his five-year tenure, Daniel was responsible for executing $430 million of invested equity equal to $1.5 billion of total real estate capitalization. Prior to Canyon Partners Real Estate, Daniel was an associate with Colony Capital, an institutional real estate investment management firm, with a focus on equity acquisitions and bridge lending. Previously, he was an associate with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, a leading accountancy firm, with a focus on tax and accounting services for institutional and high net worth real estate clients. Daniel has a bachelor’s degree in history and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Jewish Federation Real Estate & Construction (REC) Network of Los Angeles.

  PGIM

  Executive Director, Financing

  Daniel Kattan

  Executive Director, Financing

  PGIM

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  Noah Kaufman

  Director, Finance & Acquisitions

  Universe Holdings

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  Oliver Anderson

  Oliver Anderson joins us as Head of Real Estate Banking for UMTB USA and brings experience from such banks as Wells Fargo, Union Bank and Cathay Bank. Oliver has led custom credit, term, bridge and construction lending teams covering major US MSA’s over the past 20-years.

  UMTB USA

  Head of Real Estate Banking

  Oliver Anderson

  Head of Real Estate Banking

  UMTB USA

• 

  Chris Nickerson

  Chris Nickerson is an investment professional with 15 years of experience covering major markets across the U.S. Most recently, Mr. Nickerson led Cain International’s Los Angeles office and covered all activities in the Western U.S., including new originations, asset management, and sourcing debt and equity capital alongside Cain International’s balance sheet commitments. Mr. Nickerson joined Cain International as part of the founding team in 2014 and helped grow the business into a global investment manager with $16 billion in assets across debt, equity, and operating platforms. Mr. Nickerson began his career at the Carlton Group, a New York-based real estate investment bank, where he worked on distressed opportunities coming out of the global financial crisis, including loan sales, foreclosures, and workouts. Mr. Nickerson left the Carlton Group to join the CenterCap Group at its founding in 2010. During Mr. Nickerson’s time at CenterCap, he directly supported the partners of the firm to execute strategic advisory work, including TIAA’s acquisition of Henderson’s $2.6 billion North American property business and a recapitalization of mid-Atlantic hospitality operator Buccini Pollin Group’s portfolio. Mr. Nickerson received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Florida State University.

  George Smith Partners

  Managing Director

  Chris Nickerson

  Managing Director

  George Smith Partners

• 

  Tyler Johnson

  Tyler Johnson is responsible for securing financing for multifamily properties throughout the country. With over ten years in the industry, Tyler has extensive experience arranging permanent, bridge and construction loans with all types of lenders, including CMBS, commercial banks, insurance companies and debt funds. Prior to joining IPA Capital Markets in 2022, Tyler was responsible for national business development and transaction coordination in connection with the financing of commercial real estate investments. Tyler holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Chapman University.

  Institutional Property Advisors

  Managing Director

  Tyler Johnson

  Managing Director

  Institutional Property Advisors

• 

  Elizabeth Dryden

  Elizabeth Dryden is a Partner in the Real Estate Department of Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP. Elizabeth’s practice covers a broad range of real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financings, and joint venture and syndication formations. Her practice experience includes extensive representation of institutional and noninstitutional lenders, property owners and developers, private equity investors and high-net worth individuals across all asset classes. With a strong background in finance, Elizabeth specializes in structuring and negotiating real estate finance transactions, including first mortgage loans, mezzanine and other subordinate loans, preferred equity and joint venture structures, syndicated credit facilities, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans, bridge loans and construction loans. Prior to joining Ervin Cohen & Jessup, Elizabeth worked at the Am Law 100 firms Paul Hastings LLP and Morrison & Foerster LLP. Elizabeth holds a Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Philosophy from Columbia University. She is also the Co-Chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Real Estate Section.

  Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP

  Partner

  Moderator

  Elizabeth Dryden

  Partner

  Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP

Unlocking Capital & Funding for Impact

Innovative Financing Solutions and Capital Strategies

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  Deborah La Franchi

  Deborah La Franchi is the founder and CEO of SDS Capital Group. SDS is a national leader in impact investing with $1.48 billion of active assets under management in six different fund and product strategies. Ms. La Franchi founded SDS with the express vision of engaging the private sector in the battle against poverty. Each impact fund on SDS’s platform serves a different geography and employs a unique investment strategy, but they all generate positive impacts for low-income communities and people. Each fund – depending on the focus of the specific fund – either targets a risk-adjusted rate-of-return or provides capital at a below-market cost. Ms. La Franchi’s core role is to ensure each fund is supported by a team with the key expertise needed to execute the specific investment strategy. Ms. La Franchi leads the structuring of each fund’s investment strategy, spearheads fundraising, oversees the senior managers of each fund and division, and participates on each fund’s investment committee. Outside of her work with SDS, Ms. La Franchi is the founder and board chair of Sustainable Communities Fund, which provides capital for small and micro loans to low-income and diverse entrepreneurs. Ms. La Franchi also is on the UCLA Ziman Affordable Housing Advisory Council (AHAC). Before founding SDS, she served as Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan’s Assistant Deputy Mayor for Economic Development; she then went on to serve as the first CEO of Genesis LA, which launched the Genesis Family of Funds. She is a former director for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Secretary and Director of the National New Market Tax Credit Coalition. Ms. La Franchi earned a BA in Political Science and History from UCLA, an MBA from UCLA, and an MPP from Georgetown University. She also holds a Series 65 license

  SDS Capital Group

  CEO

  Deborah La Franchi

  CEO

  SDS Capital Group

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  David Shlecter

  David Shlecter is the Senior Vice President of Watt Capital Partners, responsible for the firm’s overall investment strategy and execution of business plans. Reporting directly to the President, Nadine Watt, David provides strategic leadership and serves as a key link between the internal team and external partners, guiding complex projects from acquisition through development and stabilization. David joined Watt Companies in 2016 as part of the Capital Markets team. His background as a CPA specializing in real estate taxation has shaped his disciplined and analytical approach to structuring transactions, leveraging both traditional and innovative tax-efficient strategies. Over the years, he has led the capitalization and structuring of mixed-use, residential, and commercial developments across California, aligning investment performance with long-term portfolio objectives. David earned his Master of Accounting from the Ross School of Business and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and YPO NextGen. David lives in Marina del Rey with his wife and their one-year-old son.

  Watt Capital Partners

  SVP

  David Shlecter

  SVP

  Watt Capital Partners

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  George Saad

  George Saad is President & Managing Principal of Fairway Multifamily, where he leads the firm's acquisitions, asset management, and development strategy. Prior to founding Fairway, George served as Partner and Director of Acquisitions at The BLVD Group where he was responsible for the acquisition, disposition, and financing of 50+ multifamily properties totaling over $1B. His experience includes the preservation of affordable housing, with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), tax exempt bond financing, and public private partnerships

  Fairway Multifamily

  Managing Principal

  George Saad

  Managing Principal

  Fairway Multifamily

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  Sandy Albert

  Sandy has been in real estate investment management, development, finance, and operations in LA, NYC, and Chicago for 16 years and joined CityPads as a partner in 2021 to help spearhead growth, investment, and development activities. Sandy was an early team member at Common, the largest density focused and technology driven residential brand in the U.S where he helped the company expand into over 7 new markets going from ~200 units to ~8,000 units under management in 5 years. Sandy has held roles in acquisitions, finance, development and asset management in New York City for Adam America Real Estate, one of the most active multifamily & condo developers in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Andover Properties, one of the largest private owner/operators of self storage facilities in the U.S. Sandy is an active 16-year member of the Urban Land Institute and is based in Los Angeles.

  CityPads

  Principal & Managing Partner

  Sandy Albert

  Principal & Managing Partner

  CityPads

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  Katie Balderrama

  Katie Balderrama is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Alliant Community Preservation. Katie leads the company’s investment, asset management and strategic direction. Katie previously served as Executive Vice President of Affordable Equity, Development, and Preservation at Walker & Dunlop where she oversaw LIHTC production, acquisitions, and asset management for the Affordable Equity team. Ms. Balderrama has 19 years of LIHTC and affordable housing experience. Prior to this role, Ms. Balderrama was Alliant Capital’s General Counsel for nearly nine years, where she and the legal team provided legal support to all of Alliant’s business units, including oversight of the legal integrity of each investment and collaborating with the executive team to design and implement process improvement initiatives. Before joining Alliant Capital, Ms. Balderrama practiced complex business litigation, including affordable housing, real estate, and securities litigation at international law firms Mayer Brown LLP and Crowell & Moring LLP. Her practice focused on complex financial cases such as securities, corporate, partnership, fiduciary disputes, class actions, and intellectual property litigation. Ms. Balderrama obtained her Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, where she graduated as valedictorian, and her Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University. She studied classical voice in college and now enjoys singing with community groups such as Loyola Marymount’s Concert Choir and the Los Angeles Cathedral Choir.

  Alliant Communities

  President, Preservation

  Katie Balderrama

  President, Preservation

  Alliant Communities

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  Matthew Cox

  With 25 years of experience in complex risk insurance brokerage, Matthew serves as the Real Estate Practice Leader at Heffernan Insurance Brokers (HIB). In this role, he designs insurance programs for both commercial and residential developments, encompassing projects under construction as well as completed real estate portfolios. HIB's real estate clientele includes nationwide developers, lenders, REITs, and family offices. Additionally, HIB maintains a London operation, facilitating efficient access to the Lloyd's insurance market.

  Heffernan Insurance Brokers

  SVP

  Matthew Cox

  SVP

  Heffernan Insurance Brokers

• 

  Michael Cypers

  Michael Cypers is an experienced trial lawyer and business counselor who focuses on complex financial disputes. He has tried multiple cases dealing with civil securities, corporate, partnership, financing, housing finance and fiduciary duties. Few lawyers in the country have handled as many affordable housing investment litigations as Michael has. He is a frequent thought leader on the topic, discussing recent trial results, court decisions and trends in affordable housing litigation. Michael’s successful trial work on behalf of a private equity affordable housing fund that rescinded investment contracts earned a “Top High Impact Verdict” in California distinction by the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He has tried several disputes before juries involving financial statements, including a seven-month class action alleging $1 billion in damages that resulted in a defense verdict for his client.

  Glaser Weil

  Partner, Chair of the Affordable Housing Practice

  Moderator

  Michael Cypers

  Partner, Chair of the Affordable Housing Practice

  Glaser Weil

Operations, Property Management & Community Building

Driving Multifamily Development & Resident Experience Through AI & Tech

• 

  Carly Stevenson

  Ms. Stevenson is currently EVP of Property Management for Avanath Capital Management. Carly is a 21-year veteran property management professional. Prior to joining Avanath, she was the President, Property Management at Mandel Group, based in Milwaukee, responsible for the profitability and operations of their multi-state property management platform. Carly also held multiple management positions at AMLI and Waterton Residential where she gained valuable experience in several markets by enhancing the value of various asset types and classes, from Class – A (to C), Garden to High Rise, Mixed-Use, Affordable, and Commercial real estate. What makes her most unique is her grass roots career where she began as a Leasing Consultant and has grown to now become a strategic leader within Avanath. As a result of her success, she has been the personal recipient of multiple Chicagoland Apartment Marketing & Management Excellence awards, 2019’s Bisnow Power Women in Chicago Real Estate and Connect Media’s 2020 Women in Real Estate – Midwest recipient. Carly was elected and served on the Board of Directors for the Chicagoland Apartment Association.

  Avanath Capital Management

  EVP, Property Management

  Carly Stevenson

  EVP, Property Management

  Avanath Capital Management

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  Spencer Hogan

  SVP

  Veritas Investments

• 

  Sarah Malone

  SVP, Operations

  Bozzuto

• 

  Melissa Kaspers

  President

  GoSource

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  Raul Rodriguez

  With nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry and over seven years at Suffolk, Raul Rodriguez brings deep technical expertise and a collaborative leadership style to every project he manages. As a Senior Project Manager in Suffolk’s Los Angeles office, Raul oversees complex, large-scale developments from preconstruction through closeout, ensuring quality, safety, and client satisfaction at every stage. Raul has played a key role in delivering several high-profile projects across Southern California, including the Evermont mixed-use development in South Los Angeles, a $135 million, 430,000-square-foot LEED Gold project that integrates affordable housing, retail, and community space, as well as the Thompson and Tommie Hotels in Hollywood, two boutique hospitality projects that have contributed to the revitalization of the city’s iconic entertainment district. Before joining Suffolk, Raul held project management and estimating roles at Millie and Severson, Shangri-La Construction, and Oltmans Construction, where he gained comprehensive experience across both the public and private sectors. Raul holds a B.S. in Construction Engineering and Management from California State University, Long Beach, and an A.S. in Construction Technology from Don Bosco Technical Institute. He is also a LEED Green Associate, reflecting his commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking building practices.

  Suffolk Construction

  Sr Project Manager

  Raul Rodriguez

  Sr Project Manager

  Suffolk Construction

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  Gemma Nibungco

  Gemma Nibugco is a Tax Partner and CPA at MGO, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in public accounting. She serves large clients across a range of industries, including REITs, multi-tiered real estate partnerships, and multistate corporations. Gemma is particularly proud of her extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, where she plays a key role in structuring complex transactions and delivering clear, strategic consulting throughout the lifecycle of a business.

  MGO CPAs

  Tax Partner

  Moderator

  Gemma Nibungco

  Tax Partner

  MGO CPAs

Breaking Ground in a Tight Market

Navigating Policy, Zoning, Entitlements, Permitting & NIMBYism

• 

  Andrew Slocum

  Founder

  Green Development Company

• 

  John Santry

  SVP, Development

  Ledcor Development

• 

  Muhammad Alameldin

  Muhammad T. Alameldin is the Senior Policy Advisor at California YIMBY, where he leads research efforts and helps shape the organization’s legislative and regulatory priorities. He leads California YIMBY’s long-term policy planning, including the development of its five-year legislative agenda. His work focuses on advancing bold, data-driven solutions to California’s housing crisis—looking beyond zoning to address deeper barriers to housing production. Prior to joining California YIMBY, Muhammad was a Policy Associate at UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation, where he authored multiple papers and helped influence housing policy across local, state, and federal levels. He also served as an advisor to BuildCasa, a leading prop-tech startup, advanced internship access on Capitol Hill through his work at Pay Our Interns, and tackled racial and economic inequities at the Greenlining Institute. Muhammad currently serves on the boards of the Casita Coalition and the Rockridge Community Planning Council. His expertise and insights have been featured in a variety of publications from The Atlantic to the White House.

  California YIMBY

  Senior Policy Advisor

  Muhammad Alameldin

  Senior Policy Advisor

  California YIMBY

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  Christopher Koontz

  Community Development Director

  City of Long Beach

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  Eric Donnelly

  As Vice President of Construction of the Multifamily Group, Eric oversees the development and construction for all residential projects at KPRS, including market-rate, senior living, senior assisted and affordable residential. For the past 35 years, Eric has solely focused his career on the multifamily market, having constructed over 20,000 units. His narrowed insight and expertise have made him a sought-after builder by clients throughout the west coast. Eric’s dynamic leadership has allowed him to grow and expand numerous teams and their capabilities throughout his tenure at KPRS. With a focus on quality, craftsmanship and technical applications, each unit he builds is given the attention of an individual home. Eric received his B.S. in Construction Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

  KPRS

  VP, Construction

  Eric Donnelly

  VP, Construction

  KPRS

• 

  Alex Toth

  Alex Toth is Vice President of Growth at Villa, a next-generation homebuilding platform that leverages offsite construction and technology to efficiently deliver much-needed housing. He leads revenue growth, sales, marketing, and partnerships for the company, which in 2024 became California’s largest retailer of manufactured homes on permanent foundations. Villa specializes in infill and “missing middle” housing and is a leading builder of detached ADUs. Prior to Villa, Alex spent a decade at Opendoor in leadership roles spanning business development and homebuilder partnerships, and helped grow the company from early-stage startup to a public real estate platform with over 270,000 transactions. He began his career in management roles at Anheuser-Busch InBev. Alex was named to Pro Builder’s “40 Under 40” list in 2022 and recognized by HousingWire as a 2024 Insider for his operational leadership. He holds a BSBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Washington University in St. Louis.

  Villa Homes

  VP

  Alex Toth

  VP

  Villa Homes

• Moderator

  Edward Musharbash

  Attorney

  Sheppard Mullin

Bold & Innovative Solutions to Accelerate Housing Production

Leveraging Adaptive Reuse, Repositioning & Offsite Construction, Modular

• 

  Mo Zahrawi

  Mo has more than 20 years of real estate investment and development experience. He has acquired and developed over 6,000 multi-family units and managed over $1 billion in project costs.

  RMG Housing

  Partner & Co-Founder

  Mo Zahrawi

  Partner & Co-Founder

  RMG Housing

• 

  Alex Kolodziejczyk

  With 15 years of experience in both Engineering and Commercial Real Estate Development, as a Development Vice President for CIM Group, Alex has managed an aggregate of $152 Million of development cost across 735,000 SF and delivered 346 units to the Los Angeles market. His experience includes entitlement, design, permitting and construction for both ground-up and adaptive re-use projects.

  CIM Group

  VP, Development

  Alex Kolodziejczyk

  VP, Development

  CIM Group

• 

  Gina Pfingston

  VP

  Arc Capital Partners

• 

  Jason Morris

  Jason, Assistant Vice President in Marx|Okubo’s West region, performs architectural consulting, property condition assessments, pre-construction project reviews, periodic construction observation and owner’s representation-related services. With a strong background in project management and architectural detailing, Jason draws upon his experience in both the commercial and residential markets to find creative solutions to complex problems. His experience performing building evaluations ranges from 72-story office towers and large (1.3 million square feet) portfolios, to 30- to 90-building facility condition assessments for internationally recognized media companies (ranging from 206,044 square feet to 1.8m square feet). Prior to joining Marx|Okubo, Jason worked as a project architect at a Los Angeles-based architecture firm, where he focused on managing large scale luxury retail projects for well-known international brands. In his leading role, he was responsible for managing due diligence, technical documentation, and construction administration as well as overall project scheduling, project budgeting and bid coordination. He has additional experience working with highend residential, commercial office, and tiltup concrete industrial projects. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is a licensed architect in California and a member of the American Institute of Architects. In addition, he previously served as a director on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

  Marx|Okubo

  Assistant VP

  Jason Morris

  Assistant VP

  Marx|Okubo

• 

  Konstantin Daskalov

  Konstantin Daskalov is an accomplished Senior Executive of Development & Construction with 16 years of diverse experience in all phases of the development process, leading professional teams through entitlements, design development, GC selection, budgeting, scheduling and construction execution of large ground-up, multifamily, affordable, mixed-use, hospitality and healthcare projects with full P&L responsibility. As the Vice President, US Operations, Konstantin is spearheading all the firm's Operations in the US, and Directing: Marketing; Sales; Business Development; Architecture / Developer / Construction Partners & Lenders; Project Entitlements & Approvals; Project Delivery; Product Erection & Assembly and Business Plan Execution. Previously, as Founder & President of Daskoney Properties, Konstantin led all operations for the firm, overseeing acquisitions, development and construction management staff with full P&L responsibility for multi-family projects, while he was also an Executive Consultant for SOLA Impact on their large multifamily and affordable housing efforts. Prior to that, as VP of Development & Construction with a major real estate investment & development company, Konstantin has directed all development and construction operations for a large portfolio of hotels and office assets across the US with annual development budget of over $75M. Previously, as VP of Development for a national condominium developer, Konstantin has directed and successfully completed several ground-up multifamily, high-rise projects in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago with average construction cost of $200M each and delivered great investment returns expediting construction and unit sales. Konstantin started his career as a Project Manager for a General Contractor and later as Director of Construction successfully completed the construction of large multifamily projects in Chicago directing PMs, and Contractors. Konstantin Daskalov holds a M.S./MBA degree from Northwestern University, as well as, a BS in Civil Engineering and a BA in Business Management degrees from Calvin University. He is a proud member of Urban Land Institute (ULI), Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and variety of other professional organizations in Real Estate and Construction Management, and is a speaker and participant for numerous professional panels.

  STACK Modular

  VP, US Operations

  Konstantin Daskalov

  VP, US Operations

  STACK Modular

• 

  Conor Wood

  Sr Project Architect

  Assemblage Works

• 

  Jerry Lam

  With decades of engineering design and consulting experience, Jerry Lam specializes in transforming existing office and hotel buildings into live/work units and affordable housing across Southern California. Drawing on his background in MEP engineering, Jerry is passionate about delivering practical solutions to complex design, code, and regulatory challenges in adaptive reuse projects.

  Lam + Tea Engineering

  Principal

  Jerry Lam

  Principal

  Lam + Tea Engineering

• Moderator

  Samuel Landman

  Managing Principal

  SL Equity

Multifamily Investment Opportunities

Sourcing Deals, Acquisition Strategies, Value-Add Execution & Targeting High-Growth Sectors

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  Adrian Berger

  Adrian is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, due diligence, and negotiating new investment opportunities including real estate acquisitions and equity co-investment. Adrian also fosters and grows CEI's network of lenders, equity partners, and brokers. In Los Angeles, Adrian is focused on the acquisition of land for development, multi-family value-add, retail/office for repositioning; and equity co-investment with local sponsors. Nationally, Adrian is responsible for identifying and qualifying sponsors who require co-investment capital.

  Cypress Equity Investments

  Managing Director, Acquisitions

  Adrian Berger

  Managing Director, Acquisitions

  Cypress Equity Investments

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  Malcolm Johnson

  Malcolm Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Langdon Park Capital, a real estate investment management company that sources opportunities and creates value through local expertise, strategic relationships with development partners and corporate tenants and a deep understanding of the communities in which its real estate investments are located. Johnson directs the overall strategy and operations of Langdon Park Capital. Johnson has 16 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Previously, he was an Executive Director in JPMorgan’s Commercial Real Estate group, where he led the firm’s efforts on a new platform that deployed equity into affordable and workforce housing projects in markets across the country. Johnson joined JPMorgan in 2012 as the senior coverage banker in the firm’s Real Estate Banking group in Los Angeles, where he underwrote and arranged $3 billion in debt financing for institutional real estate developers and investment firms. From 2006-2012, Johnson was a vice president in the Commercial Real Estate Banking group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Prior to his banking career, Johnson played professional football with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1999-2003. Johnson has been a guest lecturer for the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA Anderson School of Business, University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the National Football League and numerous schools and non-profit organizations in South Los Angeles and his native Washington, DC. Johnson serves on the Sustaining Board for the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate, Advisory Board for the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate at the University of Notre Dame, Board of Trustees for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Corporate Advisory Board for The Brotherhood Crusade, a non-profit organization supporting low-income South Los Angeles residents. Johnson received his Masters in Business Administration from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and his Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.

  Langdon Park Capital

  Founder & CEO

  Malcolm Johnson

  Founder & CEO

  Langdon Park Capital

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  Parker Champion

  Parker Champion is the Chief Operating Officer and a Partner at Champion Real Estate Company. Los Angeles-based Champion Real Estate Company was founded in 1987 and has consistently achieved annual above-market returns by identifying and maximizing niche opportunities before its competitors. Parker runs the daily operations while heading Champion’s high yield and value add cash flow investment activities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Policy, Planning and Development and a Master in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and a member of the National Multi-family Housing Council and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

  Champion Real Estate Company

  CEO

  Parker Champion

  CEO

  Champion Real Estate Company

• 

  Chris Tourtellotte

  Chris Tourtellotte serves as a Managing Director of LaTerra. Chris is responsible for overseeing the Development group, sourcing and closing new acquisitions, sourcing debt and equity for LaTerra’s projects, and growing LaTerra’s apartment and mixed use development platform, which currently includes over 3,000 apartment units either under construction or in the pipeline. Prior to joining LaTerra, Mr. Tourtellotte spent 7 years at Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM), a global real estate private equity investment fund manager with over $50 billion of gross assets under management. Most recently at PGIM, Mr. Tourtellotte held the position of Director, overseeing all development activity west of the Mississippi River with over 20 development deals at a total cost basis greater than $1 billion. Prior to Mr. Tourtellotte’s role overseeing West Coast development, he spent 5 years on the West Coast acquisitions team where he worked on closing over $1 billion in acquisitions across all property types (multifamily, office, retail, industrial, and hotels) and all layers of the capital stack (senior debt, subordinate debt, preferred equity and equity). Chris co-founded SnowGlobe Music Festival, which was ultimately acquired by MTV. SnowGlobe is a world-renowned annual music festival (featuring the largest musical acts in the world) drawing over 50,000 attendees over the three day event. Mr. Tourtellotte was responsible for raising the capital, and structuring and negotiating the investment documents prior to the inaugural 2011 festival. Mr. Tourtellotte was selected for Real Estate forum’s 50 under 40 list. Mr. Tourtellotte holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) with a double concentration (Finance & Accounting) and a minor in Real Property Development from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

  LaTerra Development

  Managing Director

  Chris Tourtellotte

  Managing Director

  LaTerra Development

• 

  Greg Campbell

  CIO & Acquisitions

  Benedict Canyon Equities

• 

  Brock Miller

  Brock Miller is a Director at Turner Impact Capital focused on its Multifamily Housing Initiatives and is responsible for acquisitions underwriting, transaction due diligence, and management of portfolio assets. Prior to joining Turner Impact Capital, Brock was an Associate for Greystar Real Estate Partners, a fully integrated multifamily real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development and property management of rental housing properties globally. Prior to Greystar, Brock was an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs where he focused on acquisitions in the Financial Institutions Group. Brock received a B.S. in Finance from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

  Turner Impact Capital

  Director

  Brock Miller

  Director

  Turner Impact Capital

• 

  Olga Zarney

  Olga Zarney is the Managing Principal of the Los Angeles office. Olga has 20 years of experience as a respected CPA and business advisor to entrepreneurs and their businesses. She provides tax compliance and planning for individuals, partnerships, closely-held businesses, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. She focuses on serving clients in the real estate industry including retail, office, residential, hospitality, industrial, and developers. Olga works closely with large real estate family owned offices to help them with tax saving strategies such as 1031 like-kind exchanges, cost segregation studies, use of federal and state tax credits and advises on entity formation and structure. She also works closely with attorneys on estate and gift tax planning to assist clients with a successful transition of family businesses to next generations. Additionally, Olga has handled tax controversy matters, including representation of taxpayers before federal, state, and local taxing authorities.

  CLA

  Managing Principal of Office

  Moderator

  Olga Zarney

  Managing Principal of Office

  CLA

Developing & Designing for Density

Optimizing Space, Efficiency & Experience in Urban Multifamily Projects

• 

  Ari Kahan

  Ari Kahan began his career at Fortress Investment Group where he was responsible for underwriting and financial analysis across a wide range of asset classes. In 2012, Ari joined California Landmark as a consultant in the acquisitions and development departments, focusing on deal origination and the entitlement of several developments. In 2015, he launched the restaurant group Mainland Poke Shop, reinventing and popularizing the Hawaiian concept of Poke on a global scale, where he was recognized by Zagat in their 30 under 30 program for his efforts in this new restaurant field. Ari rejoined CLG full time in 2017 and has been instrumental in the company’s growth strategy since then. Today, Ari oversees the Acquisitions group and co leads the Development Group. He also serves on the firm’s IMC (Investment and Management Committee), helping guide the company into the 21st century. An LA native, Ari graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a BBA in Real Estate Finance. A pension for charity drives Ari to give back by serving on the boards of a charter school, a private Jewish high school and variety of food related charitable ventures. When not working, Ari enjoys both playing and watching hockey, skiing, cooking, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

  California Landmark Group

  Principal

  Ari Kahan

  Principal

  California Landmark Group

• 

  Emma Loos

  VP, Development

  Cypress Equity Investments

• 

  Austin Nissly

  Co-Founder & Partner

  LWK Partners

• 

  Alexandria (Ali) Hoevel

  Alexandria (Ali) credits her early interest in maps for guiding her career as an architect. “In discovering new places, the first thing I do is study a map — it’s fascinating to learn how cities and buildings change and grow as the cultures they are home to change as well,” she says. During her career spanning over two decades, Ali has worked extensively on mixed-use developments, multifamily, student housing, and hospitality as well as high-end residential and master planning projects regionally, across the U.S. and internationally. As Vice President and Multifamily Studio Leader, Ali works closely with her team to oversee the design and construction of projects in the Southern California region. As a Los Angeles native, she has close ties to the community and will use her valuable relationship skills and design expertise, to grow our commercial sector. A collaborative leader, she fosters the notion that when teams work together, moments of communal authorship lead to innovative ideas. Her ability to listen and partner with clients not only helps them to navigate the design process but does so in a way that delivers the client’s vision while meeting the end user’s needs. Ali believes that how we design buildings is a reflection of our times, ever evolving to meet people’s changing requirements and expectations.

  Corgan

  VP

  Alexandria (Ali) Hoevel

  VP

  Corgan

• 

  Louis Bretaña

  Louis Bretaña is the Director of Design at Danielian Associates, where he has helped shape the firm’s philosophy and studio culture for over 20 years. An NCARB-certified architect and USC School of Architecture graduate, his award-winning portfolio spans luxury estates, multifamily housing, senior and age-targeted communities, clubhouses, and mixed-use developments across the U.S. and internationally in China, Africa, and the Middle East. Louis is also an active contributor to the profession, serving as a judge for architectural awards and participating in organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the National Association of Home Builders, the AIA, and the USC Architectural Guild.

  Danielian Associates

  Director of Design

  Louis Bretaña

  Director of Design

  Danielian Associates

• 

  John Arnold

  John Arnold, AIA, is a Partner at KFA Architecture, where he leads design and client relationships for a wide range of multifamily, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use projects across Los Angeles and California. He also provides firm-wide oversight to maintain KFA’s culture and mentorship of staff. With more than two decades of experience shaping urban housing, John brings a thoughtful approach to density—balancing livability, efficiency, and community context in every project. His portfolio includes high-density and affordable housing developments such as Vivo on Harbor, Llewellyn Apartments, Las Palmas Apartments, and The Laurel Apartments, each integrating site and city in meaningful ways. John also leads KFA’s adaptive reuse practice, having completed over a dozen projects in historically significant buildings. He also remains deeply engaged in civic life through his service on the boards of AIA|LA, Abode Communities Housing, and FORT:LA. He is longtime resident and advocate in his South LA neighborhood of Jefferson Park, serving 17 years on the neighborhood council and two local design review boards, bringing a grounded, real-world perspective on how thoughtful design and planning can elevate neighborhoods. John’s insights on designing for density and optimizing space reflect both his architectural expertise and his lived experience navigating Los Angeles’ evolving urban fabric.

  KFA Architecture

  Partner

  John Arnold

  Partner

  KFA Architecture

• 

  Lauren Chang

  Lauren Chang is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Los Angeles office. She is the former leader of the firm’s Land Use group and serves on the Recruiting Committee. Lauren advises and counsels property owners, private and public developers, and non-profit organizations on real estate developments in the City of Los Angeles and throughout California. She has significant experience negotiating and obtaining land use entitlements for projects throughout California, including innovative transit-oriented, multifamily residential, affordable and permanent supportive housing, mixed-use, hospitality, and park projects on urban infill sites. Lauren leverages her substantial experience reviewing CEQA documents to develop efficient and defensible CEQA strategies that integrate cutting-edge streamlining options at the state and local levels, including State Density Bonus Law, Transit Oriented Communities, SB 35, AB 2162, AB 1197, SB 743, and SB 375. She has special expertise in projects that adaptively reuse and integrate existing buildings on site, especially those with eligible and designated historic resources.

  Sheppard Mullin

  Partner

  Moderator

  Lauren Chang

  Partner

  Sheppard Mullin

Mixed-Use Momentum

Integrating Residential & Commercial Spaces, Urban Placemaking & Creating Communities

• 

  Gabe Hungerford

  Principal

  Trammell Crow Company

• 

  Peter Garofalo

  As Senior Vice President of Design for Related California, Mr. Garofalo is responsible for the management of the architecture and interior design for Related's market rate and mixed-income developments in California. His direct involvement in all aspects of the building process includes directing architects, interior designers and engineers through each phase of construction to ensure that the completed work is true to the project's design intent. Since joining Related California in 2014, Mr. Garofalo has been directly responsible for the design oversight and completion of numerous developments, including 1550 Mission, 49 South Van Ness, and Mason on Mariposa in San Francisco. Prior to Related California, Mr. Garofalo was an Associate at Related Companies in New York where he was involved with One Hill South in Washington, D.C. and Hunter's Point South in New York. As an Associate at the world-renowned design firm, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, his work included 220 Central Park South in New York, Arris at The Yards in Washington, D.C., and The Century in Los Angeles. Mr. Garofalo holds a bachelor's degree in Architecture with a minor in History of Art from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a current member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a registered architect in New York State.

  Related California

  SVP, Design

  Peter Garofalo

  SVP, Design

  Related California

• 

  JJ Abraham

  J.J. has 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, developing mixed-use, multifamily, and resort communities throughout the United States and Los Cabos, Mexico. J.J. has worked for such nationally and internationally recognized companies as Lennar Multifamily Communities, Shea Properties, Del Mar Development, Legacy Partners, JPI, and Goldman Sachs Realty Management. He has sourced, entitled, renovated and developed over $6 billion of real estate and over 12,000 multifamily units throughout his career. In September 2020, building on an almost three-decade-long career as an executive with institutional development firms, J.J. founded The Abraham Companies (“TAC”), an “institutional boutique” multifamily development firm. TAC is a developer of luxury multifamily and mixed-use properties in the West and Southwest that achieve superior investment returns on behalf of select capital partners. TAC’s principals have sourced, entitled, renovated, developed, and financed over $12 billion of real estate throughout the United States and Mexico, including over 12,000 multifamily units. TAC’s professionals have decades of experience in real estate acquisitions, finance, development, and asset management with leading national institutions, yet the firm operates with efficiency and the flexibility of a boutique developer. Prior to forming TAC, in August 2012, J.J. launched Lennar Corporation’s (NYSE: LEN) start-up apartment development platform in California. As the first Division President on the west coast, J.J. grew the division into a $4 billion portfolio (26 communities/7,500 units), ranging from suburban apartment developments to luxury high-rises in downtown San Diego and the Bay Area. Prior to joining LMC, J.J. was the Senior Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for Shea Properties, where he successfully rebuilt the west coast apartment platform and development operations with more than 2,800 units. Prior to Shea, J.J. ran the development operations of Del Mar Development, the leading developer of luxury resort communities headquartered Los Cabos, Mexico. This included overseeing the development of three residential master-planned communities within the world-famous Palmilla resort. In 1994 J.J. received his BBA from Southern Methodist University in Finance, Real Estate, and International Business. J.J. is a member of the ULI Multifamily Platinum Council, he served the past five years as Co-Chairman of the NAHB National Leadership Council, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at St. Mary’s, an IB private school located in Aliso Viejo, California.

  The Abraham Companies

  President

  JJ Abraham

  President

  The Abraham Companies

• 

  Elaheh Demirchelie

  Director of Predevelopment

  Greystar

• 

  Zeek Magallanes

  Zeek earned his first degree in Cultural Anthropology in 2004 from San Diego State University (SDSU) with honors in Phi Eta Sigma, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Dean's List. After several years in the Biotechnology industry he undertook a 5-year career transition which culminated in earning his Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Southern California (USC), graduating with honors in Tau Sigma Delta for his academic achievements. Prior to attending USC, he studied Residential Landscape Design at Cuyamaca College, while also working for the Cuyamaca College Plant Nursery, Armstrong Garden Centers, and the City of San Diego’s Water Conservation Program, where he co-managed residential landscape rebates for the 2012 fiscal year. Zeek has been active in various club organizations. While at Cuyamaca College he served first as the Media Officer, then as the Secretary of the ASLA Student Chapter. Concurrently, he was also active in the Cuyamaca College Botanical Society where he served first as an Assistant to the Board, then as its 36th President. While attending USC’s School of Architecture, Zeek served as the ASLA Student Chapter President for an academic year. While in graduate school between 2013-2016, he completed over a dozen small to medium scale residential landscape designs for clients in Southern California through his side project, Integrifolia Landscape Design before returning to San Diego to pursue his professional career. Zeek joined McCullough Landscape Architecture in January 2020 as an Associate and assumed the role of Studio Team Leader in 2022. Zeek has guided the development and refinement of McCullough’s office standards and approach to documentation, as well as personally on-boarded and trained 10 of the 12 members of the designer team. Zeek also works closely with the Principal and CEO on ensuring project leads and management are pursued with professionalism and integrity as the firm pursues its strategic goals and stated mission. Zeek Magallanes brings a reliable history of leadership and accountability to the projects he works on and is passionate about the intersection of urbanism, social and environmental resiliency, and the business of design. A little known fact about Zeek is that he has maintained an intentionally sober lifestyle since 2008. He takes pride in his commitment to a holistic approach to well-being, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaningful and fulfilling relationships without the use of drugs or alcohol. Zeek also has a passion for the study of Western Esotericism, Religion, and Philosophy; and the cultural / historic influences they have on contemporary society.

  McCullough Landscape Architecture

  Studio Team Leader

  Zeek Magallanes

  Studio Team Leader

  McCullough Landscape Architecture

• 

  Fernando Villa

  Fernando Villa has significant land use, regulatory, real estate and litigation experience helping clients secure entitlements while mitigating development risk. He advises clients on entitlements and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for complex development projects and on reducing exposure to environmental liabilities. Fernando’s entitlement work spans industrial, mixed-use, residential, commercial and retail developments. He is particularly experienced with Brownfield redevelopment, merging his knowledge of real estate development with a deep understanding of environmental regulation to help clients complete projects while mitigating environmental risks.

  Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

  Partner, Land Use

  Moderator

  Fernando Villa

  Partner, Land Use

  Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Remarks From The Podium

• Remarks

  Layne Spencer

  VP

  Luxer One

• 

  Javier Mendoza

  With over 20 years of expertise in strategic communications and community engagement, I specialize in helping organizations and leaders build meaningful stakeholder relationships, elevate their brands, drive profitable growth, and navigate complex challenges with confidence. I currently serve as Vice President of Marketing, PR, and Community for GeoLinks, a leading enterprise telecommunications company. My expertise spans marketing, advertising, multicultural communications, media and government relations, community outreach, and crisis management. I have successfully led initiatives in corporate communications, issues management, and community affairs for both regional and national telecommunications and internet providers. My work has supported business expansions, startup operations, strategic transformations, labor negotiations, and organizational restructuring. Fluent in English and Spanish, I am deeply committed to delivering value to customers, employees, investors, and communities, fostering lasting impact and meaningful connections.

  GeoLinks

  VP

  Remarks

  Javier Mendoza

  VP

  GeoLinks

• 

  Chris Vargas

  As the Executive Vice President of Business Development at Chargie, Chris is responsible for bringing intelligent and reliable EV charging solutions to multifamily and commercial properties around the country. He has a proven track record of delivering products and services that drive innovation and growth for real estate owners, managers and investors. Before joining Chargie, he served as Director of Business Development at Boingo Wireless, a leading provider of 5G technology. Prior to Boingo, Chris held leadership positions at Verizon Enhanced Communities, Hughes Communications, rent.com, Global Enterprise Resource Group, and CU Solutions Group, and was one of the first five employees at DirecTV.

  Chargie

  EVP

  Remarks

  Chris Vargas

  EVP

  Chargie

• 

  Sofia Szabo

  Szabo Studios, Inc. is a full-service visualization and marketing partner for multifamily design and development teams. Led by Sofia Szabo since 2015, the Los Angeles–based agency delivers high-end 3D renderings, animations, interactive leasing tools, and custom marketing solutions that help projects stand out and lease up faster. From concept to completion, Szabo Studios combines cutting-edge visuals with concierge-level service, making it easier for architects, developers, and sales teams to showcase their vision, win approvals, and connect with buyers and tenants before a project breaks ground.

  Szabo Studios, Inc.

  President

  Remarks

  Sofia Szabo

  President

  Szabo Studios, Inc.