Opening Keynote

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  Quintin Primo III

  Mr. Primo is founder and executive chairman of Capri Investment Group, a real estate investment and development organization headquartered in Chicago with offices in Los Angeles. Active in the real estate industry for more than 40 years, Mr. Primo has challenged conventional wisdom in developing new markets for investment. Under his leadership, Capri became an early investor in both U.S. multifamily and urban property markets – successfully investing more than $14 billion since the company’s founding – and has pursued developments in India, Africa, and the Middle East. Recently, he was responsible for bringing Google to Chicago’s Central Loop in a groundbreaking redevelopment of the James R. Thompson Center, resuscitating a historically important submarket in decline. In these and other investments, his goal has been to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns for the firm’s investors, while enhancing those communities in which Capri responsibly invests. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Primo is active in civic and non-profit initiatives. He is a founder and currently co-chairman of the Primo Center for Women and Children, a transitional center and family institute for the homeless; was the founding chairman of the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness; and is a board member of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs, School of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as board chair of the Church Investment Group. In addition, he has previously served as trustee of the Chicago Community Trust, University of Chicago Hospitals, Metropolitan Planning Council, and the Church Pension Group. Mr. Primo received his M.B.A. from Harvard University Graduate School of Business, and a B.S. in Finance with honors from Indiana University. He has been featured in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Bloomberg Business Week, and Black Enterprise, and has been a business contributor to CNBC cable news network. In addition to public company board experience, he has written or co-authored numerous articles and industry white papers and is often recognized for his professional, civic, and philanthropic contributions, including receiving an honorary doctorate from Sewanee/University of the South. Mr. Primo is an avid cyclist and resides in the Chicago area with his family.

  Capri Investment Group

  Founder & Executive Chairman

  Keynote

  Quintin Primo III

  Founder & Executive Chairman

  Capri Investment Group

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  JC Griffin, Sr.

  JC Griffin is Vice President of Capital Markets & Asset Strategies for Transwestern’s Capital Markets Group. Founded in Houston, Texas in 1978, the company develops commercial properties and delivers real estate services across the globe. The firm’s Family of Companies operates out of 33 offices throughout the U.S. and hosts over 2,300 employees. Based in the firm’s Chicago office, JC leads private market investor sourcing, deal origination, structured financing and investment sales transactions for the Midwest region. Most recently, he was appointed as the designated agent for Woodlawn Central – a $895 million mixed-use megadevelopment project taking place on Chicago’s Southside near the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Prior to joining TRS, JC served as a senior broker in Avison Young’s Development Services & U.S Capital Markets Group and initiated his career in real estate brokerage conducting tenant representation and investment sales at @properties Commercial. Before his career in real estate, JC spent over six years managing personnel, operations and facilities in the private and public sector and fulfilled eight collective years of uniformed service in the U.S. Department of Defense as an Iraq War veteran and C-130 enlisted aviator in the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, Griffin served as a liaison to the White House Opportunity & Revitalization Council under the Trump Administration, which was established to amplify the coordination of Federal economic development resources in Opportunity Zones and other distressed communities identified via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He has been featured in national and regional publications such as The Real Deal, REJournals, Connect Media and The Business Journal, and has been a business contributor to Bisnow and the Urban Land Institute on issues concerning urban development and the diversification of industry recruitment and retention efforts. Mr. Griffin is an avid golfer and business investor. He is a resident of Cook County and splits his time between Chicago and Miami, Florida with his wife and children.

  Transwestern

  Vice President - Capital Markets & Asset Strategies

  JC Griffin, Sr.

  Vice President - Capital Markets & Asset Strategies

  Transwestern

State of the Markets

An exploration and analysis of Chicago's commercial real estate market through the lens of capital financing.

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  Matthew Berry

  Matthew Berry is a seasoned real estate professional with almost 15 years of experience advising, investing, and practicing law in the industry. He is the Founder and Principal of Wayland Real Estate Capital, a boutique sponsor of real estate investments for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and small institutional investors. In addition, Matthew serves as an independent advisor to The John Buck Company, a premier vertically integrated developer of trophy office and multifamily assets nationwide, where he previously served as Managing Director and focused on partnership and fund formation for the company’s development and value-add investment opportunities. During this time, Matthew led the capitalization of over $450M of single-asset joint ventures and comingled vehicles. Prior to joining JBC, he practiced law at Skadden Arps, where he led the closing of over $5B of real estate transactions. Matthew earned his BS from Northwestern University, and subsequently his JD from Northwestern University School of Law. Matthew’s civic involvement includes positions on the Board of Directors of the Northwestern University Law Fund, the Northwestern University Leadership Circle Chicago Regional Board, and the Board of Directors of the Civic Federation.

  Wayland Real Estate Capital

  Founder/Principal

  Matthew Berry

  Founder/Principal

  Wayland Real Estate Capital

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  Scott McKibben

  Chief Investment Officer

  Brennan Investment Group

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  Anthony Longo

  Anthony Longo is a distinguished leader with over 20 years of expertise in navigating complex transactions within the real estate sector. As the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Alpha Capital CRE, Anthony oversees strategic initiatives in real estate capital markets and drives production. He possesses a comprehensive understanding of capital structures, investment strategies, and risk management, leveraging this expertise to optimize investment opportunities and maximize returns for commercial real estate operators and developers. Throughout his career, Anthony Longo has cultivated a robust network of industry relationships, enabling him to forge key partnerships and execute successful transactions in diverse market conditions. He has played an instrumental role in helping Alpha Capital CRE execute over $9 billion in real estate transactions during his 15+ year tenure, consistently delivering exceptional results in raising capital, structuring deals, and executing financial strategies aligned with clients & objectives. Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree from the Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. He is actively involved in the real estate community, sitting on panels, sharing insights, and staying at the forefront of emerging trends and innovations in real estate capital markets.

  Alpha Capital

  Managing Partner

  Anthony Longo

  Managing Partner

  Alpha Capital

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  David Kwitman

  David is a real estate investment professional with over 15 years of experience investing in private and public market real estate transactions across the capital structure and property types. As an Executive Director in the production group of Ready Capital, David has sourced, structured and closed over $950 million in bridge and fixed rate loans across 75+ transactions. David’s focus is transitional and value-add real estate opportunities, Freddie Mac Small Balance and non-recourse Construction loans. Prior to Ready Capital, David held positions at FirstKey Lending, Prudential Real Estate Investors, J.P.Morgan, and Deloitte Consulting. He is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and received his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, where he focused on real estate and finance. He is a CFA Charterholder, earning the designation in 2009. Primary Market Regional Coverage: Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Southwest

  Ready Capital

  Executive Director

  David Kwitman

  Executive Director

  Ready Capital

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  Paul Cleary

  Paul Cleary is President and Chief Operating Officer of Red Oak Capital Holdings, where he oversees the firm’s finances, business partnerships and funding opportunities. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based executive is also charged with overseeing and measuring the success of business and employee initiatives for the national commercial real estate finance company. In addition to his role with Red Oak, Paul serves as Managing Partner and President of Oak Real Estate Partners (OREP), a national fund manager focused on the institutional investment sector. Paul has over 25 years of national commercial real estate lending experience involving small-balance originations, construction loans and federally chartered credit union portfolios. He has significant expertise in creating and managing lending policies and guidelines, as well as the development of operational tools and information systems to support financing operations. Before Red Oak, Paul was a Senior Loan Originator with Parkview Financial, and served as Chief Operating Officer for Money360, Inc. Paul is an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Irvine, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

  Red Oak Capital Holdings

  President & COO

  Paul Cleary

  President & COO

  Red Oak Capital Holdings

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  John Rickert

  John’s diverse real estate background includes extensive property management experience with central business district class A office high rise, industrial, office/flex, retail, suburban office, and public facilities management. In addition to his property management background, John has distinguished himself in all aspects of tenant improvement and building construction. John has worked for such industry leaders as Hines Interests, Cabot Industrial Trust (now Cabot Properties) and CB Richard Ellis. John received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science at the University of Richmond. John is a graduate of Culver Military Academy and a former United States Army Officer and helicopter pilot. EXPERIENCE: Principal and Founder - Cincinnati, Ohio 2001 to Present RICORE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. GENERAL CONTRACTING PARTNERS, LLC. RICORE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SPECIAL ASSETS, LLC. Vice President and Midwest/West Regional Director Cabot Industrial Trust Cincinnati, Ohio 1998 –December 2001 Vice President and Director Commercial/CB Richard Ellis Cincinnati, Ohio 1994 – 1998 AFFILIATIONS • Former Chairman, Deerfield, Ohio Township Trustee Advisory Board • Former Board of Zoning Appeals Commissioner, Deerfield Township • Founder & Former President, Cincinnati Chapter – Culver Alumni Association • Member Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) • Member Institute of Real Estate Management • Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) EDUCATION • United States Army Flight Training Academy, Fort Rucker, Alabama, 1988 • University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, 1987 - BA, Economics • Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana, 1983 - Cum Laude • Active Real Estate Broker’s License, Ohio – 2003 to present • Active Real Estate Broker’s License, Kentucky – 2009 to present

  Lee & Associates | Cincinnati

  Principal & Founder

  Moderator

  John Rickert

  Principal & Founder

  Lee & Associates | Cincinnati

Funding the Future: Innovations in Real Estate Finance and Lending

Leaders cover the latest trends in real estate finance, including lending practices, creative financing solutions, and innovative approaches to funding developments.

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  Chris Knight

  Chris is a Managing Director in the Chicago office of JLL Capital Markets. He joined JLL as part of the 2019 acquisition of HFF and has more than 15 years of experience in commercial real estate. He focuses on arranging asset-level financings and subordinate debt transactions for all product types along with joint venture equity partnerships. Over the course of his career, he has completed more than $4 billion of commercial real estate transactions. Before joining HFF in 2013, Chris was a manager in the finance group of General Growth Properties (GGP). During his seven-year tenure at GGP, he was responsible for property financings, enterprise analytics and loan restructurings during the company’s bankruptcy.

  JLL Capital Markets

  Managing Director

  Chris Knight

  Managing Director

  JLL Capital Markets

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  Daniel Sobelman

  Founder & Managing Partner

  CRE Bridge Capital

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  Tim Donovan

  Managing Director of Investments

  Midloch Investment Partners

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  Darragh Griffin

  Darragh Griffin is a Principal and President at Essex Capital Markets. He grew up in Ireland and graduated from University College Cork in beautiful County Cork, Ireland. He got his start in finance at Anglo Irish Bank. In 2006 he relocated from Dublin to Chicago to establish a representative office for the Anglo-Irish Bank, which he did with another senior lending manager. During that first year in Chicago, loans exceeded $1 billion, net profits exceeded $14 million and fee income exceeded $3.5 million. Over the course of his career, Darragh has managed diverse and complex loan portfolios located in many states across the country. He has been directly involved in more than $5 billion in real estate transactions across multi-housing, senior housing, office, industrial and logistics, life sciences, retail and single tenant net leased assets. Darragh’s desire to join the Essex Capital Markets team and lead this new venture is the culmination of a career’s worth of experience, expertise, and connections. We invite you to reach out to Darragh and see how he can help your business.

  Essex Capital Markets

  President and Principal

  Darragh Griffin

  President and Principal

  Essex Capital Markets

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  Darshak Shah

  Darshak joins Nuveen Green Capital most recently from CIBC, where he was a relationship manager of originations. Prior to CIBC, Darshak worked at Wells Fargo Bank, GE Real Estate, JER Partners, and Washington Mutual Bank. His roles have included originations, underwriting, portfolio management, and workouts. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, as well as being outdoors, exercising, and reading.

  Nuveen Green Capital

  Sr. Director, Originations

  Darshak Shah

  Sr. Director, Originations

  Nuveen Green Capital

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  Amy Haney

  As a Senior Architect and Project Manager with DLR Group, Amy leads integrated design teams with extensive experience on large mixed-use projects specializing in development planning, zoning and entitlements management, and architectural and engineering design through construction, asset management, and operations. Drawing from her many years of experience seated on the owners’ side of the table with both market-rate and affordable real estate development, she brings a unique perspective to guide clients through the design and construction process, and has experience effectively aligning many stakeholders, disciplines, and viewpoints. Amy is an advocate for community involvement, currently serving as Executive Board member and Chairperson of the Community Placemaking and Design Committee of nonprofit community and business development organization LakewoodAlive.

  DLR Group

  Project Manager

  Moderator

  Amy Haney

  Project Manager

  DLR Group