Keynote

Deputy Mayor Melia Howard

• Keynote

  Melia Howard

  Deputy Mayor

  City of Detroit

Opening Remarks

Melanie A. Markowicz Executive Director, Midtown Detroit

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  Melanie A. Markowicz

  Executive Director

  Midtown Detroit

Construction, Collaboration, and Advancing The Built Environment

Best practices for working together to drive the project lifecycle forward

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  Karen Slaughter-DuPerry

  Executive in Charge of Construction

  Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

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  Eric Tuomey

  VP

  Olympia Development

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  Christopher John Laurent

  President

  Cinnare Solutions

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  Trae Allman

  Trae Allman is Principal and Co-Founder of Innovo Development Group, where he leads the firm’s development strategy and execution. With over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate, Trae has overseen the development of projects totaling nearly $1 billion in value, more than 20 million square feet, and over 2,000 for-rent housing units across diverse asset classes including industrial, multifamily, and mixed-use. Trae is a results-driven leader known for bringing complex projects online expediently and under budget. He guides Innovo’s efforts from initial site evaluation through zoning, entitlement, and construction, ensuring alignment with both municipal priorities and community needs. His focus on execution and efficiency has helped position Innovo as a trusted partner in urban transformation, particularly throughout Michigan. In his role, Trae also directs day-to-day operations, manages multidisciplinary teams, and builds strong relationships with municipalities and local governments—advancing projects that strengthen neighborhoods and create lasting economic impact.

  Innovo Development Group

  Principal and Co-Founder

  Trae Allman

  Principal and Co-Founder

  Innovo Development Group

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  Michael Poris

  Michael Poris, AIA, is founding principal of McIntosh Poris Architects, a full-service architecture, interior and urban design practice in Birmingham, MI. Since returning to Detroit in 1994, Michael has been working to implement change in his hometown preserving many of Detroit’s 20th-century landmark buildings, historic districts, and iconic neighborhoods. Michaels design leadership has helped transform Detroit with projects such as the Foundation Hotel, and the East Riverfront framework plan. His work has won over 160 design awards including 30 AIA Honor awards, over 80 Detroit Design Awards and been published in over 100 publications worldwide including Dwell, Urban Land, Architectural Record, and Interior Design. Michael is currently working on an adaptive reuse of the 600,000sf Fisher Body plant in Detroit, and a 600 prefabricated home community in Colorado. Michael was recently awarded the AIA Detroit Charles Blessing Award recognizing an individual who shows leadership in planning and civic issues and exemplifies the vision, commitment and the accomplishments of Charles A. Blessing, the visionary Detroit city planner, who committed himself to the pursuit of a higher quality of life for all. McIntosh Poris Architects has recently earned the prestigious title of Firm of the Year for 2024 from the American Institute of Architects, Michigan.

  McIntosh Poris Architects

  Founding Partner

  Michael Poris

  Founding Partner

  McIntosh Poris Architects

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  Yash Chaudhary

  With over $100M in construction management project experience, Yash Chaudhary is a 2nd generation builder who has grown up visiting jobsites as far back as he remembers. Upon graduating from Wayne State University with his degree in Civil Engineering, Yash relocated to Los Angeles, and began his career working on mission critical (data center) and retail redevelopment projects at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Most of these projects often required integrated project deliveries with tight deadlines and complex logistical challenges. While at WT, Yash earned his MS Construction Management at the University of Southern California. After a few years gaining experience and education on the west coast, Yash decided to shift his focus back to his hometown of Detroit, and join the family company, DMC Group. At DMC, Yash’s primary efforts revolved around expanding the commercial construction division and building a dynamic team focused on a blend of projects within the Metro Detroit community. In the past few years, he has managed a variety of public and privately-funded projects in the commercial, residential, historical rehab, and site infrastructure sectors. With an emphasis on community, care, and innovation, the DMC has been the recipient of numerous awards for their performance on unique adaptive reuse projects, including the Historical Hamtramck Stadium Rehabilitation, 70 Clairmont, Aside from his professional career, Yash is also a musician and enjoys traveling, reading, and playing sports.

  DMC Group

  Portfolio Manager

  Moderator

  Yash Chaudhary

  Portfolio Manager

  DMC Group

Exploring the Evolving Development Pipeline

The latest people, projects, and possibilities shifting the industry into high gear.

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  Rian English Barnhill

  VP

  Olympia Development

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  Vincent Paul

  At age 61, Mr. Paul is one of the country’s leading performing arts managers, serving as President and Artistic Director of the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts since 2006. Currently managing a $11MM annual budget, staff of 32 FT, 270 PT employees, over 800 independent contractors and a volunteer corps, he presents some of the biggest names in show business as well as the world’s most renowned attractions in theatre, music, puppetry, circus and dance, to an audience of more than 250,000 each year. As chief executive officer and community leader, he is responsible for producing, developing, and programming over 400 performances and special events annually, plus the blockbuster, all-genre Detroit Music Weekend downtown festival. In addition, he oversees the nine performing arts education outreach programs that engage 22,000 students annually, mainly in the Detroit schools.

  Detroit Music Hall

  President and Artistic Director

  Vincent Paul

  President and Artistic Director

  Detroit Music Hall

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  John Line

  John J. Line joined Farbman Group in July, 2001 and currently is the Executive Vice President of Property Management and Construction overseeing the day to-day operation and Captial projects for all property management of all properties within Farbman Group’s vast portfolio. Mr. Line also oversees the operation of our construction department and has worked in various capacities in commercial and real estate for over 30 years and holds an Associate Brokers license. In his current position at Farbman Group, Mr. Line oversees property management of over 25 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial properties. John’s diverse background in property management includes holding positions as Director of Operations, Director of Design and Construction and Senior Property Manager. His knowledge of building systems and building construction greatly enhances his ability to help ensure the owners of the properties that John is involved with are getting high-quality work, performed in a timely manner at very competitive prices. John works closely with the Owners and Farbman Group's property management and construction teams to ensure we are meeting ownership objectives. John works closely with all 3rd party owners and on 1st party owned sites to be sure that the same high level of service is provided to all our customers. John works closely with the Owners and Farbman. John works closely with the Owners and Farbman Group's property management and construction teams to ensure we are meeting ownership objectives. John works closely with all 3rd party owners and on 1st party owned sites to be sure that the same high level of service is provided to all our customers

  Farbman Group

  Executive Vice President

  John Line

  Executive Vice President

  Farbman Group

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  Joe Heaphy

  President

  Ethos Development Partners

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  Michael Guthrie

  Michael L. Guthrie, FAIA is a Founding Partner of INFORM Studio, where he leads the firm’s vision, culture, innovation and strategy. He was elevated into the AIA College of Fellows in 2024 and is the recipient of the 2025 AIA Detroit Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded by the AIA Detroit to recognize distinguished service to the field of architecture. Michael’s accomplishments range from professional to academic. His commitment to the firm’s progressive work is illustrated by a broad range of projects including cultural institutions, community spaces, hospitality and urban design projects centered around pedestrian bridges. Michael has been an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan and lectured at numerous universities and congresses around the world. He has achieved significant professional awards and distinctions including national AIA Design Awards in 2023 and 2025, and participated in numerous prestigious award juries that include AIA New York and AIA Chicago in 2025. His work has been published in Architecture, Architectural Record, Archiworld, CA Concept, Albenaa Magazine, and various other publications; and shown in numerous exhibitions globally, including New York, Guangzhou and Cairo. Michael’s focus on changing the design and delivery process of the built environment has inspired and impacted projects and communities from coast to coast, and his work is often cited as critical precedents for connectivity and placemaking.

  INFORM Studio

  Founding Partner

  Michael Guthrie

  Founding Partner

  INFORM Studio

• Moderator

  Ed Nahhat

  Shareholder

  Kemp Klein