From Capital to Concrete: Understanding the Permitting, Planning, and Financing to Get a Project off the Ground

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  Ryan Keane

  Ryan Keane joined the Vastland Team Fall of ’20 after a 22-year career with McHugh Construction Co. His experience includes responsibility for over $1B worth of construction projects ranging from High-end hotel renovations (Ritz Carlton – Chicago) to several 45-story plus mixed-use buildings including the famed 88-story Aqua Building (Chicago). Mr. Keane has most recently completed Kenect, 2010 West End and SoBro Apartments buildings located in Nashville, TN. Mr. Keane oversees Vastland’s Commercial Construction including VOCE – a 25-story apartment/hotel recently completed Kenect, 2010 West End and SoBro Apartments buildings located in Nashville, TN. Mr. Keane oversees Vastland’s Commercial Construction including VOCE – a 25-story apartment/hotel.

  Vastland Company

  SVP

  Ryan Keane

  SVP

  Vastland Company

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  Adam Hicks

  Adam Hicks is Vice President of Preconstruction at Skanska, where he oversees all estimating, purchasing and project management. He works closely with the design team and owner to ensure that all necessary resources are supplied for the preconstruction effort, beginning with the programming documents and schematic design phase. He also organizes, supervises and coordinates the activities of the preconstruction team throughout the entirety of the project. His portfolio includes over $1 billion in construction and includes some of Nashville’s most notable projects such as Fifth + Broadway, JW Marriott, LifeWay Christian Resources, Cordell Hull, Ascend Amphitheater and Nissan Americas Corporate Facility.

  Skanska

  VP, Preconstruction

  Adam Hicks

  VP, Preconstruction

  Skanska

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  Kyle Verhasselt

  Kyle Verhasselt is responsible for sourcing, structuring and execution of new acquisitions and relationships across the Nashville and Central Florida markets. As a market officer, he has sourced and closed approximately 6,000 multifamily deals with a total value of more than $1.7 billion and $400 million in equity. He joined Origin’s investment management team in 2015 where he oversaw the execution and strategy of the firm’s assets as well as assisting on all new deal underwriting, structuring and closing on both direct and joint venture opportunities. Prior to joining Origin, he completed the risk management leadership program at GE Capital. Kyle received a bachelor of business administration with a major in real estate and urban land economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kyle lives in The Nations neighborhood of Nashville with his wife where they enjoy hiking, traveling, checking out new restaurants, golf, and cheering on Wisconsin and Nashville sports.

  Origin Investments

  SVP, Acquisitions

  Kyle Verhasselt

  SVP, Acquisitions

  Origin Investments

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  Mike Cimorelli

  Mike Cimorelli, Founder and President of TI Builders, has construction in his blood, and it’s a passion he was raised with. His grandfather, father and uncles were all part of the construction world, and they were the catalyst for Mike's love of the construction industry and real estate development. Mike is proud to say that 5 of his sons and daughters have joined him in the company as well, working both in the field and the office. His love of construction led him to California State University, Sacramento, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Management in one of the pioneering construction programs in the country. As the leader of TI Builders, Mike’s management style is hands-on for all six branches, which are in Tennessee, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas. He’s a seasoned construction executive and industry specialist, excelling at design/build projects in all major construction sectors. Known for credibility and integrity, in 35+ years Mike has built a team equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle all projects large and small, successfully completing over 2,000 commercial construction projects. Mike is driven to help businesses design/build their new locations. He communicates with all team members in daily/weekly meetings ensuring all branches are running smoothly. He also frequently meets with our partners to ensure thriving ongoing relationships. He has been married to his lovely wife Lynne for over 35 years; together they share 11 children and 12 grandchildren and counting. He is a wine connoisseur and enjoys long bike rides, the gym, and grilling for his family.

  TI Builders

  President

  Mike Cimorelli

  President

  TI Builders

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  Emily Trapani

  Emily Trapani is a tech business leader with over 15 years of experience, including more than 8 years in leadership at Google, creating and executing sales strategies and innovation for technology products and services. As the Head of Retail at Google Fiber, she oversees strategy, innovation and operations in retail and other non-traditional sales and service experiences for the company's high-speed internet offerings. She has an invariable track record of delivering results and growth for Google Fiber and its parent company, Alphabet Inc., by developing and managing various sales channels and partnerships, including B2B, B2B2C, multifamily, direct, indirect and nontraditional. She is also an author and a futurist, who has published two books and a podcast on technologies and industry trends. She is passionate about empowering women and underrepresented groups in technology and STEM, and volunteers as an instructor and facilitator for several Google programs and initiatives.

  Google Fiber

  Head of Sales

  Emily Trapani

  Head of Sales

  Google Fiber

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  Beatrice Pieri

  Beatrice Pieri is the Executive Vice President of MIP Nashville. Beatrice oversees the daily operations of the permit services department and manages a staff of 5 full-time permit technicians. MIP currently works with developers, designers, and contractors on some of the largest and most notable projects in Nashville. Her team is responsible for obtaining hundreds of building permits throughout the State of Tennessee and Southeast United States.

  Municipal Inspection Partners

  EVP

  Beatrice Pieri

  EVP

  Municipal Inspection Partners

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  Bill Herbert

  Bill Herbert brings a rare depth of experience to land use and real estate development matters, shaped by years of leadership within Nashville and Davidson County government agencies. His unmatched understanding of local regulations and government relations makes him a trusted advisor for developers, guiding them through the complexities of entitlement, permitting, and zoning in Middle Tennessee. Bill guides clients through every phase of the development process, from early-stage land use and zoning analysis to securing building permits and obtaining final approvals. He regularly engages with local and state agencies, including Metro Nashville’s Planning Department, Codes Department, Water Department, Fire Marshal, and the Nashville Department of Transportation, to help clients efficiently manage permitting, inspections, zoning changes, and regulatory compliance. Before joining Winstead, Bill served as Director of Codes Administration for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, where he was personally involved in implementing systems that supported the city’s rapid development. He also oversaw the enforcement of the Metro Building Code and played a key role in drafting and shaping both state and local land use and zoning legislation. Earlier in his career, Bill served as Metro Zoning Administrator and as an attorney for the Metropolitan Department of Law, advising multiple departments on legal matters related to land use and development. A lifelong Nashvillian with family roots dating back to the 1700s, Bill is also deeply committed to conservation in the area. He helped found the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, dedicated to preserving the state’s hunting, fishing, and natural resources.

  Winstead

  Shareholder

  Moderator

  Bill Herbert

  Shareholder

  Winstead

Shovel-Ready: What It Takes to Build and Develop Nashville's Cityscape

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  Scott Black

  With over two decades of experience in the fields of design, construction, and real estate development, Scott Black has been involved in the creation of close to two billion dollars in real estate assets. He currently oversees the development process for a variety of projects, ranging from single-family residential communities to large mixed-use developments. Mr. Black is a registered architect in the state of Tennessee. Prior to joining Bristol, he practiced architecture for commercial and residential projects across the southeast. Along with the many communities he has developed, Scott had a few great opportunities in the public sector. He served as the manager of the budget, finance, and administration for the development of Nashville’s $585 million-dollar Music City Center in Downtown Nashville. Following that, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for the state’s Department of Transportation. In this role, he was focused on implementing transformational initiatives in the process of project delivery. This included adjustments in the project management division, implementing a new information technology process, and restructuring the internal audit division. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee. Throughout his professional career, Scott has been an active volunteer in his community. He is a member of the Suburban Development Redevelopment Council with the ULI, the Chairman for the Franklin Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and the Vice-Chair for Cumberland Region Tomorrow (a ten-county smart growth organization in Middle Tennessee). You can email Scott at black@bristoldevelopment.com.

  Bristol Development

  SVP

  Scott Black

  SVP

  Bristol Development

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  John Sweeney

  SVP

  Tourbineau Real Estate Partners

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  Dan Venard

  Dan is the Director of Development and Construction at T2. With over 30 years of real estate entitlement and construction experience, Mr. Venard oversees the management of T2’s development and construction projects, while also evaluating prospective real estate opportunities. Prior to T2, he owned a commercial general contracting and consulting firm with experience in acquisitions, entitlements, land development, residential and commercial construction as well as greenfield development in the renewable energy sector.

  T2 Investments

  Director, Construction and Development

  Dan Venard

  Director, Construction and Development

  T2 Investments

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  Chad Vasquez

  Chad holds the position of Director of Real Estate with Greystar in the Nashville office, bringing more than 15 years of multifamily operations experience. After joining Greystar in 2015, he worked directly with clients on projects ranging from ground-up development to asset repositioning, providing him in-depth knowledge of creating value for properties. Before relocating from Los Angeles, Chad successfully led a team through the stabilization of an A+ Class twin-tower high-rise in Downtown Los Angeles, gaining extensive operational expertise at the highest level. This experience in a major urban market provided him with valuable insights into diverse real estate landscapes, enhancing his strategic approach to the industry. In 2020, Chad relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to work with Tony Giarratana in the creation of Giarratana’s management arm. Chad rejoined Greystar in 2022, continuing to lead regional operations. Chad’s hands-on approach positions him as a results-driven multifamily operations leader, adept at managing diverse residential portfolios. Chad earned his BA in Business from California Baptist University. He is actively involved in the Greater Nashville Apartment Association (GNAA), serving as a Management Director on the Board of Directors.

  Greystar

  Director, Real Estate

  Chad Vasquez

  Director, Real Estate

  Greystar

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  Alex Sanders

  Alex Sanders, Jr. is a visionary leader and accomplished real estate executive with a proven track record of delivering complex projects and driving growth across diverse markets across the United States and internationally. His work spans urban neighborhoods in cities such as Chicago, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Currently serving as the CEO of Pinnacle Construction and Development Partners, headquartered in Nashville, TN, Alex spearheads the company’s strategic vision, operational growth, and innovative development initiatives. His leadership emphasizes fostering key industry partnerships, reducing reliance on subcontractors, and expanding Pinnacle’s presence across industrial, healthcare, multifamily, and higher education sectors. Alex is deeply committed to helping individuals and teams grow to their full potential. His leadership philosophy centers on building strong teams, creating opportunities, and driving projects that positively transform communities. With a passion for empowering others, Alex also serves on multiple non-profit boards, reflecting his dedication to community engagement and sustainable development. Alex’s extensive career includes executive roles at industry-leading firms such as Mortenson and RM Companies, where he successfully delivered large-scale projects and implemented strategies that enhanced market share and operational efficiency. His portfolio of developments spans multiple asset types, including student housing, multifamily, office, and mixed-use real estate. He holds a Master’s degree in Real Estate and Development from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University, graduating cum laude. Outside of his professional endeavors, Alex has a passion for vintage timepieces, valuing their timeless craftsmanship

  Pinnacle Construction Partners

  CEO

  Alex Sanders

  CEO

  Pinnacle Construction Partners

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  Mia Keller

  Mia leads the development of all industrial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects in the Nashville market. Her responsibilities include site selection, contract negotiations, project due diligence, governmental approvals, and predevelopment budgets for land closing. Mia has completed $690 million in transactions in her career and is exclusively focused on growing Pizzuti’s presence in the Nashville market across multiple product types.

  The Pizzuti Companies

  Vice President, Development

  Moderator

  Mia Keller

  Vice President, Development

  The Pizzuti Companies

Remarks

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  Jason Snyder

  Jason Snyder is a Manager within TVA’s EnergyRight for Business and Industry Team where he primarily focuses on leading energy efficiency incentive programs for businesses all over the Tennessee Valley to help TVA meet the ever-increasing energy demands. The team prides itself on implementing these programs in such a way as to create opportunities for our 153 local power companies partners to experience deeper interactions with their customers. Jason is a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Tennessee and earned a master’s degree in engineering management from Christian Brothers University. He is a licensed mechanical engineer in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi, a LEED certified professional and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Prior to joining TVA, Jason worked as an engineering design consultant with A&E firms in the private sector where he managed a mechanical engineering department in the design of more than $100 million in construction projects. Jason has over 25 years of experience in the engineering, utility, and energy management fields.

  EnergyRight

  Senior Program Manager

  Jason Snyder

  Senior Program Manager

  EnergyRight