Legends In CRE

Lessons Learned From The Past and Present To Set Up The Industry For Future Success

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  Larry Heard

  Larry P. Heard is president and chief executive officer of the Transwestern family of companies, which together comprise a diversified real estate operating, investment management and development organization. The privately held, fully integrated enterprise leverages competencies in office, industrial, retail, multifamily and healthcare to add value for investors, owners and occupiers of real estate. Larry has been active in the commercial real estate business since 1981. He joined Transwestern in 1983 and was appointed president and chief executive officer of the firm in 2002. Larry and the senior management of Transwestern’s family of companies have led the firm’s expansion to 35 cities and more than 2300 team members and almost 400 million square feet of managed and leased properties. Through its development company, it has developed over 150 projects across the country with values exceeding $10 billion. Transwestern Investment Group currently has $4.4 billion of assets under management. Larry was recognized nationally in 2016 by Real Estate Forum as a CRE Best Boss and an ELITE 70, which honors the most influential executives in the industry. In 2018, he was recognized locally by the Houston Business Journal in their inaugural Most Admired CEO awards. Larry is an active member of the following organizations: • World Presidents Organization (WPO), Member – Houston Chapter • Urban Land Institute (ULI), former Executive Committee Member – Houston • International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Member • Baylor College of Medicine, Trustee, Vice Chairman of the Board - Houston, Texas • Baylor University, Regent - Waco, Texas • Hankamer School of Business – Baylor University, former Advisory Board Member • SEARCH Homeless Services, Co-Chair Capital Building Campaign, former Board Member Larry received his BBA in finance from Baylor University. He and his wife Caroline reside in Houston and have three adult children.

  Transwestern

  CEO

  Larry Heard

  CEO

  Transwestern

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  Mike Lafitte

  Mike Lafitte is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Trammell Crow Company (TCC). In this role he is responsible for the management and day-to-day operations of the Company. Mike is the chairman of the TCC Executive Committee and a member of the TCC Investment Committee. Mike additionally serves as the Global CEO for CBRE’s Real Estate Investments (REI) business segment, which includes TCC; CBRE Global Investors, the company’s global real asset investment management business; and Hana, the firm’s flexible/agile space business. In this role, Mike is a part of CBRE’s Executive Committee. Mike previously served as Global CEO of CBRE’s Advisory Services business, which includes Advisory & Transaction Services (Occupier and Investor), Property Management, Capital Markets, Local Project Management and Valuations. Earlier he served in a number of executive leadership roles for CBRE, including Global Group President, Chief Operating Officer, President, Americas and President, Institutional & Corporate Services. Mike joined CBRE with the acquisition of Trammell Crow Company in 2006. He started with Trammell Crow Company in 1997 and served in various roles, including President of Global Services, Chief Operating Officer of Global Services, Regional Director of the Central region of the U.S. and Dallas Market Leader. Mike has been in the commercial real estate industry since 1984 when he joined Lincoln Property Company in Dallas and also served in production, leadership and development roles with Bear Stearns and PREMISYS Real Estate Services, an affiliate of Prudential Life Insurance Company.

  CEO

  Trammell Crow Company

  Mike Lafitte

  Trammell Crow Company

  CEO

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  David O’Reilly

  David R. O’Reilly is the Chief Executive Officer of The Howard Hughes Corporation, responsible for driving the sustainable growth of the company’s assets and unlocking meaningful long-term value across the company's portfolio. He previously served as the company’s President and as its CFO, the role in which he joined The Howard Hughes Corporation in 2016. As the architect and leader of the company’s 2019 Transformation Plan, Mr. O’Reilly realized meaningful reductions in overhead, executed on the sale of non-core assets, and refocused the company on its highly profitable MPCs. His leadership has successfully positioned the company for growth, further diversifying HHC’s funding sources and increasing its liquidity to enable to company to pursue value-creating opportunities. Prior to joining The Howard Hughes Corporation, Mr. O’Reilly served as Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer of Parkway Properties, a New York Stock Exchange-traded real estate investment trust focused on office properties. He served in the position from November 2011 through October 2014 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in August 2012. He also served as the company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer from May 2012 through August 2012. Previously, Mr. O’Reilly served as Executive Vice President of Banyan Street Capital and as Director of Capital Markets for Eola Capital LLC. He served in the investment banking industry as Senior Vice President of Barclays Capital Inc. and in a similar capacity for Lehman Brothers. During his career, Mr. O’Reilly has been involved in a broad range of financial advisory and merger and acquisition activities, including leveraged buyouts, initial public offerings and single asset and pooled CMBS transactions. Mr. O’Reilly graduated from Tufts University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and received his M.B.A. from Columbia University.

  The Howard Hughes Corporation

  CEO

  David O’Reilly

  CEO

  The Howard Hughes Corporation

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  Graydon Bouchillon

  Gray oversees the industrial and logistics sector team globally for Nuveen Real Estate including all transactional and operational activity across the sector vertical. In addition, he is charged with defining the global logistics strategy, formulating partnerships and launching new sector-focused investment funds and initiatives. Prior to joining Nuveen Real Estate in 2018, Gray served as president and chief investment officer of Evergreen Industrial Properties, the former US industrial platform of TPG Real Estate which was acquired by Ivanhoe Cambridge in 2017. Before leading Evergreen, Gray worked at Colony Industrial as senior vice president as well as Cobalt Capital Partners, which was acquired by Colony in 2014. Over the course of his career, Gray has executed over $14bn in industrial transactions across more than 40 global markets. Gray graduated with a B.S. in both Finance and Accounting from Indiana University and an M.B.A. from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Based in Dallas, Gray currently serves as a member of Nuveen Real Estate’s Global Executive Leadership Team and the Americas Investment Committee. He also holds a CPA in the State of Texas.

  Nuveen

  Global Head of Industrial

  Graydon Bouchillon

  Global Head of Industrial

  Nuveen

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  Will Hendrickson

  Will joined Granite in 2003 and is responsible for leading Granite’s day-to-day operations and growth in the Dallas market. Prior to joining Granite, Will was an investment sales broker in the Washington DC market for 5 years. His industry involvement includes ULI, NAIOP, and The Real Estate Council. He also serves as an Advisory Council member for the Real Estate Finance and Investment Center at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. Will received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Washington & Lee University and a Master’s degree in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University.

  Granite Properties

  Senior Managing Director

  Will Hendrickson

  Senior Managing Director

  Granite Properties

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  Tim Dunn

  Tim Dunn serves as Chairman/Chief Investment Officer for JE Dunn Construction. Started in 1924 and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, JE Dunn serves clients nationwide out of its 25 offices and is projected to exceed $5.5b in revenue in 2022. Tim oversees all real estate and investment activities for the company. He supports numerous community efforts and sits on several boards at UMKC, including as a Trustee. He also serves on the boards of many JE Dunn subsidiaries and investments. Mr. Dunn is a graduate of the University of Richmond and holds a BSBA in Accounting and a Master’s in Entrepreneurial Real Estate from UMKC. Prior to his current role, he held various positions for KPMG LLP, Chubb Corp., and Hartford Financial.

  JE Dunn

  Chairman, Chief Investment Officer

  Moderator

  Tim Dunn

  Chairman, Chief Investment Officer

  JE Dunn

Economic Snapshot

Deep Diving into What Makes Texas So Attractive To Businesses and Residents

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  Aaron Demerson

  Aaron Demerson currently serves as the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor Greg Abbott appointed him to the three-member Commission on August 20, 2019 and reappointed him in February 2021. He was confirmed by the Texas Senate on April 28, 2021. In his role, Commissioner Demerson serves as an advocate for over 620,000 Texas employers and over 3 million small businesses. Commissioner Demerson’s team is devoted to serving as a key resource for all Texas employers. His office provides a variety of tools including employment law conferences, and an employer hotline to help businesses grow and thrive in Texas. Demerson is also devoted to supporting the workforce, economic development, and education efforts that help ensure the skilled workforce that Texas employers demand. Demerson was also appointed Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs by Governor Abbott in November 2019. This advisory council is charged with raising public awareness of major issues affecting the state due to the rapid growth of the state’s Hispanic population and other issues resulting from changes in demographics. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Demerson was the Director of the Office of Employer Initiatives at the Texas Workforce Commission. Prior to employment at the Texas Workforce Commission, he served as a Senior Advisor to Governor Rick Perry and Executive Director of the Economic Development & Tourism Division in the Governor’s Office, leading a team that marketed the State of Texas as a premier destination for both business and travel. He has also served as the Director of Business Development, the Director of Administration, and managed the Finance Division for the Texas Economic Development Agency. In addition, Demerson managed the state’s innovative prepaid tuition program (formerly-The Texas Tomorrow Fund) at the State Comptroller’s Office and was employed as a Commercial Finance Analyst and Loan Administration Officer with Texas Bank (former name) in San Antonio, Texas. Demerson has been and continues to be involved in numerous social and civic organizations including the Board for the Austin Lyric Opera, the Austin Area Urban League, the Capitol Credit Union Nominating Committee, membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, the Texas Economic Development Council, and 100 Black Men of Austin to name a few. Commissioner Demerson has a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He also received a general banking diploma from the American Institute of Banking, is a ‘91-‘92 graduate of Leadership Austin, and recently had the distinct pleasure of completing the Army War College Commandants National Security Program for civilians.

  Texas Workforce Commission

  Commissioner Representing Employers

  Aaron Demerson

  Commissioner Representing Employers

  Texas Workforce Commission

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  Dan Hunt

  Dan Hunt has served as the President of FC Dallas since 2014. He serves as a member of MLS’ Board of Governors and the league’s Business Ventures committee. He also served as the chairman of Dallas’ successful bid committee to secure nine matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the most matches among all 16 host cities. Hunt spent years working on the design and construction of Toyota Stadium and Toyota Soccer Center with his late father and American sports icon, Lamar Hunt. Since the venue’s opening in 2005, Hunt has used the facility to help establish FC Dallas as the leader in youth development in North America. Toyota Soccer Complex, a 145-acre facility complete with 17 professional- grade soccer fields, has quickly become one the most rewarding stadium designs in professional sports. Hunt also oversaw the successful negotiation with the City of Frisco on a $182 million public- private renovation of Toyota Stadium that is slated to begin in Q1 of 2025. He oversaw the $58 million construction of the National Soccer Hall of Fame in the south end of Toyota Stadium which opened in 2018. The project included more than 70-thousand square feet of renovated space, new locker rooms, premium seats, a private club and the National Soccer Hall of Fame Experience. In May 2017, Hunt, along with his brother Clark, ESPN and the City of Frisco officially announced that the newly-relocated Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl (previously known as Miami Beach Bowl) would call Toyota Stadium home starting on December 20, 2017 at Toyota Stadium. Louisiana Tech became the first Frisco Bowl Champions after beating SMU 51-10. Outside of his responsibilities with FC Dallas, Hunt is involved in the Hunt family’s long-standing interest in the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. During the 2010 season, Hunt assisted in the renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. In 2016, Hunt and Robert Casterline loaned their multi-million dollar football card collection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. Considered by many the most valued collection of football trading cards in the world, the collection includes rare complete sets, important rookie cards as well as informational displays which tell the story of American football and the hobby of card collecting. Hunt began his business career as Vice President of New Business Development for Gemini Voice Solutions in New York City, a provider of voice-over internet protocol for home-to-home calling in the United States. Hunt is a Dallas native and graduated from the St. Mark’s School of Texas and Southern Methodist University.

  FC Dallas

  President

  Dan Hunt

  President

  FC Dallas

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  Stacy Hunt

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

  Greystar

  Executive Director

  Stacy Hunt

  Executive Director

  Greystar

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  Mandy Austin

  Dallas Market President

  Bank of Texas

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  David Wheeler

  David Wheeler serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for both HIR Management and Hartman Advisors. Mr. Wheeler joined Hartman Management (now HIR Management) in January 2003 as an acquisition manager, following a 16-year tenure with CBRE. Mr. Wheeler worked as an acquisition manager until August 2006, when he assumed his current position. He has almost thirty years of experience in the acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing commercial real estate investments. Mr. Wheeler’s responsibilities range from sourcing investment opportunities, including shopping centers, office buildings, and warehouses, to closing, ownership transition and asset management. At CB Richard Ellis, Mr. Wheeler was a Vice President in the Investment Services Division, where he successfully completed the sale of over $400 million in commercial real estate comprising over 9 million square feet throughout the South Central U.S. Prior to CB Richard Ellis, Wheeler was a Project Engineer and Cost Estimator with HB Zachary for two years on numerous civil and site development projects including the Legacy business Park in Plano Texas for EDS. Wheeler holds an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate from Southern Methodists University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering with an option in Construction Management from Texas A&M University.

  Hartman Income REIT

  Chief Investment Officer

  David Wheeler

  Chief Investment Officer

  Hartman Income REIT

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  Agustin Barrios Gomez

  Agustin attended Georgetown University, where he received a degree in international law and economics. He began his professional career at Procter & Gamble in Brand Management and became independent as an asset manager and entrepreneur. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Program for Real Estate Management and has a master’s in public policy from the Madrid Law School. Agustin is a recognized speaker on finance and investments in North America. In 2016, he founded International Capital Partners (ICP) in association with Capital Real Estate Partners. ICP is focused on stabilized industrial and office properties that provide steady income for qualified investors. The fund currently services hundreds of investors across North America and has significant property holdings in 8 cities across the United States.

  International Capital Partners (ICP)

  Founding Partner, CEO

  Agustin Barrios Gomez

  Founding Partner, CEO

  International Capital Partners (ICP)

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  Maher Maso

  Since 2018, Maher has been a Principal in site selection and business incentives at Ryan, the largest firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business tax. With more than 20 years of economic development experience in the public sector, Mr. Maso supports Ryan clients to improve profitability through business growth and development. Previously, Maher Maso served as the CEO of the Prosper Economic Development Corporation. Maher Maso also proudly served as Mayor of the City of Frisco from 2008-2017, named by the U.S. Census Bureau as the fastest growing city in the country in the last decade. Under Mayor Maso’s administration, the City of Frisco has received dozens of awards and attributions including Money Magazine “Best Places to Live List” and Allstate’s “Safe and Secure Communities List” Maher Maso works to represent small and large companies to create public/private partnerships and to create jobs in communities by negotiating incentives and focusing on site selection. His initiatives as Mayor positioned the City of Frisco as a hub of first-class entertainment, sports and sports medicine including the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas and the world headquarters of the PGA. He has been interviewed by Newsweek, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, and others. Maher is a regular keynote speaker and has spoken globally for government, trade associations and corporations.

  Ryan

  Principal

  Moderator

  Maher Maso

  Principal

  Ryan

Maximizing Corporate Appeal

Creating Spaces That Attract and Retain Top Talent and Tenants

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  Jeff Tuthill

  Principal, Ryan, Dallas office Specializes in providing property tax consulting services to a variety of industries and property types, including data centers, healthcare, and large new developments. Southwest Region Leader, Commercial Property Tax, Ryan Responsible for the administration and development of Ryan’s southwest regional commercial real estate practice. Previous Senior Director, Property Tax, national property tax consulting firm Served on the Commercial Real Estate Executive Committee. Director, Property Tax, national accounting firm Senior Manager, Gulf Coast Area Director of Property Tax and Incentives, national accounting firm PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS Mr. Tuthill lectures on various property tax topics for Ryan clients. Additionally, he has appeared as a speaker for the following organizations: Council On State Taxation Institute for Professionals in Taxation Sales Tax Symposium Southern Methodist University Real Estate Society BOARD & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Metroplex Technology Business Council Southern Methodist University Real Estate Society Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals EDUCATION & ACCREDITATION Bachelor of Arts Degree, Economics, Southern Methodist University Certified Senior Property Tax Consultant, Licensed in Texas Jeff Specializes in providing property tax consulting services to clients in a variety of industries and property types, including data centers and large new developments. He is responsible for the administration and development of Ryan’s southwest regional commercial real estate practice.

  Ryan

  Principal & Regional Leader, Property Tax Texas

  Jeff Tuthill

  Principal & Regional Leader, Property Tax Texas

  Ryan

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  Myles Freeman Jr.

  Myles Freeman is a Senior Sales and Customer Service Executive with over 30+ year experience offering outstanding presentation, communication and team management skills. He is a high energy, results-oriented leader with an entrepreneurial attitude. Before joining Wiley X, Inc. as President of Sales, Myles was one of the founders of Fidelity National Home Warranty and lead the Customer Service Division as Vice President. He attended Heald Business College and was an active leader in the Matrix Executive Program which was a Local Small Business Leadership Group based out of Northern California. He earned the honor of Executive of the month in Nov. 2000, June 2001, June 2003 and Sept 2003.

  Wiley X

  Co-Founder

  Myles Freeman Jr.

  Co-Founder

  Wiley X

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  Torrey Littlejohn

  As the Co-leader of JLL’s tenant representation team, Torrey is responsible for representing both local and national corporate office clients in facility and site acquisition and disposition. She focuses on strategic real estate planning and works closely with each client and the JLL team to identify optimal financial and operational solutions. Torrey has a full understanding of the real estate, financial accounting, tax and market conditions that surround client objectives and decisions. As a dedicated team member, she delivers an unprecedented level of service and support to her clients. Her goal is to save the JLL clients’ time and money.

  JLL

  Managing Director

  Torrey Littlejohn

  Managing Director

  JLL

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  Ian Zapata

  Repositioning & Landlord Services Leader, Design Director, Senior Associate Ian is a Design Director in Gensler’s Dallas office and a global leader in Repositioning & Landlord Services for the firm. Through his experience and tenure, he has always asserted that great design depends on the ability of talented architects to become passionate advocates for a client’s visions. Ian’s 19 years of experience include planning and designing mixed-use environments, hotels, office buildings, and headquarters campuses, including the award-winning transformation of 400 Record Street in Dallas. Ian is a licensed architect and received his Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University.

  Gensler

  Repositioning & Landlord Services Leader

  Ian Zapata

  Repositioning & Landlord Services Leader

  Gensler

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  Barry A. Moscowitz

  Barry Moscowitz is an experienced trial lawyer, who has tried more than 100 jury cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. He is a vigorous advocate for his clients both in and outside the courtroom. With even more lawsuits resolved before trial or arbitration, Barry has the knowledge and experience to draw from as he advises and represents his clients. His philosophy is to always find better in every case he handles, whether it is better outcomes or better settlement positions. Barry represents clients in catastrophic injury/wrongful death, employment litigation, non-subscriber litigation, Lanham Act claims, healthcare liability claims, complex commercial litigation claims against Directors and Officers, and lawsuits involving products and premises liability.

  Thompson Coe

  Partner

  Moderator

  Barry A. Moscowitz

  Partner

  Thompson Coe

Building for Tomorrow’s Buyer

Capitalizing on a Booming Market

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  James (Jim) Jacobson

  As the Senior Vice President of Sales at Douglas Elliman’s Development Marketing Group, Jim possesses strongbrand experience and an entrepreneurial spirit. His success is imbedded in the effective execution of existing strategies and management of teams that bring increased revenue and profits. His most successful strategies are often the most creative, delivering growth by developing new ways to create value for customers and capturing it for the enterprise.As a California Real Estate Broker, Jim previously led a global residential sales consulting firm. Working with luxury brands around the world that included St. Regis, Four Seasons, Raffles, Aman, and Six Senses, he partnered with developers in locations that included Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil, and French Polynesia. Jim successfully directed domestic and internationally based sales teams while creating emerging and down market strategies.In 2010, Jim joined as the Vice President of International Sales for The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Los Angeles. Splitting much of his time between China and the USA, Jim directed all aspects of the international sales campaign strategies and was accountable for the overall success of that program. His international successes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal and on the CBS Evening News.

  Douglas Elliman Development Marketing

  Senior Executive Vice President

  James (Jim) Jacobson

  Senior Executive Vice President

  Douglas Elliman Development Marketing

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  Fredrik Eklund

  With his trademark high kick, record-breaking sales, and socks as colorful as his personality, Fredrik Eklund has become a staple in the real estate scene. As the co-founder of the Eklund I Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman with John Gomes, they have secured over $20 billion dollars in closed residential sales, the successful sell out of over 80 new developments all during a decade of success together. The Eklund|Gomes Team has allowed Fredrik and John to bolster their ranks with the finest of talent, all brokers of note in their own right, to ensure that all buyers, sellers, and renters all are serviced with the top industry standards they are known for.Fredrik and John have emerged as "Brokers to the Stars" having sold luxury penthouse apartments and mega-mansions to many of Hollywood, Wall Street and the music industry's biggest names. Fredrik was the star of Emmy Award-nominated Bravo TV hit show, Million Dollar Listing New York—for a total of nine years. He has amassed millions of social media followers who love getting a glimpse into the life of the fun loving real estate mogul.Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, Eklund studied at the Stockholm School of Economics. At the age of 23, he founded an Internet company with over 45 employees, and went on to work for the investmentbank SEB in Stockholm, London, Singapore and Tokyo before crossing the pond to New York City. Eklund is also an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York. He is involved in several charities, like ‘My Big Day’ with the Princess of Sweden, The AliForney Foundation helping homeless gay and transgender youth, Madeleine, as well as ‘Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children.

  Eklund I Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman

  Co-Founder

  Fredrik Eklund

  Co-Founder

  Eklund I Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman

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  Tim Barton

  CEO

  JMJ Development

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  Peter Bazeli

  Peter Bazeli is a Principal and Managing Director of Weitzman, a real estate development and investment advisory firm based in New York City. Peter has consulted on hundreds of real estate assets valued at well over $70 billion, often performing a critical ongoing role in a property’s successful development and investment strategy. Working with both developers and investors throughout North America, including Latin America and the Caribbean, Peter specializes in the creative conceptualization of development opportunities and market-based development planning for residential and mixed-use projects. Peter is a leading advisor onbranded residential developments, routinely consulting on thosebranded by Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Edition, Four Seasons,Six Senses, Montage, Pendry and others. Peter also has significant experience with adaptive re-use and landmark properties, including the Waldorf Astoria New York, where he has remained a central member of the development team since the project’s inception in 2015.Among properties large and small, Peterbrings a developer’s mindset to each engagement. He helps clients mitigate risk by working collaboratively with developers, investors, designers, and marketing agencies to formulate the most compelling offering to the market, creating one-of-a-kind assets with unique appeal and limited direct competition. He is able to build effective arguments based upon market research, articulate a compelling vision for a property based upon his deep experience, and rationalize financial feasibility and investment objectives from the mindset of a capital partner.

  Weitzman

  Principal & Managing Director

  Peter Bazeli

  Principal & Managing Director

  Weitzman

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  Kelie Mayfield

  Kelie Mayfield is a designer, storyteller, and the founder of MaRS Culture — a Houston-based studio known for weaving deep narrative, artistry, and cultural meaning into every space it creates. A lifelong maker at heart, Kelie brings an intuitive sense of beauty and connection to her work, whether she’s designing interiors, curating artisans, or shaping a new retail–gallery concept that celebrates creativity in fresh, inspiring ways. When she’s not immersed in design, Kelie is usually with her family — cheering on her son Gavin at a soccer match, going on creative or outdoor adventures with her daughter Izzy and her husband Jeff, or exploring Houston’s hidden gems. She loves wandering through galleries, visiting local makers’ studios, discovering great food, and planning trips that spark curiosity and culture. Those who know Kelie well aren’t surprised to learn she’s been creating worlds since childhood. She was the kid constantly rearranging her room, building things from scratch, and dreaming up elaborate craft projects. That imaginative spirit still fuels her today. She finds joy in art, architecture, travel, fitness, and the restorative calm of nature — whether it’s a hike, a ski slope, canyoning in big landscapes, or simply watching a great design documentary like Grand Designs. Kelie’s happiest moments are often the simplest: long dinners with loved ones, genuine conversation, spontaneous laughter, and watching her kids grow into their passions. Connection, creativity, and joy remain the foundation of everything she does. And then there’s Schuyler — her beloved Bernedoodle and the undeniable boss of the office. Schuyler, a giant teddy bear of a dog with soft curls and a sweet soul, greets guests, supervises meeting rooms, and brings daily warmth to the team. On humid days, Schuyler and Kelie even end up with matching curls, much to everyone’s amusement. Houston is home for Kelie — a city full of grit, generosity, culture, and creative momentum. It’s where her family is rooted, where MaRS Culture thrives, and where inspiration arrives around every corner.

  MaRS Culture

  CEO + Founder

  Kelie Mayfield

  CEO + Founder

  MaRS Culture

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  Susan de França

  Susan de França joined Douglas Elliman Development Marketing as President and CEO in 2011. Susan’s unrivaled experience and expertise in pre-development design and planning, marketing, and sales have been integral to the firm's success, contributing to an $87 billion global new development portfolio. Headquartered in NYC and under Susan's tutelage, DEDM has successfully expanded into South Florida, California, Massachusetts, and Texas. The firm's world-class portfolio includes 432 Park Avenue, 111 West 57th Street, 111 Murray, 150 Charles, Faena House, Miami Beach EDITION, Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, and West Hollywood EDITION, all of which have achieved record breaking sales. Susan’s vision, passion and expertise are reflected in the success of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing under her tutelage. With over 100 in-house development professionals and an $87 billion global new development portfolio, Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is a real estate leader both nationally and internationally. Prior to joining Douglas Elliman, Susan was the President of Related Sales and presided over $8 billion worth of sales within the company’s luxury and super-luxury condominium portfolio, with properties in New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. During her tenure at Related, her prestigious portfolio included One Central Park, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, The Chatham and Superior Ink. Susan also previously acted as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of The Sunshine Group Ltd.

  DOUGLAS ELLIMAN DEVELOPMENT MARKETING

  PRESIDENT & CEO

  Moderator

  Susan de França

  PRESIDENT & CEO

  DOUGLAS ELLIMAN DEVELOPMENT MARKETING

Opening Remarks

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  Zach Sams

  Zach Sams joined Kensington Vanguard in November of 2016 after serving as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Fidelity National Title’s Dallas/Fort Worth division from 2012-2016. Zach is focused on expanding KV’s footprint in the D/FW, Texas, Arizona and National markets. From selling real estate for to business development roles at prominent local and national title insurance companies, Zach has been active in the in the real estate market since 2005. Prior to the title industry, Zach attended The Golf Academy of America in San Diego, then spent two years playing professional golf on various mini tours in Southern California. Zach is a Veteran of the US Army. Zach lives in Argyle, TX with his wife Amber and their two boys 11&13. In his free time Zach enjoys playing competitive amateur golf and traveling with his wife and kids.

  Kensington Vanguard National Title

  EVP

  Zach Sams

  EVP

  Kensington Vanguard National Title