Town Hall with Norman Radow and Steven DeFrancis

Steven DeFrancis is the founder and CEO of Cortland. He has more than 25 years of experience in complex multifamily development and management, specializing in unique development and value-add opportunities. Since its founding in 2005, Cortland has expanded into a global, vertically integrated, multifamily real estate investment, development, and asset management company. Anchored on providing a beautiful, yet affordable living environment and an enriched lifestyle to its residents, the company has adopted the unique approach of internalizing the majority of the functions dedicated to achieving those two objectives – from construction and design to product development. Steven and his team manage a portfolio of multifamily assets located in twelve states, primarily throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and Texas. Internationally, Cortland maintains a global materials sourcing office in Shanghai and a development and management platform in the UK. The company employs more than 2,000 associates and owns and manages more than 60,000 apartment homes. Cortland is a National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Top 50 Owner and Manager and is ranked 6th among Atlanta’s “Top Workplaces” in the large employer category (2019). Steven earned his bachelor’s degree in Real Estate from The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. He is a member of The Buckhead Coalition and serves on the board of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership. He is also a member of The Real Estate Roundtable, The Urban Land Institute, and the National Multifamily Housing Council.

Norman Radow’s vision when establishing The RADCO Companies in 1994 was borne out of a lifelong passion to make neighborhoods and people’s lives better. RADCO’s first project was the redevelopment of a distressed 53-story Atlanta hotel, office, and condominium tower, which later became the Four Seasons Hotel. The notable turnaround project put the company on the map and more than 100 successful projects later, RADCO remains a fearless, successful, and flexible leader in the real estate industry. Prior to founding The RADCO Companies, Norman was a seasoned real estate litigation, workout, and transactional lawyer. Awarded a Juris Doctor by New York Law School in 1981 and a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1978, he is licensed to practice in both New York and Georgia. As a Chairman of the Kennesaw State University Foundation Board of Trustees, Norman oversaw the expansion of the 33,000-student university in metropolitan Atlanta. During his 13-year tenure, the campus doubled in size with the addition of $500 million in new buildings that he helped finance and develop. Norman is currently a member of the New York Law School Board of Trustees and previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Law. He is a dynamic speaker and real estate industry expert that has been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and more.

Michael Bull, CCIM, founder and CEO of Bull Realty, is an active commercial real estate advisor. He is a licensed broker in nine southeast states and has assisted clients with over 6 billion dollars of transactions over his 30-year career. Mr. Bull founded Bull Realty in 1998 initially with two primary missions: to provide a company of brokers known for integrity and to provide the best disposition marketing in the nation. Now Michael and his brokers provide disposition, acquisition, project leasing, tenant representation and advisory services in all major property sectors. Michael personally leads a team focused on office investment sales. You may know Michael as host of America's Commercial Real Estate Show. The popular weekly show began broadcasting in 2010 and today is heard by millions of people around the country. Michael and other respected industry analysts, economists and leading market participants share market intelligence, forecasts and success strategies. The show is available on-demand on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and the show website, www.CREshow.com. If you get a chance, see Michael speak at commercial real estate events around the country. Mr. Bull’s articles have been published nationwide including in the National Real Estate Investor, France Media Publications, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Multi-Housing News, Shopping Center Business, The Broker List, LoopNet and Nation’s Restaurant News. Michael’s involvement with professional organizations include CCIM Member, National Association of REALTORS, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Atlanta Leaders Group, Real Estate Group of Atlanta, the Atlanta Press Club, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Michael's hobbies include music, comedy and performance boating.