SPEAKERS

Ellen G. van der Horst

Ellen van der Horst joined the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber as president and CEO in March 2006. In that role, she leads the 5th largest chamber of commerce in the country, with nearly 6000 member businesses and a staff of 80 professionals. Ellen currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Business Committee, 3CDC, Downtown Cincinnati Inc., Fine Arts Fund (vice chair), United Way, OKI, U.C. College of Business Advisory Council, U.C. Economics Center for Education & Research, and the Queen City Club. She has previously served as president and chair of the board of the Cincinnati Opera Association, as vice chair of the board of The Seven Hills School, as chair of the Community Chest Foundation, and as a trustee of the American Red Cross, NCCJ, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Hebrew Union College and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

A native of Philadelphia, Ellen herself came to Cincinnati as a young professional, getting her start at Procter & Gamble before establishing a successful, 22-year career with The PNC Financial Services Group, most recently as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Ellen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics – summa cum laude – from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Blue Ash with her husband, Ray, a partner with Deloitte. They have two college-age sons, Benjamin and Matthew.

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Laura Long

Laura Long is President of the Campbell County Economic Progress Authority, Inc., the non-profit economic development agency for Campbell County, Kentucky. Laura previously served as Executive Director of the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC).  She has 25 years of experience, including 15 years as Newport, Kentucky’s Economic Development Director. Major achievements include coordinating the financial and political framework for the city’s $165M Convention Center expansion; sourcing the Center City Plan and working collaboratively to create Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), a private development corporation funded to implement major real estate transactions in the city’s urban core, and securing $50M in New Market Tax Credits for Urban Redevelopment. Laura created a unique, nationally recognized housing program for the city of Newport, Kentucky and facilitated riverfront development projects such as the Newport Aquarium. Laura received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Eastern Illinois University

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Jeanne Schroer

Jeanne Schroer is the Executive Director of the Catalytic Development Corporation of Northern Kentucky, a non-profit company formed in 2008 to provide capital to real estate developers undertaking projects in Northern Kentucky’s urban neighborhoods. Formerly, she was Director of the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center and Field Service Professor of Real Estate. She has 25 years of experience as a real estate professional specializing in project financing. She has held positions with Urban Investment and Development Company in Chicago, Tipton Associates in Cincinnati, and Corporex Companies in Covington. Mrs. Schroer has a Bachelor of Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from Indiana University. She was previously Executive Director of the National Association of Office and Industrial Parks, Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter.

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Holly Childs

Holly Childs is the City of Cincinnati’s Economic Development Director. Holly has 13 years of successful economic development management experience, including posts as the Economic Development Director for the City of Goodyear, AZ; President of the Greater Logan County (OH) Area Community Improvement Corporation; Executive Director of Progress Alliance in Steubenville, Ohio and Executive Director of the Preston County (WV) Economic Development Authority. Holly’s educational background includes a BA in Economics with Honors from Wake Forest University; an MS in Resource Economics from her home state West Virginia University; and substantial coursework completed toward her Ph.D. in Resource Economics and Economic Development, both at Oregon State University and West Virginia University.  She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and in 1999, became one of the country’s youngest professionally Certified Economic Developers.

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Tim Riordan

Tim Riordan is the Mayor’s Appointee to the Banks Working Group for development of the Cincinnati Riverfront -$750 million development. He is also the owner of Owner, Numbers & Money LLC, demographic & financial consulting. Tim previously served as Cincinnati’s Deputy City Manager and Finance Director. During his tenure with the city of Cincinnati, he completed numerous large-scale development projects. Additional experience includes Dayton International Airport Deputy Director. Finance Director & OMB Director, Dayton, Ohio, and President, Government Finance Officers Association, USA & Canada. Tim has an MPA and BA from the University of Dayton, Ohio. He is a board Member of the Cincinnati Southern Railway.

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Tom Gabelman

Tom Gabelman is a partner in the Vorys, Sater, Semour, and Peas LLP law firm Cincinnati office and a member of the commercial and real estate group.  His experience is in commercial transactions and litigation with a focus in construction and real estate law. As Special Project Counsel to Hamilton County, Ohio he negotiated agreements pertaining to the $2.5 billion redevelopment of Cincinnati's downtown riverfront area, including the Great American Ball Park, Paul Brown Stadium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Banks mixed-use development project. Tom was selected for Leadership Cincinnati, and was awarded the Hamilton County Distinguished Citizen Award, 2008. He is a member of the American Arbitration Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association. He received his J.D. from the University Of Cincinnati College Of Law and his B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati.

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Roxanne Qualls

Roxanne Qualls is a current member of the City of Cincinnati Council, she was elected in 1991. Prior to serving in elective office, Roxanne served as the first Director of the Northern Kentucky Rape Crisis Center (1975-1977, now known as the Women's Crisis Center), the Executive Director of Women Helping Women (1977-1979, now known as the Hamilton County Rape Crisis and Abuse Center), owned a small business specializing in house painting and renovation, an Associate Director (1983-1985) and then Director (1985-1991) of the Cincinnati office of Ohio Citizen Action (formerly known as Ohio Public Interest Campaign). In 1993, Roxanne became Mayor of the City of Cincinnati by achieving the highest number of votes of any council member. Cincinnati's voters returned her to the Mayor's office in 1995 and in 1997 where she served until term limits forced her out of office. As Mayor, Roxanne emphasized openness and accessibility, collaborative public-private partnerships, and community and economic development.

Roxanne became a Visiting Professor at Northern Kentucky University in 2004 where she teaches in the Masters in Public Administration Program. She teaches Executive Management, Urban Policy, and Citizens and Governance. In 2005, she became Director of Public Leadership Initiatives.

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Laura N. Brunner

Laura Brunner directs and oversees all aspects of Al. Neyer, Inc.’s business development functions, including evaluating new partnership and growth opportunities outside of Greater Cincinnati. Prior to joining Al. Neyer, Inc. in 2008, Laura was managing principal of Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm in Cincinnati.

A well-respected businesswoman with a reputation for energetic and effective leadership, Laura received her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University, and spent 21 years in the public accounting field, 17 as a firm partner.  Laura sits on a number of boards and advisory committees, including the Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America. She is the recipient of numerous industry and community recognition – most recently from Real Estate Forum Women of Influence and the YWCA Career Women of Achievement.

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George W. Jackson, Jr.

George W. Jackson, Jr. became interim President & CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) in February 2002, and was elected to the position on a permanent basis in April 2002.  The DEGC is a private, nonprofit corporation devoted exclusively to supporting Detroit's economic development projects and initiatives by providing technical, financial and development assistance to the City and the business community.  The DEGC also serves as the professional and administrative staff for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC), Tax Increment Finance Authority, and Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (DBRA).  The DEGC is the lead organization for implementation of permanent revitalization improvements (the Lower Woodward Improvement Program) for Superbowl XL, held in Detroit on February 5, 2006. 

In 2006 George assumed the responsibilities of Chief Development Officer for the City of Detroit.  This position includes the responsibility of overall coordination of City economic development activity, as well as supervision of the City Planning and Development, and Environmental Affairs Departments. 

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Stephen G. Leeper

Stephen Leeper was appointed President & CEO of Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) April, 2004. Since joining 3CDC, Stephen has led the organization's efforts to revitalize Cincinnati's Center City. These efforts include the financing and development of real estate within Over-the-Rhine, Downtown, and the Riverfront District. Stephen's responsibilities also include the management of the Cincinnati Equity Fund and the Cincinnati New Markets Tax Credit Fund.

Previously, Stephen served as Executive Director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from September 1998 - April 2004. In this position Stephen was responsible for the development and financing of PNC Park, Heinz Field, the new David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the North Shore Riverfront Park, public parking facilities and related road infrastructure.

Stephen is a native of Pittsburgh. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Ohio University and a Master's Degree from Ohio State University.

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Sean L. Rugless

As President and C.E.O. for the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Sean is responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships and alliances for the purpose of strengthening minority businesses and growing the business community as a whole. He serves on as an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State. Sean was previously President of the Greater Cincinnati Regional Tourism Network, and was a Brand Manager of Procter & Gamble. He also formed his own brand consultancy practice in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been sited in several publications including the Cincinnati Business Courier, BrandWeek, Metropolis magazine and has been interviewed on a NPR’s weekly program “On the Money.”

Sean is an alumnus of “Leadership Cincinnati” and was selected as award winner for the Cincinnati Business Courier’s “Forty under 40” program. He is a member of the Urban League’s African-American Leadership Development Program and recognized as Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati. Sean is the Board Chairman for Emanuel Community Center in Over-the-Rhine, and serves on the Boards of the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau, Southwestern Ohio Regional Transit Authority, Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated, and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Sean received his M.B.A in Marketing & Competitive Strategy from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.

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Deborah Robb

Deborah Robb is the Director of Economic Inclusion for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority. She brings over 15 years of experience in the area of supplier diversity and economic inclusion. A former Senior Buyer at Patheon Pharmaceuticals, she is a graduate of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati African American Leadership Development Program (Class III), and Leadership Cincinnati. In addition, she has held several significant leadership positions including being Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sickle Cell Awareness Group and is currently the Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee for the South Central Ohio Minority Business Development Council.

Deborah is currently a board member of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce where she leads the Economic Development Committee, the Cincinnati Business Incubator and Pro-Seniors. She is on the advisory committees of the Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program , and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati Economic Empowerment Center. She is also a past recipient of the YMCA Black Achievers Award. Deborah holds a B.A. in Communications Arts from the University of Cincinnati where she was a Minority Scholarship recipient.

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Christine Russell

As the Director of Brownfield Development at the Port Authority, Christine Russell manages the Port Authority’s on-going brownfield projects and serves as a resource for developers and communities that are considering undertaking cleanup and redevelopment of a Hamilton County brownfield.

Ms. Russell holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Brown University and a M.S. in Environmental Management from the University of Findlay. She joined the Port Authority in September 2006. Prior to that, she gained 14 years of varied experience working for the prime contractor, Fluor, at the Department of Energy Fernald site northwest of Cincinnati. Ms. Russell is a LEED Accredited Professional, a Registered Environmental Manager with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, the National Brownfield Association, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Urban Land Institute. She also serves on the Advisory Board for the City of Cincinnati’s U.S. EPA Brownfield Job Training Grant.

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David Birdsall

David Birdsall is Chief Development Officer of Phillips Edison & Company (PECO). David has over 14 years of diverse experience in retail real estate; including development, leasing and tenant representation. He has personally been involved in over three million square feet of new retail development since 1998 and has worked on a range of projects from ground-up “greenfield” to one of the largest brownfield redevelopments in southwestern Ohio. With PECO, David heads the company's land development division, focused on the ground-up development of “best in class” retail and mixed-use projects. Prior to joining PECO, David spent 10 years as Vice President of Investments for the Midwest region for Regency Centers, a national REIT based in Jacksonville, Florida. He was responsible for new developments and acquisitions in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. David began his career at the Midland Group, a St. Louis-based developer of Kroger shopping centers, where he worked primarily in leasing and tenant representation. David has long been an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is on the Board of advisors for the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Program, as well as the Executive Committee for the Cincinnati Chapter of ULI. David served 8 years in the United States Army and received his B.A. in English from Xavier University in 1993.

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Christopher Dobrozsi

Christopher Dobrozsi, CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), is director of Real Estate Development, at Al. Neyer, Inc., a 115-year-old real estate development, design-build and investment firm. Originally trained in building design and engineering, Chris now leads the creation of new Class A office, industrial and mixed-use projects that encompass both construction and adaptive re-use – from site selection through entitlement, financing, construction, leasing and sale. Chris’ projects over the past 5 years account for 1.5 million square feet and $185 million in created value.

Chris joined Al. Neyer in 1987 as an architectural intern. He received his Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering technology from the University of Cincinnati. Chris earned the CCIM designation in 2003. Chris is chair of City of Montgomery Landmarks Commission and is in his eighth year of active membership. He is a member of Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy class of 2008, and active in many commercial real estate industry organizations, including Urban Land Institute and Commercial Real Estate Council.

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Andy Kutcha

Andy joined Clermont County in August 2004. Andy is responsible for managing tax incentive programs, several grant programs, a database of available commercial land and buildings, the activities of the CIC of Clermont County, and other infrastructure related projects. He previously spent four years as director of Butler County’s economic development department, where he was responsible for recruiting new business investment and providing assistance to existing area companies with expansion projects. He has assisted dozens of companies with location investment decisions that have resulted in the creation of over 4,000 new jobs and $350 million in real and personal property investment.

Andy is licensed to sell real estate in Ohio and is a member of the International Economic Development Council and the Ohio Economic Development Association, where he served several terms on the board of directors, including one as Vice President. He received a Master of Public Administration degree from Cleveland State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowling Green State University, and currently resides in Miami Township with his wife and two children.

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Paul F. Smith

Paul Smith serves as Vice President for Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED), the regional economic development organization representing Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky. Paul joined the organization in January 2005 after serving for 12+ years as the site general manager for Fidelity Investments’ Midwest region operation in Covington. His responsibilities include attracting new office projects, either corporate or regional headquarters, to the Northern Kentucky area as well as helping existing businesses grow and expand. Paul also assists with distribution projects as needed.

Paul has both a Master’s Degree in Education/Guidance from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in English from St. Michael’s College in Vermont. A strong advocate of community service, he serves on multiple boards including Thomas More College and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Paul and his wife reside in Edgewood, Kentucky; they have four grown children.

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Brian Elliff

West Chester named Brian its Community Development Director in 2008. The West Chester Community Development Department oversees all of West Chester’s economic development and land regulatory activities. Brian has been with West Chester for seven years, serving previously as the Planning and Zoning Director. Recently, Brian was the chief negotiator for West Chester, resulting in GE Aviation locating 1,400 jobs to the community with a $140 million payroll. He is currently negotiating West Chester’s first Joint Economic Development District, which is anticipated to yield $1.4 million annually in new tax revenue.

Brian holds a Master of Urban Planning and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois, and BS in Finance from the University of Denver. He is a licensed attorney and member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the International Economic Development Council. He formerly worked at other government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington DC, and also was in private law practice.

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Karen Finan

Karen Finan serves as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Technology Projects for Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED), the regional economic development organization representing Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky. Karen joined the organization in April 2005. Her responsibilities include the attraction and retention of technology firms to the Northern Kentucky area as well as direction of the overall marketing efforts for Tri-ED.

A native of Northern Kentucky, Karen came to Tri-ED from Duke Realty Corporation after 14 successful years in business development and marketing. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University, she is a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), CoreNet Global, and Industrial Asset Management Council. Karen resides in Northern Kentucky with her husband, Dan, and their three children.

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Lee Massoud

Lee oversees all aspects of capital sourcing for Miller Valentine and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer at the company.

She has more than 25 years experience in finance at the executive level CFO for ISUS, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is reclamation of at-risk youth through education and service work (2001 – 2004). Lee was Vice President for National City Bank (1979 – 1997) and has expertise in all facets of finance, including budgeting, planning and forecasting. Lee is a member of the Capital Fundraiser, The Dayton Theatre Guild Leadership Circle, Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence. She is the Vice President Community Relations, League of Women Voters Greater Dayton Area and a Board Member of the Dayton Habitat for Humanity. Lee has a

B. A. in International Business Management from The McGregor School of Antioch and a M.B.A. in International Business from the University of Dayton.

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Susan G. Branscome

Susan Branscome is President Principal, Founder of Q10│Triad Capital Advisors Inc. (Q10), has over 29 years of experience in commercial real estate lending and mortgage banking. Following Susan’s 1998 founding of the company, she affiliated with additional offices in Kansas City and St. Louis. Under her leadership, Q10│Triad Capital Advisors Inc., provides long-term financing for industrial, office, multifamily, and retail projects. Susan is one of only two women in the United States who has started her own mortgage banking firm. An industry leader regarded as an expert nationally, Branscome has strong client relationships among institutions and real estate owners who appreciate her high integrity and hard work. She is a natural business leader whose career and professional success is mirrored in her civic and community work.

Susan is a graduate of Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio with a B.S. in Business Management. She has taken numerous courses with the Appraisal Institute, and holds a Real Estate license in Ohio.

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Sigrid L. Campbell

Sigrid is the Vice President of Phillips Edison & Company (PECO) and is a member of the firm’s Senior Management Team. During her tenure at PECO, she has been responsible for raising over $750 million of debt and equity from institutional and private investors for the company’s various real estate investment funds. Her career spans 30 years in the real estate and accounting fields. Sigrid received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Ohio) in Accounting and is a certified public accountant. She has been with PECO since 1997 and has also served the company as CFO, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller, and Director of Lease Administration.

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Susan Thomas

As Director of Public Finance for the Port Authority, Susan Thomas works actively with businesses, developers and municipalities to promote economic development in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio. She leads the Port Authority’s bond issuance activities, specializing in structured lease, tax increment financing and conduit bonds. The Port Authority has issued over $350 million in bonds during her tenure.

Prior to joining the Port Authority, Ms. Thomas was a Vice President in the Global Capital Markets Group at Morgan Stanley in New York. While at Morgan Stanley, she helped raise over $11 billion in debt and equity capital for industrial, basic material and transportation related corporations. She also served as Project Manager for the divestitures of Morgan Stanley’s Discover Card and aircraft leasing business units. Ms. Thomas holds a BA with honors in Public Policy from Stanford University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

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Judy Office

Judy Office is the founder and inspirational force of Inner Summit, Judy guides, challenges and encourages her clients on the climb to their innermost heights. The approach that Judy takes is holistic. With her guidance and support, clients recognize that changes they make and insights they gain for their professional life enhance their effectiveness in their workplace, in their family life and in the community.

Judy brings to clients more than 20 years of corporate experience in international advertising, marketing and career management, along with active community involvement. An alumna of Indiana University, Judy is a Professional Certified Coach and member of the International Coach Federation, as well as a certified graduate of the Coach University training program. She serves as a committee member of The Wellness Community, past president of the Greater Cincinnati Professional Coaches Association and past board member of the International Association of Career Management Professionals. She has been an involved facilitator for the Professional Women’s Group at Dress for Success and for Junior Achievement.

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Matthew Rossetti

As President of Rossetti Architects, Matt leads the firm’s strategic initiatives for creating innovative design and value for clients. Since assuming the role of president in 1999, Matt has grown the 40-year-old business into an internationally-recognized design firm, with a portfolio of groundbreaking sports, entertainment and mixed use projects. He also has a thorough understanding of the crucial role that sports and entertainment facilities play as a driver for economic growth. Under Matt’s leadership, the firm has master planned and designed projects which have served as catalysts for economic and community revitalization, including Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions; Sung Ui Sports and Entertainment/Mixed Use Complex in South Korea; and Scotiabank Place Arena and Mixed Use Development in Ottawa, Canada.

Rossetti’s other notable sports and entertainment facilities include the Palace of Auburn Hills NBA Arena; Home Depot Center MLS Stadium in Los Angeles; the USTA National Tennis Center (home of the U.S. Open); as well as collegiate sports projects on campuses including Cornell University, University of Michigan, Florida State University, Old Dominion University, Bowling Green State University, Cal State University – Dominguez Hills and Michigan State University. Matt is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Urban Land Institute, and is a LEED-Accredited Professional. He received both his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Architecture degrees from the University of Michigan.

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Denise Hamet

Denise joined the City of Middletown, Ohio in late 2008 as Economic Development Program Manager. In this role she is responsible for recruitment and retention of business, and economic development coordination for key development areas of the City. She was recently given a new assignment for coordination of brownfield redevelopment. She brings over fifteen years of commercial real estate experience in real estate consulting, valuation, planning, and lending. Her previous experience includes a key business planning role as senior financial analyst for The Irvine Company, a leading builder/developer in southern California. She was also a City Planner with the progressive city of Irvine, California; and spent five years as a real estate portfolio manager for KeyBank.

Denise received her B.S.B.A. from the University of Arizona and her M.B.A. from Arizona State University. She is a Past President of Commercial Real Estate Women of Greater Cincinnati, and is currently co-chairing the first regional conference for the group. She resides in Mason, Ohio with her husband Alex and their two children.

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Diane Stegmeier

Diane Stegmeier is a consultant in change management and organizational effectiveness, and has been engaged by clients throughout North America and Western Europe seeking to leverage human capital and pursue performance optimization in the workplace. She is best known for her research exploring the Critical Influence System™ affecting behavior in the workplace, in particular, the impact of physical space on human behavior. She is an associate of The Ivy Faculty Consortium, the network of prominent professors and select practitioners respected for successes in research, organizational theory or data interpretation.

In 2004, Diane Stegmeier was approached by the architectural and design division of global publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. expressing interest in publishing a book that would feature her research findings and unique approach to supporting workplace transformation. The end results of that request—Innovations in Office Design: The Critical Influence Approach to Effective Work Environments—was released February 20, 2008. The book examines the key factors fostering a sustainable platform for change and introduces the 15 Critical Influences™ that can enable—or hinder—the development, execution and outcomes of workplace strategies. The author shares insight on when workplace transformation projects are most susceptible to the Critical Influence System™ and addresses both ongoing and emerging issues that challenge professionals charged with creating and implementing workplace strategies: restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, cost reduction as the primary driver of workplace change, high velocity environments, physical space as a currency, competitive / territorial office environments, telework, supporting the multi-generational workforce, emphasis on work-life balance, attraction and retention strategies, workplacelessness, and organizational branding initiatives.

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Tony Brown

Tony T. Brown has served as the President and CEO of the Uptown Consortium since March 2004. His distinguished record of achievement as a banker and leader in the field of community development finance has helped him to position the Consortium as both a premier community partner and the driving force of redevelopment in Uptown Cincinnati.

Since joining the Consortium, significant progress has been made within Uptown Cincinnati’s individual neighborhoods, as well as in establishing Uptown Cincinnati as a region. Under Mr. Brown’s leadership, over $400 million has been invested in Uptown for use towards redevelopment, new construction and neighborhood improvement initiatives. The Consortium also closed a $52 million New Markets Tax Credit Fund in February 2006 and has funded $11.5 million in projects investments to date.

In addition to these important community and economic development projects, Mr. Brown has guided the Consortium in improving urban design and transportation, neighborhood services and public safety. These efforts include an historic study for land use planning around Uptown’s parks system, in collaboration with the Cincinnati Parks Board; addressing such topics as parking, public transit, signage for way-finding and alternative designs for an interchange at I-71 and Martin Luther King; executing a brand-building strategy for Uptown Cincinnati; and working with the Cincinnati Police Department to identify and eradicate crime hot spots.

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Sherry Hesselbein

Sherry L. Hesselbein practices in all aspects of environmental law, including air, water, hazardous waste, solid waste, toxic substances, pesticides, oil and mineral rights, and agriculture. Sherry assists clients in assessing their facility’s and product’s compliance with environmental laws. She has also assisted clients in evaluating a facility’s or property’s compliance with environmental laws for purposes of selling or buying a property. Another aspect of her practice includes advising clients regarding sustainability and green development and operation. Sherry earned her J.D. from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (2001), with honors, and her B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1998).

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Tamara Kimble

As Vice President of Strategic Marketing & External Affairs for The Dawson Company, Tamara Kimble is responsible for the strategic marketing and external affairs activities of the firm. In this capacity Mrs. Kimble is responsible for developing and managing the Dawson brand as well as the brand for Dawson’s developments throughout the United States. Additionally, Mrs. Kimble is responsible for inclusion, public relations and external affairs activities as well as oversight of the Dawson Family Foundation.

Prior to joining the Dawson Company, Mrs. Kimble worked in a variety of executive marketing roles with Fortune 500 companies. In 2001, Mrs. Kimble joined Cingular Wireless as Director- Advertising and Branding. After successfully assisting in the launch of the Cingular brand she served as Director- Handsets and Accessories where she was responsible for the design and launch of over 30 new wireless phones. Mrs. Kimble later served as Director- Customer Base Marketing & Retention where she was responsible for managing Cingular’s 23 million customers. Subsequent to Cingular Wireless, Mrs. Kimble was employed with GMAC Insurance as the Vice President- Branding & Marketing where she had direct responsibility for brand management, advertising, direct marketing and public relations. Most recently, Mrs. Kimble owned and managed, Spizz Marketing, LLC, a marketing consulting firm.

In 1996, Mrs. Kimble earned a bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Texas-Austin. Mrs. Kimble later completed her MBA from Harvard Business School where she was a Bert King Scholar. She is also actively involved in her community where she serves as a board member of the United Way African-American Partnership and The Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center. In addition, she serves as a member of the National Black Arts Festival steering committee and as a member of the Jeffrey Fashion Cares planning committee.

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Laura Griffin

As a development manager, Laura’s responsibilities include the day-to-day direction of all design and construction activities for her projects, along with the coordination of Carter specialists in accounting and property management. With over four years of industry experience, Laura also focuses on the predevelopment process and due-diligence research for potential new development and acquisition opportunities.

Before joining Carter in 2004, Laura worked with Taylor & Mathis, where she was responsible for managing and conducting market studies for office and industrial developments. She also performed net present-value analyses on rent streams, and edited proforma financial statements and cash-flow analyses for prospective medical office developments. She also worked for Aon Corp. in London, a leading provider of risk management services, where she analyzed risk exposure and constructed strategies to mitigate and transfer risk.

Laura’s project experience includes:

• The Banks, Cincinnati, Ohio Due diligence and master plan of a $907 million mixed-use development


• Atlantic Station, Atlanta, Georgia Tenant coordination for one million square feet of retail space


• Regents Park, Atlanta, Georgia $40 million, 23 luxury townhomes


• Carter/Athens Property, Athens, Georgia Due diligence, feasibility studies and planning of new development adjacent to the University of Georgia


• Darlington Middle School, Rome, Georgia Project management $18 million middle school

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Tonya Creekmore

Currently the Vice President of Peripheral Land Development for General Growth, Tonya Creekmore's responsibilities include securing the catalyst anchor tenants for development and re-development of regional malls and community centers in excess of 22,000,000 square feet throughout the Southeast. Previously, Creekmore was a Partner at North American Properties in Atlanta, Georgia responsible for development activities throughout the Southeast and Mid Atlantic region.

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Joan Cleland

Ms. Cleland joined the firm in 1986, after serving on both the acquisition and management teams of a leading real estate investment and property management firm. Ms. Cleland is extensively experienced in developing major real estate projects, managing and financing large real estate investments, and dealing with complex technical, financial and legal issues as relates to all aspects of investment grade real estate. Over the course of her career, Ms. Cleland has served as senior asset and portfolio manager and in addition to directing Acquest’s development division is also responsible for major client accounts and business development.

Ms. Cleland is the President of the firm’s development division, Acquest Development, Inc. She is responsible for new real estate projects designed and constructed on behalf of Acquest's clients. In this capacity, Ms. Cleland directs major construction firms, architectural design and engineering firms and operators in the construction, development and management process. During her 20 + year career at Acquest, she has been the Project Executive directing the activities of the development teams for three major Marriott hotels and conference/convention centers, as well as several office building developments, and, most recently, the Erie County Convention Center Authority project team for the development of the Erie Bayfront Convention Center Complex, a $100M Sheraton hotel, convention center and parking garage project currently under construction in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Cleland is an honors graduate of Hillsdale College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. She is also a graduate of Oakland University's Legal Assistant Diploma Program. She is a licensed real estate agent in the State of Michigan, and a member of the Urban Land Institute, Women's Economic Club of Detroit, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), and the Associated General Contractors of America.

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