The Future of Buckhead

As an advocate and advisor for companies who lease or own real estate, Ken Ashley has worked for nearly 30 years to help business leadership translate business strategy into real estate solutions. He represents companies all over the United States that lease or purchase space for their business needs. He has transacted over $2.3 billion in leases during his career. Ken and his team are perennial top producers in Atlanta and at Cushman & Wakefield nationally. Ken is a writer for and a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council. He is also the immediate past chairman of Cushman & Wakefield’s Tenant Advisory Group, comprised of the company’s highest-performing brokers and is an award-winning instructor in his trade organization CoreNet Global. He also founded and leads www.creisummit.com which is focused on excellence in commercial real estate marketing and social media. Ken has a strong desire to pay his “civic rent” and serves with several not-for-profit organizations. He was the chair for the 2018 class of Leadership Atlanta and currently serves on the Board. Ken is active in Scouts USA where he advises nationally on property-related issues and serves on the local Council Board. Ken has chaired “visitations” evaluations of all 4 national high adventure bases. Ken is an Eagle Scout and served as a Philmont Ranger for 2 years…just a few years ago. In the Atlanta community, Ken Chairs the Fulton County Sheriff’s Foundation, and the Board of Invest Atlanta Foundation. He also serves on the Board of the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Crime Stoppers Task Force and the youth-serving organization Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. Ken resides in a suburb of Atlanta and has been married to his awesome wife Karen for 31 years and is the proud father of 4 great kids and 1 very lazy pug.

As Managing Director, Herbert Ames is responsible for the strategic direction and priorities of EDENS’ Southeast Region and sits on the company’s Investment Committee. With a 19-year tenure, Ames oversees the 2.6 million square-foot Southeast portfolio, as well as future growth through (re)development and acquisitions. He is currently responsible for the 2.5 million square-foot redevelopment of Lulah Hills in Decatur, GA. Herbert is well-recognized for his commitment to the community. He is currently serving as treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Buckhead Community Improvement District and serves on the Board of Directors of the Buckhead Coalition. He is a past member of the ICSC Next Gen Leadership Network and ULI Atlanta Livable Communities Council and was named Chain Store Age magazine’s “10 Under 40 – Ones to Watch.” He previously chaired the Long-Range Planning Committee of the City Center Partnership (CCP), an organization dedicated to reinvigorating Columbia, SC’s urban core and central business district, and served on CCP’s Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. He also co-chaired the Midlands Reality Check for Urban Land Institute-South Carolina. Herbert is a graduate of the Leadership Columbia (South Carolina) Class of 2008, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute, and a Director of Buckhead Coalition. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina.