State of Atlanta CRE

MARK TORO founded Atlanta-based Toro Development Company in 2021 to create value by building community. As Chief Vision Officer, Toro will use a metric-driven approach to identify properties that have significant potential based on the promise of the locale. He and his team have multi-dimensional experience, positioning Toro Development Company to choose the right use or mix of uses for each redevelopment. Prior to starting Toro Development Company, Toro cofounded and led the North American Properties (NAP) Atlanta office where he oversaw $3.1 billion in real estate development, totaling 9.4 million square feet. He delivered industry-leading returns to his capital partners, became known nationally as a leader in experience-driven commercial real estate and left a legacy of great communities. His successes at NAP include the repositioning of Atlantic Station, development of Alpharetta’s $1 billion Avalon and the redevelopment of Colony Square. Toro currently serves on ICSC’s Board of Trustees, Midtown Alliance’s Board of Directors and serves as vice chair of the City of Refuge Board, where he chaired the $25 million “Shining the Light” capital campaign. He also serves on the Board of Directors of The ATL, a State authority that governs the expansion of public transportation in Metro Atlanta. Before cofounding NAP’s Atlanta office in 1996, Toro served in several leadership positions with Faison and Cousins Properties. He has developed, redeveloped or repositioned more than 70 properties totaling almost 30 million square feet during his career. He attended Rutgers University, where he met his wife, Nancy.

Kennedy Hicks is the Executive Vice President of Investments for Cousins. In this role, she is responsible for acquisitions, dispositions, investments in development and portfolio strategy. In July 2020, Kennedy was also named Managing Director of the Atlanta market, overseeing the operations and business development for the Company’s seven million square feet within the city. Prior to joining Cousins in 2018, Kennedy was a Managing Director with Eastdil Secured, a global real estate investment banking company. In this role, she was primarily responsible for advising and representing clients on equity sales or ventures for institutional office properties throughout the Sun Belt. During her tenure at Eastdil Secured, she was instrumental in securing and executing over $22 billion in office sale or joint venture assignments. Before joining Eastdil Secured, Kennedy was a Director of Finance with CBRE’s Southeast Office Investment Team. Education: B.B.A., University of Georgia Honors Program Memberships and Civic Involvement: Kennedy is a member of The Westminster Schools Alumni Board as well as the Atlanta Children’s Shelter Board.

H. Jerome Russell, Jr. is president of Russell New Urban Development, the entity that leads the family’s real estate strategic direction and new business development focus. He oversees the company’s real estate portfolio and chairs the Herman J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). In addition to real estate development, Jerome has experience in property management, beverage distribution, logistics and banking. Jerome serves on the boards of H. J. Russell & Company, Concessions International, LLC, RICE, the Georgia Historical Society, Central Atlanta Progress, the Urban Land Institute, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Tiger 21, and The Carter Center, among others.

David Marvin, founder and president of Legacy Ventures®, was an early believer in downtown Atlanta’s resurgence. Since making his first investment downtown in 1994, Marvin has developed $500 million in downtown real estate. Atlanta tested Legacy, but the firm has expanded its footprint regionally. In addition to development, Legacy today has hotel and restaurant operating divisions that employ roundly 1,000 people. Legacy’s in-house financial, marketing, design and construction teams represent collaborative resources for its development, asset management, and operations initiatives. Marvin’s professional career began as a graduate engineer on the docks of Electric Boat Naval Shipyard. Ten years into his career, Marvin transitioned from construction to real estate. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master’s of Science degree in Real Estate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is active on several civic boards, including the Atlanta Rotary Club, Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District Board, Chair of ADID Interagency Law Enforcement Task Force, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, the Atlanta Hospitality Alliance, the Georgia State University School of Hospitality’s Advisory Board, Partners for HOME Board and is the Founder/Chairman of the Centennial Park District®.