SOLD OUT: Uptown & Deep Ellum Update

As the regional director for SageGlass, Mahesh leads the sales and business development strategy for the Western and Central Regions of the United States.  With over 25 years of professional experience and an extensive background in energy-related technologies, Mahesh offers extensive expertise on energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment. His profession certifications include Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Management Professional, Business Energy Professional and Six Sigma Black Belt. SageGlass, the global leader in smart window technology, helps create low-carbon buildings that enhance occupant wellness by delivering the world’s best dynamic glass.

Bill Brokaw is senior vice president of Hillwood Urban, where he leads the division’s business development and leasing efforts. During a career that spans more than two decades, Brokaw has managed leasing transactions totaling more than 7 million square feet of landmark, Class A office space throughout the North Texas region. Properties and projects that Brokaw has represented include Victory Park, The Towers at Williams Square, and numerous CBD high-rise buildings, in addition to other significant assets in Downtown Dallas, Las Colinas, and North Dallas. In 2013 and 2014, he received the Top National Broker – Agency Leasing Award from Cushman & Wakefield and has also received “Best Real Estate Deal” awards three times from the Dallas Business Journal. In 2011, he was featured as a Top DFW office leasing broker in the Dallas Business Journal’s Commercial Real Estate “Heavy Hitters” list. He has also been designated as a “D CEO Power Broker” based on his outstanding revenue production from 2010 thru 2020. Brokaw began his commercial real estate career in 1995 at Lincoln Property Company. Brokaw has also held positions at Trizec Office Properties and originally joined Hillwood Development as vice president of leasing for Victory Park’s initial Class A office offerings. Following a move to Cousins Properties and Cushman & Wakefield, serving as executive director of their Dallas office, Brokaw returned to Hillwood to partner in the formation of the Hillwood Urban division.

Joel Behrens serves as Managing Director within TCC’s Dallas-Fort Worth office and of High Street Residential, TCC’s wholly-owned subsidiary specializing in the development of multifamily housing. In his role, he is responsible for the origination, financing, joint venture structuring, and execution of multi-family investments in Texas. During his tenure at TCC, Joel has executed on 7.1 million square feet of office, multifamily and mixed-use development projects with a total capitalized value of 2.0 billion totaling over 4,700 units. Joel began his career with TCC in 2008 as an Associate in the Houston office, focusing on office development. From 2009-2010, Joel served as an Asset Manager in Dallas, assisting with the investment committee process and oversight of TCC’s development projects. In 2010, Joel joined the Dallas-Fort Worth office as a Vice President where he assisted in the under writing and marketing of office, industrial and multifamily projects. In 2012, Joel took over the leadership of the Dallas-Fort Worth High Street Residential team.

Colin Fitzgibbons is President of Hunt Realty Investments, LLC where he oversees the daily operations of the nearly 50-year-old diversified development and investment firm. Prior to Hunt, he was a sports reporter for The Washington Post for a short time before entering the commercial real estate industry as a tenant rep broker for The Staubach Company in New York City. In 2010, he joined KDC and was involved in numerous developments in North Texas, most notably, CityLine and Legacy West, during his 10-year tenure there. He is on the board of the Moorland Family Oak Cliff YMCA, The Real Estate Council PAC, Downton Dallas, Inc., NAIOP and SMU's Folsom Institute. Fitzgibbons received his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and a BA in Economics from Washington and Lee University. Fitzgibbons married his college sweetheart, and together they have three sons and two large dogs.

As Principal and CEO of OMNIPLAN, Tip Housewright FAIA has led the charge throughout the country, and in DFW in particular, to create memorable spaces that connect with their communities using innovative and inspiring design solutions. Tip is the firm’s Citizen Architect, previously serving on Dallas City Plan Commission and as President of the Dallas Center for Architecture. Deciding to relocate OMNIPLAN’s offices to Uptown nearly 20 years ago and DCFA’s nearly 10 years ago, Tip has a longstanding commitment to Dallas and is passionate about its future.

Mr. Chismark is a Partner with Morrison & Head, a Texas based property tax consulting, due diligence and appeals practice. He oversees the Dallas office working with institutional owners of commercial real estate through acquisition, development and property tax protests. Mr. Chismark’s team represents $14.5 Billion in commercial real estate in DFW. Morrison & Head is the fastest growing tax consulting practice in Texas and was recently named one of DFW’s 100 fastest growing companies for 2020. Ryan grew up in Syracuse, NY before relocating to Texas in 2012. He lives in Dallas with his wife Chelsea and his labradoodle Dwight.

Bryce is an VP at Thirty-Four Commercial. Prior to joining Thirty-Four Commercial, Bryce worked in business development for a start-up technology industrial firm. Bryce received a BS in Political Science and Marketing at the University of North Texas, where he led the University’s basketball team and was voted the best team player by his peers. He is passionate about servicing his clients with a do-whatever-it-takes attitude. Bryce is invested in servicing his community through his work at Shoreline City Church and volunteering his time with the nonprofit Big Thought. He is a member of NTCAR and TREC.

Brian R. Purcell is a Managing Director of Asana Partners. Purcell has 12 years of commercial real estate experience in acquisitions, portfolio management, asset management, development, dispositions, and leasing in major markets in the United States. At Asana Partners, Purcell is a member of the Investment Committee and has overall responsibility for acquisitions. Prior to Asana Partners, Purcell was a Director of Asset Management at USAA Real Estate Company, an investment management firm with over $15 billion in assets under management. In that role, Purcell oversaw a commercial real estate portfolio of over two million square feet located in the central region of the United States. Prior to his role in Asset Management, he was a Director of Portfolio Management, focusing on investments for multiple funds and separate accounts. Prior to USAA Real Estate Company, Purcell was a Vice President at Lincoln Harris focused exclusively on retail real estate. Purcell began his real estate career at CBRE Group where he focused on shopping center investment sales and retail brokerage. Purcell is a member of the Urban Land Institute, where he currently serves on the Capital Markets Council, and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Deep Ellum Foundation. Purcell earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a concentration in Real Estate and Corporate Finance, where he was the recipient of the Trammel Crow Residential/Leonard Wood Fellowship and a Dean’s Fellowship, and currently serves on the faculty. Purcell is a graduate of Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Steven Upchurch is a Principal and Co-Managing Director of Gensler Dallas, and a practice area leader for the firm’s hospitality practice. With over three decades of design, planning, management, and real estate development experience, Steven actively grows and diversifies Gensler’s various practice areas with a focus on the firm’s culture, its people, and platforms. He applies his knowledge of local, regional, and international markets to deliver impactful and memorable experiences to owners, developers, operators, and brands.

Born and raised in London, UK, Imran Sheikh co-founded and serves as the President & CEO of Milkshake Concepts and brings a wealth of industry experience from his previous professional and business endeavors. Imran graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, with a BSc in Economics and Management and went on to work in finance and thereafter, as a management consultant. His career to date has spanned healthcare, fashion and hospitality in a variety of senior management roles and also as a partner. He moved to Dallas in 2013 as the Managing Partner of Aftershock London, a UK based women's apparel retailer. In 2015, he co-founded Milkshake Concepts which owns Stirr, Vidorra, Citizen - the soon to open Harper’s - and Serious Pizza, and is primed for accelerated growth in the next 24 months.

Jon Hetzel has worked at Madison Partners since May of 2007. Mr. Hetzel manages Madison’s underwriting, acquisitions/dispositions, financing, zoning, permitting, asset management for infill Dallas properties, and brokerage activities. Mr. Hetzel is also Madison’s spokesman for a wide variety of issues relating to Deep Ellum and Lower Greenville. He has taken the lead on helping to revitalize the two historic and truly unique Dallas neighborhoods. Mr. Hetzel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in economics. In addition, Mr. Hetzel studied for a year at the London School of Economics. Mr. Hetzel is the President of the Deep Ellum Foundation, which manages the Deep Ellum PID, Chair of the Deep Ellum TIF Board of the City of Dallas, Boardmember of the Collin Creek Mall TIF Board of the City of Plano, and Boardmember of the Greater Dallas Planning Council. Mr. Hetzel is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute and The Real Estate Council. Mr. Hetzel has an active Texas Real Estate Broker’s License.

As a third-generation builder, Greg Gordon has spent the last 25+ years continuing his family’s legacy in construction and real estate. The guiding passion through it all has been a passion for serving others. Whether it’s serving clients, subcontractors, employees, or his own family, Greg truly believes in the principle of servant leadership combined with the commitment to excellence. It’s with these in mind, that Greg founded Gordon Highlander in 2007. Under Greg’s leadership, Gordon Highlander has experienced tremendous growth becoming one of the top General Contractors in DFW. Recently the company was awarded the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Places to Work award, further reflecting Greg’s ongoing commitment to the people around him.

Artemio De La Vega is the founder and CEO of De La Vega Development, a commercial real estate firm specializing in dynamic mixed-use developments. Mr. De La Vega has more than 25 years of experience in the entrepreneurial and real estate industry, with a focus on single-tenant, multi-tenant retail centers and mixed-use developments. He brings a versatile and deep knowledge of development, master planning, entitlements, construction and capital markets to every project. Mr. De La Vega has successfully invested, acquired, developed or redeveloped more than 100 commercial real estate projects throughout the world. Some of his more notable projects include the 900,000 square-foot Las Palmas Marketplace in El Paso, TX; the 900,000-square-foot Canyon West in Lubbock, TX; the 400,000-square-foot Kings Crossing in Shreveport, LA; as well as multiple industrial distribution and manufacturing facilities for clients such as Chrysler, General Motors, Alcoa, Yazaki, Bergamasca and more. As a recognized leader in the commercial real estate industry, Mr. De La Vega frequently serves as a panelist for many leadership and future vision summits. He is also a guest columnist for a variety of publications and active with several professional organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and The Real Estate Council (TREC). In addition, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Chancellor’s Council of the University of Texas System, is a board member and donor to the FEMAP Foundation, and a proud donor and supporter of the Artemio De La Vega Scholarship Fund for the benefit of Hispanic students at the University of Texas, El Paso. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas, is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, Jr. Reserve Officers Training Corps and holds an FAA private aircraft license. Mr. De La Vega enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.

Kathy is the former Executive Director of the Lake Highlands and North Lake Highlands public improvement districts. She began at the Uptown public improvement district on November 4, 2019. Kathy served as Executive Director for the Lake Highlands Public Improvement District (PID) since 2014 as well as the North Lake Highlands Public Improvement District (PID) since 2018. Before her role as the Executive Director, she was a board member of the PID which was established in 2009. “We’re honored to have Kathy’s expertise to lead the UDI organization,” said Jud Pankey UDI Chairman of the Board. “Kathy has stewarded countless improvements within the city and has a proven track record of success. We’re certain her value will shine in Uptown.” In addition to her roles and service at both PID’s, Kathy practiced law in estate planning, probate and supported small businesses in asset purchase, sales and leasing at the Law Offices of Robb Stewart before opening her own practice at the Law Offices of Katherine B. Stewart. Kathy also owned and operated the Highlands Café in Lake Highlands for 10 years. As Kathy joins Uptown Dallas Inc., her first initiative will include assessing and implementing the organizations new strategic plan. In 2018-2019, Uptown Dallas Inc. established new goals which outline short-term and long-term expectations that will guide Uptown district into the future. In her first meeting with the UDI board of directors, she announced, “I’m here for you and I want to hear the successes and the challenges.” The executive director selection committee, led by Paula Peters, consisted of UDI board members: Joel Behrens, Kelem Butts, Whitney Farley, Kevin Hickman, Noelle LeVeaux, Jud Pankey, Katy Slade, Neal Sleeper and Cheryl Thompson. Kathy Stewart will lead the Uptown Dallas Inc. staff of Michael Reeder Director of Maintenance, Anita Simmons, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Bailey Sanders Office Manager and Project Coordinator.

Noelle LeVeaux joined CFT in July of 2020 as chief marketing officer and serves on CFT's executive leadership team. Noelle is an executive leader, brand expert and marketing strategist. Noelle graduated from Spelman College with a bachelors degree in mathematics and has more than twenty-five years of professional experience in marketing and communications, with a focus on building brand strategy and helping organizations and people take their brands to the next level by maximizing their efforts, resources, and ideas. Over the course of Noelle’s career, she’s had the opportunity to market some of Dallas’ greatest institutions and put them on a global stage for recognition of their achievements. Her specialties include public speaking, writing, personal/professional brand development, public relations, media relations, content and event marketing, employee communications and culture building, consumer insights, crisis communications, leadership development, partnership building and creative idea generation. Noelle shared that she is excited to join what she considers to be another one of Dallas’ greatest institutions, CFT, and is looking forward to continuing the momentum while bringing new ideas and innovations to go above and beyond. She shared that for her, CFT’s CMO role feels like the perfect culmination of her experience, passion, relationships and purpose. Prior to joining CFT, Noelle most recently served as a brand strategist and nonprofit executive for Noelle LeVeaux Concepts which has included serving as the interim president for Uptown Dallas, Inc. and managing the re-branding of several businesses and nonprofits. From 2012-2017, she served as the chief marketing officer and senior vice president of marketing at Visit Dallas, the marketing arm of the City of Dallas. In 2012, she launched the award winning BIG Campaign to rebrand Dallas and raise its travel and tourism profile. From 2007 – 2012, she served as the vice-president of marketing/public relations for Children’s Medical Center, where she co-produced a 13-part television documentary that aired on the local ABC affiliate. Noelle co-founded Dress for Success Dallas, a nonprofit for disadvantaged women and also launched Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas. Noelle is a published children’s book author, blogger, and past Ted Talk speaker. She was named to the D Magazine Dallas 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in 2016 and 2017, was named the Chief Marketing Officer of the Year by Dallas CMO Club in 2016, was named one of the Dallas Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader in 2014, was honored by Skift.com as one of the 50 top travel marketers in the world in 2013, and is a 2011 Leadership Dallas graduate.

Milton P. Anderson Design Excellence Award 2014 KRob Delineation Finalist 2014 Micro Housing Competition People’s Choice 2013 Future 43/44 Arquitecturas (International Edition) 2014 Columns Magazine, Creative on the Side 2012 Milton Anderson Award for Design Excellence 2017 John has been an integral part of the MAA team since graduating in 2004. His roles as designer, director, and leader have been critical to the development and advancement of MAA’s architecture, interior architecture, marketing, and graphic finesse since he started. John stays active in the local architecture community and was nominated for and completed the Emerging Leaders program at the Dallas chapter of the AIA. John not only does the work, but provides a positive learning experience for other team members and clients through each process every day. John is responsible for keeping the firm at the cutting edge of 3-D and visualization technology and for teaching and sharing the skills with co-workers and clients. John has designed and contributed to projects all over the world as well as the United States. He recently spent time in China collaborating with other designers in architecture, 3-D imagery, and master planning. His experience includes, corporate architecture and interiors, multi-family and single-family residential, retail, mixed use and hospitality. Recent master plan and architectural designs include projects in Niamey, Niger, and Abuja in Nigeria and Dallas, Texas. John’s experience, client interaction, design skills, and general understanding put him at the forefront of MAA’s design progression, determination, collaboration, and vision for the future. John continues to think at all scales and in all areas in and out of the box. His goal is to provide all MAA’s clients the experience to see the vision before it becomes a reality.

Brian Hunt has spent more than 20 years helping his clients identify and understand how risk could impact their businesses. He joined Aon in 2016 as an Account Executive in the Dallas office of Aon’s Construction Services Group. As an Account Executive, he is the main point of contact to help Aon prospects and clients think strategically about their construction-related exposure to risk. In 2020 & 2021, Brian was named a Power Broker in construction by Risk & Insurance magazine.