Bisnow’s Annual Platinum Corridor© Event!

Bill Baumgardner is a commercial developer and licensed broker with an in-depth background in commercial real estate business coupled with expertise in development, construction, tenant representations, leasing and sales. Bill has the innate ability to meet a customer’s need and budgetary requirements with the highest possible value and product available. He also has experience in coordinating legal, financial and construction requirements for transactions. At VanTrust, Bill’s primary responsibilities are to ensure that VanTrust’s short and long-term development goals and objectives are met through proper site selection, acquisition, and development of new, build-to-suit and speculative opportunities. Prior to joining VanTrust, Bill was with Colliers International and The Pizzuti Companies. He has over 20 years of development experience and has played a major role in the development, leasing and sales of major instructional grade office and industrial projects. He has overseen the development and leasing of nearly 15-million square feet of industrial and office projects. Bill has been active in numerous industrial and office sales, completing more than 25-million square feet of transactions. He also worked for the Danter Company, a leading real estate research firm, as a field analyst where he conducted market feasibility reports for a host of real estate projects throughout the United States. Bill is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Business Administration. He holds an Ohio real estate license and is a member of National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), National, Ohio and Columbus Association of Realtors, Columbus 2020. He is also the past president of the Central Ohio NAIOP Chapter.

Serving as Senior Vice President with Hillwood, Robert Folzenlogen is responsible for oversight of the 26,000-acre AllianceTexas masterplan from a strategic vision and planning perspective. Robert works closely with Hillwood’s development teams, consultant groups, and jurisdictional partners in the direction of new development projects and regional initiatives. He also oversees the master development of Alliance Town Center, a 900-acre mixed-use community within AllianceTexas. Alliance Town Center is the major commercial growth center for the north Fort Worth I-35W Corridor and is home to a major medical center, 1.4M SF of retail, office and a mix of residential communities. In addition to his core Alliance responsibilities, Robert leads all development activities for Frisco Station. Frisco Station is a 242-acre, high-density, mixed-use community located in Frisco, Texas along the Dallas North Tollway. At build out, Frisco Station is anticipated to include over 5 million square feet of class A office and medical uses, 2,400 urban living units, a 600 room hotel campus, and over 200,000 square feet of retail and entertainment. The 26,000-acre AllianceTexas development is unparalleled in its vision of a dynamic and diversified community. The project’s foundation is the Alliance Global Logistics Hub – an international trade and logistics complex offering inland port transportation options via one of the nation’s largest intermodal yards, two Class I rail lines, the world’s first industrial airport and connecting state and interstate highways. Stemming from this strong commercial base are corporate campuses, office complexes, tech and data centers, destination retail and entertainment venues, residential housing, schools, churches, and community shopping. In total, the development encompasses over 45 million square feet, more than 500 corporate residents and over 61,600 employees.

Ron Patterson is the President of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation with the City of Frisco, Texas where he works in a collaborative environment on business development, expansion, retention and relocation. He also works on public-private partnerships between the city and various other public and private entities. Ron has 32 years of city experience starting his city service career with the City of Carrollton before moving to Frisco. This is his second time to serve the citizens of Frisco where he previously served for seven years and has now completed another 12 years. He served as city manager for seven years in other communities in Texas. Ron graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and completed his Master of Public Administration at the University of North Texas. He served twenty-three years in the United States Air Force\Texas Air National Guard. Ron has been married for 34 years to Taylor and has two daughters.

Mr. Braun is President of HALL Group and oversees the company’s day to day business activities and implementation of investment strategies. Mr. Braun has over 35 years of commercial real estate experience and has been with HALL Group since 1980, serving in a variety of management capacities. He has extensive capital market experience having secured a broad range of funding and financing facilities. Mr. Braun serves, and has served, on the board of directors of numerous companies across a broad range of industries including real estate, software and technology, and oil and gas. He has also served as an executive board member of various nonprofit organizations. Mr. Braun earned a Bachelor's of Art in economics from Albion College, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

In his role as Vice President/General Counsel, Daniel has been with the Sam Moon Group since 1994. He has spearheaded the group’s recent growth in commercial real estate and is involved in the day to day operations of the commercial real estate group. Daniel attended Southern Methodist University where he received a B.B.A. in Accounting in 1996 and earned his Juris Doctorate from SMU’s Dedman School of Law in 1999. He currently resides in Dallas, TX with his wife Dr. Tiffany Moon and four children.

Suzie Tsai is Chief Marketing Officer of KidZania USA, the world’s fastest growing experiential learning destination for kids. In this role, Tsai guides KidZania USA’s brand marketing strategy – leading the concept launch campaign, plus ongoing advertising, social media and public relations efforts. As part of the KidZania USA launch in 2019, Tsai also leads KidZania USA’s Industry Partnership, a sophisticated strategic outreach function of KidZania that ensures a world- class branded educational experience is meaningful and impactful for our nation’s youth. Prior to KidZania USA, Tsai led Chili’s brand marketing strategy and innovation at Brinker International, served in Consumer Insights at Verizon, and was a Senior Researcher for The Dallas Morning News. Tsai has a passion for leading and developing team members, driving innovation, and leading strategic initiatives have led to her career growth in marketing. Tsai earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in International Management from the University of Texas at Dallas. Tsai resides in Dallas. Outside of KidZania, she is an active member of Dealey Montessori Parent Teacher Association, enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with their three children.

Jonathan Kalikow is Principal of Manager, Head of Real Estate and Class II Director of AFC. Mr. Kalikow is AFC’s Head of Real Estate as well as a member of the AFC Board. He is president and founder of Gamma Real Estate, a boutique commercial real estate firm based in New York City. The firm lends on real estate nationwide, owns a portfolio of approximately 5,000 apartments and several office properties in the Southeastern US, and developments real estate, including an 850 unit residential building on Sutton Place in Manhattan. Prior to co-founding Gamma Real Estate, Jonathan Kalikow spent 18 years on Wall Street investing across industries and asset classes as a proprietary trader at Morgan Stanley and then as a hedge fund trader and portfolio manager. Mr. Kalikow is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business with degrees in Real Estate and Finance. He also holds a JD from Fordham University School of Law and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Native Texan Jeff Cheney is the Mayor of Frisco, Texas. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest Mayor of Frisco. Previously, Cheney served on Frisco City Council 2007 - 2016. In the last ten years, he has served as the Chair of Frisco’s Budget and Audit Committee, as Member of the Mayor’s Youth Council Liaison, Frisco Technology Committee and Frisco Education Foundation. Cheney was chosen five times by his colleagues on Frisco City Council to be Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Cheney and his wife, Dana, are the co-founders of The Cheney Group, a Frisco-based residential realty firm. Professionally, Mayor Cheney has earned the distinction of Certified Public Accountant and a Registered Financial Advisor. Mayor Cheney attended University of Texas - Austin where he was recognized with Highest Honors for his Bachelors and Masters in Accounting. Mayor Cheney and wife, Dana, were married in 2001 and have been blessed with three children: Zachary, Mason, and Kaytlin

Michael Ablon is the founding partner of PegasusAblon, a multidisciplinary developer and investor focused on the integration of emerging markets and evolving demographic trends. Combining this strategy with nationally recognized institutional capital and private capital, PegasusAblon focuses its practice specifically in the Dallas/Fort Worth area–where they have developed a commanding understanding of the growth patterns and demographic shifts. Mr. Ablon has completed numerous noteworthy projects in the course of his pursuit of a cutting edge ethos. He is fortunate to have led the redevelopment of the Dallas Design District from a warehouse/showroom district of the 1950’s-­‐1970’s into a vibrant neighborhood with showrooms and galleries, unique restaurants and local retailers, and lofts and apartments while maintaining the history, vibe, and character of the district’s past. In addition to the Design District, PegasusAblon has aggregated a dominant presence in the Preston Center Office Submarket, which has the highest-­‐ average rent and occupancy of any office submarket in Dallas/Fort Worth. Mr. Ablon’s multifamily experience includes the creation of highly innovative developments in the high-­‐growth Frisco submarket and the Design District, among others. PegasusAblon has a reputable award-­‐winning focus on quality and is honored to have been recognized for Best Multifamily Design Projects, the Dallas Regional Chamber Momentum Award- Community Investor, Best Deal Award for Best Public/Private Partnership, 100 Fastest Growing Companies, and named the #1 Best Place to Work in DFW for small companies. Mr. Ablon’s work within PegasusAblon has led to the completion of over a $1 billion of investment transactions in DFW since its inception in 2007. Mr. Ablon received his Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Architecture degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, and earned his Master’s Degree from Harvard University. Early in his career, Ablon worked as an apprentice under the world- ­‐renowned theorist and architect Robert Venturi in Philadelphia and has been a visiting lecturer at multiple universities including Harvard and Yale. Prior to founding PegasusAblon, Mr. Ablon held senior positions at Hillwood Development, CarrAmerica, Cousins Properties, and The Retail Connection. Among other awards and recognitions, he is a recipient of a Lloyd Warren Travelling Fellowship in Europe for the Paris Prize Competition, a two-­‐time finalist for the Fulbright United States Scholar Fellowship for architectural theory, named one of the 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas/Fort Worth, and the first recipient of the Pioneer Award for Real Estate Impact in Dallas. Mr. Ablon is heavily involved in the community, including being the founding Chairman of the Trinity River Corridor LGC, focused on the development of a great new central park for Dallas - The Harold Simmons Park, Chairman of the TREC Foundation, Vice Chair of The Real Estate Council, Vice Chair of Legacy Senior Living, and on the Advisory Board of the Coalition for a New Dallas, and on the Dallas Advisory Board of BBVA Compass Bank.

Samuel Dabney Ware, is the firm ’s deal generator and has been investing in Dallas area commercial real estate for over 38 years. He is the recipient of D Magazine's 2018 "Developer of the Year", a seven-time recipient of the Dallas Business Journal’s Real Estate Deal of the Year Awards and in 2016 received D CEO's Real Estate Deal of the Year Award for the acquisition of the JCPenney Campus. Mr. Ware's real estate projects have typically been value-added or re-purposed existing properties. Projects through his firm Lazarus Property Corporation, where he has served as President & CEO since 1992, have included over $650 million in real estate acquisitions across the office, retail, regional malls, and condo conversions. Notable projects have included purchasing the then failing 1.1 million SF Prestonwood Town Center Mall in Dallas, TX in 1999, developing plans to turn the enclosed mall into an open-air concept, and reselling the property to an affiliate of Goldman Sachs within 2 years for a 3X return on investment. Prior to Lazarus Property Corporation, Mr. Ware was the founder of Dabney Companies where he primarily focused on multi-family developments and shopping centers before the 1987 crash, acquiring over $350mm during this period. Since 2012, Mr. Ware has been focused on investments in the oil & gas industry through his firm Catalina Commodity Partners, LLC. Mr. Ware is enthusiastic about re-entering the commercial real estate market after taking a hiatus during the post-2008 downturn. Mr. Ware earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Abilene Christian University. Former adjunct real estate professor at Abilene Christian University. Mr. Ware lives in Dallas and is a long time resident of the area. His two grown daughters are married and also reside in Dallas.

As Director of Hospitality for JMJ Development, David Messersmith’s objectives include researching potential hospitality development opportunities, managing all of JMJ’s hospitality projects, and developing a portfolio that delivers results for JMJ Development and their investors. Throughout his career Mr. Messersmith has regularly advised hospitality companies how to enhance guest experience and improve operations. He monitors other industries for case studies that provide insights applicable to the hospitality industry. Prior to joining JMJ Development David was with a high-profile hospitality development firm where he was charged with leading one of their platforms. David spent the previous six years as Vice President at an international luxury hospitality design firm. He worked on projects around the globe and his team won numerous industry awards. His entre to the industry occurred when he launched Lollipop Couture, a hospitality bespoke wallcovering company. Within months of launching they were called one of the hottest companies in the business and their designs were found globally in lifestyle hotels. He speaks regularly at industry events and has been cited in many hospitality trade publications, most notably for his thoughts on “refinement vs renovation”. David has had the fortune to work with most the major brands and numerous boutiques in his career and is widely appreciated for his expertise in enhancing guest experience and CapEx planning. He also regularly advises FF&E suppliers in product development. He is a former board member of Emerging Leaders in Hospitality, currently serves on the board of hospitality technology firm Impulsify, and is on the editorial committee for Hotel Executive.

Jim Leslie serves as a Managing Principal for Wolverine Interests. With nearly 35 years experience in the real estate and financial markets, Mr. Leslie is recognized for successfully pairing creative real estate development with his intense understanding of the capital markets. Beginning in 2001, as a principal and Manager for Fairways Equities, Mr. Leslie has guided the financing, development and management of several commercial and retail developments, including Fairways I Office Building; 28 acres of land for office development on George Bush Freeway in Plano, Texas; an office building in New Jersey; several quick-serve restaurants throughout southern United States; a campus for a for-profit university; and a 60-acre mixed-use development in Frisco, Texas. Prior to Fairways Equities, in 1982, Mr. Leslie was one of the initial members of The Staubach Company, advancing to the position of the President and Chief Operating Officer of the company in 1996. In 1982, as Chief Financial Officer, Jim developed, expanded, managed and recapitalized the launch of the Staubach Company, designing and executing the strategic plan. In 1991, Jim formed and served as President of the Financial Services Division for TSC to pursue corporate based financing for users of real estate. The division initiated over $3 billion of financing for clients around the world. These financing activities led to an expansion of the division's capabilities to include acting as a principal in over $8 billion of sale leaseback purchases which were sold primarily into the 1031 tax free exchange market. During his five year tenure as President and COO at TSC, Jim was responsible for expanding the infrastructure throughout the nation as well as initiating international capabilities. TSC grew at a compounded rate of greater than 35% per year in revenues and profits, from five to 1,100 employees or contractors. Mr. Leslie began his career in 1979 at Coopers & Lybrand, where he served on the audit team for several of the Dallas office's real estate clients. Mr. Leslie has served on, or is currently serving as a board member for several private and public companies, including Forum Retirement Partners, Wyndham Hotels, Amresco Capital Trust, Sebring Capital, Cresa Partners, Salvo, Team Mouse and others. Jim received his BS in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from the University of Nebraska and his MBA from the University of Michigan.

Kevin Kramer is a Project Executive at DPR Construction, one of the top technical builders and the #10 ranked general contractor in the U.S. (ENR 2019). Originally from Indiana, Kevin has spent most of his 16-year career in Dallas-Fort Worth on notable projects such as Granite Park IV Office Tower (along the corridor), One Arts Plaza, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel and—most recently—the Union Residential and Office Towers near Victory Plaza. Kevin is a USGBC LEED Accredited Professional and holds a BS in Construction Management from Purdue University. He, his wife Jackelyn, and their two children live in Prosper.

Mr. Dannis serves in Dallas, Texas, as Senior Managing Director of National Valuation Consultants, Inc, one of the largest, privately held, commercial real estate valuation and advisory companies in the United States with a focus on institutional real estate clients. Previously, Mr. Dannis co-founded the firm Crosson Dannis, Inc., which for over 30 years provided real estate appraisal and consultation services throughout the U.S. for many of the nation’s largest real estate lenders and owners. He is past Chairman of the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciary’s (“NCREIF”) Valuation Committee and past Treasurer of its Board. He is currently Chair-Elect of the NCREIF Board. He has been an active member of the Pension Real Estate Association, American Real Estate Society and Urban Land Institute. A frequent lecturer, Mr. Dannis previously hosted a long running weekly talk radio show, “The Real Estate Hour,” that was heard throughout North Texas. He has written numerous published articles for the Appraisal Journal, Real Estate Review, Institutional Real Estate Letter and Real Estate Finance. Mr. Dannis holds a BBA from Southern Methodist University where he also undertook graduate studies in real estate/finance. He is a Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI, SRA). Since 1988, he has been an Adjunct Professor of Practice in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics in the Cox School of Business at SMU in both the undergraduate and graduate schools, where he received the first Byrne Faculty Innovation Award in 2006 and the first Distinguished Alumni Award from the SMU Real Estate Society in 2015. Mr. Dannis has also taught “Income Property Finance” and "Income Property Valuation" for the Mortgage Bankers Association of America School of Mortgage Banking and is a 1996 and 1997 recipient of its “Faculty Fellow” award for teaching excellence. In 2003, he was appointed to the Mayor’s Real Estate Task Force for the City of Dallas. It 2016, he received the Dr. William R. Kinnard Award from the Education Trust of the Appraisal Institute in recognition of his contributions to real estate appraisal education. In 2019, he received the Michael F. Mcauley Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors for his contributions to the commercial real estate industry and his community involvement. In addition to NCREIF, Mr. Dannis is currently on the not-for- profit Boards of The Dallas Marathon, The June Shelton School, an internationally acclaimed school for students that learn differently and The Folsom Institute for Real Estate at SMU.