Destination Making

Giles Kibbe is General Counsel of Houston Astros LLC, and has been General Counsel for all of Jim Crane's companies since February of 2010. His responsibilities for the Crane companies range from mergers and acquisitions, litigation, employment matters, contracts, lease agreements, real estate acquisitions, and real estate developments. Prior to becoming General Counsel for the Crane companies, Giles was a partner at Weller, Green & Toups in Beaumont, Texas, where he focused on a litigation and corporate practice. Giles joined Weller, Green & Toups in 1995 after serving a two-year clerkship for United States District Judge Joe J. Fisher in the Eastern District of Texas. Giles is a graduate of Louisiana State University Law School (1993) and Lamar University (1990).

Shellye joined Memorial Park Conservancy in 2013. Since then, Shellye and the Conservancy leadership team have grown the organization from 3 employees to over 30 and from a $500,000 annual budget to over $30 million in operating and capital expenses. Working closely with partners, Shellye and the Conservancy developed a long-range Master Plan for Memorial Park in 2015; initiated capital improvements and transitioned management and operations of 1,100 acres of Memorial Park to the Conservancy in 2016; and in 2018 secured approval for a plan to deliver over $200 million of capital improvements in Memorial Park by 2028. Fundraising is underway for this Ten-Year Plan for Memorial Park, with catalyst funding from the Kinder Foundation. This is one of the largest urban park restoration efforts underway in the U.S. Project Partners in this public-private partnership include the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Memorial Park Conservancy, Kinder Foundation, and Uptown Development Authority. The team is focused on: · Restoring the Park’s ecological systems and creating greater resiliency · Reconnecting the Park’s land, waterways, trails, and people · Consolidating compatible uses together in appropriate areas · Tending to the land and the Park’s cultural history, maintaining balance through responsible management · And enhancing the overall Park experience and amenities Shellye brings a background in executive leadership and change management from her nearly 20 years at Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer Corporation and McKinsey & Company. Having studied public policy, Shellye spent the first part of her career with the Texas State Legislature, the Texas Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. She previously worked as a volunteer in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru delivering public health programs and speaks Spanish fluently. Shellye holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master in Public Policy from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School. As a native Houstonian, Shellye cares deeply about Houston’s parks, bayous, green spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them. Shellye volunteers in animal rescue and from 2011 – 2019 served as a leader for Girl Scout Troop 21, the nation’s only Girl Scout troop composed of women with differing learning abilities.

Ryan McCord joined McCord in 2003 and has served as President since 2008. Founded in 1973, McCord is a leader in commercial real estate and has a great track record of success in urban infill and green field development. Since joining MDI, Ryan has led more than three-quarters of a billion dollars of transactions in office, retail, multi-family, condo, bond, and land throughout Texas and across the country. Today, Ryan’s focus is on developing Generation Park, the newest and largest master planned economic center in Houston. Located on Beltway 8 in the Lake Houston area, over $500MM / 2MM SF of Office, Retail, Civic, and Industrial have been constructed in Generation Park since breaking ground in 2014. Hospitality and Multi-family are set to start construction in 2017. At 4,000 acres Generation Park is by far the largest contiguous property on Beltway 8, has the most frontage (2.5 miles) and is the closest to Downtown, both airports, all major sporting venues, and the Texas Medical Center. McCord takes seriously the stewardship owed to such a significant development opportunity in the Greater Houston Area and is focused on creating the greatest possible value for the entire region. Prior to joining McCord, Ryan served as Risk Manager for GE Capital Real Estate in Tokyo and participated in over $2 billion of equity and debt transactions in Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea and the Czech Republic. Ryan holds a B.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and currently serves on the board of the Herman Park Conservancy.

Jim Carman is President of the Houston region at The Howard Hughes Corporation. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of MPC Commercial Development. He joined the company in August 2012 to oversee vertical development on projects located within The Woodlands and Bridgeland, both master planned communities in the Houston area. Mr. Carman was responsible for leading multiple teams in the development of the first phase of Hughes Landing, Houston's premier mixed-use urban center on Lake Woodlands, taking the 66-acre project from conception to completion within three years. Prior to The Howard Hughes Corporation, Mr. Carman worked on the mixed-use project Tivoli Village at Queensridge as well as all development projects located within the 70-acre Hughes Center, a mixed-use master planned property in Las Vegas. Previously, Mr. Carman served as Project Manager for the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, a $500 million resort complex consisting of seven restaurants, 365 keys, 85 luxury condominiums, and a golf course designed by Greg Norman. Before moving overseas to manage the Ritz-Carlton project, he worked with The Haskell Company, a design-build contractor based in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Carman was part of the joint-venture team that constructed the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, a $370 million performance complex in the heart of downtown Miami, hosting the Florida Grand Opera and Miami City Ballet, as well as other special events. Mr. Carman received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering as well as Master of Engineering in Construction from Texas A&M University.

Scott joined Triten in 2014. As President and COO, he directs the overall strategic direction of the company by assisting with corporate development, management oversight, and M&A, with an emphasis toward its real estate platform. Since joining the company, the firm has acquired or is developing over $150M of real assets. Additionally, Scott has been involved in shaping the strategic framework for Triten’s EPC subsidiary, IAG, a global engineering and project management company focused on hydrocarbon processing plants. Since its start in 1996, IAG has executed over 200 projects totaling over $3B total installed cost. Prior to Triten, Scott was a Vice President with Stockbridge Capital, a San Francisco private equity firm focused on opportunistic investments and distressed workouts. From 2010, until leaving in late 2014, he directly sourced, executed and managed over $600 million in assets across a variety of strategies, including core & repositionings. Prior to Stockbridge, Scott worked in Dallas at Goldman Sachs (Whitehall/REPIA funds) where he worked on over $4 billion of new acquisitions. Scott graduated with a bachelors in Finance and Entrepreneurship with a minor in Accounting from Texas Christian University.

A highly respected commercial real estate broker in the Houston market, Lilly Golden has been working in the industry for 25 years. She has represented retailers such as HEB, Sun & Ski, Guitar Center, Sur La Table, David’s Bridal, 99 Cents Only, Aaron Rents, and Houston’s Restaurants, leased properties for landlords such as CBL, Crescent, Freeway Properties and Tanglewood Corporation, represented investors such as Mischer Investments, Provident and Lovett Homes and completed build to suits for both Aaron Rents and Dollar Tree. Lilly has earned the “Heavy Hitters Award” from the Houston Business Journal and the “Costar Broker of the Year Award” in 2012, 2013 and 2015. She is a CCIM, a board member of The Site Source National Retail Broker Network, the Houston chairperson for the International Council of Shopping Centers and a member of Commercial Real Estate Women. Lilly started her career as a Systems Engineer at IBM in Chicago, she joined Jones Lang LaSalle 5 years later and worked as both an office and retail broker before moving to Houston in 1993. After working for Trammel Crow, Wulfe & Co and Moody Rambin, Lilly formed Evergreen Commercial Realty in 2005.

Ray Duerer is the President of CDA Architects, a role he has served in for 11 years. Since joining CDA in 1995, Ray has worked on projects from 1500 SF interior build-outs to 150 Acre Retail Centers with over 1 Million SF of buildings. Notable Projects that Ray and CDA have completed include Valley Ranch Town Center and Master Planning for the entire Valley Ranch development in New Caney, Brazos Town Center Phases 1 and 2 in Rosenberg, and Greenway Commons (Costco – LA Fitness anchored development) in Houston. While there is an emphasis on Retail, Grocery, and Restaurants, Ray and CDA also provide Architectural Services on Industrial Projects, Office Projects, Private Schools, and Medical/Dental/Veterinary Projects and offer a valuable understanding of these different uses and how they can relate to each other. Ray is a graduate of Texas A&M and received his Architectural license in 2001 and his LEED Accredited Professional certification in 2009. A native Houstonian and proud Texan, Ray serves in the Texas State Guard and was deployed during Hurricane Harvey in service to Texans. He has also been a Leader in the Scouting program for more than 15 years in his home community of Tomball and serving all of the Greater Houston area.

Mr. Levine founded Levcor, Inc. in 1980 and serves as both its President and driving force. He has been involved in the development, leasing and management of over 20 million square feet of retail centers and office buildings during his career. Mr. Levine served in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant with the Military Police Corps. He received a BBA from Texas A&M University as well as advance courses in Real Estate Finance, Management, Appraisal and Law from the University of Houston. Prior to establishing Levcor, Mr. Levine was with Coldwell Banker Commercial Brokerage Company from 1974 to 1980, where, as a Senior Broker, was involved in investment property sales, leasing and site acquisition. His expertise was first established in the repositioning of under-performing properties on behalf of third-party owners. Malls, neighborhood and community shopping centers throughout Texas were leased to stabilization with major tenants. These anchor/major tenant relationships remain to this day. While at Coldwell Banker he was ranked in the Top Ten in both the Houston Division and the Region, which included the competitive markets of Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Mr. Levine is a Sustaining Member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and being an alumnus of Texas A&M University, is a member of the Board of Directors of both the International School of Business and Mays Graduate School of Business. He is a member of AIPAC, a member of Congregation Beth Yesheren and serves on the board of directors of JINSA and on the Executive Committee of the Republican Jewish Coalition. In October 2000, Larry Levine was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Texas A&M University School of Business. He maintains his Real Estate Broker’s License and in addition to the above, is very active in numerous business, social and political activities throughout Houston and the State of Texas and on a national level.

Mr. Schwartz has extensive experience in the formation, financing and expansion of various companies. In 2006, he founded Pinstripes, Inc. and is currently CEO of this unique bowling/bocce/bistro venture. In 2000, he was Co-Founder, Co-CEO of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Inc., a distinctive natural pharmacy retailer. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Schwartz was Chief Executive Officer of Infigen, Inc., a private biotechnology company developing its proprietary nuclear transfer/cloning and genomic technologies. From 1991 to 1996, he was Chief Financial Officer of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company commercializing its Nobel prize-winning genetic engineering technology. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Schwartz was a Principal with Odyssey Partners, L.P., a private limited partnership engaged in leveraged buyouts, venture capital and recapitalizations. From 1983 to 1985, he was an Analyst in Morgan Stanley’s Mergers & Acquisitions department, and from 1979 to 1988 he was Founder and President of D & J Sealcoating, Inc., an asphalt sealcoating company. Mr. Schwartz has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.

Born in New York City, Berg has been in the restaurant business for over 17 years working for upscale steakhouses in key markets including Las Vegas, Mexico City and his hometown. He began his career as an in-house butcher with a proud family heritage rooted in the restaurant business. His great-grandfather was a kosher butcher in Chicago, his grandfather owned the iconic Orange Julius juice stand in Los Angeles and his brother is a well-known chef who has an impressive resume working for restaurateurs such as Daniel Boulud and Andrew Carmellini.  In June 2015, Benjamin Berg opened his first concept, B&B Butchers & Restaurant, an upscale steakhouse and traditional butcher shop on Washington Avenue, to rave reviews from critics, celebrities and Houstonians. In December 2017, he purchased Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano, a traditional, family-owned and operated restaurant located in Houston’s Energy Corridor since 1981. Now named Carmelo’s Cucina Italiana, Berg along with his brother and Executive Chef, Daniel Berg, are serving fresh, rustic Italian-American food in an approachable, neighborhood setting with first-class service. After successfully opening a second location of B&B Butchers & Restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas in January 2018, he formed Berg Hospitality Group, which conceives, launches and operates restaurants in Texas with a commitment to giving back to the local communities. The budding culinary group is also responsible for creating B.B. Lemon, an elevated eatery and bar serving classic, straightforward food and cocktails, which opened in November 2018 across the street from B&B Butchers & Restaurant in Houston, and Benjamin, his namesake restaurant set to open in late 2019 inside a luxury apartment building in downtown Houston, along with more concepts to come. With a true passion for the hospitality industry, all of Berg’s restaurants focus on offering excellent service, unique atmospheres and unparalleled experiences for their guests. Prior to his career in restaurants, Berg worked for The Point, a luxury hotel company voted the #1 small hotel in the country at the time. He began as a bellman and worked his way up, learning every detail of the different facets of the hospitality business. He brings this same, service-oriented mindset to his restaurants. Berg received a Master of Hospitality Management from Cornell University and a B.A. in Art History from Tulane University. Highlights of the awards and honors Berg has received include: o Named “Honorable Mention” in the Houston Business Journal 2016 40 Under 40 Awards o Recipient of the Preservation Houston 2016 Good Brick Award for the rehabilitation of the former Dittman Bakery Building into B&B Butchers & Restaurant o Recipient of the Houston Business Journal 2018 40 Under 40 Awards o Named a “Hurricane Hero” by Houston CityBook, KPRC-NBC 2, Houston Chronicle and PaperCity Houston for his charitable efforts after Hurricane Harvey o Named a “Leader and Legend” in 2018 by Houston CityBook

Nick plays a leading role in the strategic direction and leadership of Transwestern in the area of retail services on a regional and national basis. With his Houston team, he is responsible for overseeing and executing retail transactions in the greater Houston market place. A specialist in tenant representation, Nick’s client portfolio includes many national and local retail and restaurant tenants such as Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, Yard House, Cheddars, and Bahama Breeze), Acme Oyster House, Lidia’s Italy, The Men’s Wearhouse, The Children’s Place, J. Alexander’s, Le Bilboquet, Ocean Prime, Mercantil Bank, Larry North Fitness, Star Furniture, Memorial Hermann, Voicebox Karaoke, Original Pancake House and Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Using his skills in the urban/lifestyle retail environment, Nick has been involved in Houston’s most high profile lifestyle/mixed use developments, including Market Street at The Woodlands, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, Sugar Land Town Square, CityCentre at Town & Country, West Ave at River Oaks and High Street. Nick currently leads a team that is working on Houston’s most dynamic mixed-use projects including River Oaks District, CityPlace at Springwoods Village, Imperial Market, Allen Center, Capitol Tower and The Shops at Houston Center.

Jeff Samples comes to International Bancshares Corporation with over 40 years of experience in the area of commercial lending. As President, he oversees the commercial banking department, which has over $1.4 billion in funded loans. While directing this effort, Jeff is personally responsible for a loan portfolio of over $1 billion. In addition, he manages both retail and commercial lending officers and oversees the credit department. For the past twenty-six years he has served on the IBC Bank Houston Board of Directors. Prior to joining IBC, Jeff served as division manager of commercial banking at BBVA- Compass Bank. He received his credit training at Interfirst Houston (now Bank of America). His area of expertise is commercial real estate with a focus on retail centers, multi-family, and lot development. Jeff maintains active involvement in several community service organizations. He has coached multiple baseball, basketball, and soccer teams for youth in the local community. He has previously been a board member of the Be An Angel charity which serves multi-handicapped children and YES College Prep, a charter school for at-risk children. Jeff currently serves on the Board of Covenant House Texas. He most recently was named chairman of the CHT Guts + Glory Corporate Obstacle Challenge for 2023 and 2024. Jeff received his BBA-Finance degree from Baylor University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and The Baylor Student Foundation. Jeff is an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. He is married and has four children and three grandchildren.