Bisnow Annual Student Housing Conference

Wesley Rogers

CEO
Landmark Properties

As President and CEO of Landmark Properties, Wes has overseen the design, financing, development, and operations of nearly $2 Billion worth of new construction student housing. Wes and Landmark have largely focused on developing student cottage communities under the “Retreat” brand, and, more recently, have expanded into luxury urban infill. Wes is responsible for establishing and implementing Landmark¹s overall corporate strategy. He is very involved in the development and finance side of the Company¹s business, but his hands on leadership style keeps him engaged in all aspects of the business. Landmark currently has approximately $800 Million in student housing currently under construction, making the Company one of the most active developers in the Space. Wes, an Athens, GA native, obtained his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Georgia in 1999 and his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from UGA in 2004. While finishing up his MBA, Wes partnered with James Whitley to form Landmark Properties in May 2004. Wes lives in Athens with his wife, Kimberly, and sons, James, Harrison and William.

Mark Schundler

EVP, Investments
Campus Apartments

Joined Campus Apartments in 2005 As Senior Vice President of Investments, Mark Schundler is responsible for sourcing, analyzing and evaluating on- and off-campus investment opportunities. During his tenure at Campus Apartments, Schundler has been involved in the acquisition and development of over 17,000 student beds and over $1 billion in total investment. He began his student housing career as a Hall Director at the University of Delaware and later worked at the University of Pennsylvania as Manager of Housing Operations, where he was responsible for a 3,600-bed area.

Isaac Sitt

Co-CEO
Vesper Holdings

Isaac J Sitt co-founded Vesper Holdings to focus on private equity real estate investments in both commercial and residential properties. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Sitt has invested in, developed and managed retail and residential real estate. He utilizes his keen understanding of the industry to lead Vesper in the acquisition of varied asset classes. In 2010 Vesper Holdings launched its student housing acquisitions fund. Mr. Sitt identified a confluence of market factors that make this niche likely to experience accelerated growth over the next few years. Mr. Sitt has led the fund's rapid acquisition of multiple large student housing assets located in close proximity to major universities throughout the country. In 1999 Mr. Sitt began to build a powerful portfolio of key urban retail and residential real estate throughout the country in partnership with Thor Equities, a family owned business. He recognized retail real estate in dense urban city locations as an underserved market. Major active investments included the Military Circle Mall in Norfolk Virginia and the Gallery at Fulton Street Mall which was sold in 2008 to Acadia Realty Trust. In 1992, Mr. Sitt began his career at Baby Togs Inc., a manufacturer and importer of children's apparel. His initial responsibilities were to source and manage production for the firm in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. Mr. Sitt rose to become the company's President where he led a massive re- branding and customer centric marketing effort. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed a turn around and was restored to a position of industry leadership. Mr. Sitt's keen understanding of retail market trends were a quintessential element of the company's success. Isaac J Sitt is a graduate of the NYU Stern School of Business and sits on the boards of several charitable institutions.

Donna Preiss

CEO
The Preiss Company

Donna Preiss is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Preiss Company. For nearly 30 years, The Preiss Company has specialized in the development, acquisition, and management of off-campus student housing and is currently the 3rd largest privately owned student-housing provider in the country. The company employs over 500 team members and is one of the largest and fastest growing student housing providers in the United States—currently owning and/or operating properties in 16 states. The Preiss Company is the leader in the development of new technologies, tools, and strategies for the student housing industry. Donna received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA Degree from the University of Maryland at College Park. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the NMHC, the Board of Trustees for Ravenscroft School & the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Donna also serves on the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board and is a member of the NAA National Student Housing Committee, the NMHC National Student Housing Committee, and the Women President’s Organization.

Anne Papageorge

SVP, Facilities & Real Estate
University of Pennsylvania

Anne Papageorge is the Senior Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services at the University of Pennsylvania. Anne joined the University in October 2006 and has responsibility for Planning; Design and Construction; Facilities Operations, Maintenance, and Utilities; and Real Estate Operations and Development. She oversees a department of approximately 1,000 staff, $200 M in operating expenses and a capital budget averaging approximately $350 M per year, the Penn Connects campus development plan, and the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee responsible for developing and implementing the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan for the university. Anne is a licensed landscape architect and was previously the Senior Vice President and Memorial Design Director for the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., managing the planning, design and construction of the nearly $1 billion project encompassing the World Trade Center Memorial, Memorial Museum, Visitor’s Center and related facilities. Prior to joining the LMDC in 2004, she worked in design and construction for the City of New York, where she served as first deputy commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction, managing a staff of 1,200 and overseeing 750 projects valued at $4.4 billion. Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry School of Landscape Architecture and an M.B.A. from the City University of New York Baruch College. She serves on the executive boards for Longwood Gardens, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, the University City Science Center, and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation; she also serves on the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team.

Rita LaRue

VP of Campus Services
Drexel University

Rita LaRue earned a Master of Science degree from Drexel University and joined Drexel’s Division of Student Life and Administrative Services in 1997. From 2007 through 2015, LaRue served as Senior Associate Vice President for Drexel Business Services, providing leadership and creative solutions for University Housing, Campus Dining, Retail Management, University Bookstores, DragonCard Services, Dragon Dollars, Event & Conference Services, Parking Services, Printing & Mailing Services, Vending and the Drexel Student Centers. This portfolio includes 2.5 million square feet at Drexel’s three Philadelphia campuses and an annual budget of more than $100.0 million, as well as 48 professional staff members, 300 industry-related employees and 250 student employees. In January 2016, LaRue was appointed Vice President of Campus Services. In this expanded role, LaRue continues to provide leadership of Drexel Business Services while leading a number of new initiatives, including comprehensively reimagining residence hall space utilization to achieve maximum alignment between the student’s living, academic and co-op experiences; developing “third places” on campus – physical anchors of community life that facilitate an excellent learning environment and campus engagement; and stimulating and supporting operational sustainability programs in alignment with academic goals and student success. LaRue is an industry leader in transforming the campus experience through student-responsive initiatives. Her achievements include the College Foodservice Excellence Award from On-Campus Hospitality magazine for the creative and successful expansion of the campus dining program, which increased sales from $11.8 million to $27.0 million in five years; leadership of a market-competitive and student-centric University Housing occupancy management strategy that includes the 2-Year Residency Program, designed to offer students a diverse mix of housing that is close to the campus core; and the "Models of Efficiency" award from University Business magazine for maximizing efficiency in administrative functions, reducing costs for students and improving service. LaRue serves her industry and community through a variety of volunteer positions as current Past President of NACAS East (the National Association of College Auxiliary Services), the past National Chair of the NACAS Inclusive Excellence Committee, and 10 years as a member of the board of directors for UC Green in Philadelphia, including three years as the chair of the board. LaRue holds a third degree black belt in karate and coached the International Shotokan Karate Federation’s first national collegiate women’s kumite champion team. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, LaRue now resides just west of Philadelphia, where she is involved in the arts and K-12 public education.

Stephanie Cesario

Managing Director, Construction Services
Hillmann Consulting, LLC ​

Ms. Cesario has more than 17 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (A/E/C) industry in both the Tri-state area and Midwest, holding a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from New York University and a BA in Architecture from Lehigh University. Stephanie began her career in Chicago designing renovations for elementary schools in the downtown area, while also working on a high-rise condominium complex at Northwestern University. After moving back to the East Coast, Stephanie played a leading management role in the execution of new building construction and renovations for some of the most prestigious private preparatory schools and academic institutions in New York City. She has led the top Construction Management teams in the industry, overseeing the renovation of historic landmark structures, corporate interior build-outs for Fortune 500 clients, and construction of resplendent high-rise residential towers. Stephanie’s experience and interests lend particular insight into the construction management process and procedures for operational excellence. As a trained professional architect, she offers a unique perspective when taking a project from the drawing board to the construction site. During her career as a Construction Manager, she has received her certification as a LEED-accredited professional in Building Design and Construction, certification as an OSHA 30 trained safety professional, and was the 2014 recipient of the Executive Achievement Award given by Professional Women in Construction. Stephanie is known throughout the industry as a passionate builder, who prioritizes client relationships and the educational and professional development of those who work with her. As the Managing Director of Construction Services at Hillmann Consulting, LLC, Ms. Cesario is responsible for directing Hillmann Consulting’s construction services operations. With an impressive background and expertise on a wide variety of construction projects, she brings a unique set of skills to benefit our clients in an owner’s representative role. By extending this service to Hillmann Consulting’s trusted client base, our team will guide the preconstruction and construction phases of a project, acting in the owner’s interest and proving to be a higher valued asset to the process and our clients. EDUCATION: Real Estate Development Graduate Certificate | New York University | New York, NY B.A. Architecture & Economics, Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA.

Bob Keane

Managing Principal
WDG Architecture

Bob Keane, AIA, is a managing principal and owner of WDG Architecture, PLLC. Keane leads WDG’s Higher Education Studio and has over 25 years of experience in the higher education sector. Prior to joining WDG Architecture in 2004 to initiate the Studio, Mr. Keane spent 17 years at Design Collective, Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland), where he led the design of a half billion dollars of higher education work. Mr. Keane’s university design experience is vast, ranging from campus master planning and mixed-use developments, to health science and chemistry laboratories, to performing arts facilities, and to student housing. His designs can be seen across the United States on more than 15 campuses. Since joining WDG, Mr. Keane has directed numerous university projects, developing a national portfolio with recent projects in Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, New York and Michigan. Keane has master planned and designed over 2.5 million-sf of student housing over the past 10 years, providing public and private clients over 8,000 beds and wide ranging amenities. Projects have included on- and off-campus, traditional suites and apartments, living-learning with classrooms, and retail. In addition to his design experience, Mr. Keane speaks professionally and academically on the subjects of urban planning, campus planning, student housing, and the profession of architecture. His ability to conceptualize, coordinate, and explain solutions to complex design problems among team members and client/user groups has proven invaluable to clients and the firm. Mr. Keane has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and regularly participates in The Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) and the Society of College and University Planners (SCUP).

Jared Hutter

Principal, Co-Founder
Aptitude Development

Jared Hutter founded BLVD Equities, the predecessor to Aptitude Development in 2014 after working in all aspects real estate development for the previous 8 years. Long having an interest in student housing since his time at Syracuse University when he recognized the pent up opportunity given the zero supply of purpose built student housing, Jared founded BLVD Equities with the intention of building ground up student housing around the country. After successfully completing his first development at his alma mater of Syracuse and ultimately selling the completed project to ACC, BLVD Equities became Aptitude Development. With a proven model amongst its investors and a fresh infusion of cash, Aptitude currently has about 2,000 beds in various stages of the development cycle with a primary focus on urban core pedestrian sites, many of which are boutique in nature and mixed-use projects. Jared holds a BS from Syracuse University in Finance and Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

Jeffrey Resetco

Senior Development Director
Gilbane Development Company 

Prior to joining Gilbane, Mr. Resetco was a Senior Director another development company, where he oversaw the development of several P3 on-campus developments as well as several award-winning off-campus developments. Prior to joining his previous company, Mr. Resetco was responsible for managing design and construction aspects of office, multi-family and hospitality projects for the Peterson Companies. He was formerly a Senior Associate at IBI Group – Gruzen Samton Architects in New York City, where he managed major educational and multi-family projects in both New York and New Jersey.

Robert Gilbane

Chairman
Gilbane Development

Mr. Gilbane founded the development arm of Gilbane, Inc. As Chairman, CEO of Gilbane Development Company, he is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company. In addition, he oversees all service groups including Development, Asset/Property Management, Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Finance and Advisory to ensure client satisfaction and unparalleled service. Bob has led the company in the development of a wide range of projects throughout the United States, including oversight of student housing projects, single and multi-family housing, mixed-use facilities, operation and data centers, distribution and manufacturing facilities, medical/hospital facilities, corporate headquarters, and many other types of facilities delivered through public/private partnerships. His long-term perspective as owner-developer of millions of square feet nationally provides the insight and experience necessary to create maximum investment value for our clients. Bob is a member of the Urban Land Institute, Rhode Island Commodores, and Rhode Island Builders Association, and serves on the Board of Directors at Gilbane, Inc., Gilbane Building Company, and Gilbane Development Company. He is a former chairman and a member of the executive committee of the Providence Foundation, former chairman of the Rhode Island chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and former board member of the Providence Preservation Society and of Sovereign Bank and Old Colony Bank. Bob holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University.

Jack Boarman

CEO and Senior Practice Leader
BKV Group

Jack Boarman founded the multi-discipline and award-winning firm, BKV Group, in 1978 and over the last 40+ years has expanded the company to be national student housing leader with over 190 design professionals working on projects throughout the United States. Jack is a Senior Practice Leader of Housing at BKV Group, focusing his work on the development of residential environments that utilize trend-setting ideas with a creative effort that translates client’s vision into a reality. Jack embraces a vision of growth and quality, which he incorporates in each of his designs. Jack is a renowned student housing expert, and speaks frequently at national and regional events and conferences including Interface, NMHC, Bisnow, and more. Recent and notable student housing projects Jack has designed include WaHu Student Apartments and The Marshall, both in Minneapolis, MN; Georgia Heights Apartments in Athens, GA; The Standard at New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ; The Standard at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC; and, The Standard at Auburn in Auburn, Alabama.

James Wilhelm, III

EVP, Public Private Transactions
American Campus Communities

Jamie is the executive overseeing ACC’s P3 division, responsible for all on-campus business development efforts, including our American Campus Equity® (ACE) program. Under Jamie’s leadership, his team has developed and/or completed more than three dozen on-campus transactions – including third party, tax-exempt bond finance projects, conventional leasehold mortgages, university general obligation bonds, and direct investments under the ACE program. These transactions comprise nearly $2.1 billion in total development cost. All told, Jamie has been involved in higher education finance for more than 25 years. Prior to joining ACC in 2007, Jamie was an investment banker specializing in higher education and related non-profit finance. Throughout his investment banking career, Jamie participated in the origination of more than $2 billion of debt and derivative transactions for more than 80 higher education institutions and nonprofits. Prior to joining the company, he also served as the investment banker for more than $350 million of ACC projects prior to joining the company. Having worked very closely with higher-ed presidents, CFOs, and finance committees, Jamie has an unmatched understanding of the complex issues these leaders face when managing their balance sheets, debt capacity, and credit ratings while successfully achieving their overall mission and vision. His deep experience and unique perspective combine to help ACC achieve win-win solutions for the colleges and universities we serve. Jamie joined ACC from RBC Bank’s public finance department, where he served as the managing director of the higher education sector. Prior to RBC, he was a managing director with Banc One Capital Markets (currently JPMorgan Capital Markets) and held positions at McDonald & Company Securities (currently KeyBanc Capital Markets) and The Ohio Company (currently Fifth Third Markets).

Bob Shepko

Division President
Balfour Beatty

Jason Taylor

Vice President, Public Private Partners
American Campus Communities

As vice president of public-private partnerships, Jason Taylor participates in American Campus Communities (ACC) business development and university partnership efforts. His responsibilities include assisting university leaders in the evaluation of facility financing and delivery options. Prior to joining ACC in 2019, Jason participated in the planning and execution of more than $1.5 billion in public-private partnership student housing, and advised more than 140 colleges and universities on the planning, feasibility and financing of campus housing. He served as managing director of university partnerships at Greystar where he led P3 student housing business development and partnership efforts in the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. He also served as chief executive of the advisory services practice in his 12 years at The Scion Group, which served more than 200 campus markets and advised more than $4.5 billion of student housing development during his tenure. He is an active member of numerous industry and professional associations, including the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) Foundation Board of Trustees and ACUHO-I P3 Working Group, and is a frequent panelist and presenter on public-private partnerships and the future of higher education. Taylor began his career in university housing marketing and public relations at the University of Michigan, where he received his degree in economics.

Justin Gronlie

Director & Head of Education Real Estate
Harrison Street

Mr. Gronlie joined the firm in 2010 and is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. As a Director and Head of Education Real Estate in the Transactions group, he oversees the firm’s education investment platform. He is responsible for defining and implementing the firm’s investment strategy in university markets throughout the US as well as expanding Harrison Street’s Public Private Partnerships (P3’s). Mr. Gronlie has fostered relationships with public universities, academically selective private colleges and various other institutions, which has allowed Harrison Street to invest capital enabling its higher education partners to further their academic missions. Prior to joining Harrison Street, Mr. Gronlie was an Assistant Vice President within the Commercial Real Estate Group at Citizens Bank. In this capacity, he was responsible for underwriting and portfolio management in the Mid-Atlantic region. He also served as the bank’s student housing specialist, whereby he analyzed each lending opportunity the bank evaluated within the asset class. Before working at Citizens, Mr. Gronlie was a Senior Acquisitions Analyst at GMH Communities Trust, a student housing REIT. Mr. Gronlie holds a BBA in Finance from James Madison University.

Patricia Filippone

VP
Suffolk Construction

Trisha Filippone is Vice President of Business Development and Client Services for Education. She works closely with regional and national leadership to develop client relations and implement growth strategy for the company’s Northeast Region, specializing in public and private K-12 education, as well as higher education, with a focus on Public Private Partnership delivery. She has spent the last 13 years in higher education, at institutions including Harvard, MIT and UMass, and over 32 years working on developing, financing, and constructing nearly $10 billion of assets in Massachusetts. She is a recognized leader in the industry and a Subject Matter Expert on Public Private Partnerships. Prior to joining Suffolk, she served in various positions at the University of Massachusetts including Executive Director of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA). As Executive Director, Filippone oversaw an ambitious $3.1 billion growth plan that includes the building and renovation of academic and research buildings, dormitories, and athletic facilities on all five UMass campuses. She was involved in numerous capital projects to improve teaching, learning and student life. Filippone joined UMBA in 2012 as CFO and assistant secretary-treasurer. As CFO, she managed all aspects of finance, including controller, treasury, risk management, business systems, and capital planning. In addition she served in various positions at The Broad Institute, including CFO and assistant treasurer, senior financial officer and controller. Previously, she was director of Allston Finance at Harvard University and 12 years at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. Filippone is a member of the Massachusetts’s Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Treasurer’s Club of Boston, Financial Executives International, Boston Women in Public Finance, Professional Women in Construction, and the Society for College and University Planning.

Maureen Hickey

AVP, Development Initiatives
Northeastern University

William Talbot

EVP, Chief Investment Officer
American Campus Communities

illiam W. Talbot has served as ACC’s Chief Investment Officer/EVP since November 2012 and currently oversees all of the company’s investment activity – including mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, and on and off campus development as well as the company’s market research. During his time at the company, Mr. Talbot has been involved in transactions totaling more than 200 communities and more than $7.0 billion of student housing product, including the public merger with GMH as well as several of the largest portfolio acquisitions in the sector. Mr. Talbot joined ACC in August 2001 as Director of Acquisitions and has since served in increasing capacities – including Director of Asset Management, Vice President of Investments, Senior Vice President of Investments and Executive Vice President of Investments. Prior to joining ACC, Mr. Talbot worked as an Acquisition Analyst for Lend Lease Real Estate Investments. Mr. Talbot currently serves as Chairman of ULI’s Student Housing Council, member of the NMHC Finance Committee and as Chair-Elect of the Boys and Girls Club of Austin and Travis County, Inc. Mr. Talbot is a graduate of Vanderbilt University.

Gary Holloway Jr.

Chief Executive Officer & President
GMH Communities

As Chief Executive Officer & President of GMH Communities, Gary Holloway Jr., draws on 20 years of acquisition, property management, asset management, and development experience to lead the second generation of the family business. Gary focuses on GMH’s current portfolio of real estate assets while researching and investing in new niche-related multifamily housing opportunities nationwide. Gary sets company goals to meet the ever- changing market trends in the multifamily space making sure that GMH is at the forefront of the industry. Gary takes the lead in sourcing joint venture partnerships with institutional investors and takes pride in maintaining long term partnerships with well know institutions. Gary pursues many philanthropic interests. Currently, he serves as a Trustee for the Westtown School. He is the Clerk of the Buildings, Grounds, and Environment Committee and serves on the Executive Committee and Athletic Advisory Council. Gary is a past board member of the Pennsylvania Apartment Association (PAA) and is a lifetime member of the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholars program that benefits deserving caddies in their pursuit of higher education. Gary regularly lends his real estate knowledge by speaking at events for the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and BISNOW. He has also been a featured speaker for Villanova University and The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Gary is currently a member of NMHC’s Student Housing Advisory Group. Gary received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Villanova University.

Josh Greenleaf

Campus Advantage
VP of Investments

As Vice President of Investments, Josh leads the acquisition strategy and provides guidance on other various key areas of the overall Campus Advantage investment strategy, including dispositions and development. He also provides support in capital markets initiatives and investment management. Josh joined Campus Advantage in 2010 and has been involved in the acquisition of over $1.5 billion in assets, leading Campus Advantage to being one of the largest owners in the industry. Josh holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Trinity University, and is a CFA® charterholder and member of the CFA Society of Austin.

Brian Thompson

EVP, Investments
CA Ventures

Andrew Wiedner

CIO
Core Spaces

As CIO of Core Spaces, Andrew Wiedner is responsible for identifying and evaluating new development and acquisition opportunities for the company. His role includes site selection, due diligence, analyzing the company’s investment strategy, and managing debt and equity relationships. Prior to joining Core Spaces, Andrew spent 13 years sourcing debt and equity for a broad-reaching client base, ranging from small family shops to billion-dollar pension funds. In his mortgage banking role, Andrew arranged more than $3 billion of financing for all property types, including office buildings, shopping centers, student housing developments, single-tenant buildings, hotels, industrial warehouses and land development. Andrew graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and minor in Italian. He is currently the President of the Illini Real Estate Forum and Chairman of the Memory Rock Committee benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.