Orange County Construction & Development

Paul Sanford is the Chief Executive Officer of Good Hope International as well as the Asset Manager for the Wincome Group’s investments in the US. Since joining Good Hope International and Wincome Group in 1991, Paul has overseen the group’s investments in a number of real estate sectors including residential, commercial, and retail. Hospitality has always been a major investment for Wincome and Paul currently oversees four hotel properties here in Southern California. A graduate of Pepperdine University, Mr. Sanford earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s in Business and Management. Mr. Sanford began his career in the Hospitality industry in 1978 in Maui, Hawaii where his first managerial position was with the Inter-Continental Hotel Group. With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Sanford’s talents have encompassed both the Hospitality and Real Estate industries where he has experience in both asset management and development. Mr. Sanford has held executive level positions with a variety of upscale and luxury boutique hotels, along with brands such as Wyndham, Hyatt, Westin, and Holiday Inn hotel groups as well as independent boutique hotel properties gaining firsthand knowledge of all aspects of the trade. Paul has also gained hands on experience in full construction, opening, rebranding, renovation, and construction of residential and commercial real estate assets. Prior to joining the Good Hope International and Wincome Group, Mr. Sanford was the owner and Chief Operating Officer of a successful restaurant group with a portfolio that included multiple, high-end dinner houses throughout California’s Central Coast.

David Kersh is the Executive Director of the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee (C/CCC), a non-profit organization comprised of signatory contractors and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. For over 19 years, Mr. Kersh has been at the forefront of regional efforts to promote the creation of good paying jobs, fair competition and high quality construction industry standards. He is actively engaged in the areas of land use entitlement, labor compliance, economic development, transportation and contracting policies, where he has focused on ensuring that construction projects are built by top-quality contractors who generate good paying middle class jobs and rewarding training opportunities. Mr. Kersh graduated with a degree in History from UC Santa Barbara and completed additional studies in Madrid, Spain. Born in Lima, Peru, he lives in Culver City with his wife Pilar and his teenage children.

As a Project Executive at Clark Construction, Justin Strzelecki has a 19-year career in leading the development of complex construction projects within populous urban settings. His portfolio includes the largest residential Public-Private Partnership awarded by the Department of Defense in Oahu, HI, the landmark National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C, and the 1,000,000-square-foot headquarters for Fannie Mae in Washington DC. Since relocating to Clark’s western region offices, he led project development activities for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Building for the Permanent Collection project, an ambitious expansion program for LA’s cultural icon. Most recently, Justin is leading the Clark team in developing the new Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA). The 53,000-square-foot museum, adjacent to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, will double OCMA’s current exhibit space and provides space for education programs, live shows, a gift shop, café, and administrative offices. The new museum is scheduled to open to the public in 2021. As a Clark leader focused on construction innovation, he is spearheading our team efforts with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). The AHF Madison project is a 15-story modular residential program for the homeless in Los Angeles. This fast-track and vital project in Los Angeles is part of a broader program to aggressively respond to the expanding homeless crisis in our urban cities. The program leverages expertise from the design and construction industry while engaging city leaders to find solutions that are inexpensive, fast to deliver, and focused on effective outcomes that serve the greater community. Justin has a B.S. in architectural engineering from Drexel University and has been with Clark Construction for six years.

Derek Weisbender enjoys working on challenging and unusual construction and real estate matters that require out-of-the-ordinary ideas and solutions. Derek's background in litigating real estate and construction matters in state and federal court informs his current work in transactional real estate and construction, and aids his ability to draft and negotiate complicated agreements and identify potential pitfalls. Derek understands and can distill even the most complex real estate issues. He advises institutional owners, developers, global technology companies, and other property owners and users on myriad facets of construction and real estate transactions, with an emphasis on construction, design, and purchase and sale agreements for large commercial properties and projects. He has drafted and negotiated design and construction agreements for some of the most exciting and unique projects in the country, including multiple cutting-edge developments with construction values estimated at more than one billion dollars each, and has significant experience in negotiating, documenting, and closing complex commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, and commercial leases, for office, industrial, and retail properties. A licensed California real estate broker and Realtor, Derek also advises buyers, sellers, and agents on high-value residential transactions and matters concerning the residential real estate industry. Derek recently represented clients with numerous construction projects planned across North America, requiring consistent and easily repeatable construction and design agreements. Derek drafted and oversaw development of comprehensive libraries of agreements that addressed all of the project needs and were adaptable for use in multiple states and countries. Allen Matkins Derek has studied internationally at Bond University in Australia and the University of Oxford in England. While in law school, he served as an Executive Editor of the San Diego Law Review. Derek serves his community as a Reserve Sergeant for a California law enforcement agency.

Tony brings more than 20 years’ experience to his current role, overseeing design development, proforma construction budgets and construction planning, and management of the company’s multi-family assets throughout California. Prior to merging with TCR, Tony served as Partner and Vice President of Construction for GLJ Partners and GLJ Builders West, LP, managing the development and construction of nearly 1,000 mixed-use and multi-family units valued at $288 million. Formerly, Tony managed the development and construction of more than 1,000 senior apartment units for FountainGlen Properties, and Pacific Gulf Properties’ development and new construction of 845,000 sq. ft. of office and industrial properties valued at $58 million. Tony holds a degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech. A licensed California contractor and real estate salesperson, Tony is a member of the American Institute of Architects, US Green Building Council, California Building Industry Association and National Association of Home Builders. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Chapter of the BIA.

Rochelle Mills leads Innovative Housing Opportunities and its Housing Innovation Fund (HIFund) affiliate. HIFund devises creative private financing to deliver catalytic and comprehensive affordable housing developments. Ms. Mills brings a diverse background in architecture, design, construction administration, community planning, writing, and cultural tourism. She is immediate past president of the Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing (SCANPH) and serves on several public and nonprofit boards (including CAL-ALHFA and Arts for LA), services committees, and leader groups.

Currently as Vice President at Urban Offerings, Joe is responsible for all aspects of the real estate development process. His most recently completed projects include; Haciendas Apartments, Plaza Urbana Retail Center, Shatto Creative Office and Holdrege Creative Office. Joe is directly engaged in the company’s present entitlement and development projects. Joe has worked on a variety of product types over his thirteen-plus year career, including mixed-use, urban infill, retail, hospitality, creative office, affordable housing and multifamily development. Most notably, he has helped source, entitle, and develop $900 million of real estate investments. Delivering over $400 million of built developments, so far in his career. Joe has worked at nationally and internationally recognized architecture firms along with development companies such as Westfield and General Growth Properties. Joe serves on the Community Life Ministry Council at St. Monica and the ULI Leadership Initiative Council. He is a Finisher of the 140.6-mile Ironman Triathlon. Joe is Co-Founder and Chairman of Pathway to Peace The Patricia and Jessica Lutz Foundation. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University, Master of Architecture from Clemson University and Master of Real Estate Development from University of Southern California.

Steven LaMotte serves as the Chapter Executive Officer for the Building Industry Association of Southern California – Orange County Chapter (BIA/OC). He recently served as Director of Government Affairs. In his role, he works closely with local electeds and government staff to further the BIA/OC’s mission to champion housing as the foundation of vibrant and sustainable communities. Throughout his time at the BIA/OC, Steven has overseen regulatory savings to the Building Industry through government advocacy and outreach in upwards of 16 Million dollars annually. Steven also participates on numerous Boards, serving currently as Chair of the South Orange County Economic Coalition. He also represents the Private Sector on the Orange County Council of Governments and is a Board member for the Orange County Taxpayers Association. Steven has over 10 years of experience in political and government affairs within Orange County, having worked for several local Assembly members and political campaigns. Prior to joining the BIA/OC, Steven spent over 5 years working for the 73rd Assembly District as senior staff and as District Director. In his role with the 73rd District, Steven represented two members of the State Assembly at the local level, enhancing their visibility and advocating on their behalf for important policies affecting Southern Orange County. A long-time resident of Orange County, Steven is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, and holds a master’s Degree from Chapman University. He is also a proud recipient of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, 40 under 40 recognition. Steven and his wife Randi reside in Huntington Beach, CA with their son and daughter.

Darren is a Director at Fulcrum, a leading Construction Risk Management firm that provides a wide range of professional services on all project types for clients nationwide. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from DeMontfort University in the UK and is a Fellow of the RICS, the largest international real estate professional body in the world dating back 150 years. Darren started his career 22 years ago in London and has since spent 18 years in Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California, where he moved in 2011 to assist in the growth of Fulcrum’s West Coast Region. Several years ago, Darren foresaw the current challenges the construction industry is experiencing relating to labor shortages and associated cost increases and drew upon his international experience to identify Modular Construction as a potential solution. He has since led a team of professionals at Fulcrum to complete extensive research, develop a vast network and provide Construction Risk Management services on numerous projects relating to Modular Construction.

A second generation architect, RC Alley developed an interest in architecture at a young age while performing odd jobs at his father’s firm. Along the way, RC’s father passed down an aptitude for math and analytical thinking, a passion for great design and a dedication to technical excellence. RC’s passion for architecture and real estate has served him well as he has lead the AO Multifamily and Mixed-Use studios for over 23 years. RC’s approach is hands-on from conceptual design to final construction documents. He remains highly involved in each and every project, maintains frequent communication with clients, and delivers a fine balance of high-caliber design, technical precision and economics.