University City 2016

David Yeager has a broad array of experience and skills in corporate real estate, advisory, property development and acquisitions. Mr. Yeager has worked for diverse organizations including IBM, a private national developer, a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) and a real estate advisory firm prior to starting his own company. In his three decades of real estate experience, Dave has undertaken over $500 million in acquisitions and managed more than 7 million square feet of real estate projects.

Matthew Pestronk is co-founder of Post Brothers, a real estate investment, development and management company with singular and unique expertise in urban real estate development. Matthew serves as President of the company, engaged in the sponsorship of Class-A multifamily, mixed-use and retail development projects comprised of over 7,000 units that are operating, under development or disposed plus, over 400,000 sf of commercial space, with a total capitalized cost in excess of $2.5 billion. Matthew shares strategic leadership of the company with his brother, Michael, and is engaged in asset management, financing, and project and capital formation. Matthew has worked in real estate capital transactions for his entire 20+-year career and was previously a real estate financing executive in New York City prior to forming Post Brothers. Matthew is also very active in his community and has board service experience for multiple charitable organizations including the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, Beat the Streets Philadelphia, West Nottingham Academy, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is the Immediate past Chair of Jewish Federation Real Estate.

Tom Lussenhop has worked in real estate and community development for over thirty years in numerous public, private and not-for profit settings. He began his career in New York City where he worked on the renovation of Carnegie Hall and the ground/air-rights lease development of an office tower on a parcel adjacent to the hall. He was a founding staff member of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark NJ and served as its real estate and financial officer during its formative stages. From 1996 to 2003, Tom served as the Managing Director of Real Estate for the University of Pennsylvania where he focused on nearly every aspect of the University’s acclaimed neighborhood redevelopment efforts. Penn’s work was awarded the Urban Land Institute’s Global Award of Excellence in 2004. In 2004, Tom founded Lussenhop and Partners, a real estate advisory and development firm whose advisory clients included Princeton University, Lehigh University as well as many large, not-for-profit clients seeking to leverage their real estate and revitalize their neighborhoods. On his own account and in partnership, Tom has also completed over $50 million in residential, retail and hotel development in Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood. He has extensive experience in complex entitlement processes, creative financing programs and both renovation and ground-up urban projects. In 2012, Tom merged his development business with U3 Ventures and currently co-leads the firm’s development efforts with Omar Blaik. At the same time, Tom also merged his advisory practice with Omar Blaik and Karen Backus to form the nationally recognized consulting practice, U3 Advisors. Tom received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1985 and received his Masters of Public Affairs and Urban Planning from Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School in 1987.

Gary’s profession has always centered on the real estate industry. Gary ran sales departments for two national mortgage platforms. In 1998, he joined forces with his current partners to start Advanced Mortgage Concepts where he served as president of the mortgage company until 2007. Gary’s main focus has shifted to HOW Properties where he directs Development and Acquisitions. When Gary isn’t training for the next marathon, he’s devising improvements to existing properties while researching the company’s potential for real estate expansion throughout the city of Philadelphia.

Dustin started at Southern Land Company in 2005, and today leads Southern Land Company’s Northeast Division of multifamily development, including acquisitions, construction management and mixed-used development. He is responsible for all aspects of the acquisition and development process, making sure his projects are delivered on time and within budget. Currently Dustin’s team is directing the development and construction of three Southern Land projects in Philadelphia, PA: 3601 Market, 3750 Lancaster and 1911 Walnut. Dustin previously worked on several successful Southern Land projects including Elliston23, a LEED Certified Silver mixed-use project in Nashville. Dustin also directed the development of Devon Four25 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and helped oversee the Arthouse and Lofts at Watters Creek developments in Texas. Dustin is a graduate of Vanderbilt University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Matt Bergheiser serves as Executive Director of University City District (UCD), a partnership of universities, health systems, business leaders and community groups dedicated to the notion of a vibrant University City. Matt joined University City District in July 2009 and, during his tenure, UCD has developed and opened The Porch at 30th Street Station, launched the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, created Project Rehab to focus on the rehabilitation of derelict properties, and grown its operating budget by more than thirty-five percent. Previously, Matt served as Philadelphia Regional Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, overseeing a $6 million annual grant-making budget in the city and surrounding counties. He is the founder of Job Opportunity Investment Network and currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the Community College of Philadelphia. He received a BA from Princeton University in 1991, and earned his MBA in 1996 from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Neil Sklaroff focuses on zoning and land use, real estate tax appeals, eminent domain and condemnation, and real estate and administrative law. Mr. Sklaroff has represented businesses, developers, civic associations, individuals, and municipalities in land-use matters before administrative bodies, commissions, and agencies, as well as before state and federal trial and appellate courts. He represents the developers of many of the Philadelphia region's high-rise residential condominium projects, museums, hospitals, universities, science centers, telecommunications providers, and retailers.