The Future of Scottsdale!

Ryan Hibbert is the CEO of Riot Hospitality Group, a rapidly growing and creative firm. “I am a real big believer in managing by doing. I grass-roots develop all my management. That’s the difference between me and most of my competitors. I run the restaurant business by developing talent and getting my hands dirty every day.” Hibbert has been able to create successful concepts in a highly competitive market. “In the hospitality industry you have to differentiate yourself with the environments you create, and the quality of product you serve. I’m very good at creating an environment, a culture. Riot Hospitality creates really unique environments that breed incredible cultures around our brands. The quality of the food, service and entertainment is exponentially better than what you get at other places, and that builds loyalty. We give local residents an opportunity where they feel like they belong, and they love what they are experiencing .” Hibbert, a University of Arizona graduate, has a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Setting, rather than following trends is one of the keystones of the firm’s success. “People are always blown away by our level of execution. The level of our food quality, customer service and entertainment is something everyone else in the hospitality market is trying to emulate. But when we get it down, when we get it right, everytime.”

Jake Gray joined GCP in 2011 and currently holds the position of Vice President of Acquisitions and Development with Grossman Company Properties and Classic Hotels & Resorts. In this role, Jake participates in the acquisition, financing, strategy, development and operations of various new and existing assets in the portfolio. Jake is an active contributor to Arizona organizations that enhance our community and business environment. He is currently serving as Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Partnership Forum Program and Vice Chair of ULI’s Young Leaders Group. Jake is also active with Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters and is currently serving as a “big brother”. Jake holds a BS in Construction Management, minor in Business from Northern Arizona University and a Professional Certificate of Real Estate Development from Arizona State Universities Masters in Real Estate Development Program.

Rick Daugherty is the Principal Architect for 3rd story -- a small and nibble Arizona architecture, interior design and land planning firm serving clients in boutique hospitality, mixed-use, custom luxury residential and land planning focusing on projects ranging from $500,000 – $40 million. Long before it was fashionable, Rick graduated with a degree in Environmental Design and then gained hands-on experience in the field as a contractor. He started his first firm in 1983 that went on to design over 400 luxury custom homes in the most prestigious developments in the valley. During his career one focus has always driven him – the spaces he designs are about the people who will live, work and play within them. Rick is best known for his ability to integrate highly technical details with trendsetting creativity for designs that are as exciting as they are buildable. These characteristics along with his keen understanding of execution and risk management have given him the reputation as a land planners architect.

Heather Personne is a Principal with Point B, a national real estate development, management consulting and venture capital firm. Heather oversees Point B’s growing real estate development business, focused primarily on small-scale ground-up and adaptive mixed-use redevelopment in urban areas. Ms. Personne has over 20 years of experience in real estate acquisitions, development, management and dispositions. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded the development of more than 100 retail, office and multi-family properties throughout the western United States. Prior to joining Point B, she held roles as a Retail Partner with Phoenix-based commercial development and investment firm ViaWest Group and as a Principal with Evergreen Devco, Inc., a regional retail and multi-family developer. Ms. Personne graduated Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Arizona Honors College and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and French. She is heavily involved with the Urban Land Institute, having served as Membership Chair, founding member of the Arizona Chapter of the Women’s Leadership Initiative and Technical Advisory Panel Moderator. Ms. Personne currently serves as Chair of the ULI Arizona Trends Day Conference, the largest ULI event in the district council system, and Vice Chair and founding member of the national ULI Place Making Product Council. She is also a member of ICSC, the Arizona chapter of CREW and sits on the board for the Phoenix Center for the Arts. In addition to her professional commitments, Ms. Personne also participates on the alumnae board of the Phoenix chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta and is a founding board member of the Roadrunner League of Boys Team Charity, a civic organization focused on encouraging philanthropic commitments among young adults. Ms. Personne resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband Matt and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, snow-skiing and traveling.

Kristopher Harman joined Woodbine’s Phoenix office as a project manager in 2008 and was promoted to vice president in 2014. In his current role, Kristopher leads Woodbine’s entitlement and contract negotiation efforts, focusing on project acquisition and aggregating the information that drives the decision-making process for internal and external investment committees, as well as negotiating and coordinating sales and leasing transaction activities. His attention to detail and expertise have played a key role in the success of acquisition, disposition and development of various Woodbine projects across the United States, including: The Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon; The Old No. 77 Hotel in New Orleans; AC Hotel Irvine in Irvine, California; The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons in Phoenix/Scottsdale; AC Hotel Tempe in Tempe, Arizona; and Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Before joining Woodbine, Kristopher worked as a real estate attorney at Fennemore Craig and as an officer for an Arizona-based master-planned community developer. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute Recreational Development Council and is also involved with Valley Partnership, the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa County Volunteer Lawyers Program. A native Arizonan whose family owned a citrus farm, Kristopher earned his bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and his MBA and law degrees from The University of Arizona. Outside of the office, he enjoys the great outdoors, travel, photography and spending time with his three children.

Founder and Managing Partner at George Oliver and GO Industrial George Oliver and GO Industrial are locally-based commercial real estate companies that operates on the cutting edge of office and industrial workspace environments. George Oliver believes your workspace should enhance productivity, improvement employee retention, and help your business better compete in an increasingly volatile marketplace. Healthy, happy and productive workspaces are giving businesses the upper hand, and unrivaled design, amenities and tenant experiences are front-and-center in every one of their buildings. Experience the difference yourself at any of our award-winning buildings in Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, Austin, Denver, or visit www.georgeoliver.com.

Passion, purpose and positivity describe Shelby Duplessis’ philosophy on work and life. As president of land development for the Empire Group of companies, Shelby exercises her business acumen to strategically look into the future of growth and improvement to enhance the quality of life for cities, municipalities, residential and commercial development. A civil engineer by training, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited, Shelby uses sustainability, forecasting, collaboration and leadership to enhance her career and mentor others, especially women, to help them succeed in their chosen careers. Deeply committed to making a difference in her community, Shelby is active in many local volunteer groups including Honorary Commander at Luke Air Force Base, Leadership West, Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life, Westmarc, City of Peoria Historic Preservation Commission Chair, City of Peoria Board of Adjustment Member, City of Peoria Design Review Board Member and others.

Jeff Carpenter is a Partner at SimonCRE where he specializes in single tenant build-to-suits, redevelopments projects, and shopping center acquisitions. SimonCRE currently has roughly 40 active projects totaling approximately $120 million in construction. Prior to joining SimonCRE, Jeff worked for a national shopping center developer based in Scottsdale, AZ. Jeff was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and attended Arizona State University. He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Steven M. Goldstein is a shareholder with the law firm of Sacks Tierney PA, a mid-sized law firm located in Scottsdale since 1999. He has represented real estate clients for his entire career, focusing on commercial sales and acquisitions and leasing work on office, industrial, and retail projects throughout the country. Current real estate representation includes numerous office transactions with ViaWest Group and industrial projects for Tratt Properties. Steve also represents closely-held businesses and physician practices, providing advice on corporate, contract, real estate, and transactional issues. Steve has been with Sacks Tierney since 1986, as a shareholder since 1993, and served on its Executive Committee for 10 years. He has been recognized as a Top Rated Lawyer in Real Estate Law by The American Lawyer and by The Best Lawyers in America® in Health Care and Corporate Law. Steve received his undergraduate degree in economics and political science (with highest distinction) from the University of Arizona in 1983, and his law degree cum laude from Harvard University in 1986.