Sacramento Opportunity Zones Summit

Patrick Kennedy is the owner of Panoramic Interests, a development firm that has been building housing, live-work space, and commercial property in the Bay Area since 1990. The firm has focused on dense, mixed-use, mixed-income, infill developments, typically financed with private funds. All of the multi-family housing projects include below market rate units. The firm’s projects incorporate the Smart Growth principles designed to discourage auto use, mitigate sprawl, encourage local business, and enhance the pedestrian streetscape. Mr. Kennedy grew up in the East Bay, and attended Claremont McKenna College, majoring in Economics and English. He is a former member of the Carpenters Union and Steelworkers Union, and the California Bar. After college, he worked as a contractor, and then attended Harvard Law School and MIT, graduating with a J.D. and a Masters in Real Estate Development. Early development work included building his own house, and renovating several small commercial properties. His hobbies include open water swimming and ultra-light backpacking, both of which have furnished surprising insights into his work in development.

Kunal Merchant is President and Co-Founder of CalOZ a new organization dedicated to supporting the growth of quality Opportunity Zone investments in California. Kunal specializes in cross-sector collaborations, having advised over $8B in public-private partnerships nationwide. In addition to CalOZ, Kunal is Managing Director of Lotus Advisory a strategic consulting firm based in San Francisco that advises clients in sports, technology, real estate, entertainment, public policy, philanthropy, and social enterprise. Kunal was previously an executive with the Sacramento Kings and Chief of Staff for former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, where his portfolio included the award-winning Golden 1 Center and several initiatives to enhance opportunities in low-income communities. Kunal sits on the Board of Directors for the Green Sports Alliance and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco Graduate School of Sport Management. Kunal holds an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Matt is a managing director in KPMG’s Bay Area Real Estate and Construction practice, providing tax compliance and consulting services to real estate investors and investment entities. Matthew has over 14 years of tax experience, including sub specialties in cross-border investing and agriculture investing. Matt has significant experience managing complex tax compliance engagements for multitier real estate partnerships, real estate investment trusts, and funds, and their investment entities down through the property level. Matthew is a frequent speaker on real estate industry issues; recent engagements include the Financial Executives International, CFMA, and the Sacramento County Bar Association, regarding tax reform changes such as §163(j) structuring, §199A, and Qualified Opportunity Zones.

Councilman Eric Guerra was elected to represent Sacramento City Council District 6 in April 2015 and was reelected in 2016. District 6 encompasses Campus Commons and Sierra Oaks in the North, between Stockton Boulevard and Watt Avenue, including the areas of Tahoe Park and Little Saigon. Councilman Guerra is a proud Sacramento State Hornet. He graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In 2008 he earned his Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration. Prior to his election to the City Council, Councilman Guerra served as the Governor appointee to the California State University Board of Trustees, President of the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association, Chairman of the Sacramento County Planning Commission, President of the Sacramento State Alumni Association and has over 13 years of experience in the California State Legislature in numerous roles. Councilman Guerra is appointed to serve on behalf of the City of Sacramento on the multi-jurisdictional Joint Powers Authority boards: Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Sacramento Regional County Solid Waste Authority Sacramento Area Sewer District Board (SASD) Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Commission Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) Sacramento County Disaster Commission He also represents the City on their standing Law & Legislation Committee and the League of California Cities Board of Directors. Councilman Guerra is focused on improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods through protecting our parks, revitalizing Stockton Boulevard, develop the Sacramento Center of Innovation (SCI), and bring more commerce to the Power Inn Corridor. Councilman Guerra is devoted and proud to serve the community that he has called home for more than 20 years.

Jamie is an economist with more than 17 years’ experience in capital facility financing, fiscal impact analysis, government reorganization, and real estate economics. Directing complex consulting assignments on behalf of both public- and private-sector clients, Jamie’s work has resulted in successful new and redevelopment projects, including municipal incorporations and former military base reuse projects. Adhering to one of EPS’s core values, Jamie prepares objective analyses to inform clients’ decision making—striving for the most financially effective solution that minimizes uncertainty and shares risks between the public and private sectors. Jamie is one of EPS’s leading experts in implementing infrastructure financing mechanisms, particularly Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts, development impact fee programs, and related cost-sharing agreement mechanisms. Jamie holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from California State University Sacramento and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California at Davis. He serves as the Treasurer for the Urban Land Institute—Sacramento District Council and participates in the District Council’s Executive Committee. In addition, Jamie serves as a board member for First U.S. Community Credit Union, a Sacramento-based credit union serving members who live, work, or worship in 12 counties surrounding Sacramento. Finally, Jamie is a member of the American Cancer Society’s Sacramento Partnership Council, which raises approximately $175,000 annually for the society.