Economic Resilience: Key Drivers of Richmond’s Growth Case Study

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  Sonya Ravindranath Waddell

  Sonya Ravindranath Waddell joined the Research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in January 2008. She oversees the regional and community development research area within the department. Her responsibilities include running surveys of businesses and other organizations, directing and engaging in analysis on economic and community development issues, analyzing and providing information on regional and national economic trends, and directing the incorporation of regional information into the Richmond Fed monetary policymaking process. Prior to joining the Richmond Fed, Waddell worked as an economist in the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget and at ICF International in Washington, D.C. She received a B.A. from Williams College in 2001 and an M.S. in Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006. She currently serves on the boards of the Virginia Association of Economists, the YWCA of Richmond, the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, and the Virginia Opera. She is also a member of the Joint Advisory Board of Economists for the Commonwealth of Virginia and has served on the board of the Richmond Association of Business Economics.

  Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

  VP & Economist

  Sonya Ravindranath Waddell

  VP & Economist

  Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

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  Margaret Reed

  As Vice President of Gilbane Building Company’s Richmond, Virginia operations, Maggie Reed is responsible for driving consistency and excellence in sales and operations while overseeing over $750 million in projects and 90 team members in the local area. She has helped lead and promote team member engagement and local outreach programs to build the internal Gilbane culture as well as engagement with recruiting and performance as part of a corporate steering committee. Maggie is committed to Building More Than Buildings – including building careers, economic opportunity, supporting innovation and technology and nurturing communities. She drives our efforts in sustainability, inclusion and diversity, safety and well-being, community involvement, and much more. Maggie holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pennsylvania State University and is a Registered Architect. She also maintains credentials as a LEED Accredited Professional Building Design and Construction, a certified ASHE Healthcare Constructor, and a Design-Build Professional Associate.

  Gilbane Building Company

  VP

  Margaret Reed

  VP

  Gilbane Building Company

• Moderator

  Jennifer Wakefield

  President & CEO

  Greater Richmond Partnership

Richmond 2025 Outlook: Development, Financing, and Construction Solutions

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  Nadia O'Dea

  Nadia O’Dea serves as the Senior Director of Corporate Real Estate at CoStar Group, where she leads the strategic planning and development of the company’s 750,000 square foot campus expansion in Richmond. In her role, she oversees leasing and construction management across the company’s extensive portfolio, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational efficiency. Since joining CoStar Group in 2005, she has managed 2 million square feet of space and has been instrumental in driving national expansion initiatives. Her recent accomplishments include the successful acquisition of significant properties such as 600 Tredegar Street, 501 S 5th Street, and 901 Semmes Ave. in Richmond, as well as collaboration on the acquisition of 1201 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, VA. With a background in retail leasing and construction management, Ms. Nadia also co-owned a disaster restoration company in Maryland, further enhancing her leadership and operational expertise. She holds a degree in Business from George Mason University.

  CoStar Group

  Sr. Director, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities

  Nadia O'Dea

  Sr. Director, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities

  CoStar Group

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  Arthur Collins

  President

  Collins Capital Partners, LLC

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  Maritza Pechin

  Director of Development

  Thalhimer Realty Partners

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  Tim Cotter

  Tim Cotter has more than a dozen years of experience in commercial real estate acquisitions and development and started with The Beach Company in 2014. In his role as Development Manager, Tim oversees the underwriting, acquisition, entitlement, development, and disposition of various ground-up development projects throughout the Southeast including The Assembly at Park Circle, Eddy on the James, Canvas Lofts, Canvas Tower, 7770 Palmetto Commerce Parkway and Coleman Central. Tim’s career began as an Acquisitions Analyst for Monument Realty, a Washington, DC-based commercial real estate developer after he graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Since joining The Beach Company, he has managed a variety of development projects across several asset classes including residential, office and industrial, but is primarily focused on infill mixed-use projects. Tim is a member of The Beach Company’s Charitable Committee and lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, daughter, and son.

  The Beach Company

  Development Manager

  Tim Cotter

  Development Manager

  The Beach Company

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  Langdon Lynch

  Langdon Lynch serves as the Northeast Regional Prefabrication Leader for DPR Construction, where he leads the integration of innovative prefabrication solutions across diverse sectors—advanced technology and manufacturing, commercial, healthcare, higher education, and life sciences. With nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry, Langdon has developed a deep expertise in modular manufacturing, lean construction, and the use of technology, providing him with a unique ability to bridge design and virtual construction through model creation and project management. A passionate advocate for the efficiency, safety, and quality that prefabrication brings to construction projects, Langdon works closely with clients to identify and implement the most effective prefab solutions tailored to their needs. As a national leader in technically complex and sustainable projects, DPR continues to rank among FORTUNE’s "Best Workplace for Innovators” thanks to its employee-centered, forward-thinking approach. His leadership has advanced DPR Construction’s role as a pioneer in prefabrication, ensuring projects achieve faster delivery, improved safety, and better cost control. Langdon is a regular presenter on the topic and educator for both students coming into and professionals within the industry. Langdon is committed to driving industry-wide adoption of prefabrication techniques, helping to shape the future of construction by improving project outcomes and advancing construction methodologies.

  DPR Construction

  NE Prefabrication Leader

  Langdon Lynch

  NE Prefabrication Leader

  DPR Construction

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  Chris Guerra

  Chris Guerra is the Virginia Business Development Manager for Ruppert Landscape’s Construction Division, where he leads project acquisition, marketing efforts, and client relationship growth. A rising force in the AEC industry, he writes daily on LinkedIn and regularly presents on topics such as business development, personal branding, and both in-person and online networking. He chairs the Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia’s Young Professionals Committee, is vice chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Metro Washington’s Educational Management Committee, and is an active member of industry organizations such as NAIOP, WBC, ASA, 7x24, and Bisnow. A passionate creator, connector and storyteller, Chris was previously a history and psychology educator before entering construction. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in teaching from James Madison University.

  Ruppert Landscape

  Virginia Business Development Manager

  Moderator

  Chris Guerra

  Virginia Business Development Manager

  Ruppert Landscape