ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE CHALLENGE NEWS 

VICTORY CROSSING IN COMMERCE CITY SELECTED AS THE 2024  ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE CHALLENGE PROJECT SITE 

Published March 2024

DENVER, COLO. – Challenge time is here for graduate students from the University of Denver and the University of Colorado for the 22nd Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge. This year, Land Title Guarantee Company and NAIOP Colorado (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association) invite students to showcase their skills by developing a project for the 48 acres at Victory Crossing in Commerce City, located next to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. The challenge commenced in January, with the final event and judging on May 2, 2024. Project sponsors, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, and the City of Commerce City, hope this challenge will expand the existing 90,000-square-foot Commerce City Civic Center and surrounding area into a vibrant civic campus, creating an exciting new activity hub for the community and positively impacting the future generation of real estate leaders.

Challenge teams are tasked with creating a vertical mixed - use development on approximately 48 acres of land immediately west of Dicks Sporting Goods Park. The initial phase of Victory Crossing should create a new ‘hub’ for Commerce City as well as function as an entertainment district for events held at the stadium. The development may provide a mix of residential, office, civic, retail, and neighborhood commercial necessary to create a critical mass and destination address for Commerce City that is populated 18-hours a day and supports retail users. The student’s plans should also incorporate Commerce City’s need for a larger civic center building, which currently sits within the proposed site.

“Our community has looked forward to new investment in Victory Crossing for some time now, and we are extremely excited to see the RMREC teams get to work on breathing new life into the possibilities this area offers,” said Jason Rogers, City Manager of Commerce City. “We believe Victory Crossing is primed for new opportunities, and along with our partners at KSE, we look forward to the new momentum this challenge will create in support of our City Council’s goals to meet expectations of our community!”

Once part of the expansive Rocky Mountain Arsenal property belonging to the federal government, the Victory Crossing site was annexed into Commerce City in 2004 and saw the construction of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and the Civic Center in 2007. A longtime partnership between the city and KSE has set the stage for the property to become a beneficial community asset for Commerce City and nearby Denver residents alike.

As a part of the decision-making process, Alan Colussy, site selection chairman , states, “There’s a huge community benefit for someone like a Commerce City or another municipality…to really be able to see what these visions could be, and what to make of the property rather than just another deal.” The growth of Commerce City and a need to enhance its worth beyond stadium activities promises a Victory Crossing that lends itself to a civic campus where residents feel a new sense of community. As Matt Mahoney, Senior Vice President of KSE, states, “We have the potential to generate a truly unique regional destination characterized as a mixed-use neighborhood.”

Finalists for this year’s Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge will converge at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center Hotel on May 2, 20242024, to present their projects in front of an audience of real estate professionals and the Project Sponsor Team. The winning team receives scholarships, and their university will receive the coveted NAIOP cup. Tickets are available via the NAIOP website to watch the future real estate leaders impact our community and showcase their talents.

John E. Freyer, Jr., President of Land Title Guarantee Company, says it best: “It’s exciting to have the Challenge focus on a highly visible area of Colorado, as it has in prior years, providing ample opportunity for both problem-solving and delivering solutions within local communities.”

For more details or to register for the 2024 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, click here. 

CALL FOR 2024 PROJECTS! SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT FOR CONSIDERATION

Selected Project Sponsor will benefit from several hundred hours of consulting time and effort by a variety of graduate students, multiple high profile architectural firms and well respected real estate development professionals.

All interested parties who wish to have their property considered for the 2024 Challenge site should submit the following information to NAIOP:

• Clearly identify the property, by name, or best means to identify the parcel under consideration.
• Identify the property address, location and if possible parcel and/or legal description.
• Provide a narrative that best describes the unique project aspects and size.
• Identify key groups, stakeholders and/or individuals that are associated with the property.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS AUGUST 31, 2023
All interested parties should send their proposal for the Project Sponsor consideration to the attention of:

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER WINS THE 2023 ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE CHALLENGE

2023 NAIOP ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE CHALLENGE PROJECT RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 15, 2023                           

The River Mile Project in Downtown Denver Selected for the 21st Annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, Highlighting the Use of Mass Timber 

Media Contacts:
Stacy Stout, BRANDiac Strategies · 303.829.9001| Email
Jayma File, NAIOP Colorado · 303.518.4289 | Email

DENVER, COLO., March 15, 2023 (NAIOP-Colorado.org) – Land Title Guarantee Company and NAIOP Colorado (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association), are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated The River Mile Project, developed by Revesco Properties and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, will be the development site for the 21^st Annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge (the Challenge). The Challenge, to be held on April 27, 2023, is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and Impact Finance Center (IFC), whose goal is to educate the next generation of MBA students and the real estate development community about the benefits of mass timber.                                                             

The Challenge is the premier real estate competition that pairs graduate-level students from the University of Colorado and the University of Denver with industry leaders in the Colorado real estate community to evaluate development opportunities. The focus of the 2023 competition is the 62-acre The River Mile project located on the current home of Elitch Gardens amusement park. A truly one-of-a-kind project and the largest in downtown Denver, The River Mile is envisioned as a sustainable, walkable downtown neighborhood. It will feature state-of-the-art residences with public parks and promenades, and a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural destinations all located along one mile of renovated South Platte riverfront. The project will also include build-to-suit workspaces ranging from business incubators to regional corporate headquarters, all with access to two light rail stations. 

“Adjacency to the South Platte River plays the integral role in the development of this important urban area,” said Rhys Duggan, CEO of Revesco Properties. “So much so, that before the first building foundation is poured, the river is being revitalized along The River Mile and far beyond. It’s a major undertaking we’re committed to in partnership with The Greenway Foundation and the City of Denver to reaffirm the importance of the South Platte as an essential part of the regional ecology. The restoration will add 27 acres of waterside parks and open space, and it will help to energize this new downtown neighborhood emerging at the river’s edge.” 

The 62-acre The River Mile project is located along the South Platt River and adjacent to downtown Denver’s Central Business District. Within this 62-acre parcel, student teams are tasked with determining where at the project is the best location to start development and to attract users and subsequent residents and visitors. While creating a sense of place in this initial phase, student teams will need to comply with The River Mile zone district, including affordable housing requirements, as well as maximizing the use of Mass Timber in their proposal with a minimum of 20% of proposed buildings using mass timber for construction. 

“New for this year’s competition, students will need to incorporate the use of Mass Timber in their proposal,” said Dr. Stephanie Gripne, founder and executive director of the Impact Finance Center. “We are excited about the opportunity to showcase this sustainable product and the need for sustainable forestry to such a wide audience. Mass timber is a new category of wood product that can revolutionize how America builds. It’s a strong, low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel and is a viable alternative for broader use based on the new code that allows mass timber buildings up to 18 stories tall.” 

In January 2023, student teams began a four-month period of working with industry professionals and project sponsor representatives to analyze every aspect of the site. The student teams are tasked with determining which parcels within the project site are best situated to start development, while creating a sense of place that will attract users and subsequent residents and visitors for years to come. The student teams compete against one another for scholarships and the NAIOP Cup, which is awarded to the winning school each year. 

“We are honored to be the major presenting sponsor for the 21st Annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge for the 11th consecutive year," said John E. Freyer, Jr., president of Land Title Guarantee Company. "The River Mile promises to be an impressive new development leveraging the awe-inspiring South Platte River. What is especially intriguing about this year's Challenge is the required incorporation of affordable housing, as well as the expectation of using a sustainable and innovative product in the students’ development plans. As a Colorado-based company since 1967, we believe our state has the opportunity to continue to lead the way in incorporating sustainable practices in commercial real estate development that will benefit generations to come." 

The Challenge culminates with the largest real estate event in Colorado on April 27, 2023, where student finalists present their recommendations to the Project Sponsor Team and an audience of real estate professionals. The 2023 final competition will be held at the Hilton Denver City Center. More details regarding ticket sales for the event are available on the NAIOP Colorado website. 

“As we embark on the 21^st year of the Challenge and evolving the program, we are excited about the variety of considerations that this year’s program incorporates,” said John Bauknight, chairman of the 2023 NAIOP organizing committee. “By allowing student competitors to define the specific project site within this high-profile development in an urban setting, the project sponsor is sure to see a variety of approaches that will provide them great value from their participation and ideas on how to move their project forward. Layering that with the introduction of mass timber is going to provide an exciting event for attendees at the April event.”

For more information or to register for the 2023 NAIOP Colorado Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, Click Here.  

BACKGROUND 

About Impact Finance Center

Founded in 2012 Impact Finance Center is a multi-university nonprofit academic center that identifies, trains and activates individuals and organizations to become impact investors, helping them better align their assets with their values. We are working to move more money to social ventures by creating the infrastructure for a Nationwide Impact Investing Marketplace by 2030. Our center is dedicated to delivering world-class education and expert advisory services. To learn more, visit www.impactfinancecenter.org.

About the U.S. Forest Service

The Forest Service manages a system of 154 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish and wildlife. The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org

About Revesco Properties

Formed by principals Rhys Duggan, Scott Lee and Chris Wood, Revesco Properties is a boutique real estate investment and management firm, focused exclusively on well-located yet often underperforming real estate assets in targeted U.S. and Canadian markets. Revesco knows retail real estate. Its three principals have over 100 years of experience in the retail real estate sector. They utilize their extensive network of tenant and industry relationships to access, analyze, purchase and manage assets in select target markets. For more information, visit www.revescoproperties.com.

About Land Title Guarantee Company

Land Title Guarantee Company is the largest locally owned and operated title agency in Colorado, delivering unsurpassed transaction excellence since 1967. Land Title's Commercial Team is recognized for consistently insuring more than $10 billion annually in commercial transactions. Land Title's experienced Commercial title, closing and sales teams deliver the best of both worlds: the benefit of working with the nation’s strongest underwriters coupled with the team's deep knowledge of Colorado real estate laws, customs and markets. For more information and to view a sampling of commercial closings, visit our website at www.ltgc.com/commercial.

About NAIOP

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 18,000+ members in North America and advocates responsible commercial real estate development and advocates for effective public policy. For more information, visit www.naiop-colorado.org.

 For more information or to register for the 2023 NAIOP Colorado Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, Click Here.  

DEVELOPING LEADER PROGRAM UPDATES

Welcome to NAIOP Colorado's Developing Leaders (DL) programming updates page, where you can find the latest details on the Chapter's DL programming and events.  

Developing Leader Mentor Program Celebrates a Decade of Success and Welcomes the 2023 Mentor Class

Published August 2023

NAIOP Colorado's Developing Leader (DL) Mentor Program, which launched in 2010, has reached a remarkable milestone, having guided over 250 mentees to success in the real estate industry. The program's 2023 Mentor Class, which began in April, marks another chapter in its impactful journey with 24 successful Mentor/Mentee pairings.

“We had an incredible level of interest in the 2023 Mentor Program, with a record number of Mentee applicants this year", stated DL Mentor Program Co-Chair Megan Kranichfeld with Prime West. "The 2023 roster really represents the best-in-class commercial real estate professionals in the Denver market," she said. "Our chapter’s success with the NAIOP Mentor Program is largely attributable to the amount of support and commitment our industry leaders and local community have shown the program year over year. I’m grateful to be a part of such a great program that provides valuable mentorship to our next generation of leaders.”

Fellow Co-Chair Blaire Butler with Essex Financial Group noted that “In addition to strong Mentee interest, the program also saw elevated interest from tenured commercial real estate professionals looking to participate as Mentors." Blaire said she "thinks this speaks to the program’s track record of success, to be perceived by industry leaders as a valuable channel for giving back."

With a focus on fostering the next generation of real estate leaders, the DL Mentor Program provides a unique opportunity for DL Member participants to advance their careers. The program's key strength lies in its personalized approach, selecting only 15 to 20 candidates annually and matching them with mentors based on their individual goals and work history.

Beyond one-on-one mentorship, the program cultivates a supportive community through a series of events and programs throughout the year, facilitating networking not only with mentors but also with fellow participants. The commitment spans eight months, from April to November, ensuring a comprehensive and transformative experience for the mentees. Congratulations again to the 2023 DL Mentor Class participants.

While the application window for the 2023 Mentor Program has closed, NAIOP Colorado and our Developing Leader (DL) program sponsors First American Title-NCS and Essex Financial Group, continue to exemplify our collective dedication to shaping the future of real estate leadership and looks forward to welcoming mentors and mentees alike to apply for the 2024 program beginning early next year. For more information or to join the wait list for 2024, please contact Megan and Blaire. 

Back to Top

The Developing Leaders Real Estate on the Rocks Networking Event & Fundraiser 

Submitted January 2022

The Developing Leaders Real Estate on the Rocks networking event series partnered with the Community Outreach committee to host a joint networking and fundraising event at Three Saints Revival on February 16. The fundraiser benefits the Community Foundation Boulder County’s Marshall Fire Relief Fund, which, in the words of the Foundation, “As Boulder County’s trusted philanthropic partner for over 30 years, Community Foundation Boulder County will work closely with our government and nonprofit partners to coordinate, align resources and fill gaps to support those most impacted by the wildfires. Our experience has shown us the importance of deep local relationships in meeting short- and long-term community needs in a crisis with equity, transparency, and integrity.”

Despite the blizzard conditions outside, NAIOP welcomed over 60 people to the event! While attendees raised over $5,000 for the foundation, NAIOP members Dan Metzger (Brue Baukol Capitol Partners) and Tyler Carlson (Evergreen Development) stepped up and graciously offered to match fundraising, with the NAIOP Chapter donating as well. With their contributions, NAIOP Colorado will have raised over $15,000 for the Fire Relief Fund! A huge thank you to everyone who attended or fundraised, and especially to Tyler, Dan, and the NAIOP Chapter for their generosity. The Developing Leaders look forward to maintaining this positive energy throughout 2022.

Back to Top

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE

Welcome to NAIOP Colorado's Members on the Move Board, where you can find the latest updates on local Chapter members and their recent career news. Want to share details about a recent job change, Submit your posting now.

Members on the Move - Submitted February 2024, Posted March 2024

Ian Nichols Takes New Role at Red Cedar

Red Cedar Advisor Services (“Red Cedar”), a leading company specializing in fund administration, accounting, and human resources, is excited to announce the addition of Ian Nichols. After most recently serving as CFO of Flywheel Capital, Ian is set to bring comprehensive industry knowledge, leadership acumen and a forward-thinking mindset to Red Cedar. This confluence of passion, skills and experience will contribute to Red Cedar’s goal of being a leader and expert in the real estate industry.

Ian has served on the NAIOP Colorado Board of Directors since 2015 and has also served as Developing Leader (“DL”) Chair, Fight Night Chair, Finance Chair, and President of NAIOP Colorado. Ian is looking forward to continuing his participation on the NAIOP Colorado Board in his role at Red Cedar. Feel free to reach out to Ian at [email protected] and for more information, please visit redcedar.io.

embers on the Move - Submitted November 2023, Posted December 2023

Whitney Hake Joins Newmark 

Newmark is pleased to announce that agency leasing professionals Whitney Hake and Grace Lessard have joined the firm’s Denver office as Senior Managing Director and Senior Associate, respectively. Hake and Lessard, renowned for their reputation of delivering exceptional leasing results to office owners, will play pivotal roles in elevating Newmark’s landlord representation services. In their new capacities, Hake and Lessard will team and work closely with industry veteran and Executive Managing Director Jamie Gard to expand Newmark’s agency leasing business in Denver.

“As Newmark continues its growth trajectory with an area of focus around agency leasing, Whitney’s and Grace’s expertise and track record is exemplary of the top talent Newmark is known for,” said Kevin McCabe, President, Western Region. “We are thrilled to welcome this distinguished team as a strategic addition to Newmark’s leasing business.”

Hake and Lessard join Newmark from Transwestern, where Hake previously served as Senior Vice President and Lessard as Senior Associate, focusing on landlord representation in the Southeast Denver and Downtown Denver markets.

“Market changes over the past three years have spurred innovative ideas for us as brokers and for landlords,’ said Hake. “Grace and I are excited to join Newmark and reach new heights in Denver. Partnering with Jamie Gard, I am confident that we will achieve great success in delivering top-notch leasing solutions to our clients and driving growth in the market.” Continue Reading details from Newmark. 

Back to Top

Members on the Move - Submitted November 2023, Posted December 2023

Scott Komula Makes Moves at BNBuilders

Scott Komula has recently transitioned from his role as senior project manager to business development manager for BNBuilder’s Denver office. 

Scott joined the BNB team in 2021 with over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technical University, Scott went on to hold project engineer and project manager roles at Washington Group International, JT Magen Inc., Skender Construction, and Howell Construction. 

As the business development manager for the Denver region, Scott plays a crucial role by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, fostering relationships with clients and partners, and helping the company grow and expand its projects as well as ensuring that BNBuilders remains competitive in the market. 

Scott has been an active member of NAIOP Denver for two years.

Back to Top

Members on the Move - Submitted November 2023, Posted December 2023

Megan Kranichfeld Transitions to Trammell Crow Company

Trammell Crow Company (TCC), has recently welcomed Megan Kranichfeld to its Denver team in the capacity of Senior Vice President. Megan's primary focus in this role will be to drive the expansion of TCC's industrial development platform in the Rocky Mountain Region. 

Megan comes to TCC from Prime West Development, where she previously held the position of Vice President of Industrial Development. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in leading the company's foray into the industrial development sector. Before her tenure at Prime West Development, Megan served as Vice President of Development at United Properties. Over her six-year tenure with the firm, she advanced from initial roles as Development Associate, Development Manager, and Director of Development. During this time, Megan played a direct role in the development of over 1 million square feet of speculative industrial product and facilitated strategic ground-up developments in Colorado. 

A native Coloradan and alumna of the University of Colorado Boulder, Megan brings a robust background in industrial real estate development in the Rocky Mountain region. Her collaborative and goal-focused approach is evident in her professional memberships and leadership roles with NAIOP, Denver Metro Commercial Association of Realtors (DMCAR), and ULI Colorado. This strategic addition is anticipated to further enhance TCC's position and accelerate growth in key markets under Megan's leadership.

Back to Top

Members on the Move - Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023

Joe Swensson: Joins NAIOP Colorado Board of Directors

Joe Swensson, Director of Real Estate Development with Opus Development Company, L.L.C., was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for NAIOP Colorado in late April. A member of NAIOP since 2015, Joe has served the Colorado Chapter of NAIOP in a variety of roles to include former Chair of the Winter Classic Skiing with the Icons event, volunteering on both the Developing Leaders and Public Affairs Committee, and currently serves as a NAIOP Forum Member on the National Industrial Perspectives group. Joe is  a graduate of the Chapter's Mentor Program and was recognized as Developing Leader of the Year for 2020. 

Joe has been with Opus since June 2016. Prior to joining Opus, Joe spent several years on the U.S. Ski Cross Team and competed in the ESPN Winter X-Games and at the F.I.S. Freestyle Ski Cross World Championships. Joe previously worked for a family development company and was involved in design, planning and site management.

As Director of Real Estate Development, Joe focuses on creating new development opportunities throughout Colorado. He works on site selection and acquisition, due diligence, government approvals, partnership formation, project financing and coordinates the efforts of the design, construction and development teams.

Joe has developed or has under construction $690 million of projects in the Denver market, including over 1,000 apartment units and nearly one million square feet of industrial space developed or under construction. That figure will climb significantly with Sun Empire, a 316-acre, 3.9 million-square-foot master-planned industrial development near the Denver International Airport.

Back to Top

Members on the Move - Submitted June 2023, Posted August 2023

Erin Kelley: Begins Exciting New Chapter in SLC

Erin Kelley has been a longstanding, active NAIOP Colorado member and has left a meaningful mark on our Chapter.  It is our pleasure to wish Erin farewell as she embarks on her next chapter in Salt Lake City, UT, in her new role as Client Development Manager for Terracon.

Soon after Erin joined NAIOP and became active with the Developing Leaders in 2013, she quickly found herself in charge of the Mentor Program.  After four years overseeing the program, she, with the help of Marc Perusse, completely revamped the program and significantly increased interest in it and the impact it has on countless careers.  Through this time and the years after, Erin has been a steady, active presence – she was a two-time Developing Leaders Co-Chair (once with Brandon Kramer and once with John Huemoller), was an integral part of establishing our Chapter’s DEI Committee and was passionate about her involvement in the Legislative Affairs Committee, even testifying to the House regarding reformation of construction defect laws. Most recently Erin was a NAIOP Colorado at large Board Member until having to step down as she embarks on her next milestone in Salt Lake City.

Erin’s involvement in NAIOP was never passive.  She never missed an event and always was looking for ways to improve the committees and programs she was a part of to better the experience they would provide other members and participants.  Erin is passionate about people and connecting them with one another.  We will miss her greatly but know her energy will be welcomed to what will now become her new chapter in Salt Lake.

When asked what her favorite NAIOP Colorado memory was she knew right away: NAIOP Fight Night 2016 - when she wore the Hillary Clinton mask and went toe-to-toe with Donald J. Trump himself (also known as Chris King).

Erin’s parting advice to her Colorado peers is, “Say yes to everything! Find something you like about the organization and be all in.  You won’t regret it.”

Cheers, Erin!

Back to Top

Members on the Move - Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023

Jim Mellor: Retires from Pinkard Construction

Long-time NAIOP Colorado member Jim Mellor retired this past April from Pinkard Construction, where he worked as Director of Business Development for almost 30 years. A mainstay on the Chapter's Programs Committee since joining in 2000, Jim has served a past Property Tour Chair and participated as a mentor for multiple years.

Jim is a 1978 graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s in construction. He studied at the University of Santa Clara for his MBA with an emphasis in marketing. Jim has worked as a project engineer, project manager, estimator, and superintendent. During his tenure at Pinkard Construction, Jim performed and managed all aspects of marketing and business development, from sourcing leads, to writing proposals, and conducting presentations; from creating strategic and targeted business plans, to developing lifelong client relationships.

Jim's remarkable achievements within the real estate industry were recently acknowledged in Colorado Construction and Design Magazine. His enduring legacy is poised to serve as an ongoing source of inspiration and influence for the construction sector in the years ahead, as Jim begins doing consulting work, helping AEC companies with their business development efforts. 

Back to Top

Members on the Move - Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023

Erik VanMeetren: Promoted to Senior Manager

Erik VanMeetren has recently been promoted to senior manager of finance at Confluent Development. Since he  joined the team in August of 2020 as an Associate, he has quickly ascended in his career progression, as he was promoted to Senior Associate in 2021. 

Erik is responsible for a variety of tasks, including financial modeling, capital raising, joint venture structuring, investor relations, loan monitoring, and disposition analysis. Additionally, he is tasked with developing and measuring Confluent's annual corporate budget. 

Prior to joining Confluent, Erik worked at Logic CRE in Las Vegas, where he was an associate on the Capital Markets team. He also spent time at a boutique investment bank in Las Vegas and played minor league baseball in the Washington Nationals organization. 

Erik holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is also a CFA charterholder and was a student-athlete for four years and later an active member in the athletic department.

Back to Top

Members on the Move, posted November 17, 2022

Howard Pollack

Full Name: Howard Pollack

Company: Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC

Title: Shareholder & Director

Howard Pollack has practiced for over 30 years in multiple jurisdictions across the country and across a wide range of practice areas. His expertise lies in quarterbacking large, complex real estate transactions from the earliest stages of the deal through completion and operations including drafting and negotiating letters of intent, joint venture agreements, purchase and sale documents, construction agreements, acquisition, construction and permanent financing, ground leases and condominium documents. He routinely leads pre-development and entitlement activities, due diligence review with an emphasis on title, survey and environmental matters and works with his clients on analyzing and making strategic business and operational decisions. Over the years, he has also drafted and negotiated numerous development agreements, hotel/property management agreements, retail and office leases, franchise agreements, non-disclosure agreements and services contracts. Howard takes a broad view of representing his clients throughout the entire life cycle of each project and seeks to find practical, effective solutions to complicated legal issues. He places a high degree of emphasis on being an integral part of his client’s team and values extensive communication and working with all members of the client’s organization to achieve the best results possible. Immediately prior to joining the Firm, Howard served as the executive level general counsel for a large privately owned hospitality company for almost 13 years. There he directly oversaw and actively engaged in all aspects of the legal affairs of the company. Prior to that, he worked as a transactional real estate attorney at a large Denver based firm for 18 years and a large firm in Wilmington, Delaware for 3 years.

Practice Areas

• Business Transactions & Capital Markets
• Real Estate
• Real Estate Finance

Publications

• In the Right Place at the Wrong Time: Should Federal Prisoners be Required to Exhaust Their Administrative Remedies Prior to Bringing a Bivens Typle Claim in Federal Court, 42 Syracuse L. Rev. 241 (1991)
• Purchase of Promissory Notes Secured by Real Estate, CLE International Conference: "Distressed Real Estate", Denver, Colorado

Awards & Involvement

• Denver Business Journal 40 under 40
• Denver Botanical Gardens, Board of Directors (former)
• Colorado Outward Bound, Board of Directors (former)
• Denver Athletic Club, Board of Directors (former)
• American Jewish Committee, Board of Directors (former)

Jurisdiction

• State of Colorado
• State of Delaware

Education

• J.D., Syracuse University College of Law (1991), cum laude, Senior Editor, Syracuse Law Review
• B.A., University of Delaware (1987), Economics

Back to Top

Members on the Move, posted March 29, 2022

Tim Schlichting

Full Name: Tim Schlichting

Company: Prime West

Title: President

Prime West, a Colorado‐based commercial real estate firm, announced today Tim Schlichting has been named President of Prime West Development, effective Jan. 1. In this new role he will be responsible for the overall success of Prime West Development and work directly with the leadership team to enhance its vision, goals, objectives, strategies, and market focus. Jim Neenan, who joined the firm in 2012, has served as Prime West’s President and CEO since 2015. He will continue serving as CEO. 

“We are excited about Tim taking the helm as president of the firm,” said Jim Neenan. “Tim’s leadership skills, strategic thinking and vast experience in commercial real estate will expand our business growth in both our core business of office development and into new sectors including multifamily and oversee our further diversification into industrial development.”

Schlichting has been in the real estate industry for nearly 25 years, most recently serving as Prime West’s Chief Development Officer since joining the firm in 2019. While his new role as president expands his strategy and leadership responsibilities, he will continue to focus on sourcing development opportunities, formulating the vision and investment strategy, managing underwriting and financial modeling, directing project entitlements and community relations, and forming the optimal capital stack with Prime West’s equity investors and lenders.

Prior to joining Prime West, Schlichting was a partner with LCP Development in Denver where he worked on office development and value‐add repositioning. He also spent several years specializing in healthcare real estate while serving as the Regional President for Cogdell Spencer Erdman and as Managing Director with NexCore Group. He was also the regional acquisitions officer for Lowe Enterprises, a national real estate investment and development company. He started his real estate career as an associate with Walton Street Capital, a large real estate opportunity fund based in Chicago, IL.

“It’s an honor to become president of Prime West Development and lead this incredible team,” said Tim Schlichting. “My goals as president are to lead the firm effectively in developing forward thinking, innovative solutions that add value for our stakeholders and the communities in which we operate.”

Schlichting earned his MBA from Stanford University and his M.S. from the University of California at Berkeley. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.

Prime West has been a premier real estate developer in Colorado’s Front Range since 1981. From inception, the core philosophy of Prime West has remained the same: to develop best‐in‐class buildings with an emphasis on quality, reliability, and relationships. Over the past several decades, Prime West has completed over seven million square feet of commercial projects. For more information, visit https://www.primew.com/.

Back to Top

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION UPDATES

NAIOP Colorado, Project Destined Launch Bridge Program for Local Students

Updated on August 9, 2023

NAIOP Colorado is excited to announce our partnership with Project Destined to launch a new Real Estate Bridge Program, with support of our Chapter's DEI | Project Destined Sustaining Sponsor Trammell Crow Company (TCC). 

The eight-week program will provide Junior and Senior College students with the opportunity to gain exposure to the skills, resources and network required to build a career in retail real estate. The program will include live training sessions, an executive speaker series, multiple site visits with NAIOP Colorado member companies and a scholarship stipend.

Interested Candidates can apply here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/99dfdd16c44d0598eaba9df9543b1301?r=use1. 

We are excited to partner with Project Destined to prepare a new generation of talent for opportunities in retail real estate. Special thanks to our DEI Project Destined program sponsors: Trammell Crow Company, McWhinney, EverWest Real Estate Investors, Evergreen Development, LOWE, Mark IV Capital, Prime West and United Properties. 

Interested in learning more about the NAIOP Colorado's DEI efforts and opportunity to sponsor Project Destined Students? Contact [email protected] for more details.

NAIOP Colorado, Project Destined and TCC Partner to Launch Bridge Program for Local Students

Added to NAIOP Website on March 23, 2023

NAIOP Colorado, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Project Destined, a leading social impact platform, and Trammell Crow Company (TCC), a global development firm, are partnering to launch a Real Estate Development, Financing & Operations Bridge program in the Metro Denver area. The program stems from NAIOP Colorado’s existing partnership with Project Destined and consists of a seven-week "bridge" training program, where participants from Colorado Universities and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will learn from NAIOP professionals, as well as TCC mentors, about topics in the commercial real estate industry. 

This new program will provide an unprecedented opportunity for Project Destined students – known as fellows – to learn from leaders in commercial real estate and earn a Financial Modeling Certification through Project Destined’s partnership with NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate and Columbia’s Graduate School of Real Estate. In addition to weekly sessions, accepted fellows will earn scholarships and network with NAIOP Colorado and TCC leaders through site visits and asset tours throughout the Colorado area. 

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Project Destined and develop a robust talent pipeline as we train the next generation of leaders and help them prepare for the workforce. We are thrilled to have TCC on as a partner, offering valuable insight and real-world examples that the students will be able to learn from,” said CJ Manning, Vice President at Prime West and Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at NAIOP Colorado.

As part of the Bridge Program, NAIOP professionals and mentors will prepare, engage and guide students to help them develop a range of fundamentals – including financial, technical, presentation and leadership skills – designed to aid their search for internships, certifications and full-time employment in the commercial real estate industry. TCC, which has been working with Project Destined across the U.S. since 2022, is acting as the lead sponsor for the 2023 Bridge Program.

“TCC’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programming and partnerships are continuing to grow, and we are always looking for ways to expand our programming locally. The missions of NAIOP Colorado and Project Destined align with TCC’s ‘R.I.S.E.’ values – Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence, which we share with our parent company, CBRE, also a partner of Project Destined,” said Erik Hagevik, leader of the TCC Denver office. “TCC launched a national partnership with Project Destined in 2022 and has since expanded to many local markets. In Denver, we look forward to partnering with Project Destined and with NAIOP to help introduce the world of commercial real estate to students earlier in their high school and college careers, with a goal of building a robust talent pipeline of future leaders that represent the diverse local communities where we live and work.”   

“We are excited to partner with NAIOP Colorado to prepare this incredible group of students for a career in commercial real estate,” said Project Destined Co-Founder Cedric Bobo. “The real estate industry provides unparalleled opportunities to build a great career while also impacting your community and your city. This program will ensure that these students are ready to take on that challenge.”

Following the successful sponsorship of a Denver High School Program in Summer 2022, NAIOP Colorado helped Project Destined serve more students by sponsoring a team of college students in Fall 2022. 

Since its founding in 2016, Project Destined has worked with more than 5,000 students in 35 cities across the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. NAIOP Colorado’s partnership will support Project Destined and its mission to provide training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and real estate to students from underserved communities and students at various HBUCs.

Interested in learning more about the NAIOP Colorado's DEI efforts and opportunity to sponsor Project Destined Students? Contact [email protected] for more details. 

 NAIOP Colorado Launches Partnership with Project Destined to Advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Colorado Commercial Real Estate

CRE Firms Sponsor 15 Local High School Students in Summer 2022

Denver, Colo. (August 3, 2022) – NAIOP Colorado launched a paid summer internship for high school students in partnership with Project Destined. Project Destined, founded by Cedric Bobo, has partnered with leading real estate firms across the country to provide diverse students with internship opportunities to explore ownership through live real estate deals. Students gain access to the experience and expertise of corporate mentors and industry executives as they examine pathways to careers in the field. The program is a ten-week virtual internship which commenced in June for 15 underrepresented high school students from across the Denver metro area.

The program features training in real estate, digital marketing and provides an opportunity to collaborate with real estate professionals to prepare presentations as part of weekly team-based competitions. The program also included a “Shark Tank” style finale where intern teams presented a digital marketing plan for a live multifamily real estate deal to industry leaders.

Throughout the ten-weeks students learn the fundamentals of market research, value creation, and deal financing. Students emerge with the skills to secure internships and full-time job offers from some of the world’s largest real estate firms while becoming stakeholders in their community.

CJ Manning, Vice President at Prime West and the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at NAIOP Colorado, has led the way locally recruiting the best and brightest students from school districts across the Denver metropolitan area. Manning defines diversity as hiring for representation in a company, equity as giving all individuals equal access to opportunities, and inclusion as creating a sense of belonging for diverse talent to thrive.

Manning highlights the need for the commercial real estate industry to embrace a mindset shift away from soft diversity to hard diversity. “Soft diversity is hiring for representation to meet a quota or keep up with competitors. Whereas, hard diversity is hiring for inclusion and belonging, yielding a competitive advantage.”

“We are excited to expand our work and believe providing opportunities for future leaders early is key. Many of these students start with no prior real estate experience and to see what they were able to achieve in just ten-weeks is amazing. In partnership with Project Destined we’re developing a robust talent pipeline as we train the next generation of leaders and help them prepare for the workforce.” CJ Manning, Prime West.

Manning was ‘sold’ when Bobo invited him to serve as a judge for the Project Destined division finale and witnessed students presenting their sources and uses of capital required for their business, along with return metrics and sensitivity analysis.

“These are things we look at on a daily basis and it’s impressive to see young minds present this information with such poise and confidence,” he said.

Over 20 real estate firms sponsored the summer program, to include: Alcorn Construction; Baron Properties and Essex Financial Group; Brinkman Real Estate; Confluent Development; DPC Development; Evergreen Devco, Inc.; Fidelity National Title National Commercial Services; First American Title-NCS; Flywheel Capital; Golub & Company; Granite Properties; Hines; Hogan Lovells US LLP; Lincoln Property Company; Lowe; Mark IV Capital; McWhinney; Newmark; Pinnacle Real Estate Advisors; Prime West; United Properties; and Xcel Energy.

Jeff Dean, Senior Vice President with Mark IV Capital and Supporting Sponsor of the Project Destined program said, “Mark IV Capital was excited to play a role in helping expose top-tier, diverse Denver students to the industry through this hands-on “master class” format. Organizations are constantly seeking the best talent – and programs such as Project Destined help ensure the future holds more opportunities for both companies and candidates alike.”

Fellow Supporting Sponsor Michael Sapp, Manager of PSCo State Public Affairs with Xcel Energy, shared that "Xcel Energy is committed to reducing racial inequality as one of the most important things we can do to support the communities where we live, work and do businesses. We are honored to collaborate with the NAIOP Early Talent Program to cultivate inclusive, engaged and diverse future business leaders that reflects the communities we serve."

NAIOP Colorado Chapter will be partnering with Project Destined and area universities to host a similar program for undergraduate students this fall.

About NAIOP Colorado
The NAIOP Colorado Chapter provides advocacy, education, and business opportunities by connecting members in a powerful North American and Front Range network in the commercial real estate development and investment industry. We get business done. We create valuable, meaningful connections. We keep you current. We are a powerful voice. We actively advocate on your behalf at the local, state, and national levels to influence policies and regulations that affect our commercial real estate community.

About Project Destined.
Project Destined is a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools, and nonprofits to deliver training using its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students work with executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition to industry leaders. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks that prepare them to secure a solid first job and to become stakeholders in their community. For more information, please visit projectdestined.com.

Press Contact: CJ Manning, NAIOP Colorado DEI Chair and Vice President, Development - Prime West Companies
Direct: 919-805-1387
Email: [email protected]

Added to NAIOP Website on March 29, 2022

The NAIOP Colorado chapter is proud to announce two exciting partnerships with community organizations in the Denver area: Northeast Denver Leadership Week and Project Destined.

In conjunction with Denver Councilman Christopher Herndon, NAIOP Colorado’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee is coordinating a half-day program in Commercial Real Estate for the Northeast Denver Leadership Week, in June 2022. This program “offers high school students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to connect with civic and industry leaders throughout Denver. The program’s goal is to grow the next generation of leaders by educating students about careers in leadership and inspiring and motivating them to pursue such roles in their own careers." In support of this effort, the DEI Committee is currently seeking volunteers to host a construction site tour in the Northeast Denver area, as well as event volunteers to facilitate the programming. 

In complement to the Northeast Denver Leadership Week initiative, NAIOP Colorado announced that it will sponsor a local chapter of Project Destined. This unique program enlists top industry talent to mentor students in underserved communities and put them on track for internships or employment in the Commercial Real Estate industry. According to Project Destined, “we deliver our programming through the model: TRAIN, COMPETE, GROW. Students work with leading executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition.  Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences and networks that prepare them to secure a strong first job.” The local chapter of Project Destined will be funded in part by NAIOP Colorado and local CRE industry sponsors. In support of this effort, NAIOP Colorado will be seeking volunteers to serve as mentors, competition judges, panel speakers, host property tours, and conduct programming.

For more information on how to volunteer or sponsor either of these opportunities, please reach out to [email protected] for more information.