Director of Economic Development / CRA

• Dec 2022 - Present

Economic Development Senior Manager

• May 2022 - Dec 2022

Principal / Founder

• Feb 2019 - Present

• Opportunity Zones: Advising local government officials and economic development organizations on Opportunity Zone planning and marketing strategies to attract investors and developers to low-income communities. Educating communities on Opportunity Zone benefits through speaking engagements at national conferences, while also hosting regional conferences and community-driven educational events and workshops in person and online. Advocating for equitable development that benefits impoverished communities while reducing the risk of population displacement from gentrification. • Affordable Housing: Consulting with communities and private developers on incentive packages for affordable housing developments. Consulting with private companies, creating innovative solutions to the country’s affordable housing crisis through modular manufacturing. • Disaster Recovery: Advising clients on private sector disaster response and economic recovery including strategies for state and federal funding from the Economic Development Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Show less

Realtor

• Jul 2020 - Present

Developer - Multifamily Housing

• May 2020 - Apr 2022

• Identified on-market and off-market sites for multifamily and single-family land development. Researched price, entitlements, state designated proximity scoring, and land use to determine development viability. Parcels range from large tracts for garden-style developments to urban infill sites for mid-ride and high-rise developments to single-family subdivisions. • Negotiated purchase agreements with sellers for optimal flexibility and purchase price. • Drafted and evaluated pro formas to determine ideal demographic mix, unit mix, and financial feasibility in the capital stack. Identified funding sources based on development demographics. • Partnered with General Contractors to lead multi-family and single-family sites through the development cycle, coordinated with municipalities on zoning, permitting and PUD approvals, with lenders and investors on development budget, with architects and engineers on site plans, civil plans, MEP, and fire plans, and with utility providers. • Liaised with municipal staff, elected officials, and industry groups to educate and advocate for issues affecting the affordable housing industry. • Applied for 4% and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funding, and Bond/SAIL financing through Florida Housing Finance Corporation, for preservation and new construction developments. Show less

Policy Director

• Aug 2017 - Jan 2019

• Led the selection process for Florida’s Opportunity Zone program, a new federal economic development tool, by collaborating with various stakeholders, including investors, developers, community staff, and elected state and local officials. • Advised leadership on state and federal workforce, community, and economic development policies. • Led DEO’s 12 Counties Initiative to create economic development opportunities in 12 Florida counties with the highest unemployment rates in Florida. • Partnered with senior leadership and external partners on the state’s post-Hurricane Irma and post-Hurricane Michael private sector disaster recovery efforts, including experience with Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery, and the Economic Development Administration’s disaster supplemental funding. Show less

Gubernatorial Fellow

• Aug 2016 - May 2017

• Embedded with each agency division in rotation, including Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Pari-mutuel Wagering, Hotels and Restaurants, and Professions, while implementing changes to the agency’s licensing process to streamline and maximize customer value while saving taxpayer dollars. • Represented agency priorities regarding business growth, economic development, and deregulation during the Florida legislative session with the Office of Legislative Affairs. • Embedded with each agency division in rotation, including Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Pari-mutuel Wagering, Hotels and Restaurants, and Professions, while implementing changes to the agency’s licensing process to streamline and maximize customer value while saving taxpayer dollars. • Represented agency priorities regarding business growth, economic development, and deregulation during the Florida legislative session with the Office of Legislative Affairs.

Legislative Fellow, Office of the Majority Leader

• Sep 2015 - Mar 2016

• Tracked House and Senate legislation through the committee process • Briefed Majority Leader on bill and committee actions • Analyzed and summarized floor amendments for review and strategic planning • Tracked House and Senate legislation through the committee process • Briefed Majority Leader on bill and committee actions • Analyzed and summarized floor amendments for review and strategic planning

Public Policy Fellow

• May 2014 - Aug 2014

• Developed and presented policy proposals to the Governor’s senior staff for statewide implementation. • Drafted speeches for Governor Martinez on a broad range of policy topics, including economic development, mental health, and public safety. • Developed and presented policy proposals to the Governor’s senior staff for statewide implementation. • Drafted speeches for Governor Martinez on a broad range of policy topics, including economic development, mental health, and public safety.

Legislative Assistant

• Oct 2013 - May 2014

• Presented legislation that successfully passed multiple Florida Senate committees. • Supported Senator Altman in researching policy and resolving constituent issues. • Presented legislation that successfully passed multiple Florida Senate committees. • Supported Senator Altman in researching policy and resolving constituent issues.

Student Body President

• Aug 2009 - May 2010

• Expanded SGA involvement throughout the four campuses • Created an infrastructure of administration and student positions for future SGA members • Increased participation with the Florida Junior Community College Student Government Association • Represented BCC at FJCCSGA state conferences to fight legislative issues effecting students • Mobilized the Student Ambassadors Program to give tours and work campus events • Expanded SGA involvement throughout the four campuses • Created an infrastructure of administration and student positions for future SGA members • Increased participation with the Florida Junior Community College Student Government Association • Represented BCC at FJCCSGA state conferences to fight legislative issues effecting students • Mobilized the Student Ambassadors Program to give tours and work campus events