2023 Symposium & Networking Event
Event Hosts
Justin Benefield
Head, MRED Program
Dr. Benefield joined the Auburn University Department of Finance faculty in Fall 2012 and began teaching regularly in the Master of Real Estate Development program in the Spring of 2017. He has published over 35 articles in some of the leading journals in real estate and finance, including the Journal of Real Estate Economics and Finance, the Journal of Real Estate Research, the Journal of Housing Research, and the Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management. In addition, his work has been presented at a wide variety of regional, national, and international academic meetings.
Dr. Benefield has taught numerous finance and real estate courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was ranked 21st in the inaugural Real Estate Academic Leadership global rankings based on number of publications over a five-year period in the top three real estate journals. He is a recipient of the William N. Kinnard Young Scholar Award from the American Real Estate Society, which recognizes high-quality contributions to the real estate discipline early in one’s career. Dr. Benefield is a very active member of the American Real Estate Society, and he is currently serving as Editor for that organization’s Journal of Housing Research. Dr. Benefield received his Ph.D. in finance from the University of Alabama in 2006. Prior to joining Auburn’s faculty, he taught at the University of Alabama for one year and the College of Charleston for six years.
Kim Kuerten
Executive Director, Graduate Executive Programs
Ms. Kuerten is an experienced academic leader with demonstrated success in designing and delivering educational offerings to the marketplace. She was an integral part of the design team which launched the Executive MBA Program in 1998 and the Physicians Executive MBA Program in 1999. These were two of the first hybrid model (residencies bridged with distance learning) Executive MBA Programs in the country. She was also on the team that launched the Master of Real Estate Program in 2010. One of the few programs in the country for working professionals.
During her tenure with Graduate Executive Programs, she has admitted, matriculated, coordinated, and graduated over 1600 students. She has also led 58 international study tours to over 30 countries and 48 domestic field studies throughout the US.
David Welch
CEO, Robinson Weeks Partners
Mr. Welch is responsible for the overall operations and strategic leadership of the firm, including the implementation and oversight of its developments, acquisitions and dispositions. He maintains key relationships with investors and capital partners. He leads efforts to structure joint ventures through public and private partnerships and oversees the company’s largest development project, Gillem Logistic Center, an 1168 acre master planned development in metro Atlanta.
Prior to joining Robinson Weeks Partners, Mr. Welch was Regional President of LNR Properties, LLC where he was responsible for all investment and development activities in the Southeast Region. Prior thereto, he was in senior leadership positions for 12 years with ProLogis.
Mr. Welch holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the George Washington University. He is a licensed Broker in the state of Georgia and holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.
Mr. Welch is a board member of the Council for Quality Growth, a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) and active with the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). In addition, Mr. Welch serves on the Advisory Board for the Masters of Real Estate Development program at Auburn University. He is a frequent speaker for industry and professional events as well as educational institutions including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn University and the University of Kansas.
Greg Winchester
Head, Industry & Alumni Relations / MRED Program
Mr. Winchester has over a thirty-five year career in banking, finance, and real estate. He is the Founder and CEO of Summit Investors, LLC in Milton, Georgia, an alternative advisory and investment firm. The firm specializes in commercial and residential real estate investments in both North America and Europe. The firm also invests in private operating companies and provides advisory services.
Previously, Mr. Winchester was a Co-Owner and Co-CEO of Trimont Real Estate Advisors which performs customized financial services for commercial real estate lenders and investors and has over $110 billion of client capital under management. He has been involved in the portfolio management of over $225 billion of loans and real estate investments in his career. Prior to joining Trimont, Mr. Winchester was an Executive Vice President of Lomas and Nettleton in Dallas, Texas, and was with the First National Bank of Atlanta.
Key Note Luncheon Presentation
Moderated by David Welch
Carl DeLuca
Head of Real Estate, Americas, DHL Real Estate Solutions
DeLuca was appointed to the Head of Real Estate Solutions for the Americas Region of DHL Supply Chain in 2019. Real Estate Solutions (RES) is a full-service Real Estate Development & Investment platform within DHL Supply Chain. Carl oversees a comprehensive team of commercial real estate professionals spanning several countries within North & South America who deliver the optimal real estate solution for DHL, its customers as well as third party clients. In addition to his responsibilities as Head of Real Estate Solutions, Carl is also a member of the DHL Global Real Estate Solutions Board & Investment Committee, North American Board for Supply Chain, and the North American & Latin American Project Review Boards for Supply Chain.
Prior to joining DHL Supply Chain, Carl held numerous management positions during his 16-year tenure at Duke Realty Corporation. Carl specializes in the acquisition & disposition of industrial investments, origination & oversight of investment funds, debt & equity originations, and development of industrial logistics product. To date, Carl has managed several billion dollars of industrial transactions and investments during his career.
Carl is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance & Economics.
DHL Supply Chain is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group with a global network of more than 220 countries and territories. Real Estate Solutions is a strategic product within DHL Supply Chain supporting the Automotive, Consumer, Chemicals, Energy, Engineering & Manufacturing, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Retail and Technology sectors.
Event Panelists
Panel 1: The Current Landscape & Outlook for Logistics and E-Commerce
Erik Sjolseth – Moderator
Instructor, Department of Supply Chain Management, Auburn University
With experience in over 15 countries, Sjolseth focuses on issues revolving around strategy, supply chain, change management, pricing, operations, process improvement, workforce planning, and risk management. Increasing profitability and resolving ESG issues are common themes in his work.
Erik has worked in a variety of roles around the world, which makes him good at creating solutions, as he views issues and solutions from many perspectives. Erik’s experience includes consulting at management consultancies, Booz Allen Hamilton and Deloitte Consulting. He then was brought on as a strategic hire for Emerson Electric, serving as Manager of Global Pricing for 5 years. Following that, Erik served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Adeptus Health, a company that builds hospitals and Free-Standing Emergency Rooms. He then joined Dell Healthcare Consulting, consulting health insurance companies on improving operations, supply chain issues, and strategic focus. Later, he led the operations and supply chain integration of Nordstrom Card Services and TD Bank as Director of Strategy for Nordstrom.
Erik also serves on the Board of Directors for Pennies of Time, a nonprofit dedicated to creating the next generation of compassionate problem solvers, and Tri For Better, a nonprofit that supports those with primary immunodeficiency and similar chronic illnesses. His most treasured role is being dad to two boys and the resident expert for bedtime story voices!
Scott King
LEED Green Associate,
Senior Vice President, Industrial & Commissioning Project & Development Services, JLL
King leads the Industrial Project and Development Services group for the Southeast Central Region where he is responsible for the full growth and development of the industrial practice within the market. He has 25 years of experience in the Construction and Project Management industries in which he has lead projects from concept through construction and operations throughout North America within the industrial sector.
His current responsibilities include executive oversight over all industrial team members who manage multiple different types of facilities including, but not limited to, automotive, cold storage, distribution, food processing and manufacturing facilities. Over the course of his career, Scott has excelled in people management and strategic organizational planning for each of his clients. Additionally, Scott has created standards and led organization activities for start-up operations in new regions for global organizations.
His team is responsible for the project management of all project-related planning, programming, site due diligence, preconstruction, construction, commissioning and close-out activities including project team selection, schedule management, cost management, value engineering, document constructability/feasibility reviews and owner- furnished equipment coordination.
Prior to joining JLL, Scott served in leadership positions at Vertical Cold Storage, Ocado Group, Nissan North America, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Continental Tire. Scott was responsible for managing project teams, creating organizational vision and establishing processes and procedures. During his time as these organizations he lead teams that planned, designed, constructed and managed complex manufacturing and distribution and automated cold storage facilities across North America.
Mike LaFerle
Vice President of Real Estate/Construction, The Home Depot
LaFerle is responsible for the acquisition, development and property management of all retail, office and distribution facilities worldwide. In addition to new facility development, Mike oversees the Corporate Facilities and Enterprise Asset Management teams that manage Home Depot’s existing real estate portfolio totaling over 350 million square feet, including 2,324 retail stores. Mike is also actively involved with Home Depot’s Strategic Business Development team in the evaluation and integration of acquisition opportunities throughout the world.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
Adam Langston
Chief Commercial Officer, Passport Shipping
Langston brings 30 years of global e-Commerce logistics experience to his role as Chief Commercial Officer of Passport Global, the modern international shipping carrier built for e-Commerce. In 1999 Langston founded Access Worldwide, an Atlanta based e-Commerce logistics firm focused on global delivery for large US corporations and non-profit organizations. Access Worldwide was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Hot 100 list, was twice named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Pacesetters list of fast-growing companies and was named eight times to the Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the United States.
After successfully concluding the sale of Access Worldwide to Passport in 2021 and joining the firm as CCO, Adam’s responsibilities include growing Passport’s global footprint and delivery network, and leading efforts to help US brands grow globally.
Mr. Langston earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations/Commerce in 1993 from Brown University in Providence, RI where he also lettered in football.
Stacy Watson
Director, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority
Watson’s position as the director of economic and industrial development, creates, grows, and attracts jobs and investments; calling upon potential businesses to “Grow Here, Launch Here.”
As the nation’s fourth busiest container terminal, Savannah’s Garden City supports hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout Georgia and links the U.S. to international markets. The Economic and Industrial department takes advantage of Georgia’s job tax credits and zone designations to attract industries to the millions of square feet of warehouse and distribution center facilities surrounding Savannah. These industries include automotive, software development, and telecommunications.
Watson has spent his professional career with Georgia Ports Authority; from Ship and Container Operations, to Economic Manager, to now Director of Economic & Industrial Development. He serves as an ambassador for the port’s authority and its customers and vendors.
In Watson’s other career, he is a major in the Georgia Air National Guard, 165th Airlift Wing in Garden City. He’s served as the wing inspector general for over 32 years to ensure readiness, discipline, and efficiency.
Originally from the small rural town of Plainfield, Georgia, Watson now lives outside of Savannah in Richmond Hill.
Denson White
Chief Commercial Officer, APM Terminals
White joined APM Terminals in 2014 after years of supply chain operations and IT systems experience. APM Terminals in Mobile, AL has experienced rapid growth since 2014 as Denson has worked in various positions from Client Services, Gate Management, and now BCO Sales. In 2023 Denson assumed the role of Chief Commercial Officer at the largest container terminal in the Americas, APM Terminals Pier 400 in the port of LA/Long Beach.
Prior to APM Terminals, Denson was VP Logistics at Standard Furniture with responsibilities that included a private truck fleet, warehouse facilities, international freight, and domestic trucking. Experience at Plan 4 Demand, a systems implementation firm, provided opportunities to work with Kohl’s, Tastykake, Snapple, and Ross Clothing to name a few. When at Pactiv, the makers of hefty products, Denson work with SAP implementation teams, had oversite for all transportation systems, and held a position in scheduling of manufacturing lines.
With a well rounded understanding of the supply chain, Denson’s current role at APM Terminals allows the ability to work with the diverse array of companies that perform international trade. The deep knowledge of terminal facilities and steamship line customer relationships allows the ability to understand complex logistics processes and provide solutions.
Panel 2: Capital & Credit Providers
Greg Winchester, Moderator
Paige Collier
Senior Lender, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Collier is in charge of all commercial banking for Georgia at Pinnacle Financial Partners. In three short years, the Georgia division has grown from two professionals to over sixty with three Atlanta offices and a fourth planned.
Prior to joining Pinnacle Financial Partners, Paige spent 18 years at Synovus Bank where she was most recently Senior Director of the Market CRE Division. She has extensive commercial real estate experience including overseeing the underwriting, financial analysis, and management of $2.6 billion portfolio, including multifamily, office, retail, hotel, industrial and special use (film) property types.
Paige has a Master of Science degree in Real Estate from Georgia State University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama. Most recently she received a graduate degree in banking from Stonier Graduate School and the Wharton Leadership Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School.
Paige also serves as a Trustee of the University of Georgia Real Estate Foundation, a member of the ULI Capital Markets Council and the former Board Chair for the Fulton County Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta.
Eric Lind
Managing Director, PCCP
Lind joined PCCP in 2018 and is responsible for equity asset management with a focus on assets located in the Eastern United States. Prior to joining PCCP, Mr. Lind was Managing Director at Trimont Real Estate Advisors, overseeing a team responsible for providing asset management and customized financial services for commercial real estate lenders and investors. Mr. Lind received a B.B.A. in Finance and Economics with a real estate concentration from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and an M.B.A. from Auburn University. Mr. Lind is a member of REGA, one of Atlanta’s most prominent commercial real estate organizations and serves on the Advisory Board for Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development.
Greg Michaud
Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Finance, Voya Investment Management
Gregory Michaud is responsible for the oversight of sourcing, underwriting and management for all commercial real estate loan platforms. The Real Estate Finance team manages $15 billion, most of which is comprised of third-party money from 23 separate managed accounts consisting of domestic insurance companies, banks and pension funds, and an open-ended debt fund with $1.2 billion of equity.
Additionally, he serves on the executive leadership team for proprietary assets, the U.S. Credit Committee and chairs the CMBS Steering Committee. Prior to joining the firm as a real analyst, Greg was a real estate appraiser focused on commercial properties and eminent domain cases in the southeastern U.S. Greg is an active member of several distinguished real estate industry groups, including the Urban Land Institute (Urban Development Mixed Use Blue Flight), Commercial Real Estate Finance Council (Chairmen Emeritus), Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers. Greg earned an Executive MBA from the University of Georgia, an MBA in finance from Kennesaw State University, a Master of Arts in World War II Studies from Arizona State University, and a BS in real estate from Florida State University.
Lance Patterson
Founder, Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group
Patterson is the CEO of Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group, LLC, which he founded in the fall of 2009. Lance is a capital placement and real estate finance advisory firm based in Atlanta, with additional office locations in Charlotte, Charleston, Nashville, Tampa and Dallas. Under Lance’s leadership, the firm now employs 26 full-time professionals and has closed more than 450 transactions representing $10 billion in capital placement. Patterson is active in all asset classes and capital platforms, primarily throughout the Southeastern United States.
Immediately prior to forming Patterson, Lance served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Barry Real Estate Companies where he oversaw the company’s capital market activities and general administration. While at Barry, he was responsible for the financing, acquisition, and development of more than $1.5 billion of transactions.
Lance’s career spans nearly 40 years in commercial real estate finance and includes experience as a banker, capital advisor, developer, loan guarantor and investor – all built on a foundation of deeply analytical capital skills. Over his career, Lance forged relationships across the capital markets and enjoys working closely with clients to help leverage great products through appropriate capitalization.
Lance is past Chair of the Urban Land Institute (“ULI”) Atlanta District Council, ULI Atlanta Governance Committee and ULI Urban Development-Mixed Use Commercial Silver Council. He is currently a member of the ULI Atlanta Executive Committee. He has been on the boards of New Horizons for Children and Central Atlanta Progress and is currently on the board of TVS Design. He was also on the steering committee for the Terwilliger Center for Workforce Housing.
Lance is originally from Columbia, Missouri where he still has strong family ties. He resides with his wife in Atlanta, and together they enjoy an active love of travel. Lance has three grown sons with whom he spends as much time as possible, and recently became a proud Grandfather. He speaks fluent German and is a member of The Cathedral of St. Philip.
Patterson holds a Bachelor of Finance and Bachelor of German from the University of Missouri, a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, and was a Robert Bosch Stiftung Fellow in Bonn and Stuttgart, Germany.
Michael Smith
Executive Vice President, Real Estate Banking Division Head, Regions Bank
Mike F. Smith, joined Regions in February 2007 and is currently the Real Estate Banking Division Head. Prior to beginning his current role in January 2017, he served as Head of Problem Asset Management (PAM) for eleven months, East Region Commercial Credit Executive for two years, Segment Manager of PAM Real Estate Banking for three years, and Real Estate Banking Group Senior Credit Officer for four years. He has thirty-five years of banking experience.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University (1985) and an MBA from Emory University (1993). He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Master of Real Estate Development program at Auburn University.
Rob West
Senior Vice President, CRE National Real Estate / Truist
West is the GA/AL Market Manager for National Real Estate at Truist. In his role, Rob is responsible for overseeing all aspects of relationship management including sourcing, lending, and asset management for clients across the Southeast and other select markets. The National Real Estate team focuses on providing capital and banking solutions to privately-owned commercial real estate owners and developers, and is a key part of Truist’s overall CRE portfolio.
Prior to his current role, Rob served as a Senior Coverage Banker in the Atlanta office responsible for building and managing a large portfolio of commercial real estate clients and assets around the U.S. With over 20 years of real estate banking experience, Mr. West began his career at SunTrust Bank before spending five years in Chicago, IL with PNC Bank covering commercial real estate clients across the Midwest.
Rob is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and is an active member of both ULI and NAIOP. He resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kelly, and four children.
Panel 3: Meet the Developers
David Welch, Moderator
Wes Hardy
Partner, Southeast Region, Dermody Properties
Mr. Hardy is Southeast Region Partner at Dermody Properties and is based in Atlanta. He is responsible for the sourcing and execution of acquisition, development and redevelopment opportunities throughout the Southeast, consistent with Dermody Properties’ strategy of acquiring and developing Class A logistics facilities in infill submarkets. He also manages the existing portfolio through asset management and customer relations for the region.
Prior to joining Dermody Properties in 2022, Mr. Hardy was previously Senior Vice President for Duke Realty. In that role at Duke Realty, he was responsible for managing all aspects of day-to-day operations for Duke Realty’s 26 million square foot portfolio in the Southeast Region, which included Atlanta, Savannah and Nashville. He was responsible for leasing and asset management of the existing portfolio, and led investment activities of land acquisition, development, redevelopment and building acquisition.
Mr. Hardy is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). He also serves as a Board Member for the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance and is an Honorary Board Member of Georgia State University’s Department of Real Estate.
Mr. Hardy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Georgia.
Gardner Lee
Principal, Growth Capital Partners
Lee is principal and co-founder of Growth Capital Partners (GCP), the Birmingham-based private real estate investment and management company.
Lee co-founded GCP’s predecessor in 2013. He was instrumental in leading the management team to rapidly grow Fund I assets from $175 million at inception to over $800 million in five years. He devised the strategy to transform the company from a local to regional industrial investment powerhouse by implementing a disciplined acquisition strategy focused on acquiring a geographically diversified portfolio of institutional quality assets in high-growth Southeast markets.
GCP is currently deploying capital in its Fund II vehicle that is partnered with AEW Capital. The $1 billion fund is focused on acquiring and developing bulk distribution properties across the Sun Belt region with a primary focus on the Southeast and Texas. In addition, GCP is partnered with Highline Real Estate to create an evergreen portfolio.
He is responsible for all aspects of the investment strategy and management of GCP’s operations.
Rob Rain
President, Industrial Division, Johnson Development Associates, Inc.
Rain is responsible for the sourcing, development, and management of JDA’s industrial projects. Prior to joining JDA, he worked in Private Equity at WJ Partners in Spartanburg, SC, where he served as an Operating Manager for portfolio companies, and at EnCap Investments in Houston, TX, where he worked on the Upstream Investment Staff. Rob also spent four years as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He led infantry units in Iraq and Afghanistan and received a Bronze Star with Valor for actions in multiple enemy engagements in Afghanistan. After completing his time in the military, Rob received a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Lee University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Rob serves on the Spartanburg City Council. He also teaches Sunday school and is actively involved at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Mike Ruen
Principal, Senior Managing Director, High Street Logistics Properties
As a Principal and Senior Managing Director for Separate Accounts/JVs & Development, Ruen is responsible for the investment of separate account and joint venture capital in land and property acquisition for development/redevelopment across High Street’s regions nationally.
Mike has been active for 31 years in industrial and logistics property investment, development, and operations. Prior to joining High Street, he was with DCT Industrial Trust for 14 years, where he was Managing Director responsible for development and operations for the Eastern US and served as a member of the Executive Management Team. Before joining DCT, Mr. Ruen was with Prologis for 10 years, where he served as Senior Vice President and Southeast Regional Head for investment and operations. Mr. Ruen holds a BS from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) from Georgia State University. Mr. Ruen is a member of High Street’s Management and Investment Committees.
Lisa Ward
Senior VP & Managing Director, Core5 Industrial
Ward’s chief responsibilities include business development and capital deployment in the Southeastern United States. Her primary focus is on land acquisition, entitlement and development of modern logistics facilities for inventory and build-to-suit requirements, in addition to sourcing value-add acquisition opportunities.
A 30-year+ veteran of commercial real estate, Lisa’s career achievements include overseeing more than 45 million square feet of industrial investment sales and leases for a total market value in excess of $2.0 billion. Since 1997, she has consistently ranked among the top five industrial producers in Georgia by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ACBR). In 2017 and 2018, under Lisa’s leadership, the Atlanta Business Chronicle ranked the Core5 Atlanta office as the #1 Commercial Real Estate Developer in the industrial category and have Core5 has consistently ranked in the top three industrial developers each year since, under Lisa’s guidance. In addition, in 2018, Core5’s Atlanta office won the Industrial Development Deal of the year for a 1.2 MSF development at Southwest 85 Logistics Center by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Then in 2020, Core5 was honored with the coveted NAIOP Industrial Development Deal of the year for a 1 MSF development in Union City, Georgia, which was leased to Amazon.
Lisa holds a Georgia Real Estate License and has earned the distinguished Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. In addition to active memberships with the ACBR and NAIOP, she is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). From 2019 to 2021, Lisa was recognized by Atlanta Magazine as one the Top 500 business leaders in Atlanta.
Lisa acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.
Lisa’s past duties involved asset management, development, investment sales, and marketing and leasing of commercial real estate. Lisa previously served in Senior Vice President and Vice President roles at DCT Industrial Trust and IDI (now IDI Logistics).