In January, the annual outlook panel discussion featured industry leaders sharing their outlook on real estate development trends for 2024.
January 4, 2024
Auburn, Alabama
Panelists:
Dillard Adams
Development Services
Southeast Venture
Dillard Adams Jr. brings over 35 years of valuable experience in brokerage, commercial construction, and real estate development to Southeast Venture’s team. Adams’s extensive experience in commercial construction and real estate in Nashville makes him an asset to Southeast Venture’s clients and the company. Adams oversees third-party construction and development projects on behalf of clients, assisting them in selecting the best teams to design and construct their projects. With his expertise in tenant improvements, renovations, ground-up construction, and mission-critical consulting, Adams brings valuable perspective to the team. He also plays a key role in bolstering the company’s construction and development management services, providing the highest level of service to Southeast Venture’s clients. Adams’s commitment to sustainable initiatives in construction projects is also emphasized through his LEED Accredited Professional certification, and his involvement with the Nashville chapter of Urban Land Institute showcases his dedication to the industry and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.
Richard Campbell
CCIM, Veritas Medical
Real Estate Advisors
Campbell established Veritas Medical Real Estate Advisors after working with physicians and medical groups throughout his career.
He began working in real estate in Washington, D.C. in 200. Four years later, he moved to Birmingham, AL to work at Bayer Properties, a nationally renowned developer. Corporate Realty Associates then hired Rich as the Managing Director of the commercial real estate brokerage team. In 2—0, Rich started Veritas to focus on medical transactions.
A native of Baton Rouge, Rich earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. He was then chosen as a Top 40 Under 40 in 2008 and was the 2017 President of the Alabama CCIM Chapter. His civic involvement has included serving as Chairman of the board of The Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama, Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee for the Birmingham Business Alliance, and a member of the Spiritual Care staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Veritas Medical Real Estate Advisors is a member of the Alabama, Georgia, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Shelby/Chilton County MGMA (Medical Group Management Association.)
David Garcia
Vice President & Project Partner,
Lincoln Avenue Capital (LAC)
Garcia serves as an owner, developer, and investor in affordable and workforce housing nationwide. LAC currently owns 120+ properties totaling over 23,000 units in 22+ states. He has worked in the affordable housing industry for the past 20+ years and is primarily focused on the new construction, acquisition, and preservation of workforce and affordable housing nationally. Over his career, he has successfully acquired and developed 120+ properties, totaling over 17,000 units across 23 states. In his role at LAC, David leads a team responsible for developing, acquiring, financing and operating LIHTC, Section 8, RAD and workforce housing communities across the country.
Prior to joining LAC, David held numerous executive positions with both for-profit and non-profit development companies nationally, most recently as Vice President of Development at The Michaels Organization – one of the largest affordable housing owners nationally.
David has an undergraduate degree in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Southern California, and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. David also currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Auburn University Masters in Real Estate Development Program.
Sam Heide
CEO, Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors, and
COO, Wicker Park Capital Management
As CEO, Heide serves Crawford Square, which presently manages and leases over eleven million square feet of commercial real estate across eight states. Wicker Park Capital Management is a real estate investment firm focused on multi-family and retail properties in the Southeast.
Sam is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham and was named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2014. In 2020, Heide was listed by Chain Store Age as one of real estate’s rising stars and appeared in the national publication’s Top 10 Under 40 list. Sam has served as President of the Board of the American Cancer Society’s Central Alabama Chapter and the President of the Board of Smile-a-Mile, an organization that provides unforgettable recreational and educational experiences for young cancer patients and their families. He also has completed terms as a Board Member of REV Birmingham, as a Board Member of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the Birmingham Heart Walk and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham. Currently, Sam is the President of the Birmingham City Center District Management Corporation (CAP), a nonprofit business improvement district whose mission is to create a vibrant, clean and safe downtown Birmingham.
Sam holds his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a Masters of Science in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University. Sam’s wife, Emily, is also a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Emily is the Executive Director for Rooted Ministry – an organization whose mission is to equip and empower churches and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith. She manages all staff and programs for Rooted. Sam and Emily have three children – Virginia Grace (14), Scarlett (11) and Hayes (8).
Wesley Lee
Director of Development
LIV Development
Lee is responsible for originating and structuring new investment opportunities for LIV Development throughout his primary focus area, North Carolina. Prior to joining LIV, Wes enjoyed an 18-year career in commercial real estate finance, most recently serving as the Alabama Region Commercial Real Estate Leader for Truist Bank. He currently serves as a member of the advisory board for the Auburn University Master of Real Estate Development program and the board of directors of REV Birmingham. A native of Statesboro, Georgia, Wes holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University.
LIV Development delivers a higher return on life through the development and operation of luxury Class-A multifamily communities across the United States. From concept to completion, LIV intentionally designs its properties with residents in mind, creating beautiful and innovative spaces that foster community.
Jacob Watkins
| Real Estate Advisor
Corcoran Reverie
Watkins brings years of investment, finance, accounting, small business leadership and construction experience to the real estate industry across Northwest Florida. Jacob moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2013 to begin his entrepreneurial career after several years in Atlanta working with Ernst & Young. Jacob’s vision for the community and passion to elevate the areas in which he serves has allowed him to use his experiences and expertise to lead multiple successful new business ventures.
While at Ernst & Young, Jacob assisted clients across the US, gaining years of experience and expertise in the finance, accounting, and software industries. Harnessing the newfound knowledge and experience, Jacob established an array of startups and investment opportunities, taking multiple companies from inception to acquisition while leading in every aspect from sales to operations and back-end support.
With a passion for real estate sales and development, Jacob officially began his real estate career in 2015. Focusing on development, new construction, and sales he, along with his business partner Hilary Farnum-Fasth, has personally sold over $1B+ in sales volume along the Florida panhandle. In 2020, Jacob and Hilary launched Corcoran Reverie through a merger of two boutique brokerages, 30A Realty and Hilary & Reverie. They have since grown the company to over 200 agents covering multiple markets. In 2022, Corcoran Reverie extended its reach beyond state lines with the opening of a new office in Nashville, TN, becoming one of the first real estate brokerages to successfully leverage the unique interconnectivity between the two markets. Since inception, Corcoran Reverie has achieved over $3B+ in sales volume while assisting countless families and investors with the acquisition and sale of properties.
Raised in Fairhope, Alabama Jacob attended Auburn University. At Auburn, Jacob was involved with several organizations while also serving as Student Body President in 2009-2010. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 2010 and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance in 2011. In addition to his career accomplishments, Jacob is active on the boards of multiple organizations including the Auburn University Alumni Board and the Sonder Project Board of Directors. Jacob resides in Inlet Beach with his wife, Devan, his son, Jay, and his daughter, Nora. They enjoy boating, fishing, paddle-boarding, time on the beach, and bike riding.