Certificate in Real Estate: Entitlement, Development and Design
Instructors
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Instructor: Richard Benson, AIA, LEED AP
Core Course: Community and Building Design
Company: Benson & Bohl Architects
Richard Benson is co-founder of Benson & Bohl Architects, a San Diego architectural firm that has been involved in the planning and design of commercial projects from urban infill to new mixed-use suburban town centers throughout the country. As design principal of the firm, Richard Benson is responsible for the site planning, programming, architecture and interior design of all projects. Richard Benson is a licensed architect with a Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles. While at UCLA, he received a UCLA fellowship to research energy-conserving architectural design with Richard Schoen FAIA, an early proponent of sustainable design. In a 30 year architectural career, Richard Benson has designed a wide range of building types and his recent projects integrate multiple uses within buildings or complexes. His approach to design is to reflect the surroundings and enhance the architectural character unique to the community or region in which he works. Richard Benson is licensed to practice architecture in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Illinois and Florida, has been certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED accredited professional.
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Instructors: Daniel Gatto, CPA and Phillip L. Jelsma
Seminar - Update on Tax Considerations in Real Estate
Daniel Gatto, CPA
Company: Gatto, Pope & Walwick, LLP
Dan Gatto, the founding partner of Gatto, Pope & Walwick, LLP, has more than 25 years of experience in public accounting. While he is well experienced in all areas of public accounting, Dan specializes in tax with concentrations in real estate taxation matters, estate planning, trust administration, flow-through entities and related services. Dan also assists high net worth clients with wealth accumulation management and related advisory services. He has also been involved in income tax examinations, business planning and analysis, establishment of complex accounting procedures and controls, and assistance with purchases and sales of businesses. Dan currently teaches a Real Estate Taxation course at the University of San Diego. He is actively involved in the community and currently serves on the Finance Committee for the San Diego Community Foundation and is a Board Member for the UCSD Cancer Center. Additionally, he is involved with the University of San Diego Family Business Forum. Dan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Public Accountants. Dan and his wife, Stacy, have two children, Nick and Kim. Dan enjoys playing golf, swimming, travel, and spending time with his family.
Phillip L. Jelsma
Company: Luce Forward
Phillip L. Jelsma is a Partner in the San Diego law firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP where he specializes in tax law, with an emphasis on small business and international tax planning. Mr. Jelsma graduated from Stanford Law School in 1986 and from the University of Southern California in 1979. He worked for the Internal Revenue Service and Arthur Young & Company prior to joining Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP in 1987 and he is a certified public accountant in California. Mr. Jelsma is the former Chair of the California State Bar Real Estate and Passthrough Committee and the former member of Executive Committee of the Taxation Section of the California Bar. Mr. Jelsma was a member of the Drafting Committee for California's Limited Liability Company Act (SB 469) and testified on the Act in both the Senate and the Assembly. He has authored a portfolio book on the State Taxation of LLCs and LLPs for Tax Management. Mr. Jelsma is the past Chair of the Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California. He is currently a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws ("NCCUSL") drafting committee on a new Uniform Limited Liability Company Act and Uniform Business Trust Act.
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Instructor: Jeff Graham
Core Course: Urban Development Strategies
Company: Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC)
As Vice President at the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), a national model agency for urban redevelopment, Jeff Graham negotiates public/private partnerships for the most prominent and complex redevelopment projects in the downtown San Diego district. Jeff Graham’s professional experience in real estate spans more than 20 years and includes significant expertise on diverse projects ranging from modest affordable housing, retail and industrial projects to massive waterfront developments, urban parks and district-wide master planning. Jeff Graham's career in real estate began as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Rancon Financial Corporation, a syndicator of large real estate portfolios, investing in a diverse array of residential and commercial projects. In his position, he managed real estate assets valued at more than $1.5 billion and secured acquisition, construction and permanent financing totaling more than $500 million. Jeff Graham received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Economics and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Masters in Business Administration from San Diego State University. His specialized education has included coursework in Public Finance, Urban Planning, Real Estate Market Analysis, Public / Private Partnerships, Mixed -Use Development, and Economic Development.
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Instructor: Lou Lightfoot, A.I.C.P.
Core Course: Managing the Entitlement Process
Company: The Lightfoot Planning Group
With over 30 years of professional public and private planning experience, Lou Lightfoot - Founding Partner and President of The Lightfoot Planning Group - has developed positive and innovative approaches to solving today's complex planning issues. His business, engineering, and architecture/planning educational backgrounds help Lou Lightfoot recognize the broader picture of a project from design and technical regulatory compliance to strategic planning, for the ultimate approval and economic success of the project. Expert site design and negotiating skills make him a leader in the planning profession. Lou Lightfoot views the project from a planning perspective, but he also understands all aspects of the entitlement process from design to approval. TLPG is structured such that Lou Lightfoot is able to devote at least 50% of his time, as a working partner, to project planning and management of the design team. Site design, marketing, training and corporate management duties make up the rest of his responsibilities at the firm. He has also served as an expert witness on numerous legal cases involving condemnations, permit processing, growth control, CC&R enforcement and zoning issues.
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Instructor: Gary London
Required Seminar - The Real Estate Process
Company: The London Group Realty Advisors
Gary is President of The London Group Realty Advisors, Inc., which he formed in early 1991 at a time when he thought the recession had bottomed out. With a background in economics and urban planning, he has spent his entire adult life in the real estate analysis and consultation business. He is also an investor and developer.
Mr. London's real estate consulting experience includes investment and development consulting. On the investment side, projects have included apartments, retail centers, office, industrial and mixed use projects. On the development side, experience includes large-scale residential developments, office buildings, industrial properties and hotels. Clients include major corporations, financial institutions, small businesses, individual developers, investors and public agencies.
Projects include financial feasibility and market economic analysis for acquisition and disposition, strategic and business planning, portfolio analysis, mixed use assessment, litigation consulting and workout program, deal and lease negotiations.
Mr. London received a Bachelor of Arts - Political Science/Economics degree from University of California at Berkley and a Masters in City Planning from San Diego State University.
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Instructor: Ryan Birdseye
Core Course: CEQA and Other Environmental Regulations
Ryan Birdseye is the California Environmental Sciences and Planning Practice Leader with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Based in San Diego, Ryan provides environmental planning and related land entitlement services to both public and private sector clients. Ryan has over 20 years of experience preparing environmental documents required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and assisting clients with the strategic planning and entitlement phase of land development and infrastructure projects. He has prepared environmental documents for land development, transit/transportation, water resources and airport expansion projects throughout the state of California. Ryan has been a member of BIA Toastmasters for over 10 years and earned the Distinguished Toastmaster certification in 2010. He teaches course on public speaking and communication as part of the Toastmasters Leadership Institute and taught course on NEPA and compliance and business development for private-sector planning professionals through the University of Oregon Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management. He is a member of the Association of Environmental Professionals and contributes articles to association publications on planning and environmental topics.
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Instructor: Nathan Moeder, MSRE
Elective Course:
Real Estate Investment and Income Analysis 101
Elective Course:
Real Estate Investment and Income Analysis 102
Company: The London Group Realty Advisors
As principal of The London Group, Nathan Moeder is a strategic consultant and real estate economist whose clients include real estate developers, investors, corporations, financial institutions, businesses and public agencies. Project assignments span all real estate sectors including residential developments, office buildings, industrial, hotels, retail and mixed-use projects. Nathan Moeder is a real estate finance, investment and valuation expert. His experience in the finance realm ranges from working with institutional Wall Street firms on international deals to small entrepreneurial investment groups. He specializes in evaluating project feasibility and acquisition strategies, as well as structuring joint ventures and debt layers for projects. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves on the board for the San Diego Tijuana District Council as the ULI Young Leaders Chair. Nathan received his bachelor's degree in economics with a concentration on mathematical theory in 1998 from the University of San Diego. He completed his Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) in 2006 from the University of San Diego.
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Instructor: Chris Morrow, A.I.C.P.
Core Course: Working with the Maze of Stakeholders
Company: Project Design Consultants
Chris Morrow is a Senior Vice President and Planning Director of Project Design Consultants (PDC). PDC specializes in consulting services related to land development -- known for its multi-disciplined approach and its expertise in the entitlement and land use permitting processes. At PDC, Chris Morrow oversees all operations of the Land Planning, Policy and Entitlements, GIS and Landscape Architecture Groups. He has over 22 years of experience in both the public and private sectors processing and managing diverse and complex land development projects. His work experience includes master planned communities, wireless networks, specific plan preparation, and processing and managing of a wide variety of discretionary entitlement actions. Chris Morrow's other responsibilities include managing project teams, project planning, research and analysis, managing and coordinating projects, preparing and processing various entitlement permits, serving as expert witness and writing documents and articles. He is also a member of PDC's Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
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Instructor: Daniel Phelan, CMB, CRI
Elective Course: Real Estate Finance
Company: Pacific Southwest Realty Services
Dan Phelan is President and CEO of Pacific Southwest Realty Services mortgage operations. Pacific Southwest Realty Services is an investment firm focused on commercial real estate, representing and advising both real estate clients and institutional investors in debt and equity placement, strategic planning, property sales and loan administration. Dan Phelan joined Pacific Southwest Realty Services in September 1973 after graduating with a B.S. from Creighton University and has been working with Pacific Southwest Realty Services and the mortgage banking industry ever since. Dan Phelan is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and California MBA. He is both a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and a Charter Realty Investor (CRI) and has been very active and has held various positions in the national, state and local mortgage associations, as well as local building industry trade groups and the CRI Society Board. Dan Phelan is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Commercial Education Committee, Vice-Chair of the MORPAC Committee and a member of Commercial Board of Governors. He most recently served in 2004-05 as the Chair of the Commercial Board of Governors and a member of the Board of Directors of the MBA. He has also served as President of both the California and San Diego MBA's.
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Instructor: Jeffrey R. Stoke, JD
Core Course: Legal Aspects of Real Estate
Company: Procopio
After graduating from University of California at Davis with a degree in economics in 1982, Jeffrey R. Stoke was selected to participate in the prestigious Coro Foundation Fellowship program (San Francisco) in 1983 before receiving his law degree from Loyola Law School in 1986. Jeffrey R. Stoke was admitted to practice in the California and federal courts in 1986. He served as chairman of the Zoning and Land Use Subsection of the State Bar of California during 1992-1994, and assisted with substantive review of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Jeffrey R. Stoke worked for one of the largest law firms in the country before accepting a position as Assistant General counsel for Dole Food Company from 1993-1995. Jeffrey R. Stoke joined Procopio immediately thereafter. He is currently a member of the Commercial Real Estate Committee of the USD Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate, the Urban Land Institute, the American Corporate Counsel Association, and the Real Estate section of the San Diego County Bar Association.
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Instructor: Kurt Sullivan, CSM
Elective Course: Property Management
Company: Douglas Allred Company
Kurt Sullivan is Vice President of Property Management for Douglas Allred Company, overseeing the company's portfolio of residential, retail, office and commercial properties in several states. With 25 years of property management experience, he has held several on-site and corporate-level positions and dealt with day-to-day and overall portfolio issues that affect the management of real estate properties. He has served as a member of the Certified Shopping Center Manager committee for the International Council of Shopping Centers where he took the lead role in creating the current certification exam for shopping center managers and authored numerous articles and publications. His instructional activities relating to property management include the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at The University of San Diego, The School for Professional Development for The International Council of Shopping Centers, and The Middle East Council of Shopping Centers in Dubai, UAE.
