Suite Series

Dr. Gina Merritt, Principal at Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures

Welcome to the Suite Series podcast! In today's episode, we have a captivating conversation with Dr. Gina Merritt, Principal at Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures. Dr. Merritt explores project financing complexities and shares her experiences in closing gaps in affordable housing. Emphasizing the alignment of project goals with community development, she stresses the importance of stakeholder support. We delve into her company's renowned reputation, involvement in multi-million dollar projects, and her personal journey from an underserved community to a prominent role in real estate development.TakeawaysChallenges and Strategies in Real Estate DevelopmentSuccesses and Recognition in Real Estate DevelopmentBusiness Development and Strategy in Real EstateProfessional Development and Advice for Aspiring Real Estate ProfessionalsQuotes"Knowing your numbers can truly make a difference in your life, especially when it comes to structuring your own deals."-Dr. Gina Merritt"My advice out there would be to please, please, please dedicate some time to learning how to run a financial model."-Dr. Gina MerrittFeatured in this EpisodeDr. Gina MerrittLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gina-merritt-mba-7617ba6/Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:36 - Doctor Gina Merritt: A powerhouse and leader in real estate05:46 - Project Community Capital aims to bridge the employment gap07:31 - 94% retention rate for community construction employment12:33 - DC, Maryland have supportive administrations for development17:02 - Transformative projects in Cleveland empowering neglected neighborhoods20:22 - Working on diverse real estate projects, including affordability23:28 - Investors rely on tax credits for return27:59 - Navigating and financing through economic challenges skillfully29:51 - Creating multiple income streams for sustainable success32:53 - Technical expertise crucial for financial success in business34:21 - OutroProduced by Heartcast Mediahttp://www.heartcastmedia.com

Warren Thompson - Thompson Hospitality

Welcome to the Suite series, in which we interview C-suite executives and business owners in the commercial real estate industry. In this episode, we are joined by Warren Thompson, President, and Chairman at Thompson Hospitality. Warren shares his journey at an early age. Having experience handling business at an early age, he emphasized the importance of hard work and discipline. He also shares his experiences while working with Marriott Corporation for about 9 years. Lastly, He told how he started his company Thompson Hospitality Services LLC and he gathered partnerships with other big companies.Takeaways-Warren’s early journey in business-His experiences while working at Marriott Corporation-Establishing his company Thompson Hospitality Services LLCQuotes"Having to experience racism, I vowed that one day, I would own a business and make it a very diverse company where people can succeed based on their aptitude and their ability." - Warren"We’re fortunate to have a diverse executive team and people are getting attracted to our company because seeing our leadership makes them think “oh, there’s room for me regardless of my background." - WarrenFeatured in this EpisodeWarren ThompsonPresident and Chairman at Thompson HospitalityLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-thompson-23808a3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thompson.hospitality Website: https://www.thompsonhospitality.com Chapters00:00 Introduction01:24 Warren’s life journey 09:51 His experience in his early businesses18:37 The deals and transactions24:37 Developing relationships and trust26:15 The daily habits31:18 The strategy in business development37:11 The real estates39:14 Duke Realty-Prologis merger deal41:07 Thompson Hospitality Portfolio47:11 How small companies get started50:16 The next step for Thompson HospitalityProduced by Heartcast Mediawww.heartcastmedia.com

Tracy Sayegh Gabriel - President/Executive Director at National Landing BID

Welcome to the Suite series, in which we interview C-suite executives and business owners in the commercial real estate industry. Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, President and Executive Director of National Landing Bid, joins us on today's episode. She discusses her life history, how she was inspired to pursue a career as a real estate urban planner, and her journeys from undergrad at WGU to MIT, Syria, San Francisco, New York, and back to D.C. She also discusses how high-level business discussions are conducted, as well as their interaction with Amazon. Finally, she discusses their company's future plans and offers advice to those just starting out in the field of urban planning. TakeawaysTracy’s journey from her undergrad days to becoming the President and Executive Director of National Landing Bid.The lessons and experiences she learned from working with different amazing people in the real estate industryHow High-level business discussions are being conducted Advice to people aspiring to become a real estate urban plannerQuotesDuring those difficult times when you face adversity, remember that those are the spaces where you actually grow, and that's where the most growth occurs. - TracyOne of the hallmarks of good planning is actually planning for a great process - Tracy Featured in this EpisodeTracy Sayegh GabrielPresident, Executive Director National Landing Bidhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-sayegh-gabriel https://nationallanding.org Chapters00:00 Introduction01:03 Tracy’s background02:28 The inspiration to pursue the real estate career04:19 Having a sense of entrepreneurship06:05 Leading to George Washington University and to D.C.07:34 A little detour to M.I.T.09:03 The day-to-day experience in Syria10:48 Moving to San Francisco and getting back to New York13:41 Lessons and experience in working with different people16:32 Leaving New York and coming back to D.C.18:59 How High-level business discussions begin with21:01 The engagement with the Amazon25:06 Plans about adding more affordable housing28:33 Advice for people who are starting in the urban planning career29:48 Tracy’s three favorite restaurants at National Landing31:28 The three people who would table within these favorite restaurants32:20 Tracy’s dream job other than urban planning real estate This podcast was produced by Heartcast Media.https://www.heartcastmedia.com/

Bob Fox - Principal, Fox Architects

Welcome to the Suite series, in which we interview C-suite executives and business owners in the commercial real estate industry. In this episode, we are joined by Bob Fox, Principal at Fox Architects. Bob started the discussion by sharing his early life from childhood, attending college where he noted that one of his professors in the university was his father, and his early career as an architect. He then shares the start of his firm, Fox Architects and its work culture and values. He also told about the struggles during the Covid Pandemic where they are trying to figure out how to adapt in these settings. Lastly, He answer some personal questions from the host. TakeawaysBob Fox’s early life experiencesThe lessons and experiences she learned from working with a firm and applying it to his firm Fox ArchitectsWhat is Fox Architects and its values and cultureThe experience and lessons during the Covid Pandemic Quotes"My father told me that if I have questions and are trying to solve them, ask the guys that are working in the field. This helps me put things together and build it up to solve the problem." - Bob"In the firm, I want it to be a place where people can bring their ideas. There is no such thing as stupid ideas." - Bob Featured in this EpisodeBob FoxPrincipal, Fox ArchitectsProfile: https://www.fox-architects.com/people/our-people/bob-fox Website: https://www.fox-architects.com Chapters00:00 Introduction01:36 Bob’s childhood and living in the household of an architect03:14 His early careers and the people he met05:28 Attending Temple University and his father as his professor and his mentor08:00 Applying the lessons in his business, The Fox Architects10:45 The firm’s approach in talent acquisition and its work culture12:55 How the firm acquire its partnership and how they compete with others15:13 The effect of COVID to the firm19:04 The engagement with clients20:56 Favorite projects that Bob worked for22:34 Three favorite restaurants in DC23:15 If given an opportunity, who are the people you want to have a meal with?24:09 If Bob wasn’t an architect, what would you do?24:47 ConclusionThis podcast was produced by Heartcast Media.https://www.heartcastmedia.com/

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