District Council Chair

Hal Ferris
Founder and Principal, Spectrum Development Solutions LLC

Hal Ferris has over 30 years of real estate development, management and construction experience. Before launching Spectrum Development Solutions, a private real estate consulting firm, Hal was a principal of Lorig Associates. Hal has led the development of urban mixed-use, and mixed-income projects, historic renovations, affordable housing and collegiate services. His expertise includes the use of innovative development tools including sustainable development techniques, public/private partnerships and financing sources of private equity and debt, tax-exempt bond financing, low-income housing tax credits and other public funding. Previously Hal was a partner of WG Clark Construction Company, a regional commercial general contractor. Hal is chair of ULI Seattle, a member of the Bellevue Planning Commission, a member of the PSRC Housing Technical Assistance Panel, past chair of Common Ground, and past vice chair of Saint Andrews Housing Group. Hal earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Portland.

Past Chair
Vice Chair - Governance

Greg Johnson
President, Wright Runstad & Company

Greg Johnson is responsible for all real estate development, investment, and management activities of the company.  Before Greg joined Wright Runstad & Company in 2001, he held senior investment responsibilities for the Government of Singapore's global real estate investment company.  He also worked with the Department of Defense as a Base Closure and Conversion Consultant throughout the western US, as a Development Project Manager at Bramalea Pacific, Inc. in Oakland, CA, and as an Acquisition Associate for Sierra Capital Realty Services, Inc. in San Francisco.  Greg earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and a Master of Business Administration in Real Estate from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.


Vice Chairs - Sponsorship

Peter Ostrander
Vice President, Old Republic Title Company

Since 1984, Peter Ostrander has been employed in the commercial title insurance industry, serving customers chiefly in the Pacific Northwest.  From 2004-2006, he recently helped establish and led a new national accounts office in Seattle for Fidelity National Title Insurance.  Past experience includes Director of Marketing for a Northwest and California multi-family and office development company, and commercial loan officer at a local bank.  Peter received his B.A. in History/Political Science from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH.

Vice Chairs - Programs

Mark Huppert
Chief Community Development Officer, The McNaughton Group

As a Pacific Northwest developer and consultant for the last decade, Mark Huppert has led numerous teams in creating urban-infill developments that explore the balance between livability and resource conservation. His teams’ redevelopment projects have included converting the attic of a convent into affordable artists’ lofts, turning a decrepit hospital into urban condos, and renovating the historic Cadillac Hotel in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, that was badly damaged in the Nisqually earthquake, into the Seattle Visitor Center for the Klondike Gold Rush National Park.


Vice Chairs - Quality Growth Alliance Task Force

Patrick Callahan
Founder and CEO, Urban Renaissance Group

Patrick Callahan drives the vision, strategy and overall direction for Urban Renaissance Group and Urban Renaissance Development Company.  A fifteen-year veteran of Equity Office, Callahan served as a senior vice president, from 2000-2006 overseeing a vast region that eventually included Seattle, Bellevue, Portland and Denver.  This management included 18 million square feet, 114 buildings and more than 300 employees.  Pat is current chair of Downtown Seattle Association, is a member of the Seattle Downtown Transportation Alliance and past chair of ULI Seattle.  He also served as an economic development official with the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.  Pat is a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.


John Hempelmann
Chairman, Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S.

John Hempelmann has 35 years of experience and is recognized as one of the premier land use, natural resources and real estate development attorneys in the state of Washington.  He has worked extensively to help form the legislation that governs Washington's land use law.  John assists clients with their natural resource permit processes and real estate development projects, including their land use, zoning and environmental matters.  He is active in community and civic efforts, and is the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Repertory Theater and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Henry M. Jackson Foundations.  Georgetown University (B.A., Honors Program, 1964; M.A., Government, 1969); University of Washington (J.D., 1969).


Bill Kreager
Principal, Mithun

Bill Kreager, as Principal of Mithun's 180 person architectural, design and planning firm, has led the Urban Housing and Planning teams to national prominence in the housing industry.  His projects have achieved recognition for environmentally sensitive master site planning and innovative architectural design.  His market-oriented work includes projects from small infill communities to new towns of 6,000 acres.  The integration of site planning and building design in urban infill, mixed-use development, and sustainable design are the particular focus areas in his practice area.  Bill has built strong ties among numerous organizations, such as MBA, AIA, ULI and NAHB, as well as with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, leading them to work in concert to reach shared goals in sustainable design, affordable housing and livable communities.


Vice Chair - Workforce Housing Task Force

Sarah Lewontin
Executive Director, Housing Resources Group

Sarah Rick Lewontin is the Executive Director of Housing Resources Group (HRG), a Seattle non-profit dedicated to the development of high quality, safe, and permanent affordable housing.  During its 28-year history, HRG has developed nearly 2,700 units of affordable housing and currently operates 1,643 apartments in 28 buildings. As of summer 2008, HRG has nine affordable housing projects in development, totaling 648 apartments. HRG provides property management for its portfolio, and coordinates services for residents. During her thirteen years at HRG, Sarah has managed development of numerous multi-family and mixed-use projects using a broad range of funding sources, including historic preservation and low-income housing tax credit investment, tax-exempt bond financing, grants and loans from investors, bank lenders, federal, state, local and private agencies. Her 80-employee organization develops five to nine multifamily projects at a time, some for other nonprofit organizations. Sarah is the Urban Community Advisor for ULI Seattle, and lectures at the University of Washington and national conferences.  She also serves on the board of the Housing Development Coalition of Seattle and King County (past president).  Sarah switched careers to affordable housing development in 1994 following two decades of corporate real estate development and facilities strategic planning with US West. She is a graduate of Reed College.


Vice Chair - Thriving Communities

Al Levine
Deputy Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority

As Deputy Executive Director, Al Levine manages the Seattle Housing Authority’s Development, Construction & Asset Management programs. Al originally worked for the Seattle Housing Authority from 1971-1980 and organized the Neighborhood Housing Rehabilitation and the Scattered Site Housing Programs.  From 1980-1998, he worked in a variety of private sector positions including his own development and consulting business.  In 1998, he returned to the Seattle Housing Authority as Asset Manager, to organize and implement an asset management program that resulted in new budgeting protocols, staff and agency reorganization, and the introduction of private sector property management methods.  In 1999, Al was named Director of Development, and in 2000, Deputy Executive Director.  Al received a bachelors degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York, and his Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Washington. 


Vice Chair - Sustainable Leadership

Kerry Nicholson
Senior Vice President, Legacy Partners

Kerry Nicholson is Senior Managing Director of Legacy Partners, a commercial and residential real estate development firm active in the western half of the US. He has been the development partner and manager for the Northwest region since April 1999 for the residential portion of the company. In this position, he is responsible for the development, construction and property management of multi-family projects in the region. Prior to joining Legacy, Nicholson financed the Northwest commercial estate industry for over two decades. Beginning in 1978, he held executive positions with Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Washington Mutual and GE Capital Real Estate. During that time he provided debt and equity financings aggregating over $2 billion. He holds an A.B. Degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Chicago.


Vice Chair - Infrastructure

Pete Stone



Treasurer

Chuck Wolfe
Partner, Charles R. Wolfe, Attorney at Law

Charles R. Wolfe. M.R.P., J.D. brings to clients 24 years of cutting edge experience in environmental and land use law, innovative land use regulatory tools and sustainable development techniques.  Mr. Wolfe has held significant leadership positions in both the legal and planning professions.  He currently represents municipalities and private parties on redevelopment, environmental and land use permitting and property remediation issues in Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Everett, Snohomish County, Anacortes, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Milton, Bonney Lake, Sunnyside, Richland and several other venues statewide.  He was previously a partner and chair of the Environmental Practice Group at Foster Pepper PLLC in Seattle and is an Affiliate Associate Professor in the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Washington, where he teaches several classes and has contributed to a major research grant addressing brownfield redevelopment.  He has been named a one of the 10 top environmental and natural resources lawyers in in Washington by Washington CEO Magazine and as well as a Washington Law & Politics "Superlawyer" every year since 2002, and was recently named a "Top 40 Environmental/Land Use Law Superlawyer".  He carries Martindale-Hubbell's highest "AV" rating and is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of environmental and land use issues.  He was recently named 2006-2007 "Volunteer of the Year" by the University of Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning for his role in College fundraising and coordination of College activities with the Seattle District Council of the Urban Land Institute.


Vice Chairs - Cascadia

Don Wise
Chief Operating Officer, Metzler Realty Advisors,Inc.

Natalie Quick
Vice President, The Fearey Group

Natalie Quick provides public affairs, community outreach and media counsel for several complex, high profile clients.  She was the campaign manager for the successful “Build the Streetcar” campaign, which in just two years went from concept to citywide coalition, and was built in 2007.  Quick’s strategy and expertise in public affairs and community outreach enables her to lead The Fearey Group’s public outreach practice.  Natalie is a graduate of Western Washington University with a BA in Journalism.


Vice Chair - Nominations

Stuart Williams
Principal, Pacific Real Estate Partners, Inc.

Stuart Williams has been involved in the sales and/or leasing of over 4,000,000 square feet and in excess of $800 million in investment sales.  He has represented numerous distinguished local and national companies.  Prior to co-founding Pacific Real Estate Partners, Stuart was principal at The Norman Company, where he oversaw all ownership and leasing activity.  Stuart received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in political science and economics from Claremont McKenna College. He went on to receive his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University.  Stuart has been recognized as Office Broker of the Year for 2001 and 2003 by SIOR.
 

Vice Chairs - Young Leaders Group

Gabriel Grant
Vice President, HAL Real Estate Investments

Gabriel Grant is an Investment Manager for HAL Real Estate Investments, the Seattle based real estate investment subsidiary of HAL Holding N.V., an international investment company based in the Netherlands Antilles. At HAL, Gabriel is responsible for the performance of a variety of real estate assets located throughout the Puget Sound region, as well as initiating and overseeing new investment initiatives.

Gabriel began his real estate career in Boston, working on the acquisition, rehabilitation and reposition of a number of large-scale urban mixed-income, mixed-use properties and subsequently worked as a Senior Project Manager with Bay Area based AF Evans Development, Inc., where he was responsible for acquisition and development projects in both Portland and Seattle.

Gabriel is a former Fulbright Scholar and has a BA from the University of Washington and an MPP and an Advanced Certificate in Negotiation from Harvard University.


Jessica Powers
Wright Runstad & Company

Jessica Powers is a Development Associate at Wright Runstad & Company, a Seattle based real estate development and management company. Jessica works on various aspects of development projects including leasing, entitlements, market research, acquisitions, and dispositions. Jessica began her real estate career in San Francisco with JMA Ventures, LLC, a real estate investment firm with development capabilities ranging from hospitality, leisure, residential, retail, office, and telecom.

Jessica graduated from Santa Clara University with a BSC, Accounting, and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Washington.



Executive Committee Members


Joe Brogan
Member, Foster Pepper, PLLC


Eric Campbell
President, CamWest Development Inc.

Eric Campbell, president and founder of CamWest, is a dynamic industry leader and advocate for affordable housing, and was recently recognized as the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year for Construction and Real Estate in the Pacific Northwest.  Ranked #3 in Puget Sound in 2006, CamWest sold 285 homes valued at over $160 million. Among Eric's many professional accomplishments, CamWest has two distinctive communities with top honors.  CamWest's signature affordable community, Greenbrier Heights in Woodinville, is a regional model and has received the Governor's Legacy of Livable Communities and VISION 2020 Awards.  For Shamrock Heights in Renton, Eric received the 2005 Earth Hero Award for this outstanding 4 Star Built Green, Low Impact Demonstration Community. 


Sally Clark
Seattle City Councilmember

Sally J. Clark's career includes both non-profit social services and government work aimed at both helping people to become their own best advocates and connecting people with government in ways that improve their lives and their communities. She has served on the Seattle City Council since 2006.  Sally chairs the Planning, Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee, serves as vice chair of the Transportation Committee, and is a member of the Finance and Budget Committee. Sally is also a member of the Council's Labor Policy Committee. She serves also on the King County Board of Health, the Puget Sound Regional Council Growth Management Board, Enterprise Seattle, and the Regional Transit Committee.

Michell Connor
Cascade Land Conservancy


Jim DeLisle
Runstad Professor of Real Estate, University of Washington

James R. DeLisle, PhD, is the Runstad Professor of Real Estate and the Director of the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington.  Prior to his current assignment, Jim was the Director of the Real Estate Research Center and the coordinator of the e-commerce Program at Georgia State University.  He has published widely in academic and professional journals.  Jim received his BBA in real estate,  MS in marketing research, and PhD in real estate and urban land economics  from the University of Wisconsin.


Tom Gerlach
Senior Vice President, Turner Construction Company


Ada Healey
Vice President, Vulcan Inc.

Ada Healey manages Vulcan Inc.'s significant real estate development portfolio, which primarily includes property in the Pacific Northwest.  She also directs a variety of projects and relationships with real estate brokers, developers and other business partners to maximize the portfolio's value and leverage development projects in various markets.  In addition, Ada manages Vulcan's interests in various neighborhood-planning efforts and partnerships that support Vulcan's mission and values.  Prior to joining Vulcan Inc., Ada worked for Clarion Partners, a member of the ING Group. During her 10 years there, she held various positions in asset management, acquisitions and portfolio management, working on behalf of several of the nation's largest pension funds.  Earlier, Ada spent several years at NYNEX Properties Company, now owned by Verizon Communications.  At NYNEX she managed the company's financing activity, working on acquisition opportunities and developing corporate real estate strategies.  Ada holds a B.A. from Duke University and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.


Jeanette Henderson
Director of Real Estate, University of Washington Real Estate

Jeanette Henderson is the Director of Real Estate at the University of Washington.  She leads an office of real estate professionals and administrative support staff conducting real property transactions, asset management, project management, finance and accounting. Real estate services are provided to the three University campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell; the two major medical centers, University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center; research field stations, biological preserves and various international locations.  Jeanette has a JD from University of Washington School of Law, and was in-house counsel for Pacific Building Corporation prior to joining the University of Washington Real Estate Office in 1991.  She is on the board of directors for Sightline Institute, a sustainability think tank where she serves as its treasurer and chairs the finance and audit committee.

John Ladenburg
Senior Advisor, Cascadia Project, LLC


Patricia Leach
Executive Vice President, HomeStreet Capital



Ryan Petty
Community and Economic Development Director, City of Tacoma


Jon Rose
President, Olympic Property Group

Jon Rose assumed his current role as President of Olympic Property Group, the real estate arm of Pope Resources, in August 2001.  He oversees all aspects of the company’s 2,500-acre higher-and-better-use land portfolio including strategic planning, political and community outreach, zoning entitlements, and land development.  Jon joined the company in 1996 and initially oversaw the permitting and construction of the company’s land development projects.  His prior experience includes over 10 years as design and project engineer in residential, commercial, municipal civil engineering, and other land planning projects.  Also included in his duties were office management, marketing, and client development.  Jon holds a B.A. in General Studies from the University of Washington and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Vermont.

Ron Sher
President, Sher Partners

Ron Sher is the northwest managing partner of Sher Partners, formerly Metrovation, a real estate development and management firm specializing in the redevelopment of retail properties.  He has been very active in the community with special emphasis on human services, preservation of the environment, and strong supportive communities.  Ron is a graduate of The Colorado College.  He has an MBA in Finance from The Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University.


Diane Sugimura
Director, Department of Planning and Development, City of Seattle

With more than 27 years with the City of Seattle – 13 in the variously-named planning offices and projects, and 12 in a primarily regulatory agency – Diane Sugimura has come full circle by heading up the agency that combines both, Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD).  The department includes the full-range of development activities from long-range and comprehensive planning, to policy and code development, plan review, inspections, and enforcement.  Prior to this, she worked for the City of Bellevue’s Planning Department.  Diane has degrees from the University of Washington and Oregon State University. 


District Council Executive Director

Kelly Mann
Kelly.Mann@uli.org
206-224-4502

Kelly Mann is the Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute Seattle District Council.  Before joining ULI, Kelly practiced land use law in Seattle and Portland on projects ranging from major downtown developments to destination resorts. An avid interest in real estate development led Kelly to help to reinvigorate ULI Seattle, which serves as a forum for applying best practices from across the globe to local land policy issues.  In spring 2005, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Seattle appointed Kelly to serve as one of five members of the Downtown Design Review Board, which reviews and provides guidance to the City on major downtown commercial and multi-family development projects.  Johns Hopkins University (B.A. with honors in Anthropology); Cornell Law School (J.D.); University of Washington (Certificate in Commercial Real Estate Development).


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