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WHITE RUFFIN BYRON CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE

Conference Agenda

The theme of the 2024 conference is "Reimagining Commercial Real Estate: Technology, Design, and Markets."  

Final Attendee Roster
8:30 a.m.

Arrival Hour - Check in, pick up nametag, network over coffee and light refreshments

Abbott Center Auditorium Lobby

9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Update from the Center; Presentation of Alumni Award and Recognition of Student Awardees with Keven Lindemann, Executive Director, White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate and Robert Byron, Chairman, Co-CEO, and Co-Founder, Blue Vista Capital Management and Chair for Alumni & Industry Engagement 

Abbott Center Auditorium

10 a.m.

Innovating Across Grounds: Center-Sponsored Research and Educational Initiatives

Introduction by Mike Gallmeyer, Consumer Bankers Association Eminent Professor of Commerce; Director, Center for Investors and Financial Markets; Interim Academic Director, White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate 

  • Sarah Turner, Professor of Economics & Education, Souder Family Professor, Department of Economics
  • Mona El Khafif, Associate Professor, Architecture and Urban + Environmental Planning; Graduate Urban Design Program Director, School of Architecture
  • Devin Harris, Professor & Chair and Arsalan Heydarian, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 

Abbott Center Auditorium

10:25 a.m.

"A View from the Top" – morning keynote panel featuring Colin Connolly (Darden ‘03), President & CEO, Cousins Properties; Ward Fitzgerald, CEO, ExCorde Capital; James M. Taylor (McIntire ’88, Law ’94), CEO & President, Brixmor Property Group; and moderated by Felicia Hendrix (A&S ‘91, Darden ’95), CFO, PENN Entertainment

How do successful real estate companies navigate through challenging real estate markets and capital markets? How has technology changed the landscape? Our panel, which includes accomplished leaders from both public and private real estate firms, will answer these questions and more!

Abbott Center Auditorium

11:15 a.m.

Networking Coffee Break

Hallway outside breakout rooms (see below)

11:30 a.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

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Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive Reuse: Future of Downtowns 2.0

How are underutilized office buildings impacting urban downtowns? What does the future hold, and is adaptive reuse a part of the solution? Our expert panelists will discuss the pitfalls and opportunities.

Moderator: Mona El Khafif, Associate Professor, Architecture and Urban + Environmental Planning; Graduate Urban Design Program Director, School of Architecture, UVA

Speakers: William Bate (A&S '06), Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group; Pete Otteni, EVP, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region, BXP; and Sara Willard (Architecture '96), Founding Principal, Workable City Development and Green Development Fund

Location: Classroom 120

12:30 p.m.

Networking Luncheon for Conference Attendees

Darden Dining Room

12:40 p.m.

Student Luncheon with Panel Discussion “Exploring Careers in Real Estate”

Calling all UVA students! Explore various career pathways in the dynamic field of real estate over lunch! Gain insights into starting and accelerating your career journey within various real estate disciplines, from development to leasing to capital markets and more. Attendees will also learn about resources available on Grounds and network with seasoned industry professionals at this interactive event, collaboratively produced by The White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate and McIntire's Commerce Career Services.

Moderator: Ashley Mays (McIntire ‘02), Chief of Place and Real Estate, Newark Alliance

Speakers: Christopher Dale (A&S ’17), Senior Director, Capital Markets, JLL; Morgan Lineberry (McIntire ’19), Associate, Research & Strategy, Greystar; Erik Smith (Darden ’23), Director of Development, Elmington Capital Group; Jackson Stanley (McIntire ’23), Investment Analyst, PGIM Real Estate

Classroom 50

1:45 p.m.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

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Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing: Case Studies from Virginia

There is a chronic shortage of affordable housing in Virginia. Our experts showcase different approaches, and creative ways we can address this challenge.

Moderator: Fred Missel (Architecture '90), Director of Design & Development, UVA Foundation 

Speakers: Jessie Barter (Darden '06), Founder, Charger Ventures; Jovan Burton, Executive Director, Partnership for Housing Affordability; and Pace Lochte (M.Ed. '05, Darden '08), Assistant Vice President for Economic Development, UVA 

Location: Classroom 50

2:45 p.m.

Networking Coffee Break

Abbott Auditorium Lobby

3 p.m.

Fireside Chat with Tyler Henritze (McIntire '03), Founder & Managing Partner, Town Lane, moderated by Krissy Gathright (McIntire '94), Board Member, Apple Hospitality REIT

In a challenging fundraising investment, Tyler and Town Lane were remarkably able to raise over $1 billion in their oversubscribed inaugural real estate fund in less than a year. Tyler will discuss Town Lane’s intent to create value by leveraging emerging trends, fostering strategic partnerships, capitalizing on market dislocations and identifying misunderstood opportunities. He will also share insights from nearly two decades of experience at Blackstone, where he served as Head of Strategic Investments and Head of Real Estate Acquisitions. 

Abbott Center Auditorium

3:50 p.m.

Closing Remarks from the Center 

Abbott Center Auditorium 

4 p.m.

Celebratory Closing Reception

Abbott Auditorium Lobby

5 p.m.

Conference Adjourns