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Real Estate Forum

Gulf Coast Real Estate Forum - Hosted by South Alabama Real Estate Program
 
Agenda
 
 
Speakers
 
 
Continuing Education
 
 
Sponsorships
 
 
Questions
 

The Boom Belt | Boldness Begins Here

Commercial real estate professionals, developers, investors and civic leaders are invited to a regional forum discussing the rapid economic expansion shaping the Southeast, an area known as the Boom Belt. Hosted by the University of South Alabama’s real estate program, the forum offers an opportunity to connect with top-tier industry minds, secure critical market intelligence and discover why the Southeast is currently the nation’s most compelling frontier for capital investment and urban revitalization.

Dates

Tuesday, October 27, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location

University of South Alabama
MacQueen Alumni Center
100 Alumni Drive
Mobile, AL 36608

Tickets go on sale Monday, August 3

 
Register
 

 

Conference Agenda

Time Session
10:00 am – 10:10 am Welcome
10:10 am – 11:00 am Session 1 | The Economic & CRE Boom Heard Around the World
11:00 am – 11:30 am Remarks & Acknowledgements
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Lunch Buffet
12 -12:45 p.m. Keynote Address | The Solar Boom: Silicon of the South
12:45 - 1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Session 2 | The Bridge to Everywhere
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Session 3 | Boldness Begins Here
3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks & CE Instructions

Speakers

Reagan Farr
Reagan Farr
President & CEO, Silicon Ranch
Keynote Speaker

 

Reagan Farr co-founded Silicon Ranch, a leading U.S. solar developer, owner, and operator. Through its Regenerative Energy® agribusiness, Silicon Ranch owns and operates the nation’s largest agrivoltaics portfolio. Previously, Reagan served as Tennessee’s Revenue Commissioner, an experience that yielded valuable public service perspective to his leadership in the renewable energy sector.

 

Brian Bailey, CRE
Brian Bailey, CRE
Global Head of Research, Trimont
Session 1 Speaker

 

As Head of Research at Trimont, Brian Bailey leads market intelligence and thought leadership, analyzing economic, commercial real estate (CRE), and finance trends. He provides data-driven analytics and clarity to help clients navigate today’s evolving lending and property landscapes. Prior to Trimont, Brian was the Commercial Real Estate Subject Matter Expert and Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. His insights informed three Federal Reserve chairs, five central banks, and the International Monetary Fund, including direct briefings for Chair Jerome Powell and the Board of Governors. Brian brings extensive public- and private-sector experience in CRE valuation, transactions, and finance. His background includes overseeing real estate finance for private equity firm Tavistock Group, serving as Director of Real Estate Finance for Flagler, and managing engagements at Ernst & Young.

 

Wesley Britt - Gulf Coast Commercial Real Estate Forum
Wesley Britt
Executive Vice President, 68 Ventures
Session 3 Moderator

 

Wesley Britt serves as executive vice president of 68 Ventures where he works alongside the company’s executive leadership where his focus is on business development, strategic partnerships, acquisition sourcing, economic development initiatives and other growth opportunities across the company’s real estate, operating company and investment platforms. Britt brings a career that spans professional football, economic development, government affairs and corporate leadership. Most recently, he served as a partner at Fine Geddie, where he advised businesses, organizations and community leaders across Alabama. Before that, he spent more than a decade with Alabama Power in leadership roles focused on economic development, community affairs, innovation, workforce development and strategic initiatives. 

 

 

Grady Fitzpatrick
Grady Fitzpatrick
Director of Business Development, Greater New Orleans Inc.
Session 2 Panelist

 

Grady Fitzpatrick brings nearly 20 years of experience in economic development to his role as Chief Business Development Officer at Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.), where he drives job and investment growth across the region's 10 parish footprint. His background spans site selection consulting, regional economic development roles in Atlanta and New Orleans, and a tenure at PwC specializing in sales strategy for Fortune 500 companies.

Prior to joining GNO, Inc., Fitzpatrick served as Managing Director of Client Services at Maxis Advisors, where he worked with clients around the globe to identify optimal U.S. locations for new industrial facilities and negotiate competitive incentive packages on their behalf.

He holds a degree from Boston College and an MBA specializing in Real Estate from Georgia State University. Fitzpatrick has been recognized by Consultant Connect as one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America and is a graduate of the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program. He also serves on numerous industry and civic boards.

 

Clint Flowers
Clint Flowers
Partner & Managing Broker, National Land Realty
Session 2 Panelist

 

Clint Flowers has been National Land Realty’s Top Producer nationwide since he joined the team in 2015, was named the Alabama Land Agent of the Year in 2019, is a six time recipient of the Realtors® Land Institute (RLI) Apex Award, named National Broker of the Year in Timberland Sales by RLI four times, and one of the few agents in his region to be awarded the designation of Accredited Land Consultant (ALC). Clint specializes in the sale, acquisition, and assemblage of commercial, agricultural, recreational, timberland, transitional, and conservation properties, as well as the tax advantages of owning, buying, or selling land.

 

Lee Johnson
Lee Johnson
VP of External Affairs & Economic Development, Baldwin EMC
Session 2 Panelist

 

Lee Johnson serves as Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development for Baldwin EMC, Alabama’s largest electric cooperative. He oversees economic development, government relations, key account management, and community relations to drive regional growth. Previously, Johnson was Executive Vice President for the Baldwin Alliance and Senior Manager of Field Operations for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), where he led teams attracting jobs and investment across seven states. His career also includes key roles at the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a master’s in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. He has been recognized as a Top Under 50 Economic Developer by Southern Business & Development, one of Business Alabama’s "Movers and Shapers," and a Mobile Bay "40 Under 40" honoree.

 


Shawn Massey
Shawn Massey
Executive Vice President,
TSCG
Session 3 Panelist

 

Shawn Massey has been a driving force within the Memphis commercial real estate landscape since joining the office of TSCG in 2003 where he specializes in shopping center leasing and tenant representation. With over 38 years of diverse experience in the industry, he has spearheaded the retail leasing efforts for a multitude of high-profile developments, including the transformative Crosstown Concourse, the dynamic Liberty Park, and the community-centric Binghampton Gateway. Armed with a BBA in Marketing and an MBA in Finance and Real Estate from The University of Memphis, Shawn is not just a practitioner but also an educator. He holds prestigious designations such as CCIM, CRRP, and ALC, and shares his knowledge as an adjunct professor at The University of Memphis, where he teaches master’s level courses in Real Estate Development, Sustainability, and Investment. 
Melissa S. Warren
Melissa S. Warren, CCIM
Senior Commercial Real Estate Advisor, Stirling – New Orleans 
Session 2 Moderator

 

Melissa S. Warren, CCIM has provided clients with commercial real estate advisory services since 2001 and focuses on industrial, office, and retail sales, leasing, and tenant and landlord representation. Over the years, she served numerous industrial and bioscience clients providing them with the services of site selection, market analysis, shipyard disposition, industrial park and river terminal land acquisition, ground-up development, and asset disposition. She also serves as the President of the CREDA Gulf Coast chapter.
 



Continuing Education

  • Alabama Real Estate Commission - Pending
  • Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy - Pending
  • Alabama State Bar - Pending
  • Alabama State Appraisal Board - Pending

Sponsorships

For questions regarding forum sponsorships, please contact Grayson Glaze at 251-460-6710 or gglaze@southalabama.edu.

Questions about the event?

For questions or information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Grayson Glaze at 251-460-6710 or gglaze@southalabama.edu.