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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, focusing on business development, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and economic development. He brings over 15 years of experience across business, government, and economic development, having previously worked in strategic advisory roles at Fine Geddie & Associates and in leadership at Alabama Power.

Wesley holds an undergraduate business degree in management and an MBA from The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business, where he graduated first in his class.

Prior to his business career, Wesley was a four-year starter and All-American offensive tackle at Alabama before playing four seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots. While playing professionally, he founded, operated, and sold a real estate development company.

He serves on several boards, including the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Embrace Alabama Kids, and the Senior Bowl Committee, and is a graduate of Leadership Alabama.

 

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 3 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.
David Rodgers
David Rodgers, CEcD
President & CEO-Designate,
Mobile Chamber of Commerce
Session 2 Panelist

 

David Rodgers, CEcD, serves as President and CEO - designate of the Mobile Chamber, where he previously served as Executive Vice President of Economic Development. Under his leadership, the organization has secured over 10,211 new direct jobs and more than $8.4 billion in capital investment for Mobile, including major expansions for Austal USA, ArcelorMittal, and Airbus.

A Certified Economic Developer, David completed the University of Alabama Economic Honors Program and Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute after attending the University of Southern Mississippi. His achievements have earned him national recognition, including placement on IEDC’s 40 Under 40, Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers in North America, and Mobile Bay Magazine’s 40 Under 40. He also serves on the Boards of Directors for the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission and the USA Research and Technology Park.



Austin Ames
Austin Ames
Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Corporation
Session 3 Panelist

 

Austin Ames serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Corporation, which he founded in 2014 to impact and grow the Southern United States through infrastructure and property development. Under his leadership, Gulf Corp has become a premier southeastern real estate development firm, developing and investing nearly $800M across industrial, office, medical, and big-box retail properties.

Hands-on from concept to delivery, Austin provides the vision, creative solutions, and capitalization needed for complex commercial real estate decisions. He is a 2008 graduate of the University of Mississippi and remains active with numerous charitable organizations.

 
 



Continuing Education

  • Alabama Real Estate Commission - Approved
  • 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.

Media Sponsor

Bay Business News

Questions about the event?

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