MICHAEL ROSENBERG, 39
Partner
Cassin & Cassin LLP
New York City
As a “deal closer” with a full plate of CRE
loans at all times, Michael Rosenberg leads a
team of attorneys that represent investment
banks, community banks, credit unions or
alternative lenders, in all phases of a
transaction. To date, he has closed billions of
dollars in loans across various product lines including CMBS,
balance sheet, credit lines and mezzanine loans. On average,
Rosenberg closes 10 to 12 transactions per month. He often
receives feedback and referrals from peers in the industry noting
that while he zealously represents and advocates for his bank
clients, he maintains an admirably reasonable approach with
multiple parties. Further, he believes that although technology is
accelerating the loan-closing process, “there will never be a
substitute for careful reading and drafting and issue analysis and
strategy in a transaction.”
JESSICA S. ROSSI, 37
Senior Planner & Economist, Kimley-Horn
President, CREW Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
An urban planner and real estate economist, Jessica Rossi has become known to
public and private stakeholders in development for her practical, business-oriented
solutions to complex planning issues. Rossi
has helped local communities create sus-
tainable and economically realistic visions for the future.
Consulting her real estate feasibility studies, planning and economic development assignments, developers and investors rely on
her insights to maximize projects’ marketability and value. Last
year alone, Rossi worked on 40 projects in nine states, ranging
from $25-million apartment developments to a $500-million infrastructure investment. She has been a member of CREW Charlotte
since 2008, steadily increasing her influence on CREW chapter
direction through a variety of leadership roles. As the chapter
president, she led CREW Charlotte’s strategic planning initiative
in 2016, organizing the group’s vision for success in the future.
JOSH SCHUSTER, 33
Founder & Managing Principal
Silverback Development
New York City
At 33, Josh Schuster is the founder and managing principal of Silverback Development,
launched in July 2016 with a $50-million
capital investment. He oversees a two-mil-lion-square-foot portfolio with a nearly
$2-billion pipeline. Silverback is a tactical,
forward-thinking real estate developer, owner and investor,
employing a pioneering approach to the creation of architecturally distinct properties that enrich the landscape of urban markets. Since its founding, it has embarked on residential projects in
Gramercy Park and Brooklyn Heights as well as Stamford, CT, and
is leading the repositioning of commercial sites in SoHo and Long
Island City. Earlier this year, Schuster accepted a co-chair position
on the ULI Multifamily Housing Council in New York City.
www.globest.com/realestateforum
JJ Smith, 37
President, CA Student Living
Principal, CA Ventures
Chicago
JJ Smith has his hands full serving dual leadership roles. As president of CA Student
Living, Smith assists with the management
and operations of all departments. He oversees development, acquisitions, new business
generation, project sourcing and construc-
tion operations. As president for CA Ventures, he provides development and construction oversight for CA Senior Living, CA
Residential, CA Retail & Hospitality and CA international business
units, plus serves on the CA Ventures investment committee. He
has orchestrated the development of over 50 ground-up projects,
totaling more than $3 billion in value, while managing another 30
projects valued over $2 billion. With a 150-person team, Smith has
diversified the portfolio beyond student housing. His contagious
passion for work and life creates a positive work environment that
has attracted some of the industry’s top professionals.
BILL STEWART, 35
Vice President, Commercial Finance
Draper and Kramer Inc.
Chicago
A leader in production throughout his
13-year tenure with the firm, Bill Stewart
has been involved in over $12 billion of
CRE financings, spanning all asset classes
and dealing across all capital sources.
Stewart oversees the majority of the com-
mercial finance group’s debt and equity placements, which
reach $1 billion to $2 billion per year. In addition to working
with his own third-party clients, Stewart is in the unique position
of handling all of Draper and Kramer’s internal secured commercial financings. Stewart’s persistence, knowledge and strong
work ethic distinguish him and allow him to deliver excellent
results. Stewart has said regardless of deal volume or numbers,
the simple statement of “great job” from a client remains his
most fulfilling professional accomplishment.
BRETT M. TURNER, 33
Director, Acquisitions
BKM Capital Partners
Newport Beach
At the age of 19, Brett Turner was a land broker, and from his dorm room at the University
of California, Davis, sold land in Antelope
Valley. Since then, he has gone on to complete more than $1 billion in transactions.
Along the way, he helped reignite Voit’s
investment services platform after a five-year hiatus. Currently,
Turner directs the acquisitions for institutional fund manager BKM
Capital Partners. He oversees the entire acquisitions process
including identifying, sourcing, underwriting and structuring
financing, and has played a tremendous role in growing the firm’s
portfolio. Throughout his time at BKM, he has been directly
responsible for more than $650 million in transactions totaling
more than 5.2 million square feet. Based on the success of these
properties and Turner’s investment acumen, BKM has consistently
delivered average IRRs greater than 35% to investors.
OCTOBER 2017 REAL ESTATE FORUM 43
