Full Resume

EDUCATION

The University of Michigan Law School, J.D, 1985
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Alma College, B.A., 1982
Majors in Business Administration and History
Alma, Michigan

EXPERIENCES

THE CHARLES REINHART COMPANY, Ann Arbor and Saline, Michigan,
Associate Broker, 2008 to present.

In the face of one of the worst real estate markets in memory, I chose to add a new definition to the word, “optimist,” by electing to re-start my real estate career in Michigan, in 2008. Despite having over 20 years of experience in real estate transactions, beginning a real estate career in a new area requires starting over to build relationships and name recognition. However, during my first year with The Charles Reinhart Company, I was able to generate enough business to be inducted into the company’s prestigious “President’s Club.”In addition, I completed the coursework necessary to become certified as an “EcoBroker,” the premiere green designation program for real estate professionals, conducted by EcoBroker International, the largest green real estate training and communications program in the world.

BUSHWOOD LLC, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Co-founder and Principal, May 2008 to present.

The company was formed to acquire, renovate and lease homes. The company primarily purchases dilapidated, bank-owned properties which are then completely renovated and leased to tenants. Our primary source of tenants comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s affordable housing programs. Our goal is to provide newly renovated, energy-efficient homes for rent to lower income residents, improve neighborhoods, transform rundown, vacant properties to the municipal tax rolls, while at the same time providing a fair rate of return to our investors.

CANDIDATE FOR WASHTENAW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, THIRD DISTRICT, May, 2008 to November, 2008.

As a first-time candidate for political office, running for elective office proved to be a relatively full-time endeavor. The political process and campaigning involved a steep learning curve. Although I was unsuccessful in my election bid, I learned a great deal. As a part of the process I attended scores of community meetings, knocked on over 2,500 doors, made many new friends and improved my aptitude in public speaking and fundraising.

BALANCE REAL ESTATE LLC, Chicago, Illinois, Co-founder and Principal, 2008 to present.

Newly formed green-home developer recently completed its first eco-friendly project, which is located in Chicago, Illinois. The company’s goal is to provide quality residential homes that are built with sustainability, environmental compatibility and enhanced energy efficiency. The project incorporates a variety of green-home building techniques, including solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, green roofs, high efficiency windows, insulation and mechanical systems, energy star certified appliances, and recycled and rapidly-renewable building materials within the conventional luxury home design template. The homes, which were featured in several magazines, including the Chicago Magazine are presently for sale.

LEAP Learning, LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Co-founder and Principal, 2008 to present.

Although initial efforts to raise private capital did not meet our requirements, this organization continues to endeavor to explore developing specialized learning centers for children with special needs and diagnosed special learning disabilities. If successfully initiated, the company would seek to provide a structured, multi-sensory approach by combining innovative, specialized learning software programs, specially trained tutors and therapeutic physical and social activities to ensure a quality educational experience for each student.

THE CLIMATE PROJECT, Memphis, Tennessee, Volunteer, December, 2006 to May, 2008

In the fall of 2006, I was honored to be selected from a pool of over 10,000 applicants to participate in one of the first training sessions of The Climate Project, a non-profit volunteer organization formed by former Vice President Al Gore. Mr. Gore, with the assistance of a blue ribbon panel of international climate scientists and environmental educators, led an intensive training sessions designed to enable me and my fellow participants to return to our respective communities and raise the awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding climate change and the tremendous economic opportunities presented by alternative energy solutions. I had the pleasure of concentrating a substantial portion of my time over the span of 18 months to the study of the science, technology and public policy issues surrounding climate change and low-carbon renewable and alternative energy solutions. Following the training, I took the opportunity to travel around the State of Michigan giving over 70 public presentations on climate change and alternative energy solutions to a combined audience of over 6,000 interested citizens.

PROFESSIONAL HIATUS, August, 2004 to December, 2006

In the fall of 2004, I took a pause in my professional career to spend time with my family and embarked on a year-long journey around the world with my wife and our four young children. Our trip was also a journey of discovery, both in the literal sense, as well as philosophical. We had the opportunity to travel to unique and far off places, see amazing things, meet wonderful people and experience new and exciting cultures. We immersed ourselves in the cultures of 17 countries on 5 continents and exposed ourselves to experiences that will reverberate throughout each of our personal and professional lives. Following our return in August 2005, I dedicated the majority of my time to writing a book about our family’s adventures and fulfilling the difficult, yet rewarding responsibilities of a stay-at-home father. In addition, I donated my free time to a variety of community and charitable organizations.

SUSSEX & REILLY, L.L.C., Chicago, Illinois, Co-Founder and Executive Officer, 1999-2004.

In 1999, I co-founded a start-up real estate brokerage company. Our approach, which in 2007 might not seem revolutionary, was at the time of inception considered innovative and rather rebellious. At the time we began our new company, real estate brokerage was being conducted in the same manner that it had for decades. Our research, conducted in cooperation with the Chicago Tribune, revealed that in general, consumers were disenchanted with the real estate brokerage community on several levels. At the top of the list were consumer’s perceptions that the industry was staid and insular, that commission rates were standardized, that the level of communication and professionalism was woefully inadequate and that the industry in general had yet to embrace many of the technological innovations that were being used in other industries. While most real estate companies were busy consolidating under national brands, we launched an independent brokerage company whose goal it was to offer a “Smarter Approach to Real Estate.”

The mission of our new company was to become an innovative leader in real estate by creating a powerful platform of consumer services which, among other things, (i) offered the talents of a new brand of sales professionals trained to work in teams and supplied with, what at the time was, the most advanced technological tools available, (ii) introduced and applied an array of technological innovations to the sale of real estate and empowered our clients with a number of inventive and interactive tools and (iii) rewarded our customers with a compelling value proposition, a full range of professional services, provided at a discounted commission rate. What began with the goal of providing a unique “high tech, high touch” alternative to the traditional real estate brokerage model quickly developed into one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the country. Eclipsing our first year sales projections of $ 50 million in the first six months of operations, we had achieved over $ 400 million in sales by the end of our second year of operations. Our innovative, technology-based approach and rapid growth attracted a number of suitors and we sold our business to a national real estate chain in 2002.

Responsibilities and Experience:

•    Developed the business plan and organized all aspects of the start-up of our new operation from plans to completion.
•    Responsible for transitioning the venture through the full business life cycle; from concept, to start-up funding, through implementation of the business plan, rapid growth and successful exit strategy.
•    Oversight included development and implementation of all matters relating to the operation, including without limitation:
•    Identification, acquisition, funding, and construction of physical facilities;
•    Design, development and implementation of all operational systems;
•    Recruitment, hiring, training and retention of sales, technology and administrative personnel, growing the company grew from 8 sales professionals and three administrative assistants in 1999 to a sales force of over 100 sales professionals and an administrative and technology staff of 15 in a period of less than three years.
•    Created and implemented of our novel team approach to the sale of real estate, developing teams of sales professionals assigned to each client and establishing a compensation plan based in part on the team’s success in meeting the client’s goals.
•    Responsible for the identification, absorption and dissemination of information regarding the rapidly expanding development of new industry technologies and conducting weekly training classes for sales staff and employees and monthly seminars and workshops for interested consumers.
•    Worked in cooperation with technology and web specialists and to design and develop a complex and multi-functional website as well as to design, develop and implement of a variety of strategic software which provided a wide array of functionality and application.
•    Developed a new, integrated intranet centralized scheduling system linked to agent in the field via wireless PDA connection.
•    Developed a compelling value proposition for our consumers, which offered a full range of professional services, provided at a substantially reduced commission rate.
•    Designed and developed the corporate logo and media identity, and was primarily responsible for the creation and implementation of coordinated creative advertising and media campaigns.
•    Developed and implemented all training materials and employee policy manuals and regulations.
•    Responsible for all areas of company finance, due diligence, as well as development, management and monitoring of all monthly, quarterly and yearly company goals and projections, preparation of budgets and financial forecasting and preparation of all periodic financial reporting.
•    Responsible for the development and negotiation of the term sheet and over a hundred separate agreements relating to the strategic sale of the business, its technology, licensing and intellectual property rights. Post-sale, responsibilities included consulting on all operational matters and managing all communications between partners and key advisors.

PARKINSON & ONEIL and BOTTOM LINE REALTY & INVESTMENTS, Chicago, Illinois, Co-Founder and Partner, 1992-1999.

In 1992, formed a new company that provided specialized legal counsel and real estate investment advisory services.

Responsibilities and Experience:

•    Identifying and developing real estate investment opportunities, courting potential partners and investors, raising investment funds, securing lender funding and implementing and managing numerous investment partnerships.
•    Providing effective communication with investors and managing all aspects of our investor relations’ services.
•    Directed all aspects of the legal side of our business, including all contract negotiations, preparation and negotiation of all legal documentation relating to, among other matters, acquisition, land use, condominium creation, term sheets and lender agreements both at the acquisition and construction stages, as well as creation and negotiation of all end user agreements.
•    Responsible for training and education of our junior associates and administrative staff.
•    Implemented a real estate investment strategy that achieved an average annual rate of return in excess of 25% over a period of seven years.
•    Developed and had primary oversight for all organizational and administrative operations for the company, the revenues of which grew ten-fold over the course of seven years.

SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM, Senior Associate, Chicago, Illinois, 1988-1992.

I was employed as Senior Associate attorney with a practice specialty in commercial real estate for one of the largest law firms in the country. Practice included a broad range of real estate and commercial lending matters and representation of a variety of developers, lenders, investment banks and investors. Experience included work on the purchase, sale, construction, financing and operation of commercial, residential and retail projects throughout the United States; leasing on behalf of landlords and major tenants; real estate secured lending; land use matters; and restructurings on behalf of lenders and borrowers. In addition, in my role as a Senior Associate I was also responsible for training, staffing and managing teams of junior associates on a variety of corporate, real estate and banking related transactions.

SIDLEY & AUSTIN, Associate, 1985-1988, Chicago, Illinois

I was employed as an associate attorney with a practice specialty in commercial real estate for one of the largest law firms in the City of Chicago. Practice included a wide variety of real estate transactions. Operating out of a combination of the Chicago, New York and Los Angeles offices, had the opportunity to provide representation to a broad base of sophisticated clients involved in commercial real estate transactions, including a variety of acquisitions and dispositions of office buildings, shopping centers, multi-family residential properties, and hotels. Also gained experience in the drafting and negotiation of a broad range of agreements relating to commercial real estate including sophisticated and complex purchase and sale agreements, conventional and non-conventional financing agreements, property management agreements, brokerage and leasing agreements, leaseback and like-kind exchange agreements.

ACTIVITES, AFFLILATIONS AND INTERESTS

•    Attorney licensed by the State Bar Associations of the States of Michigan and Illinois.
•    Licensed Real Estate Broker in the States of Michigan and Illinois and member of the Ann Arbor Area Association of Realtors, the Commercial Board of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, the Michigan Association of Realtors, and the Chicago Association of Realtors.
•    Authored a book about our family’s journey around the world, a publisher for which is presently being sought.
•    Volunteer to the Meals on Wheels Association of America, the Saline Area Baseball and Softball Association as a girl’s softball coach, subcommittees of the Saline Environmental Commission and the Lodi Natural Preservation committee, the Solar Power for Information and Independence project, Climate Crisis Action Washtenaw, and the YMCA Michigan Youth In Government Program.
•    Vice Chairman of the Washtenaw Democratic Party.
•    Former board member of the Roscoe Village Neighbors, a community action group in Chicago. Founded a local fundraising effort, “Retro on Roscoe” that funded the construction of a new park and playground, improvements to streetscapes and provided funding to local public elementary schools.
•    Former volunteer and board member of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
•    Former volunteer to Chicago’s St. Clement’s School as a girl’s basketball coach.
•    Interests include writing, travel, skiing, biking, reading, and environmental issues.