Michael E. Johnson founded his company in the Bay Area in 1990 to focus on public-private, mixed-income residential infill development projects. Over the last 30 years, his companies have been one of the largest African American businesses in the Bay Area. This is because of the recent completion or current undertaking of over $1.0 Billion in project development activity, representing over 3,300 housing units and several mixed-use projects. Mr. Johnson has two degrees - a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Urban Planning in 1976, and a Master of Architecture with a concentration in Real Estate Development in 1979, from the University of Maryland and the Georgia Institute of Technology respectively. Michael was a student-athlete while at Maryland, and an Atlantic Coast Conference Champion in Track & Field. Currently he serves on the University of Maryland Foundation Board of Trustees and is also on the Board of the Terrapin Development Company.

Mr. Kenneth N. Jones is an urban real estate developer and development and management consulting professional and an expert in real finance and public/private partnerships. He most recently served as a Principal and Chief Development Officer for Liberty Atlantic Development Partners, a Charlotte, NC based construction and real estate development company, and as a Principal at Landis Development, LLC. As a guest lecturer at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill MBA Program, Mr. Jones is a recognized leader in sustainability and urban development. His leadership in several important initiatives surrounding affordable housing, urban infill, and transit-oriented and mixed-development has literally impacted the lives of thousands of families, individuals, and seniors. To date, Mr. Jones has been involved in several community wide-master plans and has either planned or developed over 3,000 units of housing. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Business Administration with a Finance and Real Estate emphases and has a Master’s Degree in Real Estate and the Built Environment from the University of Denver.

John F. Howell is a distinguished professional in construction and project management, currently serving as the President of Construction Management Services at UrbanCore Development Services. With extensive experience and a strategic mindset, John oversees a wide range of projects, ensuring their successful completion and adherence to the highest standards. Notably, he has forged a significant partnership with Cordoba Corporation, leveraging their collective expertise to deliver outstanding results in public bond-related project development and program management. Before his current role, John excelled as a Senior Construction Manager at Cordoba Corporation. In this capacity, he led as Senior Project Manager and Chief of Staff at Oakland Unified School District, providing expert guidance on project management practices, budgeting, and document control for the Measure J, B, and Y Bond Program, overseeing projects totaling $735 million. Additionally, he served as a Construction Manager for the County of Monterey, managing an $11 million tenant improvement project for the Monterey County Public Works Department. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Fisk University, bringing strategic and risk management approaches to his work, ensuring successful outcomes for complex projects. Beyond his professional achievements, he serves as a board member for the Junior Center for Arts and Science, mentors youth, and is a member of the Construction Managers Association of America (CMAA).

Reese A. Jarrett has directed the design, financing, development and construction management of over $200 million in real estate projects totaling over 1,000 market rate and affordable housing residential and commercial properties. This has included arranging equity, interim and permanent financing on projects with conventional and public financing structures including redevelopment tax increment financing, tax credits, bond financing, Homes funds and other government financing programs.

David Slavin Gazek serves as a Development Executive for UrbanCore. He has over 30 years’ experience in the development of over 20 million SF of residential, commercial, mixed-use, and corporate facilities for The Irvine Company, AIMCO, Stanford University, Federal Development, University of California, SunMicrosystems, The Ratkovich Company, Transpacific Development, and the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, where he negotiated public-private partnerships for over $1.0 billion (2024$) in Downtown redevelopment. Mr. Gazek has also served as a real estate and organizational advisor to AECOM, JS Sullivan Development, DCI Engineers, Polaris Pacific, and Equity Community Builders. He has an MBA and an MA in Architecture and Planning from UCLA and a BA from Vassar College.

Ron Mellon is a distinguished leader in the real estate industry with over 30 years of experience. As a new home sales executive, he oversaw the sales, marketing, and construction of over 1,000 homes. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Nehemiah Program, facilitating transactions totaling over $1 billion. Ron's expertise led him to become part of the ownership and development team for the 65-acre Township Nine development in Sacramento, CA, which became over 1500 homes and 400,000 sq ft of commercial space. He is also a development partner and consultant with UrbanCore, offering strategic insights into political strategy, city planning, and complex project advisory. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ron is a devoted father and grandfather, enjoying fly fishing, golfing, and art collecting during his leisure time.