Speaker Biographies
Institute Reps
Mindy Gronbeck, CPM®, CCIM
Mindy Gronbeck, CPM®, CCIM, currently serves as the 2026 IREM President. Gronbeck also serves as executive vice president of property operations for Hawkins, a full-service real estate firm specializing in real estate development and management, headquartered in Boise, ID.
Hawkins is an AMO® (Accredited Management Organization) and employs all in-house staff to handle asset management, construction management, leasing, accounting, and finance needs for the properties they own. Hawkins Companies has developed over 14 million square feet of space in 28 states during the 49 years the company has been in business.
Gronbeck currently oversees a staff of nine professionals who manage 4.2 million square feet of retail, multifamily, charter school, and industrial space. Gronbeck has over 20 years of experience in retail real estate management and earned her CPM® designation in 2007 and her CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member) in April 2023. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 2003.
Gronbeck has been an IREM member since 2005, serving as the Idaho Snake River chapter president from 2010-2012. Nationally, she served as the 2013-2014 regional vice president for Region 12, and as chair of the Legislative and Public Policy Committee and a member at large on the Executive Committee from 2019-2020. She also served as an IREM Senior Vice President in 2021. In addition, she’s a past president of the Downtown Boise Association. Gronbeck is a member of the IREM Idaho chapter.
Andie edmonds, ccim
Andie Edmonds, CCIM, is The CCIM Institute President-Elect and a seasoned leader in
As Senior Vice President of the Arizona Healthcare Team at Colliers International, Andie
A graduate of the University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business with a degree in
Forecast Reps
LAUREN LACASSE, CPM®
Lauren Lacasse, CPM®, is a seasoned commercial property management professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. She currently serves as a Senior Property Manager at Sagard Real Estate, a firm recognized for its forward-thinking investment strategies and focus on long-term value. In her role, Lauren oversees a portfolio of high-performing Class A industrial and office assets located throughout Arizona and California.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Lauren is actively involved in the real estate management community and is honored to serve as the 2026 President of the IREM Phoenix Chapter. Her commitment to excellence and leadership continues to make a meaningful impact across the industry.
ELI Mastracci, CCIM
ELi Mastracci is an established and experienced agent, providing commercial real estate consultation to clients of all facets since 2019. Both Principal and Vice President with Phoenix West Commercial, ELi specializes in corporate office leasing, acquisition, and disposition.
Being the ”youngest” to date to earn the CCIM designation, ELi brings original, creative ideas to problem solving for both international corporations and local credit tenants, supported by the prestigious education the Institute offers. ELi is currently on the Central Arizona CCIM chapter Board of Directors, establishing relationships with Arizona market trendsetters – broker, lender, and principal alike. Additionally, ELi has been appointed to the National Strategic Planning Committee for 2023 and 2024, as well as Vice Presidency of his Local Chapter in 2023 and 2024.
Nick Miner, CCIM - ASREB REPRESENTATIVE
Nick is a seasoned commercial real estate professional with over two decades of experience in investment sales and a proven track record of success. As a Senior Vice President at ORION Investment Real Estate, Nick specializes in helping clients navigate complex commercial real estate transactions and maximize the value of their investment properties.
A dedicated educator, Nick has been teaching commercial real estate classes at Arizona School of Real Estate & Business since 2010, sharing his expertise with other practitioners. His commitment to the industry extends to his active involvement in The CCIM Institute, where he serves on several committees.
Nick obtained his BSBA in Accounting and Real Estate & Land Use Economics degrees from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He earned his CCIM designation in 2003. Nick brings a strong foundation of knowledge and analytical skills to his work. His extensive experience includes over 400 sale and lease transactions valued at more than $500 million, demonstrating his ability to deliver exceptional results for his clients.
Keynote
Danny Court
Danny Court is a Partner and Senior Economist with Elliott D. Pollack & Company. Mr. Court possesses exceptional research and project management skills relating to demographic, economic, and real estate data for a multitude of assignments including market studies, land use analysis, forecasting, fiscal and economic impact reports, valuations, highest and best use studies, workforce development, community general plans, proposals, presentation, and expert witness testimony.
Mr. Court has extensive experience conducting a variety of market and feasibility studies. In the course of his work, Mr. Court has analyzed residential master plans, apartment projects and other commercial developments. He has determined the highest & best economic or financial use of properties in the desired time frame expressed. The approach utilizes current zoning designations, reviewing municipal General Plans, taking inventory of adjacent land uses as well as land uses under consideration within the determined market area. In addition, Mr. Court has conducted several Low-Income Housing Tax Credit studies and is well versed in affordable housing issues and initiatives. Mr. Court has wide-ranging knowledge of economic and fiscal impact models relating to residential, commercial, and mixed land uses as well as public events. He has calculated employment, wage, output and tax revenue impacts for residential master planned communities, mixed used developments, major sporting events, mining operations, universities, & utilities among many others.
Mr. Court also has experience creating and utilizing pro forma models for use in acquisition and valuation decisions. Combined with his experience and deep knowledge of market data (prices, sales velocity, costs) allows him to determine appropriate asking prices and identify values. Mr. Court has also been involved in numerous forecasting assignments. These have included the population of market areas, municipalities, counties, and states; Employment for various regions; Residential permit forecasts; Commercial development forecasts; Consumer spending across a number of categories; among others. Mr. Court has also been involved in many aspects of economic development. Assignments have included profiling communities and forecasting certain indicators for marketing purposes, comparing subject regions to others in terms of competitiveness (demographics, workforce talent, local economic conditions, real estate conditions, and quality of life factors), taking inventory of success, and presenting recommendations to improve economic conditions, attract companies, and increase jobs.
Mr. Court has a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics as well as a minor in Mandarin Chinese from Arizona State University. He is a member of Valley Partnership and ULI.
Retail Panel
Amy malloy - Moderator
Amy Malloy started the real estate development and advisory company Evolve Ventures, LLC, with her business partner Heather Personne in 2019. In the six years since its inception, Evolve Ventures has worked with over 40 developers, municipalities, landowners, tenants, and brokers to bring a wide array of commercial and residential projects to fruition. Prior to creating her own company, Malloy worked as Vice President of Development for the Pederson Group, managing regional and western development projects for Evergreen, and as Assistant Vice President of Macerich, developing and redeveloping malls in Arizona, redeveloping properties such as Scottsdale Fashion Square, Kierland Commons, Biltmore Fashion Park, and Arrowhead Towne Center.
Malloy is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as Treasurer for Arizona’s District Council, and also serves on the boards for Leadership West, the New Life Center, and Three Sisters Give. She has two children, three dogs, one husband and is a proud third generation Arizonan.
Panelists:
andrew call
After opening the Phoenix office for Thompson Thrift and 10 years of development in the Mountain West, Andy Call has recently transitioned to a start-up development company with Reza Amirrezvani and RAI Holdings. With over 20 years of industry experience, his expertise spans site selection, land acquisition, due diligence, design management, zoning, and construction oversight for single-family, retail, mixed-use, and industrial. He also worked for Lennar, doing master plans and Evergreen Devco.
Andy enjoys anything outdoors, including mountain biking, hiking, spearfishing, and most things that involve a ball or a mountain. He’s done the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim too many times to count and most of Arizona's peaks. Last year, he climbed Iztaccihuatl, Mexico’s 3rd highest peak at 17,159’. The hike included crossing one of Mexico’s glaciers. As required for most Mexican citizens, he marched with Mexico’s military at 18. Andy spends time weekly serving with his church when possible. He’s done work with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations throughout Latin America. Andy has also served on various boards, including the Design Review Board for the City of Mesa.
Andy graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Arizona State University and holds an MBA from Grand Canyon University.
david luke, ccim
David Luke is the Senior Vice President of Capital Markets at CommLoan. He joined the company in 2015 as a founding team member and has since been instrumental in expanding the CRE lending marketplace to include 1,000 active lenders, 200 loan originators, and 30,000 real estate investors. During his tenure at CommLoan, David has financed $3 billion in properties, including 7.5 million square feet of commercial and 6,100 multifamily units. His expertise spans bridge to permanent financing, working with lenders across all major capital sources.
David earned a master's degree in business from the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU and holds the CCIM Designation.
kalen rickard
Kalen Rickard is an Executive Vice President and Principal of the Phoenix office, specializing in capital markets acquisitions and dispositions. Kalen’s extensive history of leasing retail space and representing tenants, along with his vast market and transactional knowledge, arms him with unique insight that benefits his investor clients when buying or selling. His clients include Fortune 100 companies, publicly traded real estate investment trusts, syndicated real estate funds, receivers of bank-controlled assets, national and local retail developers, multigenerational family-held assets, and high-net-worth individuals. His tailored approach is based on empirical market data, experience-based analysis, extensive locational knowledge, creative market strategies, strong attention to detail, and a high level of energy on behalf of his clients. Kalen understands retail real estate not only from a capital markets perspective but also with a firm understanding of Landlord and Tenant leasing, providing further insight into an asset's intrinsic value.
Before joining Western Retail Advisors, Kalen was a member of the Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors and Strategic Retail Group teams, rising through the ranks from Associate to Executive Vice President. Having started his career only months before the start of the Great Recession, Kalen has developed a unique perspective on commercial real estate.
Kalen is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and has served on the Southwest Idea Exchange planning committee. He has also volunteered as a team captain for Brokers for Kids and worked on the Sigma Nu–Zeta Upsilon alumni housing board.
jonathan Yee, CPM®
Jonathan Yee, CPM®, has been in commercial property management for over a decade, managing industrial, office, and retail assets throughout his career. He is currently the General Manager of Tempe Marketplace, a world-class regional outdoor shopping mall developed and managed by Vestar. He received his CPM® certification in 2023 and is currently serving on the IREM Board of Directors.
Multi-Family Panel
Jennifer staciokas - MODERATOR
Jennifer joined Western Wealth Capital to launch their in-house property management company, Western Wealth Communities, in 2020. Jennifer was responsible for building out the property management platform and hiring the team to support the growing business of over 17,000 units. In 2023, she broadened her role to include the strategic direction of Western Wealth Capital’s people and technology departments in addition to her existing oversight of operations, property marketing, training, revenue management, human resources, and technology for Western Wealth Communities.
Jennifer began her career in the multifamily industry 25 years ago. Since that time, she has served in numerous capacities at two of the nation’s largest property management firms, focusing on all areas of property performance.
Jennifer holds a B.A. in French from West Chester University and an M.A. in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University. Jennifer is a regular guest speaker, facilitator and moderator at many of the industry’s most renowned conferences as well as an active participant in NAA, NMHC and AZCREW. She gives her time to various industry advisory boards such as the AMA, LeaseLock, Entryway (Phoenix Chapter), Nurture Boss and Connexus Living. Jennifer is a recipient of the GlobeSt. Women of Influence Award in 2016 and 2021, the AMA Tributes Executive of the Year Award in 2022 and was named as one of the 2023 AZ Big Media Women Leaders.
panelists:
suraj bhakta
Suraj is the CEO of NewGen Advisory and the Chief Legal Officer of NewGen Worldwide, where he oversees legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters. A member of the senior leadership team, he plays a key role in operational management, strategic planning, and investment strategies, while also leading business administration for NewGen Advisory.
Suraj initially served as outside counsel for NewGen Worldwide and Green Card Fund from 2008 to 2014 before joining as CLO. Previously, he was managing partner at Bhakta & Associates, PLLC, specializing in acquisitions, corporate structuring, franchise law, and financing.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Suraj earned his B.S. in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University.
libby ekre, CPM®
Libby Ekre, CPM®, serves as the 2025 IREM Immediate Past President. She is a Co-owner with Bryten Real Estate Partners, AMO®, a nationwide firm that manages more than 45,000 multi-family homes across 30+ cities. Before the creation of Bryten, Libby was a founding partner of MEB Management Services, AMO®, based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has spent her entire career in the real estate industry. The business strategy has been focused on operational excellence and exceptional customer service. She believes that investing in her team matters and that growth in their own emotional intelligence is key to their success, along with a commitment to lifelong learning.
Throughout her journey, Libby has held various leadership positions within the industry and many within the IREM organization. She was most proud of her recent 2024 International role as IREM President. She is currently Vice Chair of the International Advisory Committee and a member of the Nominating Committee for IREM.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Libby believes in giving to those in need. She demonstrates her commitment through her efforts to support food resources, shelter, and ministry.
r.j. opeka
R.J. Opeka is a seasoned commercial real estate finance professional with over 15 years of experience sourcing, underwriting, and originating multifamily and CRE loans across diverse markets in the western region. As Managing Director at ORION Commercial Capital, he leads efforts to source and structure financing for clients, offering strategic insights into capital markets through his monthly market updates and constant communication with capital providers.
Previously, R.J. held senior leadership roles at First Foundation Bank and Opus Bank, where he originated more than $750MM in CRE loan production from 2011-2023, spearheaded market expansion initiatives in Arizona, and built lasting relationships with sponsors, brokers, and market participants. In 2023, he joined WAY Capital, a boutique capital advisory firm based in Los Angeles, providing him with a strong foundation in structured finance, creative solutions, and bringing all parties to a successful outcome of any deal.
R.J. graduated from the University of Arizona and is a licensed originator for ORION Commercial Capital in Arizona. Known for his market knowledge, ability to navigate complex situations, and his relationship-driven approach to both client and capital, he is dedicated to helping secure the optimal solution for any investment.
scott holland
Scott Holland is a Senior Managing Director for Berkadia’s Mortgage Banking platform. He has extensive experience in debt and equity across all commercial real estate asset types. Scott leads a team of Mortgage Bankers in the Scottsdale office and is responsible for fostering relationships between capital providers and real estate investors nationwide. With over 31 years of experience, Scott brings a unique perspective to his real estate finance practice, having worked as both a Direct Lender and a Commercial Mortgage Banker.
Throughout his career, Scott has arranged debt and equity for clients through representation of various financial institutions, including Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, HUD, Life Insurance Companies, Pension Funds, and other capital providers. He joined Berkadia in 2014 upon the acquisition of his previous company, Keystone Commercial Capital. At Keystone, Scott served as a founding principal and managing partner, originating debt for Life Insurance Company correspondent lenders and overseeing the management of a $2 billion loan portfolio.
Scott is a Phoenix native and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Arizona State University. He has actively participated in numerous industry organizations and held various board positions. Scott is a founding member of Sun Devil Family Charities and a member of The Sol Devils, both of which support fundraising efforts for ASU Sun Devils and its alumni.
nate stum
Nate Stum serves as a Senior Vice President at Trammell Crow Company within the Phoenix Business Unit. With over 15 years of multifamily development experience, he is responsible for sourcing and executing the development of multifamily and mixed-use projects under the firm’s subsidiary, High Street Residential.
Nate was formerly the Vice President of Development for Lennar Multifamily Communities (LMC), where he was responsible for overseeing the Phoenix office and executing land acquisition, entitlements, design, construction, lease-up, and disposition of high-profile, urban apartment and mixed-use developments. Nate obtained a master’s degree from the University of Southern California in real estate development and an undergraduate business degree from Brigham Young University.
Office Panel
CJ Osbrink- moderatoR
Charles (CJ) Osbrink is a member of Newmark’s rapidly expanding Capital Markets team. CJ has more than 19 years of experience in office, industrial, and retail investment sales throughout Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, and Hawaii. CJ joined Newmark in 2017 after working for six and a half years at HFF, where he served as a managing director in that firm’s Phoenix and Orange County offices.
CJ has over 19 years of experience in real estate. In 2023, he was AZ Big 100: 25 male leaders to watch in CRE. His awards include Connect Media Top Broker (2020, 2024), AZRE Magazine’s People & Projects to Know (2019), Connect Media Next Generation (2017), San Diego Business Journal Top Real Estate Deal (2015), and Real Estate Southern California’s 30 under 30 (2009).
CJ recently served six years on the Board of Directors for NAIOP Arizona Chapter and his team won NAIOP’s Transaction of the Year 2025 – The Beam.
panelists:
curt kremer
Curt Kremer is the founder and Managing Partner at George Oliver. As a 23-year industry veteran, Curt brings a background in acquisitions, asset management, architecture, and construction. He has participated in more than 15 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail development across multiple markets nationwide. He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Arizona State University, is a licensed Arizona Real Estate Salesperson, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
George Oliver LLC is a Phoenix, AZ-based commercial real estate company that operates on the cutting edge of office and industrial workspace environments. George Oliver believes your workspace should enhance productivity, improve employee retention, and help your business better compete in an increasingly volatile marketplace. Healthy, happy, and productive workspaces are giving businesses the upper hand, and unrivaled design, amenities, and tenant experiences are at the forefront in every one of our buildings. Experience the difference yourself at any of our award-winning buildings in Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, Austin, and Denver.
marina hammersmith, CCIM
Since joining Medical Office Brokers in 2024 as part of M|T HealthcaRE Partners, a specialized real estate team she co-founded in 2021 alongside her partner, Tyrel Williams, CPM, Marina Hammersmith, CCIM, has brought her 25+ years of healthcare real estate expertise to clients navigating the complexities of healthcare-focused assets. From land acquisitions and medical office building transactions to specialty healthcare leases, Marina has negotiated thousands of deals for organizations including Lillibridge Health Services, NexCore Group, Southwest Kidney, AleraCare, and HonorHealth.
A strong believer in the power of service and mentorship, Marina has invested significant time volunteering with the CCIM Institute at both the local and national levels. Her commitment has earned her the opportunity to serve as Presidential Liaison of the CCIM Institute, serving under Adam Palmer, CCIM, SIOR, the current CCIM Institute Global President. For Marina, giving back to CCIM and mentoring future leaders is not only a professional priority, but also a personal passion that reflects her dedication to the future of CCIM and its positive impact on commercial real estate.
Erin mcclure
Erin McClure is a Director with Newmark’s Phoenix office, where she leads tenant representation and corporate advisory services for a diverse range of clients, including professional services firms, financial institutions, REITs, and high-growth companies across multiple industries. With more than a decade of experience, McClure has completed over 15 million square feet of lease transactions totaling more than $1 billion in consideration. Prior to joining Newmark in 2017, she spent three years with CBRE, focusing on tenant representation and corporate services.
sean spellman
Sean Spellman’s career spans 18 years and includes leadership roles with the industry’s largest brokerage firms, where he regularly achieved top broker status and honed his skills in the marketing and leasing of institutional-quality metro Phoenix office properties. Sean specializes in advising office investors on leasing, marketing, and positioning of their assets.
Sean Spellman holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arizona and is an active member of NAIOP Arizona and Executive Council Charities.
Industrial Panel
Ed Valerio, CPM® - moderator
Ed Valerio is an Assistant Vice President of Leasing at Link Logistics, responsible for overseeing leasing activities across the Phoenix and Las Vegas markets. He focuses on maximizing asset value by attracting and retaining customers while ensuring operational excellence.
Ed’s previous experience as Associate Director, Property Management at Link Logistics, has helped guide and direct his operational decisions as a member of the firm’s Asset Management team. Before joining Link Logistics in 2021, Ed led a well-rounded career in property management, working with various developers, REITs, and owner-managers; most recently, he served as the managing director of a third-party property management company. He has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate.
Ed earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Real Estate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a Certified Property Manager® through IREM and a registered broker in Arizona.
panelists:
phil haenel
Phil Haenel has over 10 years of experience in the sale and leasing of industrial and back-office buildings, as well as land, throughout Arizona. He works closely with his business partners—Mike Haenel, Andy Markham, and Will Strong—specializing in the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of industrial real estate. Together, they serve the needs of corporate, institutional, and entrepreneurial owners and users across Arizona and select national markets.
Phil has built a reputation for his deep market knowledge, strategic approach, and commitment to delivering results for his clients. His efforts have contributed to several major industry recognitions, including the 2023 CW Americas Achievement Award, as well as the NAIOP Industrial Broker of the Year – Team Award in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
alexis matt
Alexis Matt serves as Vice President of Newmark’s Property Management division, where she leads management operations for the firm throughout the region. With over 15 years of property management experience, Alexis brings deep expertise in managing a diverse range of asset types, including industrial, Class-A office, retail, and medical commercial real estate. Alexis brings broad, end-to-end expertise to her work at Newmark, where she has continued to deliver results since joining in January 2021. Her track record spans a decade at CBRE and her current role, overseeing multi‑market industrial and commercial assets for institutional owners such as Invesco and TA Realty, as well as partnering closely with entrepreneurial property owners. Her capabilities include construction management, accounting, tenant relations, building operations, due diligence, lease negotiations, dispositions, and sustainability initiatives. She has built enduring relationships with brokerage teams, vendors, architects, engineers, attorneys, and general contractors, leveraging these partnerships to implement strategic business plans that anticipate and exceed the evolving needs of real estate clients.
Michael Monroe
Michael Monroe, Vice President of Development at Lincoln Property Company, provides strategic leadership across all phases of development for Lincoln’s owned assets as well as third-party client projects. Serving as the primary point of contact and principal lead for the firm’s project management platform, he oversees the full lifecycle of services, including entitlements, municipal approvals, permitting, bid evaluation, value engineering, construction oversight, and final project delivery.
In partnership with Lincoln’s Regional Partners, Michael drives execution across a diverse portfolio, guiding the project management team through complex ground-up developments, repositioning, and consulting engagements. His approach emphasizes disciplined oversight, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for ownership and clients alike.
Michael’s background spans roles with Jones Lang LaSalle, Apollo Group, and commercial architecture firms, where he developed deep expertise in development management, corporate real estate operations, and architectural coordination—experience that continues to inform his executive leadership at Lincoln Property Company.
Michael is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago. He is a licensed Architect, LEED-accredited, and a member of the NAIOP Arizona and Southern Nevada Chapter.
jacob wilson
Jacob Wilson is a Partner at Crux Commercial Partners, a commercial real estate financing advisory firm. Jacob has over 15 years of commercial real estate lending experience. Currently, he owns interests in 14 multifamily housing projects in and around the Seattle area and the Midwest, consisting of over four hundred (400) residential units.
