or Contact the Chapter Office:
Phone: 813-545-1382
Email: Lauren Dowling (Chapter Executive Director)
Meet the Speakers
Commissioner Jim Gray
Jim Gray is the Managing Director at CBRE’s Orlando office. He oversees all operations and provides strategic support on business development to grow the firm’s operations and market share in the Central Florida region. He plays an integral role in leveraging CBRE’s comprehensive platform to provide service excellence to clients and forge new business relationships.
Mr. Gray has been active in the region’s commercial real estate industry for more than thirty five years. Throughout his career, he has developed an extensive network within Florida’s real estate, banking and business community. Prior to joining CBRE in May 2018, Mr. Gray served as President of GrayPointe Capital (GPC), a commercial real estate investment and advisory firm headquartered in Orlando. Before forming GPC, he spent 12 years with Parkway Properties, a publicly traded REIT that specializes in the ownership and operation of high-quality office buildings throughout nine Sun Belt states. As Director of National Accounts, Mr. Gray was responsible for maintaining positive relationships with Parkway’s largest tenants across multiple markets.
Mr. Gray joined the Parkway Properties team through the acquisition of Eola Capital, a privately held real estate investment and operating company based in Orlando. While at Eola, he coordinated activities with private investors, including raising and managing three equity funds totaling $40 million for specific real estate acquisitions, and was responsible for office leasing in Orlando. Prior to this, Mr. Gray spent 17 years with First Union/Wachovia Bank managing their real estate, wealth management and commercial lending efforts in Central Florida.
In 2012, Mr. Gray was elected to the Orlando City Commission and continues to represent District 1 in southeastern Orlando.
Mr. Gray received a BA in Finance from the University of Houston and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
John M Crossman
John is a highly accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience transforming business go-to-market strategies and outperforming expectations. He is a collaborative team builder who champions talent diversity and establishes strong connections internally and externally, earning and delivering loyalty with accountability for results with customers, colleagues, and community stakeholders. As founder/owner of CrossMarc Services, a privately held commercial real estate advisory, brokerage and investment firm he leads a team of professionals who strive to put client relationships and success at the center of everything they do.
John’s life-long passion has been serving marginalized populations to develop and thrive by learning about financial and real estate investment strategies. John shares these messages as the founder/owner of Crossman Career Builders, a talent development organization that helps college students, young professionals and CEOs reach their full potential personally and professionally and by endowing real estate scholarships at colleges and universities, especially HBCUs. John is the author of “Career Killers/Career Builders: The Book Every Millennial Should Read” based on his most popular speech at 25 US universities.
John is a graduate of Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Real Estate.
Yvonne Baker
With more than 35 years in the commercial real estate industry, Yvonne has lived her passion for the profession and is recognized as a top performer for her proven success and leadership. She is an avid supporter of real estate organizations, higher education, and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals, providing a legacy of excellence and integrity. She has an extensive background in agency leasing for office, industrial, retail and multifamily assets with experience in development, sales, property management, project management, brokerage operations, commercial real estate lending, commercial credit analysis, training and development, and personnel management.
Dr. H. Shelton Weeks
Dr. H. Shelton Weeks was a member of the inaugural faculty of Florida Gulf Coast University where he serves as the Lucas Professor of Real Estate and Director of the Lucas Institute for Real Estate Development & Finance. He earned his BS, MS and PhD in finance from the University of Alabama. He teaches in the areas of corporate finance, investments and real estate. His research focuses on pedagogical issues, valuation of real property, and real estate investment trusts. Dr. Weeks has extensive industry experience in valuation of real property with an emphasis on senior living projects. He is a member of the American Real Estate Society and the Real Estate Investment Society.
Dr. Tim Becker, CCIM
Dr. Tim Becker, CCIM, is the executive director of the Bergstrom Real Estate Center at the University of Florida, where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the center’s non-academic activities. In this role, he is responsible for implementing the strategic plan for the center, identifying and cultivating new members to the Center’s advisory board, Chairman’s Circle, and Bergstrom Council, developing and maintaining a Florida-focused applied research program, and representing the center in industry organizations. Tim also teaches in the Nathan S. Collier MSRE program.
Tim started his career in real estate as an analyst with Hanson Real Estate Advisors in Fort Myers, working on commercial appraisals and eminent domain valuation. Tim became the assistant treasurer at Bonita Bay Group, a large-scale master planned community developer in Bonita Springs, where he was responsible for all of the company’s banking relationships, cash management functions, and financial analysis of future acquisitions. He later became Director of Commercial Development, where he had primary responsibility for starting and building the company’s commercial development group.
Before his career in real estate, Tim was a reactor engineer at the Waterford 3 Nuclear Power Station in Louisiana, part of the electric utility, Entergy.
Tim is a full member of the Urban Land Institute, the CCIM Institute, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida and an MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University. He recently completed a Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Florida.
Kay Rawlins
Kay Rawlins is a founder of Orlando City and Orlando Pride, and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Club Ambassador.
Kay moved to the US in 2004 and to Orlando in 2011 to start a soccer team. The last ten years has seen the rise of Orlando City, playing their first season in Major League Soccer in 2015, adding a women’s team, Orlando Pride in 2016 and a new downtown stadium which opened in 2017.
Kay’s current role includes speaking engagements on behalf of the Club, building the alumni network and programs, Chamber and civic group engagement and the Pride Collective. She sits on numerous boards and was awarded 2016 Businesswoman of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal, Corporate Ally of the Year 2019 by the Pride Chamber, LGBTQ+ Ally by the Florida Diversity Council and included in Florida Trend 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and City & State Women Power 100 in 2022. In 2024, she was inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, selected as one of the Women to Know in Florida by KNOW Women, and is a 2025 Orange Appeal Woman of the Year.
S. Brendan Lynch
A Virginia native originally with aspirations to become a journalist, Brendan Lynch fell in love with Florida and has made it his home since 2005. He represents both commercial and residential property land owners, as well as tenant business owners, in issues of property tax valuation and eminent domain/condemnation.
Brendan assists property owners throughout Florida with their property tax appeals, including assessment reviews, direct negotiations with county property appraisers, appeals to the Value Adjustment Board, and trial and appellate court proceedings. His clients include apartment projects, big box stores, national retail chains, condominiums, commercial strip centers, hotels, affordable housing, residences, student housing, vacant land, senior housing and all other commercial buildings.
With broad experience handling many different types of exemption applications, Brendan often assists clients from the application stage through challenges, to denial of any exemption, through trial and appellate court proceedings. These exemption applications include agricultural, conservation easements, educational, healthcare, homestead, military housing, non-profit, religious, student housing, and senior living.
Typically, the eminent domain cases involve a governmental entity (Florida Department of Transportation, county, city, expressway authority, or other state agency) or private utility with condemnation powers seeking to take land from the property owners. Interestingly, Brendan has also represented condemning authorities on special projects – bringing a perspective from both sides of the table.
Brendan’s love for his adopted hometown of Orlando is reflected in his commitment to the community and its cultural diversity. A long-time \ advocate for the arts and past chair of the United Arts of Central Florida’s Board of Directors, Brendan currently serves as a trustee and Executive Board General Counsel for the Orlando Science Center and as chair of the Opera Orlando Endowment Fund. He has also served in leadership roles for the Adult Literacy League, the Orange County Teen Court, and the Heart of Florida United Way.
Lisa McNatt
Lisa McNatt is a resourceful, innovative professional with 30 years of research analysis, analytics, marketing, and public relations experience. Her work for CoStar ranges from presenting to clients, trade groups, and national audiences to creating analytically driven reports, news stories, and thought capital deliverables. She provides valuable expertise in finding and communicating real estate market insights across Florida’s office, industrial, multifamily, and retail markets. Her primary markets include Central Florida, the Space Coast, Jacksonville, and Northwest Florida. Lisa is results-oriented with a reputation for integrity and has previously worked in key research and analytics roles with Cushman & Wakefield, Trammell Crow Company, Institutional Property Advisors, and Avison Young.
Ken Kupp
Mr. Kupp is a Partner at Boyd Development and has accumulated 35 years of commercial and residential real estate acquisition, development and finance experience. He has been involved in larger mixed-use land developments and has developed multi-family, retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use projects. He has been directly responsible for the financing and development of over 2 million sf of commercial development and over 2,000 multi-family residential units valued at in excess of $600 million. Today, Mr. Kupp and his partner Scott Boyd are actively involved in the development of commercial and mixed-use projects in the State of Florida with a build-out value exceeding $750 million.
During his career, Mr. Kupp held positions with private and public development companies that were active throughout the continental U.S. Prior to becoming a partner at Boyd Development, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle Development. At Jones Lang LaSalle, Mr. Kupp was responsible for managing the company’s seven offices and its nationwide, commercial real estate development activities. After JLL, he joined ORIX Real Estate where he was Executive Vice President and Director of Development – Southern Region.
Mr. Kupp graduated from Texas Tech University with a Mechanical Engineering Degree in 1980 and from the University of Texas at Austin with an MBA in 1982.
Keith Fountain
Keith Fountain has been involved with conservation real estate and strategies in Florida for more than 30 years, directly or through managed staff closing more than 4,300 real estate transactions valued at more than $1 billion. Initially working in the nonprofit sector, he led conservation initiatives ranging from the county to multi-state ecosystem scale. Keith initiated discussions that resulted in the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area and directed a longleaf pine working group tasked with protecting timberlands and assisting landowners with restoring the ecosystem across its historic multi-state range.
Since 2012, Keith has worked as a consultant or attorney to bring his experience and breadth of contacts to ranchers, farmers, timberland owners, investors, nonprofits and government agencies requiring his expertise and vision to complete conservation transactions for preserving family lands, sustaining agricultural businesses and protecting Florida’s natural resources. He is a frequent speaker on conservation strategies and conservation easements and has a reputation for understanding the requirements for a conservation easement to qualify for a charitable contribution under the Internal Revenue Code.
Prior to engaging in a career in conservation, Keith practiced real estate law and spent a summer in Alaska as a backcountry volunteer. He received his Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Florida.
TOP REASONS FOR ATTENDING THE EVENT:
- 10 National and Local Prominent Speakers – This year’s hand-picked line-up will keep you intrigued, informed, and entertained with a vast array of interesting personalities, unique stories, and a wide bandwidth of real estate experience
- Topics of Discussion – A diverse level of subject matter will be covered including but not limited to:
Costar presents a detailed overview of Real Estate Trends and Forecast at a Central Florida, National, and International Level; Now and 10 Years into the future
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- Another detailed presentation on local commercial market trends from market leader CBRE.
- Hear an insider’s view on how to successfully negotiate zoning and future land uses issues to enhance development opportunities.
- The Hamlin PD located in Horizon’s West is one of Central Florida’s hottest markets. Hear from developer Ken Kuppas to how they master planned and developed a premier planned community. See what’s in place and learn about new beltway connectors and massive development over the next 20 years.
- Ad valorum taxes continue to be an issue to property owners. Hear from celebrated attorney Brendan Lynch as he explains the assessment process, challenges to the county property appraiser, The Value Adjustment Board—its function and operation, along with appeals and the process of challenging a properties just value.
- Conservation easements are becoming a frequent tool for the Florida DEP and five state of Florida water management districts to preserve environmental lands, provide a statewide wildlife corridor, and allow ranch/farm owners to keep agricultural properties in the family from one generation to the next. Attorney Keith Fountain has handled some of the largest environmental land transactions in Florida history. Listen and learn.
- Professional sports are a strong and vibrant part of the Central Florida economy. In addition to the Orlando Magic and Bay Hill Golf Classic we are home to Orlando City, a premier soccer club. Hear club founder Kay Rawlins discuss the team and its economic impact to Central Florida.
- Giveaways – Over $3,000 in Gifts & Prizes throughout the event
- Live Outdoor Music – Enjoy the evening “Under the Stars” with live 70’s & 80’s Music, Food and Cocktails after the main event
- CE Credit – Earn 8 Hours of CE Credits; Earn (8) Hours of CE Credits; (40) Points of CE Appraisal Institute, (6) hours of CLE, and FREAB.
- Networking – Come network with the “Who’s Who” of real estate professionals in the Central Florida market attending this year’s event, including top level:
Developers ● Planners ● Attorneys ● Bankers ● Brokers ● Construction Companies ● Appraisers ● Engineers ● Investors
Architects ● City & County Officials ● College Representatives ● Data Companies ● amongst others
- Delicious Food & Drinks – Continental Breakfast, Lunch, and Cocktail Reception
