Best Development Strategies in Today's Economic Environment
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Presidents Room
Keith Gordon - Moderator
CEO
NCV Capital Partners’ principal, real estate developer and financier, A. Keith Gordon, started as a Wall-street investment banker turned real estate developer, and has nearly two-decades of experience in financing, managing, and developing projects from affluent to affordable in the Tri-State state area.  Highly motivated and experienced real estate investment professional with expert proficiency in acquisitions, development, asset management, and due diligence. Possesses a comprehensive understanding of principal investing transferrable to a leadership position in real estate investment management. Synthesize, review, and analyze complex data, producing recommendations that can be quickly communicated to senior-level investment professionals. Keith is regarded for superior attention to detail and exceptional work ethic; effectively leading cross-functional teams on multiple project assignments. He maintains an ongoing awareness of trends in real estate investing through constant networking with peers globally. Throughout his career Keith has transacted over $7 Billion in Tri-State real estate development projects. Keith has actively source and developed multifamily tax credit projects for affordable housing transactions including securing LIHTC allocations as well as tax-exempt volume cap bond allocations throughout the Northeastern United States particularly New York and New Jersey. He has sourced and executed equity investment transactions for affordable housing transactions throughout the Northeastern United States for Centerline Capital Group, an alternative asset manager specializing in multifamily real estate funds and financing. He has also managed and led the residential real estate acquisition function, covering the Northeast region for Equity Residential Properties, the largest publicly-traded owner, operator, and developer of multi-family housing in the United States.  Before this, Keith was a senior manager for the multi-family capital markets division of the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) after ending his 6 year career in investment banking at J.P. Morgan Chase.
Dawanna Williams
Founder/Managing Principal
Dawanna Williams established Dabar Development Partners as a full-service real estate development and investment firm focused on the preservation, renovation and new construction of architecturally significant real estate properties. ​ With over 20 years of experience in the industry and a background that spans both real estate law and business, Dawanna guides projects with a unique approach that combines her expertise as a legal and business pragmatist, strong community-driven values and a passion for refined materials and design. Her innovation and vision on numerous projects have earned recognition from New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), among others. Under her leadership, revitalizing new construction projects have been completed by the firm in New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta. ​ Prior to founding Dabar, Dawanna spent 10 years practicing commercial real estate law, most of that time with prominent firm Sidley Austin LLP. During her legal career, she represented major developers, international funds, investment banks, institutional lenders and private equity investors to facilitate a wide range of complex real estate transactions, totaling millions of spatial square feet and over $10 billion in transactional value. ​ In addition to her role at Dabar, Dawanna is an avid traveller and enjoys serving on the boards of the New York Real Estate Chamber (NYREC), the Apollo Theater and The Trust For Cultural Resources of The City Of New York. She holds an A.B. from Smith College, an M.P.A. from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.
Nicole Lockett
Managing Partner
As Genesis’ Managing Director of Development, Nicole draws on over 25 years of industry acumen in the public and private sectors to finance complex housing developments for the firm. In this role, Nicole crafts and executes affordable, mixed-use, and mixed-income real estate development projects involving Year 15 re-syndication, conventional debt, taxable and tax-exempt bonds, LIHTCs, RAD and a range of other public and private funding sources. ​ Prior to joining Genesis, Nicole served as a Senior Developer with Pennrose Properties and as a Development Manager for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the country’s fourth largest. Before that, she worked with lenders, municipalities and nonprofits across the country and in Puerto Rico as a consultant with Community Development Services. Nicole currently serves on the Board of the New York Real Estate Chamber (NYREC), a CPC ACCESS Program Advisory Board Member, and as an Advisory Board Member with NYU’s Furman Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rice University and a Master of Science of Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Kenneth Morrison
Managing Principal
Mr. Morrison launched his real estate career while a sophomore at Howard University, when he joined his family’s blossoming brokerage business. While the decision to postpone his studies was difficult, he subsequently became an integral part of the family business. As a result of his efforts combined with those of other principals at Lemor Realty, the firm’s initial focus on the sale and rental of property in the Harlem community shifted. From 1988 to 1993, Lemor Realty experienced tremendous growth, which resulted in the establishment of a property management division in 1993. This division quickly grew to manage over 250-300 units in New York City. In partnership with Harrison Rayford, III, Lemor Development was formed in 2012, and has become a real estate development force. As a result of strong partnership engagements, such as Enterprise NEF (LISC), Mr. Morrison has brought a wealth of knowledge to the team while providing great insight into asset management. Mr. Morrison serves on several boards including the New York Theological Seminary; Greater Harlem: Bradhurst Merchants Association and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. He holds a BA in Science and Entrepreneurship from the University of Phoenix. Seminary.
Christopher Bramwell
Co-Founder/Managing Partner
R. Christopher Bramwell, Jr. is a second-generation real estate professional and investor with over 25 years of industry experience. His passion for community development led him to co-found CB Emmanuel Realty LLC (CBE) with his partner Ben Upshaw in 2005. He is also a founding member and co-chair of the New York Real Estate Chamber (NYREC).  ​ His leadership, combined with CBE’s innovative investments, has garnered widespread recognition from notable organizations such as the Citizens Housing Planning Council of New York City and the Westchester Clubmen.  Chris actively seeks opportunities to mentor young professionals of color to expose them to the myriad opportunities in the real estate industry.  ​ Chris has served as President of Shinda Management Corporation (SMC), a MBE certified property management firm which he now co-chairs. He sits on various boards and serves as a trustee of Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Brownsville, Brooklyn.  Chris is a proud graduate of SUNY New Paltz and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, NYS real estate brokers license and multiple Tax Credit and Property Management certifications.