The Buccini/Pollin Group
About:
The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. is a privately-held, full-service real estate acquisition, development and management company with offices in Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia, PA. Formed in 1993, Buccini/Pollin develops and acquires hotel, office, residential, retail, and parking properties. The depth of Buccini/Pollin's in-house professional expertise for construction, management, and leasing is integral to the firm's success and its superior investment returns.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
About:
The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. is a privately-held, full-service real estate acquisition, development and management company with offices in Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia, PA. Formed in 1993, Buccini/Pollin develops and acquires hotel, office, residential, retail, and parking properties. The depth of Buccini/Pollin's in-house professional expertise for construction, management, and leasing is integral to the firm's success and its superior investment returns.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Chris Buccini, President
Mr. Buccini is co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. ("BPG") a privately-held, real estate investment, development and management company. Mr. Buccini lead’s the firm’s investment management platform, Corten Capital, and is a director of PM Hotel Group, Inc, a hotel management company with over 3,500 rooms under management. In addition, Chris co-founded and is co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union. |
Wes Schwandt, Senior Vice President
Mr. Schwandt is President of BPGS Construction, a full-service Construction & Development Management company with offices in Wilmington, Delaware and Washington, D.C. The primary function of BPGS is to oversee all construction and development related activities for Buccini/Pollin, Buccini/Pollin Real Estate Services, and select third party clients. Mr. Schwandt brings his individual focus to each project undertaken, bringing a leadership role throughout the process with ownership, designers, and the end user. |
Boris Kaplan, Senior Vice President
Mr. Kaplan is Vice President for Development Management, focusing on acquisitions, pre-development services, approvals and asset management. Mr. Kaplan has development management responsibilities for Buccini/Pollin’s mixed-use projects in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He has overseen BPG’s for-sale residential communities and ongoing development efforts as well as mixed-use projects along the Market Street commercial corridor in Wilmington, Delaware. |
Bomani M. Howze, Vice President of Development
Bomani M. Howze is Vice President of Development with the Buccini/Pollin Group, a real estate company that focuses on the acquisition, development and management of hotels, commercial and residential real estate. Mr. Howze’s responsibilities include heading up the Pittsburgh office, spearheading multifamily, mixed use affordable housing, commercial office leasing, government approvals and community reinvestment. A huge amount of time is dedicated to pulling financial resources to help build capacity of African American, minority and women owned businesses. Mr. Howze also played a key administrative role in the recent commencement of construction for the 26 story, FNB Financial Center in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District. Prior to this role he founded OLMEC Development Company and has helped secure awards of 500+ residential, mixed income units. Bomani holds a B.S. in Education from Norfolk State University as well as an MBA from Point Park University. |
Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Director of Community, Arts and Culture
Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis is Director of Community, Arts and Culture for The Buccini/Pollin Group’s Pittsburgh office focused on engaging the community and empowering Lower Hill District residents, homeowners, artists and entrepreneurs throughout the redevelopment of the 28-acre site. Kimberly C. Ellis, Ph.D. is a Scholar of American and Africana Studies and serves as the Historian and Storyteller of the Lower Hill District to frame the entirety of the Lower Hill redevelopment. She applies her doctorate and her experience growing up in the Historic Hill District to her work on all activities surrounding community engagement, arts, cultural heritage, leasing and marketing of the redevelopment. Dr. Ellis leads the First Source Center’s workforce development, business resource, and construction training recruitment program; and garnered an “Industry Award” for her work on the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education Program (PPS-CTE) in her first year. Dr. Ellis directs and manages the artist engagement for the complementary landscape design of the district’s open space through her work co-designing the Frankie Pace Park. Her responsibilities also include marketing and leasing of the redevelopment. Dr. Ellis invites all interested parties to make history on this project and share in the new story for the Historic Hill District, the City of Pittsburgh, and the Nation. |
Matthew Corace, Construction Manager
Mr. Corace is a Senior Project Manager for BPGS Construction and the Construction Manager for the Lower Hill Redevelopment Project. Originally from Pittsburgh, Mr. Corace is a fourth generation builder growing up in around the construction industry. Mr. Corace has extensive hands on experience across a spectrum of various trades having worked as a carpenter, mason, and operator for a land construction company. His responsibilities for this project focus on managing the design and construction teams brought on for development. |
Olivia Grunseich, Construction Coordinator
Ms. Grunseich is a Project Engineer II for BPGS Construction, and the Construction Coordinator for the Lower Hill Redevelopment Project. Her responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, including managing project budgets and schedules, issuing contracts, interacting with technical consultants, and monitoring data for accurate reporting of development endeavors. She also works closely with the design and construction teams to ensure project activities run smoothly. |
Sarah Lamb, Senior Vice President of Design & Marketing
Ms. Lamb is the Vice President of Design and Marketing at The Buccini/Pollin Group. Her responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, including designing and overseeing building upgrades across BPG’s portfolio of properties, conceptualizing floor plans for potential tenants, tenant fit-out design, working with architects and construction teams on various construction projects, as well as the design and implementation of marketing materials for BPG and its subsidiaries. |
Rachelle Pownall-Brown, Marketing Manager
Rachelle Pownall-Brown is the Marketing Manager for The Buccini/Pollin Group. Her responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, including the oversight and management of all aspects related to the production and implementation of branding initiatives and given campaigns for BPG's development projects. |
Jessica Jefferies, Development Project Coordinator
Jessica serves as the Development Project Coordinator for the Buccini/Pollin Group. She holds a degree in Business Management and Liberal Arts while continuing her MBA at The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to being employed by the Buccini/Pollin Group, she was an Associate Director at IBR. |
Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Redevelopment (PAR) Team
About:
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original expansion from six to twelve teams. The Penguins played in the Civic Arena, also known as The Igloo, from the time of their inception through the end of the 2009–10 season, when they moved to the PPG Paints Arena. The 1992–93 Penguins won the franchise's first-ever Presidents' Trophy for being the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. In addition to their eight division titles, they have qualified for six Stanley Cup Finals, winning the Stanley Cup five times – in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original expansion from six to twelve teams. The Penguins played in the Civic Arena, also known as The Igloo, from the time of their inception through the end of the 2009–10 season, when they moved to the PPG Paints Arena. The 1992–93 Penguins won the franchise's first-ever Presidents' Trophy for being the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. In addition to their eight division titles, they have qualified for six Stanley Cup Finals, winning the Stanley Cup five times – in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017.
F.N.B Corporation (NYSE: FNB)
About:
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of approximately $42 billion and nearly 340 banking offices with operations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864.
Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, international banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing.
The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services.
FNB’s wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.
The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “FNB” and is included in Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index.
Redevelopment Team Leaders:
Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO
Mr. Delie, Jr is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank.
After joining FNB in 2005, Delie assumed a variety of companywide executive leadership roles beginning in 2008. He became President of First National Bank in 2009 and subsequently was promoted to its CEO. He was named President of FNB Corporation in 2011, was elected as CEO and joined the Board of Directors in 2012. In 2017, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. Delie also chairs the Board’s executive committee.
Delie has led FNB to execute on its organic growth and expansion strategy. In addition to completing 16 acquisitions, the Company has substantially built out its digital platform and significantly expanded its product capabilities. During his tenure, FNB has more than tripled its market capitalization, added multiple markets to its geographic footprint and produced sustained revenue growth and expanded profitability.
With broad-based financial services experience, Delie previously served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking at National City Bank. Throughout his career, he has held various roles in areas including capital markets, investment banking, credit risk, wealth management, insurance and retail banking. He earned a degree in Business Administration and Finance from the Smeal College of Business at The Pennsylvania State University and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Allegheny County, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Team Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. He also is involved in the American Bankers Association and Pennsylvania and West Virginia Bankers Associations.
FNB, Pennsylvania's second-largest bank, has become as much of a partner as a tenant in the new FNB Financial Center, where it will take 165,000 square feet for its new headquarters as well as provide a $170 million loan for its construction in a project in which it will maintain an ownership stake as well.
The bank will also front more than $20 million in funding support from the public tax capture strategy for the development to be used on projects in the broader Hill District. FNB Financial Center will join the ranks of downtown's largest office buildings in a site just beyond the Central Business District in the Lower Hill and is expected to help to leverage more than $1 billion of new development for the rest of the more than 28 acres in the Lower Hill District while establishing dedicated public funding for broader uses in the rest of the Hill District neighborhood.
About:
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of approximately $42 billion and nearly 340 banking offices with operations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864.
Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, international banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing.
The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services.
FNB’s wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.
The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “FNB” and is included in Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index.
Redevelopment Team Leaders:
Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO
Mr. Delie, Jr is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank.
After joining FNB in 2005, Delie assumed a variety of companywide executive leadership roles beginning in 2008. He became President of First National Bank in 2009 and subsequently was promoted to its CEO. He was named President of FNB Corporation in 2011, was elected as CEO and joined the Board of Directors in 2012. In 2017, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. Delie also chairs the Board’s executive committee.
Delie has led FNB to execute on its organic growth and expansion strategy. In addition to completing 16 acquisitions, the Company has substantially built out its digital platform and significantly expanded its product capabilities. During his tenure, FNB has more than tripled its market capitalization, added multiple markets to its geographic footprint and produced sustained revenue growth and expanded profitability.
With broad-based financial services experience, Delie previously served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking at National City Bank. Throughout his career, he has held various roles in areas including capital markets, investment banking, credit risk, wealth management, insurance and retail banking. He earned a degree in Business Administration and Finance from the Smeal College of Business at The Pennsylvania State University and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Allegheny County, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Team Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. He also is involved in the American Bankers Association and Pennsylvania and West Virginia Bankers Associations.
FNB, Pennsylvania's second-largest bank, has become as much of a partner as a tenant in the new FNB Financial Center, where it will take 165,000 square feet for its new headquarters as well as provide a $170 million loan for its construction in a project in which it will maintain an ownership stake as well.
The bank will also front more than $20 million in funding support from the public tax capture strategy for the development to be used on projects in the broader Hill District. FNB Financial Center will join the ranks of downtown's largest office buildings in a site just beyond the Central Business District in the Lower Hill and is expected to help to leverage more than $1 billion of new development for the rest of the more than 28 acres in the Lower Hill District while establishing dedicated public funding for broader uses in the rest of the Hill District neighborhood.
Clay Cove Capital, LLC
About:
Clay Cove Capital seeks investment opportunities that meet most, if not all, of the following investment criteria: institutional scale, attractive basis, risk mitigation, value creation, multiple exit strategies, control positions, and institutional promote structures. The real estate private equity investments typically have $10-25M of equity per investment. Clay Cove Capital is completely beneficially owned and managed by Amachie K. Ackah and Brian D. Eng.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Amachie K. Ackah, Co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer
Amachie K. Ackah is co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Clay Cove Capital where he has leadership and oversight responsibilities for investment, strategic, and operational activities of the real estate private equity firm. Mr. Ackah has over 24 years of real estate industry experience as a professional in both real estate investment funds and development companies. Mr. Ackah received an M.B.A. with dual majors in Finance and Real Estate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Williams College.
About:
Clay Cove Capital seeks investment opportunities that meet most, if not all, of the following investment criteria: institutional scale, attractive basis, risk mitigation, value creation, multiple exit strategies, control positions, and institutional promote structures. The real estate private equity investments typically have $10-25M of equity per investment. Clay Cove Capital is completely beneficially owned and managed by Amachie K. Ackah and Brian D. Eng.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Amachie K. Ackah, Co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer
Amachie K. Ackah is co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Clay Cove Capital where he has leadership and oversight responsibilities for investment, strategic, and operational activities of the real estate private equity firm. Mr. Ackah has over 24 years of real estate industry experience as a professional in both real estate investment funds and development companies. Mr. Ackah received an M.B.A. with dual majors in Finance and Real Estate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Williams College.
E. Holdings, Inc.
About:
E. Holdings Inc is a small MBE consulting firm based in the Hill District community of Pittsburgh, PA. Their unique blend of industry experts work with clients, communities, and stakeholders to develop and implement innovative solutions for a variety of projects, from large scale public works through small community projects that enhance everyday life.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Janai Smith, M/WBE Consultant
As the managing director, Janai leads E. Holdings’ diverse team of experts ranging from technical engineering, project management, community planning, and community engagement. Delivering to clients more than promised, she is committed to providing quality service and preserving a standard of excellence for the company. Janai possesses over 20 years of industry experience. Like her father, she is passionate about improving the quality of life for urban residents and firmly believes businesses need to have a humanitarian focus in today’s diverse global economy. E. Holdings has been engaged as the M/WBE consultant for the Lower Hill development. In that capacity, the team will focus on building bridges between the development team and the minority and women-owned business community to support the inclusion of local, disadvantaged contractors and service providers in this transformational project.
About:
E. Holdings Inc is a small MBE consulting firm based in the Hill District community of Pittsburgh, PA. Their unique blend of industry experts work with clients, communities, and stakeholders to develop and implement innovative solutions for a variety of projects, from large scale public works through small community projects that enhance everyday life.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Janai Smith, M/WBE Consultant
As the managing director, Janai leads E. Holdings’ diverse team of experts ranging from technical engineering, project management, community planning, and community engagement. Delivering to clients more than promised, she is committed to providing quality service and preserving a standard of excellence for the company. Janai possesses over 20 years of industry experience. Like her father, she is passionate about improving the quality of life for urban residents and firmly believes businesses need to have a humanitarian focus in today’s diverse global economy. E. Holdings has been engaged as the M/WBE consultant for the Lower Hill development. In that capacity, the team will focus on building bridges between the development team and the minority and women-owned business community to support the inclusion of local, disadvantaged contractors and service providers in this transformational project.
Gensler
About:
Gensler is a global multi-disciplined design firm that believes in the power of design to positively affect people, organizations, and communities. Gensler sets a high bar for leadership in the design industry, named #1 Firm and “Most Admired Firm” by Interior Design, Architectural Record, and Building Design + Construction magazines. The firm was recently named to Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” list for the 2nd year in a row and has also been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor and other publications.
Outside of Lower Hill Redevelopment, Gensler’s Pittsburgh project highlights include the renovation of the Pittsburgh International Airport, 3 PNC Plaza/Fairmont Hotel, Reed Smith, and PNC Tower. Gensler has 48 locations and more than 6,000 professionals networked across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Vaki Mawema, Principal / Mixed Use Practice Area Leader
Vaki is a Gensler Principal and co-Managing Director of the firm’s Baltimore office. He is a leader in the firm’s mixed use and retail centers practice areas, focusing on the planning and design of experiential environments that include office, retail, hospitality, and food & beverage. Frequently sought as a speaker on design industry leadership, Vaki has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 Leader by several different business publications.
Donald Ghent, Principal
With a knack for untangling complex technical problems, Don is Gensler’s reigning authority on technical design and delivery issues. As a Design Leader, he supports all of Gensler’s practice areas and works to overcome the logistical hurdles on Gensler’s largest projects. His expertise further extends to the areas of secure facility design and fast-track delivery methods, such as design build. This unique skill set has led Gensler to also tap him to serve as a Southeast Region Technical Director and a Leader of the Government and Tall Buildings Practice Areas. A Registered Architect, Don is also a member of the Design Build Institute of America, Construction Specifications Institute and Construction Management Association of America. He holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Catholic University of America.
Elaine Asal , Design Strategist Leader
A connector, catalyst, instigator and communicator, Elaine believes solutions to the wickedest problems come in many forms, and often from the most unexpected places. Trained as an architect, Elaine’s approach to problem solving is driven by balancing visionary ideals with realistic measures. She believes that positive impact comes from thoughtful, informed and tangible solutions, achieved when passionate people come together around a shared narrative and common goals. She is a visual communicator that excels at organizational development, innovation process and community engagement.
Peter Stubb, Principal / Design Director
As Design Director in Gensler’s Baltimore office, Peter leads design in the Commercial Office Buildings, Education & Culture, and Planning practice areas. A multifaceted designer with a gift for conceptual thinking, he has built an interdisciplinary studio that partners with clients to deliver thoughtful, award-winning projects. His belief that good design is democratic leads to inclusive strategies that drive positive change.
Kate Kirkpatrick, Principal / Design Strategy Leader
Kate enriches Gensler’s work and elevates client impact by anchoring design to a clear strategic foundation. Through facilitation, research, and well-honed divergent/convergent thinking methods, she creates a clear narrative that helps Gensler’s developer, corporate, retail/hospitality, and institutional clients realize memorable places and brands for working, learning, traveling, shopping, and living.
About:
Gensler is a global multi-disciplined design firm that believes in the power of design to positively affect people, organizations, and communities. Gensler sets a high bar for leadership in the design industry, named #1 Firm and “Most Admired Firm” by Interior Design, Architectural Record, and Building Design + Construction magazines. The firm was recently named to Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” list for the 2nd year in a row and has also been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor and other publications.
Outside of Lower Hill Redevelopment, Gensler’s Pittsburgh project highlights include the renovation of the Pittsburgh International Airport, 3 PNC Plaza/Fairmont Hotel, Reed Smith, and PNC Tower. Gensler has 48 locations and more than 6,000 professionals networked across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Redevelopment Team Leaders
Vaki Mawema, Principal / Mixed Use Practice Area Leader
Vaki is a Gensler Principal and co-Managing Director of the firm’s Baltimore office. He is a leader in the firm’s mixed use and retail centers practice areas, focusing on the planning and design of experiential environments that include office, retail, hospitality, and food & beverage. Frequently sought as a speaker on design industry leadership, Vaki has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 Leader by several different business publications.
Donald Ghent, Principal
With a knack for untangling complex technical problems, Don is Gensler’s reigning authority on technical design and delivery issues. As a Design Leader, he supports all of Gensler’s practice areas and works to overcome the logistical hurdles on Gensler’s largest projects. His expertise further extends to the areas of secure facility design and fast-track delivery methods, such as design build. This unique skill set has led Gensler to also tap him to serve as a Southeast Region Technical Director and a Leader of the Government and Tall Buildings Practice Areas. A Registered Architect, Don is also a member of the Design Build Institute of America, Construction Specifications Institute and Construction Management Association of America. He holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Catholic University of America.
Elaine Asal , Design Strategist Leader
A connector, catalyst, instigator and communicator, Elaine believes solutions to the wickedest problems come in many forms, and often from the most unexpected places. Trained as an architect, Elaine’s approach to problem solving is driven by balancing visionary ideals with realistic measures. She believes that positive impact comes from thoughtful, informed and tangible solutions, achieved when passionate people come together around a shared narrative and common goals. She is a visual communicator that excels at organizational development, innovation process and community engagement.
Peter Stubb, Principal / Design Director
As Design Director in Gensler’s Baltimore office, Peter leads design in the Commercial Office Buildings, Education & Culture, and Planning practice areas. A multifaceted designer with a gift for conceptual thinking, he has built an interdisciplinary studio that partners with clients to deliver thoughtful, award-winning projects. His belief that good design is democratic leads to inclusive strategies that drive positive change.
Kate Kirkpatrick, Principal / Design Strategy Leader
Kate enriches Gensler’s work and elevates client impact by anchoring design to a clear strategic foundation. Through facilitation, research, and well-honed divergent/convergent thinking methods, she creates a clear narrative that helps Gensler’s developer, corporate, retail/hospitality, and institutional clients realize memorable places and brands for working, learning, traveling, shopping, and living.