2024 TeamCalifornia Meet the Consultants Economic Development & Economic Development Forum

Chris Lloyd, McGuire Woods

Chris Lloyd leads the McGuireWoods Consulting infrastructure and economic development team, where he specializes in site selection and economic development incentives negotiations. Since 1998, Chris has worked on dozens of high-profile corporate expansions and relocations across the country. He has also worked closely with clients on numerous public-private partnership projects for transportation and other infrastructure.

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Kim Moore, Newmark

Kim L. Moore joined Newmark in 2014 as a part of the firm’s Global Strategy and Consulting Team, a practice within the firm’s Global Corporate Services (GCS). Kim leads the Economic Incentives Advisory and the Economic Development Consulting Services practices. With a diverse background in economic development, incentive negotiation, site selection, and strategic planning, Kim leads marketing efforts and strategic planning for both the private and public sectors.

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Garrick Brown,  Retail Economics

Garrick Brown is one of the United States leading retail real estate analysts. He is the Vice President of Real Estate Intelligence and Business Development at Gallelli Real Estate. He is a public speaker who has participated as events hosted by the Urban Land Institute, NAIOP, Appraisal Institute, CREW, ICSC, PRSM and Verizon Wireless, among others.

Learn more about Garrick.

William Hearn, Site Dynamics

William Hearn is a Real Estate and consulting executive with core services in corporate site selection, real estate negotiation, networking to support real estate objectives, team-building, cost analysis and economic incentives negotiation. He is known as an NREL Renewable Energy Executive, founding member of Site Selectors Guild, work with Site selection for energy intensive industries and solar and battery storage, and as USAID consultant.

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Rick Kingery, Colliers

Rick Kingery is a Real Estate Strategist who is passionate about helping clients leverage real estate to achieve their business goals. With a proven track record of success in complex transactions, Rick advises some of the world's most recognized brands in the Food & Beverage industry. Colliers International focuses on accelerating our clients' success by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors in Delaware, nationally and globally. 

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Niree Kodaverdian, Beacon Economics

Niree Kodaverdian, Ph.D. is Lead Research Associate at Beacon Economics, LLC. Dr. Kodaverdian conducts data research and analysis in support of several of the firm’s key practice areas including Public Policy Analysis; Housing, Land Use and Real Estate; and Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impact Analysis. 

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Courtney Dunbar, Burns & McDonnell

Courtney Dunbar has combined career experiences in site selection, economic  development, community planning, and project funding. In her current role, she leads Burns &  McDonnell's site selection consulting practice.

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Natalie Pebbles, Jersey Mike's Subs

Natalie Pebbles is the Director of Real Estate for Jersey Mike’s Subs. She has developed and managed the real estate rollout throughout the Western U.S. for Jersey Mike’s since 2013. As a key player in the real estate arena, she has skillfully strategized expansion and led site selection and negotiations for Jersey Mike’s franchisees. Her innovative approaches and dogged determination have contributed to Jersey Mike's rapid expansion, making it one of the nation's fastest-growing restaurant chains.

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Poonum Patel, GO-Biz

Poonum Patel serves as the Deputy Director of Business Development at the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), where she has been a key contributor for over a decade. Her extensive experience includes roles as Assistant Deputy Director and Senior Business Development Specialist, where she has led efforts in site selection and business investment services across California. Poonum holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management and a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of California, Davis.

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Derek Kirk, GO-Biz 

Derek Kirk serves as the Senior Advisor for Economic Policy for the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). Prior to that, he served  as the Assistant Deputy Secretary of Climate Economy at the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. where he supported communities in developing and implementing regions-up economic development strategies that prioritize job creation and access, equity, sustainability, and resilience. 

Learn more about Derek.