Why did you want to return as a judge and what advice do you have for the competitors?

I wanted to return as a judge because of the high quality, high impact projects I saw in the previous competition. I want to be a part of offering feedback that makes good projects more likely to succeed.

How do you think an event like America's Top Project can help project developers and investors?

America's Top Project will help project developers with expert feedback on the project itself and the way the project is pitched. It helps investors because the judges are asking the key questions that any successful investor would need to ask.

What is your professional background? 

I worked as a Technology Media and Telecom Investment Banker, as a Tax Counsel on Capitol Hill, and now as a Trade Association Executive.

Please tell us about your involvement in the Opportunity Zone industry?

While working for Senator Tim Scott, I drafted the Opportunity Zones section of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I then oversaw the policy’s implementation at the US Treasury. Now I run a trade association called the Opportunity Funds Association that communicates the good work that our members are doing in Opportunity Zones and advocates on Capitol Hill for reasonable expansions of the Opportunity Zones policy.

Why do you think the Opportunity Zone program is important? What do you think it can achieve?

It’s important because it uses private sector dollars to create impact in distressed communities. According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors, OZs will lift over 1 million Americans out of poverty over 10 years.

What impact did you see the pandemic have on the OZ industry? How did it impact your organization?

The pandemic created some temporary uncertainty around OZ projects, particularly real estate. It caused our Trade Association to focus on securing accommodations from the Treasury Department to account for the effect of the pandemic.

What are some current trends you are seeing in the OZ market?

A rapid increase in the number of operating businesses started in OZs.

What are your thoughts about increasing the reporting requirements in the OZ industry?

Congress should pass Senator Scott and Senator Sinema’s IMPACT Act which adds reasonable reporting requirements for funds and Treasury equivalent to information fund managers would already collect for investors.

Why did you start the Opportunity Funds Association and what are some goals for the group this upcoming year?

I founded the Opportunity Funds Association to ensure that the whole country is aware of the impact of this great, bipartisan policy. This coming year we will advocate for a comprehensive Opportunity Zones bill that extends the life and benefits of the policy and also add reasonable reporting and transparency requirements.

What are you most looking forward to being one of the distinguished ATP judges? How are you preparing? 

I’m looking forward to being encouraged by great projects being launched across the country and hearing about their potential social impact and return for investors. I am preparing by polling my members on what they are looking for as investors so that I have a better understanding of the right questions to be asking and the right feedback to be giving.

Anything else you would like to share?

I love working with Opportunity Zones stakeholders through Opportunity Funds Association, but am also running for US Congress in Ohio in 2022 to hopefully influence the expansion and effectiveness of Opportunity Zones and other economic development policies.


Powered by Froala Editor