Alongside industry executives and decision-makers, Florida State University’s top real estate students received an insider’s view at the 2020 FSU-Kislak Market Strategies – A South Florida Executive Forum. The annual, invitation-only event, hosted this year at the Miami law offices of Bilzin Sumberg in March, brought real estate professionals together to discuss market conditions, vet strategies and identify emerging opportunities. 

Featured panelists Ross Cooper, president and chief investment officer of Kimco Realty Corporation, and Dana Telsey, CEO and chief research officer of Telsey Advisory Group, discussed the trends impacting the retail property market. As an officer at one of North American’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers, Cooper works closely with Kimco’s Investment Committee, risk team and regional leadership overseeing the development and implementation of Kimco’s vast acquisition and disposition strategy. Considered a consumer guru, Telsey is an equity research analyst covering the retail industry and was ranked No. 1 analyst by Institutional Investor magazine for seven years. Moderating the forum was FSU alumna Beth Azor, founder and owner of Azor Advisory Services, South Florida’s premier retail real estate management, development and commercial real estate education firm. 

While in Miami for the forum, students coordinated a full schedule of corporate tours of South Florida real estate companies, including CBRE, JLL, Kimco Realty Corporation, The Kislak Company, Inc. and Stiles. 

Executive Sponsors 

• The Kislak Family Foundation, Inc.
• JLL 
• Avison Young
• Oaktree Capital Management 
• Berkowitz Development Group, Inc.
• REH Capital Partners, LLC 
• Bilzin Sumberg
• Saglo Development Corporation 
• CBRE
• Salzman Real Estate Advisors 
• Centennial Management Corp.
• Square2 Capital LLC 
• Cushman & Wakefield
• Stiles 

Program Partners 

• Donna Abood
• Bob & Darby Hold 
• Beth Azor
• Evan D. Jennings 
• Kenneth Bacheller
• The Kislak Family Foundation, Inc. 
• Mark C. Bane
• Brett & Cindy Lindquist 
• Harold & Barbara Chastain
• William & Stephanie Lloyd 
• Marshall Cohn
• Shawn McIntyre/North American Properties 
• Peter & Jennifer Collins
• Greg Michaud 
• John Crossman/Crossman Career Builders
• Kyle Mowitz and Justin Mowitz 
• Scott & Marion Darling
• Francis Nardozza 
• Florida State Real Estate Network, Inc.
• Kyle D. Riva 
• Mark & Nan Hillis 

The forum was organized with generous assistance from: 

• Tom Bartelmo, The Kislak Organization 
• Manny De Zárraga, JLL 
• Rocco Ferrera, Stiles 
• Todd Liker, Oaktree Capital Management 
• Thekla Salzman, Salzman Real Estate Advisors 
• David Singer, Berkowitz Development Group, Inc.