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Icons of DC Area Real Estate

Icons of DC Area Real Estate

By: John Coe
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 An interview show with leading commercial and multifamily real estate participants in various disciplines. John Coe, a 41 year real estate finance professional, will interview many of his long time friends and past clients to learn about their backgrounds and what brought them into the income producing real estate business. He will probe into their career paths and what they have learned along the way, highlighting their successes, failures and lessons learned. Each episode will explore the interviewee's individual perspective and offer unique views of their particular expertise and where the trends are leading.© 2019 Coe Enterprises, LLC Career Success Economics World
Episodes
  • Jamie Weinbaum: Beyond the Transaction (#138)

    Jamie Weinbaum: Beyond the Transaction (#138)
    Aug 26 2025
    Bio Jamie Weinbaum is President & CEO of Horning, overseeing operations, development, and strategic planning. Previously Executive VP at MidCity (4M sf pipeline), COO at Ditto Residential, development executive at JBG Smith, Director of DC Office of Zoning, and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Former ULI Washington chair. JD from GW Law, BA from Wake Forest. Key Discussion Points Career Pivot from Law [00:00-13:17] Childhood passion for built environment - sketching houses, playing with Legos2006 revelation with wife: "what you do 9am-7pm doesn't really do it for me"Marrying passions with profession leads to happier life and more successful careerStarted Atlanta home renovations as side hustle while practicing law Real Estate Entry via AJ Jackson [13:17-25:42] AJ Jackson instrumental in first development job at EYA in 2007Developer as "conductor of the orchestra" - coordinating subject matter expertsOwnership side vs. consultant preference: "you're part of the story for years"2008 downturn layoff after 9 months confirmed industry passion DC Government Leadership [25:42-37:33] Became Director of Office of Zoning under Mayor Fenty administrationCrash course in leadership: humility, listening, bringing people alongTechnology focus: converting paper zoning maps to online GIS resources"Level the playing field" philosophy for residents JBG Development Experience [37:33-51:30] 2011-2014: Twin Brook metro projects, Fort Totten Square (Walmart mixed-use)Risk mitigation and preserving optionality as core JBG principlesInvestment committee meetings: "nobody held back" - heated debatesReal estate development requires communication, analytics, design Family Business Philosophy [51:30-1:05:15] Hired business coach specializing in family companies at MidCityRole as fiduciary working on behalf of family to accomplish their aimsAlignment between personal values and family mission critically importantMulti-generational companies face unique succession challenges Horning Strategy & Amazon Partnership [1:05:15-1:20:45] "Mission-driven for profit" organization focused on affordable housing Chapters (00:00:00) - iJCRE Community Transition to Station DC(00:05:04) - Meet Jamie Weinbaum, President and CEO of Horning Brothers(00:08:41) - ULI Washington's 'Local Voices' podcast(00:10:06) - Horning Brothers President and CEO Explains(00:12:14) - Jamie Oliver on Starting Out(00:13:11) - George Washington Law Student on His Path(00:17:51) - The Day the Plane Hit the Pentagon(00:20:12) - Law School Graduates Turn to Real Estate(00:21:42) - Turning Down the Career Path(00:25:59) - Real Estate Development and the Need for Ownership(00:28:16) - Real Estate Development Leaders: The Multidisciplinary Approach(00:34:01) - How I Pivot: From Law to Real Estate(00:35:36) - In the Elevator With Bob Young(00:36:38) - Former DC zoning commissioner on the public sector(00:42:27) - Post-White House, what lessons did you learn?(00:47:57) - In the Elevator With Tony Hirsch(00:48:47) - JBG on North Bethesda and the Walmart project(00:52:53) - JBG Cos.'s Ben Jacobs on His Experience(00:56:16) - JBG Capital's Executive Committee(01:00:51) - Real Estate's Low-Risk(01:01:47) - Exploring the Multifamily Market at JBG(01:05:58) - In the Elevator: Mid City Real Estate(01:12:10) - Philip Feist on the DC real estate process(01:18:44) - Building a New Multi-Family Building in DC(01:24:41) - Have You Met the Horning Family?(01:26:58) - Hiring a Coaching Coach(01:28:32) - Under the Horning Brothers: Bringing the Future to Horning(01:31:31) - Horning Real Estate Group's diversified development portfolio(01:36:23) - Top DC Office Developers on the Conversion(01:39:29) - Horning Brothers CEO Explains His Vision(01:42:17) - Affordable Housing for Amazon's Hyattsville Property(01:43:42) - Amazon's Mezzanine Funding(01:45:51) - JBG alum on Amazon's deal(01:46:58) - Exclusive: We're Considering a Multifamily Deal(01:48:36) - Leo Capital on Amazon's Housing Equity Fund(01:50:39) - Would You Submit RFPs for Public-Private Projects?(01:54:03) - D.C. Mayor on the Need for Development(02:00:41) - Northern Virginia perspectives on growth in Montgomery County(02:02:51) - Horning Companies' Commitment to Communities(02:05:53) - President Trump suggests militarizing DC police force(02:09:35) - Jamie Oliver on Living a Life in Balance(02:12:16) - Uli Washington's Fall Meeting(02:14:35) - ULI's Product Council(02:15:41) - Real Estate Development and Community Building
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    2 hrs and 14 mins
  • Len Forkas: Everest, HopeCam and Business Insights

    Len Forkas: Everest, HopeCam and Business Insights
    Aug 4 2025
    BioLen Forkas is founder/CEO of Milestone Towers, a digital infrastructure company building wireless towers on public lands for over 25 years. Adventure athlete who completed the Seven Summits (becoming 5th oldest globally), Race Across America winner, and non-profit founder of Hopecam.org, a charity supporting children with cancer. Author of leadership books drawing from extreme sports experiences.Key Discussion PointsEverest Achievement & 2023 Failure Lessons [0:50-16:00]Key Moment: Len Forkas completed the Seven Summits after a 2023 Everest failure due to pulmonary complications Business Lesson: Deconstructing every decision that led to the failure and meticulous preparation are crucial. Forkas dedicated a year to preparation, including weightlifting, trekking with a 50-lb pack, climbing in Indonesia & Ecuador and hypoxic sleep trainingCrevasse Incident & Systems Validation [33:00-36:00]Key Moment: After a successful summit, Forkas fell into a 70-foot crevasse at 27,000 feet while descending to the South Col.Business Lesson: The importance of safety systems and meticulous preparation. His polar expedition training saved his life.Hopecam Growth & Impact [36:00-51:00]Key Moment: Hopecam doubled its applications from 500 to 1,000 children annually post-COVID and grew hospital partnerships from 60 to 180 in five years. 70% of Hopecam students attend title one schools. Business Lesson: Viewing sponsors as "investors" in mental health outcomes created by the nonprofit rather than as a traditional donors. Milestone Towers Business Evolution [72:00-95:00]Key Moment: Milestone Towers rebranded from Milestone Communications to reflect its real estate asset focus Business Lesson: Strategic niche and barriers to entry protect competitive advantage. AI is optimizing existing equipment efficiency, and use of 5G networks has not hit full stride. Difficult to entitle locations have the highest value for both the tower owner and wireless carriers. Leadership Philosophy [114:00-125:00]Key Moment: Len Forkas' son Matt joined the company after five years of external experience 15.Business Lesson: Trust and preparation are essential for success in both business and extreme sports. Letting team members own and solve problems is crucialNext challenge: North Pole expedition, but prioritizing family and team presence for now. RESOURCES:https://www.lenforkas.com/https://coeenterprises.com/podcast/len-forkas-renaissance-man-33/What Spins The Wheel: https://www.amazon.com/What-Spins-Wheel-Leadership-Lessons/dp/0996096906?sr=8-2Cold Hard Truth: https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Hard-Truth-Special-Color-ebook/dp/B09VDY69FC?sr=8-1https://www.hopecam.org/https://youtu.be/D6qjcwEVQYc Chapters (00:00:00) - The Iconic Journey and CRE: Expanding our Reach and Impact(00:02:47) - Icons of DCRE Real Estate(00:05:57) - Len Forkas Successfully Summits Mount Everest(00:08:55) - Eve Everest Attempt(00:13:34) - Foldus Climbed All 8,000 Meter Mountains at 59(00:16:37) - Tim Everest on Training for His 7 Summits(00:22:34) - Philanthropist and Mountaineer(00:27:30) - Experienced polar trekkers on(00:31:58) - The Value of Preparing for the Future(00:33:08) - Exploring HopeCam's Growing Need for Cancer Services(00:36:18) - Hope Camp reaches children with cancer through hospital partnerships(00:38:07) - Hope Camp for Kids: Challenges(00:40:01) - Hope Cam and other survivors of cancer(00:42:35) - How do you view your investment in HopeCamp?(00:45:34) - How Leadership Lessons from Your Experiences(00:50:02) - Hope Cam: A Letter from a Cancer Patient(00:51:30) - Hope Camp: Connecting Kids with Cancer(00:53:49) - Hope Camp's journey with cancer survivor(00:55:25) - What kinds of programs does Hope Camp offer to families?(00:56:27) - Milestone Towers Rebrands as Communication & Infrastructure(00:57:56) - Milestone Towers: Public-Private Partnerships(01:01:01) - How Has 5G Impact the Wireless Industry?(01:04:49) - How Is AI Affecting the Cell Industry?(01:11:34) - Is There a Connection Between Data Centers and Cell Towers?(01:13:06) - Are Emerging Trends Threatening the Traditional Cell Tower Business?(01:15:57) - Will Edge Computing Affect Cell Towers?(01:18:25) - Are Regulations Help or Hurt Your Industry?(01:20:29) - Father-Son Partnership at Milestone Towers(01:22:23) - The Legacy of Folger Pratt and Basuto(01:25:17) - Tim Ferriss on Leadership(01:30:46) - Len Forkas on His Heroism(01:32:20) - A Few Words From Len Ayers
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Hilary Goldfarb: Building the Future

    Hilary Goldfarb: Building the Future
    Jul 16 2025
    Bio

    Hilary Allard Goldfarb is Senior Managing Director and Head of Development for Mid-Atlantic at Rockefeller Group. Native Washingtonian, Princeton graduate, Harvard Urban Planning master's. Previously at Bozzuto Development and ProMark Real Estate. Active in ULI, Federal City Council, Economic Club.

    Key Discussion Points

    Rockefeller Group Role [00:00-08:38]

    • Leads D.C. office overseeing development, acquisitions, design, financing
    • Diverse portfolio: multifamily, industrial, office, mixed-use including "catalytic trophy product"
    • National platform empowers regional creativity without product ideology
    • Six regional directors nationally focused on "most compelling deals"

    Career Journey [10:01-27:17]

    • Driven by excellence, hard work, integrity
    • Strong Japanese investor relations (Mitsubishi affiliates) - visits every 2-3 weeks
    • Focus on diversity, collaboration, creative problem-solving
    • "World's greatest colleagues" - no palace politics
    • Native Washingtonian, Garrett Park/Montgomery County roots
    • Princeton (with twin brother Nate), Harvard Urban Planning
    • Corcoran Gallery experience during Frank Gehry expansion
    • Started at ProMark (Metro-adjacent development with Eisinger family)
    • Joined Bozzuto (Crown Farm, Chevy Chase Lake projects - met Toby at dentist)
    • Recruited to Rockefeller Group in 2018 to "start a business" - said no multiple times initially

    Major Projects [29:00-53:00]

    • Boro Tower, Tysons: 437k sq ft trophy office with Meridian Group, stabilized occupancy
    • 1901 L Street NW: First WELL-certified office building in D.C., focus on energy efficiency and tenant experience
    • 600 Fifth Street NW: $375M downtown redevelopment of former Metro HQ, only new office under construction in D.C., 400k sq ft, 50% pre-leased to Crowell & Moring, historic site of DC's first synagogue and Metro's money vault
    • Port 460 Logistics: 5M sq ft industrial development near Port of Virginia with Matan Companies, leveraging port-centric expertise

    Industry Insights [57:00-70:00]

    • Bullish on D.C.'s resilience despite current challenges, believes in long-term competitive advantages
    • $2.3B pipeline includes three trophy office, three industrial, two multifamily projects
    • Development strateg...
    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - The Iconic Journey in CRE: Expanding our Reach and Impact
    • (00:02:47) - Icons of DCRE
    • (00:06:10) - The Invisibles of D.C. Real Estate Podcast
    • (00:07:51) - Is the Rockefeller platform consistent across the country or does it vary based
    • (00:09:06) - Do you have a global market analysis group that kind of does an
    • (00:10:48) - White House Correspondent on Princeton and His Family
    • (00:13:28) - The Corcoran Gallery of Art and Real Estate
    • (00:18:56) - Real Estate Executive Toby Basuto on Bringing Promark back to Washington
    • (00:22:56) - When I Joined JBG Rosenfeld, I Was Thrown Into
    • (00:24:19) - Exploring Chibi Cheese Lake in Montgomery County
    • (00:26:40) - President Obama on the Rockefeller Property
    • (00:27:25) - Rockefeller's surprise move to Penn Station
    • (00:29:37) - Exploring the Burrow Tower Deal
    • (00:35:08) - Exploring The 1901 Ella Building
    • (00:38:29) - The History of Verizon's Building
    • (00:39:29) - Well-Certified Building
    • (00:43:16) - Private Equity Partners on the 5th Avenue Development
    • (00:45:46) - Top Executives on Metro's Construction Project
    • (00:49:04) - Top Executives Discuss The Port of Virginia Deal
    • (00:55:13) - Rock Property Group's Future
    • (00:59:15) - Exclusive: The Office Opportunity in the DMV
    • (01:03:43) - Golden Triangle President on the Neighborhood's Future
    • (01:10:37) - Mayor Bowser on Place Making in Washington
    • (01:14:46) - ULI President Linda Knows How to Balance Family and Work
    • (01:20:05) - Building a Law Firm's New Home
    • (01:24:17) - Billboard Question
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    1 hr and 26 mins
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