Aaron Williams is passionate about advancing cultural preservation and helping construct landmarks that will shape the St. Louis region for years to come. As project manager at Penn Services, which provides steel erection and fabrication, curtain wall installation and rebar installation services, Williams has worked on projects with BJC HealthCare, Washington University, Ballpark Village and City Foundry. In addition, he helped build the world’s first smart and sustainable city district — called Msherieb Downtown Doha — the centerpoint of the World Cup in Qatar. Aaron is also co-founder and chair of 4theVille, a community-based cultural organization with a mission to restore The Ville neighborhood using preservation, cultural tourism and creative placemaking. He also serves on the Northside Community Housing board, which develops and owns affordable housing in North St. Louis, chairs the St. Louis District Council of Urban Land Institute, and is a member of the City of St. Louis Planning Commission. At ULI St. Louis, Aaron champions ULI’s creation of a much-needed pathway for a more diverse generation of urban planners and real estate professionals through two programs – UrbanPlan and the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI). UrbanPlan sparks interest in real estate and urban planning among high school students in disadvantaged communities. REDI advances the development careers of Black professionals and women so they can become true difference makers in shaping our future.

As Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives in McCarthy’s Central Region, Christie Brinkman is focused on developing innovative solutions that deliver extraordinary value to clients. She’s an accomplished business strategist who’s skilled at bringing together architects, developers, engineers and public works professionals to optimize project outcomes. Christie’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the region is evident in her contributions as Chair of the Urban Land Institute of St. Louis, where she supports equitable and sustainable land development that transforms communities. She also serves as a board member with the Missouri Growth Association. Christie’s influential business leadership has been recognized with numerous awards from industry and local media, including Engineering News-Record (ENR), Building Design + Construction (BD+C) and the St. Louis Business Journal.

Charles Goldman serves as Managing Partner of The Goldman Group. With a proven track record of managing complex projects, Charles pairs extensive experience in construction oversight with mastery of project execution to consistently translate ambitious visions into tangible realities. He excels in building and maintaining strategic relationships, expertly navigating the intricate worlds of town, city, and state agencies, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and ensuring seamless collaboration at every phase of development. With integrity and an unwavering commitment to quality, Charles ensures that all of the firm’s projects exemplify the highest standards of craftsmanship and lasting value.

Mike LaMartina has never been afraid to swing for the fences. “We will receive not what we idly wish for, but what we justly earn,” said LaMartina, COO, Ballpark Village. “Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.” A partnership between the St. Louis Cardinals and The Cordish Companies, Ballpark Village represents a groundbreaking approach to urban development, the first time a professional sports venue was master planned and fully integrated into a broader mixed-use development. Recognized for its quality, scale, creative design and impact on the community, Ballpark Village has played a pivotal role in revitalizing downtown St. Louis. Hired as the chief revenue officer in early 2019, LaMartina brought with him more than 18 years of experience in the entertainment, marketing, media and hospitality industries. He was responsible for marketing, sponsorship and leasing initiatives for the first phase of the dining and entertainment district, as well as the $260 million expansion that was completed last year as part of the second phase of Ballpark Village. Promoted to COO in 2021, LaMartina oversees the revenue strategy, retail leasing operations, event and property marketing, sponsorship sales, community, and brand partnerships for the development. LaMartina’s leadership style is straight-forward: If you don’t love what you do, then you shouldn’t do it. “It is the strength of people who are passionate about what they do, how they do it and who they do it for that drives success,” LaMartina said. “None of it rests on any one person’s shoulders and certainly not at the expense of good people along the way.” He said the hospitality world was especially tough during the pandemic, but his Ballpark Village team was able to adapt and turn the narrative around. “A relationship built on trust and accountability is more powerful than anything in your ability to lead, mentor and motivate your teams,” LaMartina said. “My team was able to provide a safe environment to both guests and staff alike, selling out ticketed events and showing St. Louis a fantastic time.” LaMartina serves as an active representative for Ballpark Village with Greater STL Inc., Explore St. Louis, and the Community Advisory Committee with representatives from the NAACP, SLDC, Hispanic Chamber and SLATE. He is a board member with Girls on the Run St. Louis, the St. Louis Sports Commission, City of St. Louis Workforce Development Board, and the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer St. Louis Chapter. Known in the industry as reliable, humble, and consistent, LaMartina will continue to lead Ballpark Village as the premier destination downtown for entertainment and sports in 2022. Sharing his greatest lesson in leadership, LaMartina said it has “been the sum of experience provided to me by working for various types of leaders in my career.” He added that a leader has to be willing and open to learn from anyone at any time, in any position. “Don’t have a fear of failure — allow failures to be the greatest lessons in finding success and take risks,” LaMartina said. In other words, don’t be afraid to swing hard.

Over the last 15 years, Alex has focused on creating high value-add real estate opportunities, honing his skills in all aspects of development, asset repositioning, and property management in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting at just personal investments and solo property management, Alex has built Oliver Properties into a 15-person firm with more than $50M in current assets under management (AUM), on track to reach its goal of $500M in AUM over the next decade. Oliver Properties has grown into a leading, vertically-integrated developer, owner, operator and property manager of value-add multifamily, mixed use and retail assets. Alex has personally invested in more than 550 units and has successfully acquired and closed on over 20 multifamily and mixed-use properties, which span from A to C-class properties. ‍ Prior to starting in real estate, Alex earned a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 2005 before taking on leadership opportunities in engineering and project management.

Throughout his career, Robert F. O’Loughlin has managed some of the industry’s top properties and has directed regional hotel operations throughout the United States. O’Loughlin began his career in 1967 as Assistant Controller for the Hilton Hotels Corporation. From 1970 to 1973, O’Loughlin held management positions at the Terrace Hilton Hotel in Cincinnati. Under his direction, the 450-room hotel consistently ran a 70% occupancy, leasing five floors of retail space as well as training facilities for AT&T Long Lines. He operated a five-star restaurant during a time when there were only 13 5-star restaurants. Additionally, he opened Joe’s Bar, a banjo and sing-along establishment that became a Cincinnati favorite. In 1973, O’Loughlin was named general manager of the Oakland Hilton, a 300-room airport hotel. He was the youngest manager in the history of the Hilton organization. The property had a three year record of operating losses in excess of $100,000. By implementing an aggressive marketing program and controlling costs, the property broke even the first year and went on to make a $150,000 profit the third year. The turnaround justified a 100-room expansion to accommodate a successful 70% occupancy hotel. O’Loughlin became General Manager of the 600-room San Francisco Airport Hilton in 1975. There, he supervised a critical $4 million renovation and construction project, which included an 11,000 square foot ballroom, remodeling guest rooms, and doubling the sizes of the restaurant, bar, coffee shop and lobby. The project proved successful, netting the Hilton a $2 million profit for the next five years. O’Loughlin also booked $2.5 million in conventions, including the West Coast Ladies Apparel Show, which had previously been held at the Sheraton Palace Hotel for 22 years. This was the largest convention business in the history of the San Mateo County airport area. An opportunity to manage a 900-room convention hotel came in 1977 when O’Loughlin joined AIRCOA, Inc. to become general manager of the St. Louis Clarion Hotel, at the time the largest hotel in the state of Missouri. It became the most profitable of Aircoa’s 45 hotels in terms of revenue and profit for eight consecutive years. O’Loughlin completed the extensive remodeling of the revolving restaurant, lobby, lobby bar, and the addition of a luxury suite wing. The restaurant received several awards, including “Best 100 Restaurants in St. Louis” and national recognition for the best table top design. Within three years, O’Loughlin was appointed Regional Director of Operations for Clarion, responsible for hotels in eight U.S. locations, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Sacramento, Marin, Napa Valley, San Francisco, San Diego, and Ontario, California. O’Loughlin was named General Manager of the Year for AIRCOA in 1978 and in 1985 Hotelier of the Year by the Missouri Hotel/Motel Association. In 1986, he established Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM) and has been responsible for successfully managing more than 50 hotels for individuals and institutions, as well as working with financiers seeking a high return investment. In the nearly 30 years LHM has been in business, O’Loughlin has developed five ground-up hotels, including the Hilton Garden Inn Chesterfield, Hilton Garden Inn O’Fallon, Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport, Four Points Fairview Heights and the Moonrise Hotel. Through his leadership, he has established LHM as one of the preferred management companies for Hilton, Starwood, Marriott and Holiday Inn. O’Loughlin has held offices in several organizations, including President of both the St. Louis Hotel/Motel Association and the Missouri Hotel/Motel Association, first Vice President of the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission. In 1993, when the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission was without a President, O’Loughlin voluntarily stepped in and successfully took over the management of the CVC, eventually hiring a President. He is a member of several community and business groups, including the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization, St. Louis Ambassadors, Downtown St. Louis, Inc., and the Missouri Athletic Club and Regional Business Council. He also serves on the board of Enterprise Bank.

Brian founded Ballast in 2022 with an intention to balance profit and purpose through the impact of real estate. As a Managing Director and Principal, Brian leads Ballast’s brokerage and development consulting practice areas. Brian’s experience encompasses a cross-section of project types and sizes representing $500+ million in total commercial real estate valuation and 3,350,000+ square feet across a diversified portfolio of asset classes and representing design, development, finance and project management experience. With prior leadership positions at Green Street Real Estate Ventures LLC, Deloitte, KPMG and PGAV Planners, Brian’s career spans nearly every aspect of commercial real estate and urban planning, including: project management, market feasibility, entitlements, public-private financing, incentives, design/development, asset management and real estate business operations. In addition to real estate, Brian has negotiated tax credit programs for a diverse portfolio of businesses and industries nationwide. He has also analyzed real estate development and business investment projects on behalf of 150 municipal, county and state organizations. Among the foremost commercial real estate experts in the St. Louis region, Brian’s career is marked by some of the area’s most complex, transformative and well-known developments. As a tactical decision maker, creative problem solver and diplomatic negotiator, he has earned a reputation as the trusted go-to for bringing the toughest real estate projects to life. Education Bachelor of Arts, DePaul University Master of Public Administration, St. Louis University Professional Associations Board of Directors & Fund Development Committee Chair, Park Central Development Corporation Board of Director, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis Member, Urban Land Institute St. Louis Licensed Real Estate Broker (MO)

Over the past 20 years, Mr. Sarimsakci has worked on real estate projects worldwide with a strong track record of completing infrastructure and real estate development projects on time and on budget. Currently, as the Founder & President of Alterra Worldwide, LLC Mr. Sarimsakci is responsible for development and construction of projects that offers superior returns to investors. His formula is simple "$ 1 million to $ 5 million in 5 years. He has been able to deliver on this premise. His latest project is a 65,000 square meters of mixed use development which consists of 238 residences, 274 key Marriott dual branded hotel and retail space in the heart of downtown Dallas slated to open in April 2016. Another recently completed project, Alto 211 is an 18 story office tower, known as the “Tech Mecca” of Downtown Dallas is set in the vibrant city center district and brings urban lifestyle and modern business culture to the entrepreneurial community. Alto 211 is the headquarters to such renowned tech companies such as Tech Wildcatters, Health Wildcatters, Traxo, Velocis, Launch DFW and Fort Work coworking space. Throughout his career, Mr. Sarimsakci has been actively involved in development projects on an international level. Most recently, Mr. Sarimsakci was the guest of the Panamanian government to explore public private joint venture development opportunities in Panama. He advised to President of Niger to increase FDI into real estate projects in the region. Before joining Alterra Worldwide, LLC, Mr. Sarimsakci was the Managing Director of Polidev International, LLC. With Polidev, Mr Sarimsakci was responsible for real estate development projects in the Americas. Prior to his re-development activities in the Americas, Mr. Sarimsakci was with AECOM as Vice President in Saudi Arabia and later became a Board Member with Ibra Holding in Azarbaijan. With Ibra Holding, Mr. Sarimsakci has established corporate policies and procedures while successfully managing 1.5 billion dollar Baku Yoo Real Estate Mixed use development in addition to managing 100 hectars of industrial development project in Romania. Mr. Sarimsakci started his career with Bechtel in San Francisco where he was a Construction Manager and a Civil Engineer for two massive park projects in Dubai and Euro Disney. During his time with Bechtel, he was in charge of design and site development of projects and was awarded for his outstanding performance. Followed by Bechtel, Mr. Sarimsakci became the CEO of BSG Development in San Francisco where he was responsible for all profit and loss as well as all business operations. During his time with BSG, Mr. Sarimsakci managed industrial and commercial development and worked on construction and redevelopment projects where he was recognized with prestigious awards by the City of San Jose, City of Santa Rosa, City of San Luis Obispo and City of Monterey for innovative design and development of various projects. Mr. Sarimsakci also served as a Senior Consultant at Ben C. Gerwick in San Francisco. His responsibilities included management of IHNC storm protection project in New Orleans with a capital of 1.2 billion dollars, the largest project United States Army Corps of Engineers has ever undertaken. He also successfully participated in tender design effort for Panama Canal bid with a capital cost of 5 billion dollars. Mr. Sarimsakci holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and a Certificate of Pre-Law from UCLA. He is a graduate of Stanford University with a Master of Science in Construction Engineering and Management Mr. Sarimsakci is currently working towards an executive degree for Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate (AMDP) at Harvard University to be completed in 2017.