TEAM | Directinvestdev

MIKE ABEBE

Notable Investments

Vine City: A 3.5 acre holding across 24-plots in Vine City Special Interest District of Atlanta that is zoned for residential development across from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Joseph E. Boone: Consisting of two parcels of land totaling 39-acres with a potential to develop 1,850 dwelling units

Avon Crossing: This 22.5 acre holding, across 7 lots in the West Side Beltline Overlay District, with connection to a new light rail system, creates the potential for the development of new mixed income, mixed use district with a potential for 3,775 dwelling units to support mass transit

Donald Lee Hollowell: Located on the west side of Atlanta, this 1.25 acre is a fully entitled site slated to provide senior citizens housing

Background

Founder of Abebe & Company, one of the largest private land owners in the City of Atlanta with a concentration of assets in West Atlanta

Over 20-years in construction and real estate development business

Successfully drove the revitalization and development efforts of multiple communities in collaboration with City governments and local community organizations/agencies

Has built over 1,000 homes in major inner-city neighborhoods of Atlanta, Baltimore and Minneapolis, with 70% qualifying under affordable housing guidelines

Has simultaneously continued to meet the needs of the higher end consumer with custom built luxury homes

First venture in the commercial arena was the acquisition of a small convenience store located on what was then known as Bankhead Highway, what today has been re-named Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, in Atlanta

Principal, Land Acquisition, Zoning and Rental Operations

CARLTON BROWN

Principal, Concept, Design and Marketing

Background

A graduate of Princeton University’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Co-founded Full Spectrum of NY in 1983 a firm that was recognized as a national leader in the development of affordable, green and smart buildings in emerging urban markets focused on “Creating Restorative Human Settlements”

Developed over 1,000 DU of mixed income and affordable housing in emerging urban markets

Responsible for development of over 3 million SF of corporate space for AT&T

One of the founders of the Green Building movement in the United States

Has provided economic development and planning consulting services for: Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY; Birmingham, AL; Springfield, MA; New Orleans, LA; Anchorage, AK, and St. Louis, MO

Notable Projects

The Solaire at Battery Park City: The first high-rise green building in the United States
1400 on 5th Avenue: The first affordable green/smart building in Harlem
The Kalahari: Gold LEED certified mixed income building in Harlem where almost half the units are set aside below market
Women’s Opportunity Center, Kayonza Rwanda: In collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Women for Women International, built a mini-village to create economic opportunity, rebuild social infrastructure, and restore cultural heritage

Selected Awards

Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Model of Excellence Awards - The Kalahari
AIA 2008 Andrew J. Thomas Award - distinguished work in building sustainable urban housing in NYC
2008 NY Builders Who Care Award, Presented by NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery
NY Metro American Planning Association 2007 “Distinguished Service Award”
MHN-Design Excellence Award - The Kalahari

Background

BS in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University

MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

Engineer at Southern Company and Exxon Mobil Corporation managing large construction projects in the power and oil & gas sectors including power transmission, pipelines and gas processing facilities

Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley with experience in merger and acquisitions, IPOs and debt financings

Commodities Asset Investor at Goldman Sachs and Apollo Global Management where he was a Founding Partner of the Commodities investment business

Has invested $7Bn+ during investment career with expertise in the oil & gas, power, bio-fuels, metals & mining, agriculture and real estate sectors

Core Member of team that produced 60%+ IRR in GS IPP business1

Founded a real estate development firm in 2011 with a focus on market rate developments in New York City

due to market dislocation

Notable Investments

Cogentrix: $2.4bn acquisition of 26\ power generating plants

NEGT: $656mm acquisition of interests in 12 power plants and a pipeline out of bankruptcy

Santelisa: $200mm minority investment in Brazil's second largest sugar/ethanol producer

Syntech Resources: $150mm investment in an Australian greenfield coal producer with 1.5Bn tons of coal reserves

Climate Exchange: A 19% minority investment in the largest carbon credit trading platform in the world

GIZMAN ABBAS

Principal, Capital Formation, Finance

and Structure

CARLTON BROWN

Notable Projects

The Solaire at Battery Park City: The first high-rise green building in the United States
1400 on 5th Avenue: The first affordable green/smart building in Harlem
The Kalahari: Gold LEED certified mixed income building in Harlem where almost half the units are set aside below market
Women’s Opportunity Center, Kayonza Rwanda: In collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Women for Women International, built a mini-village to create economic opportunity, rebuild social infrastructure, and restore cultural heritage

Selected Awards

Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Model of Excellence Awards - The Kalahari
AIA 2008 Andrew J. Thomas Award - distinguished work in building sustainable urban housing in NYC
2008 NY Builders Who Care Award, Presented by NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery
NY Metro American Planning Association 2007 “Distinguished Service Award”
MHN-Design Excellence Award - The Kalahari

Background

A graduate of Princeton University’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Co-founded Full Spectrum of NY in 1983 a firm that was recognized as a national leader in the development of affordable, green and smart buildings in emerging urban markets focused on “Creating Restorative Human Settlements”

Developed over 1,000 DU of mixed income and affordable housing in emerging urban markets

Responsible for development of over 3 million SF of corporate space for AT&T

One of the founders of the Green Building movement in the United States

Has provided economic development and planning consulting services for: Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY; Birmingham, AL; Springfield, MA; New Orleans, LA; Anchorage, AK, and St. Louis, MO

Principal, Concept, Design and Marketing

CARLTON BROWN

Notable Projects

The Solaire at Battery Park City: The first high-rise green building in the United States
1400 on 5th Avenue: The first affordable green/smart building in Harlem
The Kalahari: Gold LEED certified mixed income building in Harlem where almost half the units are set aside below market
Women’s Opportunity Center, Kayonza Rwanda: In collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Women for Women International, built a mini-village to create economic opportunity, rebuild social infrastructure, and restore cultural heritage

Selected Awards

Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Model of Excellence Awards - The Kalahari
AIA 2008 Andrew J. Thomas Award - distinguished work in building sustainable urban housing in NYC
2008 NY Builders Who Care Award, Presented by NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery
NY Metro American Planning Association 2007 “Distinguished Service Award”
MHN-Design Excellence Award - The Kalahari

Background

A graduate of Princeton University’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Co-founded Full Spectrum of NY in 1983 a firm that was recognized as a national leader in the development of affordable, green and smart buildings in emerging urban markets focused on “Creating Restorative Human Settlements”

Developed over 1,000 DU of mixed income and affordable housing in emerging urban markets

Responsible for development of over 3 million SF of corporate space for AT&T

One of the founders of the Green Building movement in the United States

Has provided economic development and planning consulting services for: Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY; Birmingham, AL; Springfield, MA; New Orleans, LA; Anchorage, AK, and St. Louis, MO

Principal, Concept, Design and Marketing