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Manhattan Chapter

Manhattan Chapter (Reorganizing in 2026)

Our goal is to build a highly curated network of commercial real estate and development professionals.

A Thoughtful Rebuild

When we relaunch, the chapter will begin with five Founding Members—carefully selected professionals who are well-respected in the Manhattan CRE and development community. Each Founding Member will nominate trusted peers from different disciplines within the industry, ensuring a diverse and complementary group.

This intentional structure allows us to build a network that is both:

  • Collaborative rather than competitive
  • Relationship-Introductions driven rather than Elevator Pitches - Leads
  • Educating each other on how we each create unique value for our clients

As the chapter forms, new members will be invited as guests and after they participate in the meeting extended nominations for Membership. Each incoming member will be required to:

  • Recommend qualified professionals within open disciplines
  • Bring in trusted relationships as guests that add value to the group

The chapter will grow steadily to approximately 25–30 members, maintaining a balance of expertise across the CRE and development ecosystem. All disciplines in the CRE industry are welcome.

What Makes This Group Different

The Manhattan Chapter is designed for professionals who:

  • Value long-term relationship building
  • Want to create deal flow through trust and collaboration
  • Are interested in expanding and deepening their network in a structured environment

While many members are strong networkers, that is not a requirement. What matters most is a willingness to engage, contribute, and build meaningful connections.

A Smarter Way to Network

Members consistently find that participation offers a more focused and efficient approach to networking. Instead of spreading efforts across numerous events, this group allows members to:

  • Consolidate networking activities into one trusted forum
  • Demonstrate thought leadership among peers
  • Invite prospective clients and partners as guests to meetings
  • Build deeper relationships that naturally lead to new opportunities

Interested in the Manhattan Relaunch?

As we move closer to reactivating the chapter, we will begin identifying Founding Members and initial participants. If you’re interested in being considered—or would like to learn more—please reach out to start the conversation.

Contact: Rick Lackey
rlackey@realprofessionalsnetwork.com or 404-550-8700
or schedule a 15 minute meeting at
Schedule Meeting

Meeting Champion: James Hicks

James Hicks is a civil litigator and business lawyer based in the firm’s Austin office. His practice focuses on the representation of clients in a wide variety of construction, real estate, and commercial disputes. He also has experience in local land-use matters, as well as state and federal environmental law.

James has been litigating in state and federal courts for more than ten years, achieving successful results for clients on dispositive motions, trials, and appeals. He has extensive experience with public projects and government agencies, including eminent domain, bond claims, False Claims Act litigation, and administrative proceedings. He also enjoys working on construction defect cases, liens and payment issues, delay claims, property damage and injury, insurance coverage, fraud, employment matters, and general counseling.

James is involved with the Construction Law Section of the Austin Bar Association and is a member of the Austin Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. He is currently licensed to practice law in Texas and New York.

Outside of the office, James enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and three sons, and he is a volunteer with the Cub Scouts of America.

Meeting Details

Location
Griffith Davison, P.C.
515 Congress Avenue
Zilker Park Conference Room
Austin, TX  78701
Dates
November 19, 2024 – 2:oo PM

December 17, 2024 – 2:00 PM
REGISTER

Disciplines Being Curated

  • Accountant
  • Architect
  • Appraiser
  • Banker
  • Debt/Equity Broker
  • Developers
  • Industrial Broker
  • Multi-Family Broker
  • Property Casualty Insurance
  • Office Broker
  • Retail Broker

Past Speakers

  • Israel Linares, Senior Market Analyst, CoStar Group
  • David Colligan, Chief Operating Officer, Austin Economic Development Corporation
  • Laila Assanie, Senior Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  • Jeff Walker, Executive Administrator, Texas Water Development Board
  • Randall Malik, Director of Economic Development, City of Austin
  • Benjamin Turofsky, “REBlockX, Inc.” ,Founder
  • David Ehrenberg, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer
  • Jill Eisenhard, Red Hook Initiative, Founder and Executive Director
  • Jim Moore, Kensington Capital Advisors, Founder
  • Joyce Bromberg, Convene, Chief Strategy Officer
  • Kevin Shtofman, Deloitte, National RE Blockchain Lead
  • Michael Beckerman, The News Funnel, CEO
  • Ryan Simonetti, Convene, Co-Founder & CEO
  • Sarah Slater, Convene, Director
  • Victor Rodriguez, CoStar Group – NYC, Senior Market Analyst
  • Zachary Vaughn, The We Company, Associate Director/ Enterprise Real Estate Advisor

We help accelerate deal discussion and
follow-up by making it efficient,
accountable & measurable.

We provide senior commercial real
estate and development professionals a
meaningful way to exercise their
relationships.

We help you build trust and improve
credibility with the people you think
are important.