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2025 Developers Forum

Register Now

January 30, 2025

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

161 NW 6th St
Miami, 33136

Developers Forum is the Real Estate committee's signature event featuring top industry leaders sharing their ground-breaking, innovative and large-scale transformative projects. 

This year’s Developers Forum will focus on transit-oriented development and feature developers and transportation leaders discussing current and future TOD projects, infrastructure planning, and public transit infrastructure updates throughout South Florida. This event includes a cocktail reception.  

Thinking Big and Transforming Communities: A Conversation on the Growth of Transit-Oriented Development Projects & Infrastructure Updates throughout South Florida  
During this panel discussion, developers and transportation leaders will discuss current & new transit-oriented development (TOD) projects throughout South Florida and showcase how these projects transform South Florida's landscape by creating walkable neighborhoods, connected communities, and shape mobility by meeting the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. Speakers will also discuss the SMART Plan, infrastructure updates and highlight the importance of collaboration between developers and transportation agencies for TOD projects.   

Breaking New Ground: Why Developers are Choosing to Invest Big in Transit-Oriented Development Projects in Downtown Miami  
During this discussion, the panel will dive into why developers are choosing to invest and develop mixed-use and transit-oriented development projects within Downtown Miami. Speakers will also highlight what makes downtown Miami so attractive and how these projects are centered around creating community by providing residents with the ability to live, work and play in downtown, while having quicker access to our South Florida communities through multiple transit modes.   

Join us and register today! 

Who will you meet? 

Engage with a variety of professionals including transportation leaders, developers, architects, general contractors, brokers, investors, government leaders, lenders, attorneys, engineers, and the general business community leaders who are shaping South Florida real estate and transportation industry. 

Registration Price: 

Member Rate: $115.  Note: Members must log in to receive the member rate during event registration process

Nonmember Rate: $140 

**There is a 72-hour cancellation policy** 

For sponsorship opportunities or to learn moreplease tap here to connect with our programs team.

Thinking Big and Transforming Communities: A Conversation on the Growth of Transit-Oriented Development Projects & Infrastructure Updates throughout South Florida 


Speakers

Alice Bravo, P.E., Moderator

Alice is the President of Alice Bravo & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in engineering, transit planning, and design. The firm maintains a specific focus on funding and regulatory/policy issues. With over 25 years of experience leading large organizations, initiatives, and projects, Alice has coordinated closely with elected officials, policymakers, and agency leaders at the federal, state, and local levels. 

Alice held the position of Director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works for Miami-Dade County, and under her leadership at DTPW, it resulted in the County securing its first FTA Capital Investment Grant for the South Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project. 

Alice also spearheaded the County’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan. She advanced nearly 20 transit-oriented developments, initiated the conversion of the County’s almost 3,000 traffic signals to smart adaptive signals, and introduced autonomous vehicle programs, urban air mobility, micromobility, new apps, and more.  

David Dech

David Dech is the Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates the Tri-Rail commuter rail system and oversees the dispatching and maintenance of the South Florida Rail Corridor. David is an executive with 29 years of experience in the rail industry in both freight and commuter rail service, with extensive experience in designing, constructing, and opening rail yards. 

Within two years of joining SFRTA, David achieved the completion of Tri-Rail expanding service into downtown Miami and refocused the agency’s efforts to enhance customer experience on the South Florida Rail Corridor. Among the system’s improvements under his direction are continual grade crossing rehabilitation projects, clearing the right-of-way of hundreds of tons of debris, and implementing systematic rehaul of locomotive engines and refurbishing of passenger cars. In July 2024, David helped incorporate Tri-Rail’s first-ever express train service, with a one-seat ride in and out of Miami Central Station. 

David Martin

As the CEO of Miami-based development firm Terra, David Martin has cultivated a portfolio of more than five million square feet of residential and commercial real estate. The firm is active across all major real estate asset classes, including multifamily apartments, luxury condominium and single-family residences, retail and office space, hotels, and industrial properties. David oversees several facets of Terra’s business, including real estate development, design, construction, financing, marketing, sales, and leasing. 

Relentless in his pursuit of design excellence and responsible approaches to development, since launching the firm in 2001, David has enlisted the world’s top architects and planners as collaborators behind the firm’s signature projects. He has also taken a proactive role in ensuring his hometown is built to last. Terra integrates green space, resilient construction methods, transit connectivity, and renewable energy into its developments wherever possible.  

David earned his undergraduate degree, MBA, and Law Degree from the University of Florida. He resides in Miami Beach with his wife and two children. 

Aaron Stolear

Aaron Stolear is the President of Development at 13th Floor Investments and leads the firm's Public Private Partnership ("P3") division. Under his leadership, the firm has become one of the foremost public-private developers in South Florida.  

Among his most notable achievements is his role within the Link at Douglas project, a transit-oriented development spanning 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use area. This project has gained widespread recognition as one of Miami-Dade County's finest examples of successful public-private collaboration. In fact, it became the subject of a Harvard Business School case study titled "Miami Price, Bidding on an Iconic Transit-Oriented Development Site". The case study now serves as an invaluable teaching tool for numerous MBA programs, offering real estate valuation concepts and insights into effective P3 solicitations. 

Prior to joining 13th Floor Investments, Aaron worked in project management and execution at ExxonMobil Development Company, where he was involved in multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects. 

Josiel, Ferrer-Diaz

Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, P.E., serves as the Interim Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), which develops, coordinates, and operates the County’s transportation networks and infrastructure. The goal is to improve safe and efficient mobility and create a more resilient and sustainable community for residents, businesses, and visitors.

A longtime Miami-Dade resident and transit user, Ferrer-Diaz joined the County family from the City of Miami Beach in May 2022 and previously served as DTPW’s Deputy Director and Chief Project Delivery Officer. He serves as the County Engineer and is responsible for the delivery of DTPW’s $6.4-billion-dollar capital program, among other priorities. He has more than 15 years of experience in the planning, design, construction administration, budgeting, and program delivery of transportation infrastructure, transit, intelligent transportation systems, and other infrastructure programs.

Ferrer-Diaz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Florida International University.


Breaking New Ground: Why Developers are Choosing to Invest Big in Transit-Oriented Development Projects in Downtown Miami


Speakers

Heather Jonczak, Moderator

Heather Jonczak provides legal counsel and representation to public and private owners, developers, contractors, sureties, and construction professionals on all types of construction matters. She regularly counsels’ owners and contractors during each phase of a construction project, from contract drafting and negotiation through dispute avoidance and resolution.  

Heather represents clients in complex construction disputes and litigation involving all manners of contract claims, design and construction defects and deficiencies, project delay, and impact claims, surety bond claims, construction liens, and insurance coverage matters. Heather is also highly experienced in contract drafting and regularly assists clients with the preparation, negotiation, review, and administration of all manners of construction contracts, including owner-contractor agreements, design-build agreements, and subcontracts, as well as commercial lease agreements. Her combined transaction and litigation experience gives Heather a unique perspective to better assist clients with early identification and resolution of conflicts and disputes during construction. 

Isaac Toledano

Isaac Toledano, CEO of BH Group, is an accomplished real estate developer with over 5,600 residential units, driving the enterprise with decades of expertise and a commitment to excellence in the industry. He has over 35 active projects all within the Florida market and partners with some of the country’s most prolific developers such as Related, Lennar, and Kolter.

Diego Ojeda

Diego Ojeda is a distinguished leader in the real estate sector, serving as the President of Rilea Group, since September 2008. Under his leadership, Rilea Group has become synonymous with innovative real estate development, transforming over ten million square feet of property into award-winning and sustainable landmarks.
Diego has been pivotal in identifying and capitalizing on unique geographical opportunities, guiding the company's expansion and enhancing its portfolio performance through meticulous design and development practices.


Diego’s educational foundation includes a degree from Boston University in Communication, General Business Management, and advanced studies at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. Prior to his tenure at Rilea Group, Diego honed his creative talents in film production with stints at MTV Latin America and Universal Studios in Los Angeles.


He is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) Miami Chapter and serves on the Urban Land Institute SE Florida Advisory Board.

Aileen Bouclé, AICP

Ms. Bouclé is the Executive Director for the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). She is a nationally recognized leader promoting innovative, collaborative, and solution-oriented approaches for the largest and most complex metropolitan region in the state of Florida. This includes working with the Miami-Dade TPO Governing Board for the unanimous adoption of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit “SMART” Program, as well as adoption of a $12 Billion-dollar, five-year transportation improvement program currently advancing in various stages of project development. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental and Urban Systems, with a specialty in transportation planning, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida International University. Ms. Bouclé is also a Certified Professional Planner with the American Planning Association Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).


Opening Remarks


Speakers

The Honorable Eileen Higgins

Eileen Higgins serves as the County Commissioner for District 5 representing large portions of the cities of Miami and Miami Beach. She serves as Chair of Miami-Dade County’s Transportation, Mobility, and Planning Committee and Vice Chair of the Public Housing and Community Services Committee.  

Commissioner Higgins has brought the perspective of a true transit rider to the County Commission – showing tremendous leadership in expanding mass transit across Miami-Dade through the progression of the SMART corridors.  

With a focus on transit-oriented development, Commissioner Higgins has increased affordable housing supply by initiating, preserving, and creating more than 3,500 affordable housing units in District 5 alone. Furthermore, she is spearheading efforts to transform over 28 acres of underutilized county land around the Government Center into a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood with affordable housing and open green spaces within minutes of the County’s transportation hub.  


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