Southeast US or Texas and am open to other locations
Donnie H. Belk
January 28, 2009
Dear Search Professional and Hiring Manager:
I am writing today to introduce myself as a candidate for a senior real estate development or acquisition position. I’m enthusiastic to submit my resume for your review and feel that my qualifications are a strong fit for a leading public or private real estate development company. I prefer to stay in the Seattle, WA area, but I am also looking for opportunities in the Charlotte, NC area which is where I am from originally. Relocation to other areas is possible for the right opportunity.
As you’ll note from my attached resume, in my post as Vice President of Development and Senior Project Manager at Essex Property Trust, Inc (ESS) I was instrumental in meeting the company’s aggressive objectives for Pacific Northwest development operations. Not only did I exceed their expectations with my ability to source new development deals, using my extensive local market knowledge and contacts, but I was also responsible for managing every aspect of the development process. Within the first six months of my employment beginning in September 2005, in fact, I was able to secure $46.5 million in new development deals and an additional $95 million within the first year and half. This equaled approximately 450 apartment units and 35,000 square feet of commercial space.
Although my early career background is in land acquisitions, you’ll note that my experience goes far beyond sourcing new development deals. Throughout my career in real estate development, I have gained extensive experience in all aspects of the process including:
• Site acquisition and negotiating purchase and sale contracts
• Project financial feasibility and due diligence with extensive experience in contaminated site remediation, cost recovery and final Department of Ecology approvals
• Design oversight over the architects, engineers and all design subconsultants
• Entitlement including preliminary plat approval, final plat approval, design review board approval, land use and building permit approval
• Construction oversight through lease-up to stabilized occupancy
As you know, real estate development is a rough business, highly complex, and not for the faint of heart. I understand that there are thousands of variables and pitfalls that must be navigated—and believe that you will be impressed by the approach I take to managing the “hairy nest†each project represents. Once you have had a chance to review my resume, I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss in detail around how I can add value to your client’s organization. Please feel free to contact me at (425) 941-8878 if you’d be interested in setting up an initial discussion!
Sincerely,
Donnie Belk
Enclosure: Resume
Donnie H. Belk
SUMMARY
Commercial Real Estate Development professional with extensive experience managing large land acquisition and single-family/multi-family/mixed-use development projects for leading public and private real estate firms. Recognized for exceptional combination of interpersonal, financial and general management skills, along with the ability to foster outstanding collaboration among project personnel—and creatively overcome any obstacles that might impact project timelines and profitability targets.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
12+ Years of Commercial Real Estate Expertise Consultant/Subcontractor/Vendor Management
Land Acquisition Strategy & Execution Contract Negotiation, Drafting & Administration
Construction Project Bidding Contaminated Soil Remediation Projects
Project Scheduling, Permitting & Entitlement Project Troubleshooting & Creative Problem-Solving
Budgeting, Proforma & Cash Flow Analysis Site Selection & Evaluation
Project Management & Team Leadership Single-Family, Multi-Family & Mixed-Use Projects
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
VP & Senior Development Manager | Essex Property Trust, Inc. Bellevue, WA: 12/06 to 12/08
• Rapid history of promotion within Essex, a publicly-traded company (NYSE: ESS) and the nation’s 3rd largest apartment Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
• Focused on Multi-Family Mixed-Use Development
• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of development from land acquisitions, design, entitlement, construction and initial lease-up to stabilized occupancy for multi-family mixed-use projects that range in size from $10 to $95 million in total development cost
• Performed all additional duties listed under Development Manager role below
Development Manager | Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESS) Bellevue, WA: 09/05 to 12/06
• Concentrated on land acquisitions, sourcing new development deals in the Pacific Northwest
• Within the first six months of hire, secured $46.5 million in new development deals, and then closed an additional $95 million within the first year and a half, equaling approx. 450 apartment units and 35,000 square feet of commercial space
• Reported to the Executive Approval Committee and the Board of Directors for new deal approval
• Played key role in project development, overseeing all aspects of the development process from acquisitions, design, entitlement, building permits, construction and lease-up
• Reviewed all reports from consultants and the general contractor, reviewing and approving all construction draw requests
• Ensured that all construction schedules and budgets were updated on a monthly basis, in addition to holding responsibility for resolving any issues that might arise during the construction period
• Worked with an on-site leasing team to oversee the initial leasing of the project
• Proved oversight of all punch-list items and construction work to ensure work was completed in a first class manner according to the building plans and specifications
• Reviewed monthly progress reports, as outlined in the company’s policies and procedures manual, regarding the status of all projects
• Developed deep knowledge of the communities surrounding each project and kept up-to-date on new and existing competing developments and their rental and vacancy rates
• Managed one internal development associate and dozens of outside consultants that were collectively responsible for all of the company’s Pacific Northwest development activities.
Land Development Project Manager | Barclays North, Inc. Everett, WA: 08/03 to 09/05
• Worked for this leading real estate company, focusing on Single Family Plat Development
• Directly involved with project feasibility analysis on acquisitions/dispositions
• Performed estimating, scheduling, and financial analysis functions, including the development/ maintenance of project budgets, schedules and cash flows
• Managed all aspects of project design and entitlement, including final plat permitting and oversight of all related engineering processes
• Managed resolution of title and boundary issues
• Handled the acquisition and relinquishment of easements
• Attended public hearings and jurisdictional meetings
• Participated at a regional level with various associations, organizations and governmental affairs
• Maintained excellent working relationships with jurisdictional officials, industry peers, contractors and consultants (including civil & structural engineers, wetland biologists, traffic engineers, landscape architects, and geotechnical engineers)
Development Manager | The Fortune Group Seattle, WA: 09/01 to 07/03
• Focused on Multi-Family Mixed Use Development
• Played lead role as a project manager for this Seattle development company from site acquisition through disposition
• Authored financial proformas for apartment, town home, condo and single-family projects
• Performed marketing management duties and oversaw the property management functions for three apartment buildings that were leased and sold, totaling a combined 209 units
• Produced several professional marketing packages for the disposition of land, completed buildings, investment opportunities, and construction loan packages, as well as company promotions using print and digital media
• Successfully qualified one of our apartment projects for the City of Seattle’s Property Tax Exemption Program
Development Associate / Acquisitions Manager | The Fortune Group Seattle, WA: 07/97 to 08/01
• Assisted in locating, evaluating, and purchasing new properties to be taken in to the development stage
• Managed consultants and supervised the gathering of permits and plans
• Obtained development easements and/or agreements from adjacent properties and other necessary land development tasks such as tracking budgets, production volume, and market analysis
• Purchased urban infill mixed-use development sites in Seattle, including several sites that were assemblages of several smaller parcels with multiple landowners
• Operated in a land acquisition capacity in many jurisdictions in Washington, Oregon and California for several residential properties
Associate Project Manager / Purchaser | The Fortune Group Seattle, WA: 06/96 to 06/97
• Assisted with a variety of project management duties including project bidding, contract negotiation, contract drafting and tracking, subcontractor and vendor coordination, and budget analysis
• Performed various field market research activities such as shopping competitor’s projects and comparing unit size and finishes, price points and project amenities
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
B.A. Degree in Business Management, Seattle Pacific University 1998
Certificate of Commercial Real Estate Development, University of Washington 2001
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Completed Internship with Northwest Commercial (real estate brokerage), 1996
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Project
• Excellent references and a full project portfolio available upon request
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