Advisory Board

In 2023, WDCEP launched its first Advisory Board as a key component to furthering its Corporate Attraction mission. The professionals in the Advisory Board are among the most trusted and engaged members of DC’s commercial real estate ecosystem who care deeply about the future of our city. Through their consultative effort, the Advisory Board provides corporate attraction guidance, feedback and “boots on the ground” real-time market intelligence.

Paul Collins

Executive Vice Chair

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biography

Paul is one of the top Investment Sales brokers in the Southeast region of the United States, with more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience focused primarily on institutional sales, joint ventures and financings. As Executive Vice Chairman in Cushman & Wakefield’s Washington, DC office, he works actively with institutional owners in the consultation and disposition of their real estate assets. During the past ten years, Paul has successfully completed more than $30 billion in investment property sales. He currently serves on the Cushman & Wakefield Global Advisory Board.

Elizabeth Cooper

Vice Chairman

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biography

Elizabeth has over 30 years of real estate experience as a top sales producer for over 20 years at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), and prior to that, as a real estate attorney for 10 years at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC. In addition to her real estate practice at Covington, she was one of the lawyers tapped to handle all real estate related matters for the firm. As Vice Chairman of JLL, she has negotiated more than 50 million square feet of office space around the globe, generating approximately $100,000,000 in revenue.

Colette Dafoe

Managing Partner

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biography

Colette is the office managing partner of the firm’s DC office and focuses her practice on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, representing owners, investors and developers in acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing and development of commercial real estate. Her practice involves drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, leases and loan documents and performing due diligence and other site acquisition services. Colette’s focus of restructuring and workout includes workouts of commercial loans, portfolio and securitized loans, distressed property sales and representation of lenders in debtor-in-possession financing transactions.

Dan Dooley

Managing Director, Regional Leasing and Asset Strategy

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biography

Dan is responsible for leading leasing and asset strategy in the region. His previous projects have included leasing properties such as One Metro Center, 1325 G Street, 1099 New York Avenue, Woodland Pointe, and Plaza East. Dan was the Chief Operating Officer with Carr Properties where he ran their Leasing, Marketing, Property Management, Asset Management and Construction Management groups. With over 30 years of experience in real estate, Dan has also held roles with Trammell Crow, JMB Realty Corporation, LaSalle Partners/JLL and Savills Studley. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BBA in Finance.

Andy Eichberg

Managing Director

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biography

Andy is responsible for leading the regional brokerage platform; providing senior leadership across other regional business lines; further establishing the Stream brand throughout the Mid-Atlantic; and executing various principal and service-related undertakings and assignments. Andy has more than 25 years of experience in the DC commercial real estate industry, the majority of which has been dedicated to the leasing, acquisition and asset management of institutional-grade office buildings.

Scott Frankel

Executive Vice President

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biography

Scott A. Frankel is an industry veteran having negotiated over 30 transactions valued at more than $400 million during the past three years. He has produced record-setting years, representing tenants and landlords as well as being the initiator of land and buildings sales. With more than 20 years experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Frankel has consistently been one of the top producers in the area. The Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors (GWCAR) has repeatedly recognized him as a top-leasing broker in Washington, DC.

Scott Franklin

Senior Vice President

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biography

Scott is responsible for leasing an office portfolio in excess of 4 million square feet, including development sites and third-party assignments. Since joining JBG SMITH in 2017, Scott has contributed to the success of numerous projects, including ground-up office developments at 1900 N Street and 500 L’Enfant Plaza. Scott works closely with the asset management and development teams in identifying and evaluating commercial office purchase and development opportunities throughout the DC metropolitan area. Prior to joining JBG SMITH, Scott was a Senior Director at Tishman Speyer for over 10 years also focusing on downtown commercial office leasing and development.

Matt Gannon

Managing Director/Market Leader

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biography

Matt is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of Colliers offices in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland, comprising more than 50 real estate professionals, who provide clients with best-in-class service for tenant advisory, landlord services, corporate solutions, capital markets, development and consulting, valuation and appraisal, marketing and research. Matt utilizes his knowledge of the Washington, DC market to increase market share and continue adding top-tier talent while guiding the firm’s overall strategy in the region.

Matt Garcell

Managing Director

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biography

Matt specializes in tenant representation, including lease acquisitions, space dispositions, and multi-market relocations. Matt is sought after for his ability to translate financial and qualitative data and market trends analysis into customized real estate strategies, while minimizing risk and exposure. He is instrumental in building and implementing occupancy cost reduction strategies and excels with complex lease negotiations. Matt’s client portfolio includes Fortune 500 companies, law firms, not-for-profit organizations, technology, and media companies. His client list includes Al Jazeera, HGA Architects, League of Women Voters, National Association of Broadcasters, CBS Radio and CBS News, and Corporate Executive Board.

Laura Kennington

Senior Principal and Chief Growth Officer

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biography

Laura leads firmwide initiatives that support the growth of existing and new accounts and ensure cohesive client experiences regardless of project location. OTJ has offices in Washington, D.C., Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Miami, FL, New York, N.Y., San Diego, CA, and San Francisco, CA. Signature recent projects include workplaces for Adobe, Anheuser-Busch, BMW, PBS, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Yelp, and United Way, Innovation Centers for Booz Allen Hamilton and Capital One, as well as the renovation of the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Library, New York’s Webster Hall, and the Cincinnati Music Hall.

Martha Naughten

Vice President-National Commercial Sales

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biography

Martha has extensive knowledge and experience on the commercial ownership/development side of the industry. Her focus is on expanding Fidelity’s strong network in the DMV area by servicing existing clients and ensuring Fidelity maintains and boosts its pipeline. Before joining Fidelity Martha was Vice President at Colliers, Senior Leasing Director at Carr Properties and Senior Director at JBG Smith. She’s earned her MBA from William & Mary and BA from Duquesne University.

Dennis Perkins

Founder & CEO

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biography

Dennis has over 30 years of commercial real estate experience representing and advising tenants, landlords and investors in multiple gateway markets. Beginning his career in New York City and now based in Washington, DC, Dennis provides expertise in commercial brokerage, transaction management, strategic planning, consulting, market research, financial modeling and portfolio administration to universities, governmental entities, nonprofits, and corporations. Prior to founding CIVITAS he held roles with Studley/Savills, Trammell Crow and CBRE. Dennis is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, CoreNet, and the Real Estate Executive Council. He honored to serve as a Trustee of the Federal City Council and Board Member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.

Sean Sullivan

Vice President of Development

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biography

Sean is responsible for overall project execution of new mixed-use, office, and residential buildings in the Washington, DC region. From acquiring new sites, securing entitlements, leading design, to overseeing construction, Sean coordinates all aspects of a project’s life cycle. Sean is currently managing 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue (480,000 trophy office building) and leading the entitlement effort on a new downtown residential opportunity (in excess of 500 residential units). Prior to BXP, Mr. Sullivan served as a Development Associate with Merlone Geier Partners in San Francisco, an Investment Sales Associate for CBRE in Tokyo, Japan, and an Investment Sales Analyst at Trammell Crow Company.

Jennifer Tatum

Vice President, Leasing

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biography

With more than 15 years of experience in leading transactions, Jennifer has contributed to the leasing of over 5 million square feet of commercial office space. Jennifer is assists in land acquisitions, the design process for new office projects, tenant leasing strategy and execution across the Washington, DC region. Previously, she worked as a tenant representative at Newmark Knight Frank and CBRE. Jennifer is a LEED AP, and an active member of Commercial Real Estate Women. She serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club Youth in Real Estate Luncheon and has previously served on the board of Jubilee Housing.

David Toney

Senior Vice President

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biography

David is responsible for coordinating all aspects of development activities from acquisition to completion. His responsibilities include acquisition, financing, entitlements, design, construction, marketing, and leasing. In addition to the pursuit of new development deals, David currently oversees approximately $530 million in development projects, including 2100 L Street in Washington, DC, One Reston Town Center in Reston, VA, 555 Mangum Street and 949 Washington Street, both in Durham, NC. Since joining Akridge in 2005, David has completed or assisted in nearly $1.5 billion in office and mixed-use acquisitions and development, including West Half Street, 700 Sixth Street, 1016 Sixteenth Street, and Gallery Place, all in Washington, DC.