Obsidian Development Group of WNY specializes in real estate development, focusing on innovative, sustainable, and community-oriented projects in Western New York. They transform underutilized properties into vibrant spaces, fostering economic growth and revitalization. Committed to excellence, Obsidian integrates modern design, eco-friendly practices, and strong partnerships to enhance local living experiences.

Working hands on with clients in real estate ventures realize value within the development process through engagement, research, and scenario modeling.

Licensed real estate agent focusing on commercial entitlement, sales, and leasing.

Professional supervisory duties of four professional planners and three administrative departmental staff, including taking a proactive and participatory approach to high profile or complex entitlement activities with varying capital stacks Led efforts to engage Planning Commission and Zoning Appeals boards on addressing internal and external skills gaps, establishing clearer communication between City staff and Board members, Planned, directed, and managed the activities of consulting groups, budget management, and deliverables for a Citywide Comprehensive Plan update and RFP process for Development Regulations (Engineering, Planning. and Stormwater) overhaul. Provided hands on leadership to Habitat for Humanity Sumner County on the Organization's first subdivision - Pafford Place and created due diligence tools (Pro Forma, Processes, and Connections) to assist current CEO to make decisions on available land quicker

Managing entitlement and pre construction process for multiple multi million dollar developments within the City.Coordinated internal review of planning, design, and Engineering documentsGraduate of Transit Leadership Academy

Provided residential and commercial development project management and review for new and modified projects for an area equal to half the City of Franklin, one of the top 20 fastest growing communities in the United States.Worked as the sole planner on a joint Planning and Engineering RFQ process to evaluate and select on call transportation impact analysis services.Coordinated efforts to streamline internal department processes through group facilitation resulting in overall reduction in delays, improved efficiency, and performance measures.

Initiated, developed, and coordinated tri-state effort “Freight Across Appalachia” to proactively prepare local governments and leverage their resources in advance of major shifts in regional freight traffic. Created, executed, and reported for annual operations budget for six person business unit.Designed effective and easy to understand implementation schedules for staff work tasks linked with budgetary informationWorked with staff and management team to develop realistic and achievable performance measures for work team and provided input for department wide measuresContinually achieved high level of customer satisfaction and service accountability to various funding partnersWhile serving as Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Rural Planning Organizations facilitated systematic changes to create more effective individual work plans and develop more proactive performance measures for strengthening organizational capacity

Worked with management and other department heads to review, update, and add to the policy and procedures manual governing staffSought new and innovative ways to streamline operations , expedite task routing for staff, and provide an expedited and improved work product to stakeholders, management, and funding partnersEnsured agency compliance with complex Federal and State regulations for housing and infrastructure projectsCoordinated with other internal and external partners to develop and manage a highly successful small business training and equipment rental program to assist in weatherization of existing housing stockManaged a project portfolio valued at $650,000 comprised of eight individual projects with varying degrees of difficulty and involvementCoordinated agency efforts with high profile economic development projects including $450 Million Facebook Data Center, $350 Million Horsehead Corporation Zinc Processing Facility, $26 Million Clearwater Paper facility administering a variety of state, federal and local funding sources Planned, organized, and conducted regional workshops on varying topics including regional sustainable economic development strategies through the NC Tomorrow Plan Served as brownfield project manager- involving extensive work with NCDENR staff, EPA staff, public and private sector developers, environmental firms, town governments, and neighborhood associations Spearheaded efforts on a transparency initiative and creation of firm measurable guidelines for project bids, budgets, public involvement, and clear contractor performance measures on awarded projects Coordinated and staged various assessment activities and components of several brownfield sites/projects simultaneously; including two designated historic buildings

Established a downtown retail buisness in Forest City, NC inculding product selection, order management, and customer service.Developed profitable electronic buisness component of operationsMerged store concept into retail merchandiser service for other local buisnessesEventually transitioned and merged operations with another sucessful downtown retailer

Led a mixture of overseas military, NATO Contractors, foreign citizens, and US military to accomplish joint goals in overseas (non-English speaking) countries Provided effective financial tracking to keep project budgets on task and complete in timeHandled international shipments of goods, materials, and personnel from various points of the globeAwarded the Joint Services Commodation Medal

Worked with a certified planner from the City of Buffalo and community groups to develop a comprehensive community plan utilizing ideas presented by the residentsResearched and advised regarding code violations and proposed changes affecting this sector of the city. Prepared and presented information at formal and informal meetingsWorked with local business groups to identify potential building reuse and interim uses for long vacant and neglected storefronts

Assisted neighborhood busines owners to manage Community Development Block Grant funds from HUD to improve a low income minorty neighborhoodCreated and maintained a database of vacant properties, ownership status, and contact informationInterpreted architectural blueprints and communicated these to potential customersProduced plans to address the concerns of streetscape improvements and create civic pride in an impoverished communityEstablished and preserved working relationships with developers, local business owners, building material suppliers, community groups, architectural firms, and Buffalo City Hall

Supervised a combat team of three for combat training missions and routine administrative tasks.Air Assualt School