Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Experiences Officer (CXO). At Lighthouse, we will partner with your public agency to guide you through development of a real estate plan for your portfolio of owned land, or to advise you on parcels critical for the development of your city. Lighthouse also advises tenants, owners, and developers in navigating the permitting and real estate negotiations processes, including permitting in the California Coastal Zone.

Founder and owner of a boutique, solo law firm focused primarily on transactional commercial and industrial real estate matters. The firm handles commercial and industrial ground leases, retail and space leases, and any other related entitlement and permitting matters.

As an experienced executive with the Port of San Diego, I managed twelve different departments over ten years with a focus on revenue generating and supporting operations: Real Estate, Development Services, Performance & Reporting, Guest Experiences - Parking, Guest Experiences - Landscaping, Information Technology, Engineering-Construction, General Services, Government and Civic Relations, Environmental and Planning, Marketing and Communications, and Maritime Operations and Trade. Responsible for the Port’s primary income, the commercial and maritime industrial real estate portfolio of over 250 primary tenants, I administered a revenue budget of $155 million and led a team of up to 170 staff. From 2014 to 2024, I grew revenues by 72% with a CAGR of 6.2%, or almost twice the rate of inflation over the same period. As the Port’s senior business negotiator, I led negotiations and entitlement efforts for commercial real estate projects of regional and statewide significance with a total construction value of over $2.2 billion.For over 19 years, I negotiated, drafted, reviewed, finalized, recommended, analyzed, and presented commercial real estate transaction documents ranging from letters of interests (LOI) and term sheets to option to lease agreements, retail space leases, short term leases, long term commercial ground leases, disposition and development agreements, and others. I was responsible for outcomes at hundreds of open and closed session public agency meetings before the Board of Port Commissioners. I also developed and implemented a Port-specific strategic planning process.Major projects included the 1,600 room, $1.3 billion Gaylord Pacific Resort Hotel and Convention Center, the repositioning of Seaport Village resulting in the near tripling of net income over a five-year period, and the repositioning of the brownfield East Harbor Island site.

Managed four departments of 170 staff in Real Estate, Engineering, General Services, and Guest Experiences responsible for a revenue budget of over $120 million and expense budget of over $45 million including the Capital Improvement Program and Major Maintenance Program. Led the Port’s development of a rent deferral program for tenants during COVID including presenting to the Budget Ad Hoc Committee and Board, as well as leading efforts to restructure agreements as needed with the commercial real estate, Seaport Village, and parking portfolios. Provided strategic and negotiating direction to maritime properties consisting of shipyards and agreements both on and off Tenth Avenue and National City Marine Terminals and directed the negotiation of leases with BAE resulting in over $1 million in incremental revenue.

Responsible for the performance, executive sponsorship, and strategic direction of the Real Estate, Development Services, and Information Technology Departments. Accountable for over 600 real estate agreements including short and long term ground leases and consulting agreements, $100 million in annual revenues derived from long-term ground leases, and expense budgets of over $14 million related to environmental review and CEQA/Coastal processing for Real Estate development projects as well as Information Technology projects. Key negotiator on the Disposition and Development Agreement for the $1.2 billion 1,600 room Gaylord Resort Hotel and Convention Center. Executive lead for the interim operation and negotiations of the $1.6 billion Seaport San Diego project. Member of the Port’s Executive Leadership Group responsible for setting and monitoring the progress and execution of the strategic priorities of the Port. Member of the Port’s Strategic Planning Team responsible for developing the process, procedures, and format for the Port’s innovative 18-month strategic planning window.

Served as executive management and liaison to the Executive Leadership Group for the Maritime, Real Estate, Marketing, Environmental and Land Use Management, and Government and Civic Relations Departments. Provided oversight and strategic direction during the first six months of the Port CEO’s transition into office. Ensured stable and consistent management and developed and implemented best management practices for budgetary review and training opportunities. Partnered with the City of National City to advance the National City Balanced Plan to ensure a contiguous marine terminal, new commercial development opportunities, and new park space.

Developed and administered the Port of San Diego's commercial real estate portfolio generating approximately $90 million in annual ground lease and parking revenue. Guided and facilitated implementation of commercial real estate development programs and projects. Managed a department of 33 real estate professionals including asset managers, architects, and administrative staff.

Responsibilities: Negotiate and manage multiple, complex real estate development or leasehold projects/programs focused on commercial, maritime, industrial, public recreation and mixed-use real estate; formulate detailed development and asset management plans and budgets; coordinate real estate operations with outside agencies and internal divisions; organize, direct, manage and evaluate the work of internal and external professional and technical staff; negotiate and draft options to lease, leases, and easements; prepare and present sensitive real estate matters to the Board in open and closed session; represent the Port at a variety of political and business meetings and events; monitor and ensure asset management compliance with applicable laws and regulations; supervise a team of four professionals; oversee the Lease Assistant program consisting of three professionals; and facilitate the resolution of issues between key stakeholders.

Developed, executed, and monitored complex and sensitive real estate programs; served as supervisor and team lead for asset managers, architects, and administrative assistants; provided high-level expertise to complex and politically sensitive planning studies, projects, and assignments; represented the Real Estate Department in inter-agency, local, and state meetings and planning efforts; applied a high degree of knowledge to identifying and solving real estate and land use problems; interpreted and analyzed federal, state, and local codes and policies; maintained effective contacts and relationships with elected officials, the Board of Port Commissioners, and senior Port staff; and made presentations to the Board of Port Commissioners, stakeholders, and the public.

Managed projects, performed asset management, administered ground leases, and facilitated the leasing of the Port’s tidelands real estate under supervision; applied technical real estate expertise and knowledge of legal, regulatory, and policy provisions to Port development projects and leaseholds; conducted financial analyses and evaluated multiple development scenarios for Port projects; participated in the Port’s environmental review and entitlement process, including assistance with projects pending before the California Coastal Commission and California State Lands Commission; negotiated and drafted options to lease, leases, easements, and short-term real estate agreements; and developed and presented recommendations for the development and leasing of Port property to supervisors, senior Port staff, and the Board of Port Commissioners.

Provided research and assistance to more senior asset managers involved in developing, managing and monitoring activities of various real estate projects; contributed to developing program/project plans and budgets; contributed to real estate program and project compliance with applicable laws and regulations; participated in real estate development projects; contributes to financial pro forma and other analyses; participated in the formulation of development concepts; analyzed opportunities and constraints for alternative real estate development scenarios and sites; provided assistance to multiple stakeholders on development projects; assisted senior staff with real property negotiations and transactions; prepared requests for proposals; assisted in lease preparation and administration; performed financial research; and assisted with tenant negotiations.