For more than twenty years Tad has established his track record negotiating and structuring deals in this market, planning and developing complex real estate projects and providing strategic counsel services to investors, developers, governmental and public entities, to non-profits, small businesses and individuals. His ability to navigate the political aspects of land use and development endeavors, his wealth of experience in project financing and investment structures, and the depth of his practical, first-hand knowledge of the construction cycle and management make his scope of knowledge and perspective preeminent in his field.
Tad is well known for handling large-scale projects and land use approvals, having delivered millions of square feet of development and billions of dollars of value over two decades of practice. He is also known for his business acumen, managing and structuring significant transactions and financial investments in the real estate and development field. Understanding the market, political implications and how projects are actually financed and built gives Tad unique and comprehensive insight that ultimately benefits everyone involved in their endeavors.
In addition to the knowledge gained in private practice, Tad provides clients with the added perspective of having represented local Virginia government in similar matters. This experience in negotiating and structuring public/private partnerships and other transactions involving governmental entities related to real estate and capital projects provides a holistic understanding of the inseparable nexus of public and private interests in real estate and development that is an invaluable benefit to clients.
Tad has spent a considerable amount of his career dedicated to community and professional service. Over the years, in addition to his work, he has served in the following capacities:
Tad is from Arlington, Virginia. He graduated from the Catholic University School of Law in Washington, DC. Prior to his career in the law Tad was an officer in the United States Merchant Marines, with an unlimited tonnage license for any ocean. He lives in Arlington with his wife and three children.
Prior to joining ALG, Phil co-founded Bello Realty Partners, a multifamily development company, and was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Comstock Partners, a privately held real estate company in Northern Virginia. As a member of the executive team, Phil was charged with strategic planning for, and development and management of, a 5+ million SF transit-oriented portfolio. He was responsible for structuring and implementing acquisitions, entitlements, financing, contracts, ground leases, commercial leases, and public-private partnerships. During Phil’s tenure, Comstock Partners developed 2,500 multifamily units and 2 million SF of commercial space, built and stabilized four apartment buildings, and delivered 675,000 SF of office and retail space and 4500+ structured parking spaces. The 99‑year ground lease and air rights development at Reston Station received NAIOP’s 2011 Award of Excellence.
Before joining Comstock Partners in 2007, Phil was a partner in the Washington DC and Northern Virginia offices of the Reed Smith law firm. Phil’s practice included representing clients in development of 1+ million SF of transit-oriented properties and a $1 billion telecom portfolio sale and lease-back. Phil represented a municipal authority on mixed‑use projects including the Tivoli Theater redevelopment, named by the Washington Business Journalas the Best Overall Deal of 2003, and multiple public-private transactions comprising the Columbia Heights revitalization which was later honored with Urban Land Institute’s 2010 Global Award for Excellence.
Phil has served on the board of directors of Fellowship Square Foundation (a low-income senior housing provider) and the trustees of Clarendon United Methodist Church, and worked on behalf of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership. Professional and industry association memberships have included the District of Columbia Building Industry Association, Urban Land Institute, International Council of Shopping Centers, and Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
Phil was raised in Bethesda, Maryland, and attended Sidwell Friends in Washington DC. He graduated from the University of Virginia and received his law degree from the Emory University School of Law. He lives in Arlington with his wife and three sons.
Ashley has over a decade of experience in both the public and private sectors and aspects of the land use processes in Northern Virginia. Her background includes roles in the Zoning Department for the City of Alexandria and Arlington County. Subsequently, she has managed all aspects of the urban planning efforts for private land use practices for the past five years. Having worked in both the public and private sectors, she is uniquely positioned to assist clients with a perspective of how both sectors operate.
In her previous positions with Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, Ashley conducted thorough analysis of zoning applications and delivered reports to various governing bodies. Her extensive experience working with Historic Preservation review boards, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Planning Commission, City Council, and the County Board has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of how these governing bodies assess land use cases. Ashley served as a community liaison for the Zoning Department and stakeholder groups, conducted land use planning research, managed the Zoning Department’s community outreach process, analyzed and reviewed comprehensive land use changes, and prepared land use recommendations, staff reports, and public hearing items. She also engaged in long-range and current planning studies, text amendments, and provided customer consultations. Ashley is known in both Alexandria and Arlington as someone who worked diligently to get approvals for applicants.
In her current role as Director of Planning, Ashley conducts in-depth project analysis, independently reviews architectural plans, and prepares reports on complex land use matters. She uses her expertise to recommend strategic land use management strategies and tackle issues for resolution. Through various planning processes such as Site Plans, Special GLUP Studies, Rezonings, Phased Development Plans, and Sector Plans, she effectively outlines comprehensive requirements for successful development solutions. She provides assistance in all areas of land use including commercial retail development, mixed-use, and residential projects. In addition to providing project management experience, Ashley has a thorough understanding of local zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, Use Permit and Site Plan standards, as well as significant experience in drafting land use and zoning memorandums, zoning determination request letters, statements of justification, and various other land use documents.
Ashley is an active member of professional and industry associations, including the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, Latrobe Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, DC Preservation League, and the Association for Preservation Technology.
With a Master's Degree in American Studies with a concentration on Historic Preservation from George Washington University, Ashley brings a strong educational background to her work. During graduate school, she worked in the Public Buildings Service at the General Services Administration. Originally from Colorado, Ashley has developed an appreciation for beach life after many visits to her fiancé’s hometown of Savannah, Georgia. In her free time, Ashley enjoys hiking with her dog, discovering new restaurants, and supporting her favorite sports teams. She is an avid reader, constantly seeking out new books and podcasts to explore.
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