As the Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of GBX Group, Drew Sparacia provides strategic guidance and ensures that the company applies the highest levels of financial, tax, legal, and real estate expertise throughout the company. Since its founding in 2001, the company has grown significantly by maximizing market opportunities and by incorporating federal, state and local tax and other incentives into the acquisition and revitalization of historic properties in urban markets. GBX Group raises capital for these projects, which transform neighborhoods, stimulate economic growth, and preserve the cultural and historic fabric of the community while earning investors strong after-tax returns. Under Drew’s leadership, GBX Group has become a leading real estate investment and management company with more than 135 investments in 21 states. With more than 28 years of experience in integrating tax incentives into “everyday” business transactions, Drew is responsible for the company’s product development and innovation to achieve the legislative intents of those incentive programs. He has a deep technical expertise and market perspective to align the interests of clients, investors and legislative authorities to ensure a seamless and successful execution of investment strategies. He began his career with the Cleveland tax consulting group of Ernst & Young LLP. Following, Drew was named Director of Finance at STERIS Corporation, a leading provider of medical products and services, at a time when the company was growing rapidly, both domestically and internationally. Drew’s work with STERIS’ acquisitions focused on leveraging tax and other incentives into the legal and business structures of the new companies. Drew received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Ohio Wesleyan University, and his JD/MBA from Case Western Reserve University with concentrations in tax and finance.

Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate for ERIEBANK, A Division of Bank out of PA, with over $5.2 billion in assets. CNB is a publicly traded financial institution, with affiliates in Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; Roanoke, VA; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. Suzanne is a seasoned financial professional who specializes in commercial real estate sales, lending and relationship/portfolio management. She is experienced in winning business, analyzing business opportunities, underwriting projects and closing deals. Her effectiveness is in relationship management, while working across business lines and providing financial solutions for her customers, while helping to generate expanded business and profits. Her volunteerism includes: The Emeritus Council of the Board of Directors for the Human Rights Campaign; Board of Directors of the West 117th Foundation; Board of Directors of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association; Board of Directors of GroundWorks; Advisory Board for Commercial Real Estate Women, and several industry memberships.

Chuck DiRocco is currently the Director of Real Estate Research at PwC and is based in Washington, DC, where his focus is on Emerging Trends in Real Estate covering the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In addition, he is an author and manager of various internal and external articles and data analyses on economics and commercial real estate. He also continues to be an industry speaker, providing numerous presentations for media, and at conferences, webinars, and seminars. Mr. DiRocco has over 20 years of experience in the public and private real estate industry. Before working with PwC, Mr. DiRocco was the Managing Director of Client Services and Thought Leadership for Ankura. Mr. DiRocco's role there revolved around client relationships with private institutional equity and direct lending clientele, including global investment banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and various asset lenders and owners. Before Ankura, he served as the Director of Research at Altus Group. He created and produced The Real Confidence Executive Survey, Young Professional Survey, The University Challenge, and The Yardstick. In addition, Mr. DiRocco was the Vice President of Research for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). Mr. DiRocco's education includes a B.S degree in Finance and an M.B.A from The Johns Hopkins University with a concentration in Finance and investments. Also, he is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, a Homer Hoyt Fellow, a Counselor of Real Estate, a Certified Commercial Investment Member, and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Jack has been obsessed with cities since the age of four, though he officially started his career in graduate school at the University of Louisville. Initially brought on board as a research intern with the city’s downtown community development corporation, he fell in love with data and figuring out the “Why?” of urban planning. The role expanded to include helping small businesses and property owners navigate complex permitting systems, prepare for streetscape overhauls, and other pressing issues. During his time in Louisville, Jack established the ULI Kentucky YLG and served as Co-Chair of the Programs Committee. Aiming to build on his research skills, Jack took a job as an Analyst for CBRE’s Cleveland office. There he was able to refine his report writing while working directly with clients to help make corporate real estate decisions. He likes to call this the time he learned how to “speak private sector.” Though only with the firm for a little over a year, Jack credits CBRE for the idea to work with ULI Cleveland on an Emerging Trends report specific to Northeast Ohio. He has authored the report for three years in conjunction with other volunteers and the district council’s YLG members. In his current role as a Project Manager at GBX Group, Jack is learning the complex world of acquiring and restoring historic buildings around the country. Specializing in state and federal historic preservation programs, GBX operates in many markets where traditional adaptive reuse may not pencil. He works closely with JV partners as well as the preservation-focused non-profit organizations. His role with the Urban Land Institute has grown to include a spot as Co-Chair of the Programs Committee, an instructor the Real Estate Diversity Initiative, and chairing the Steering Committee when Cleveland hosted the 2022 Young Leaders Exchange.