Panelists:

Ron Kimble, City of Charlotte, Deputy City Manager 
As Deputy City Manager for the City of Charlotte, Ron is responsible for economic development, redevelopment, hospitality and tourism, and intergovernmental relations for the City. He has led initiatives including the Panthers Stadium Project, NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Levine Center for the Arts, AAA Baseball, and US National Whitewater Center, as well as the Metropolitan, NC Music Factory, and Mosaic Village.

 Jerry Coughter, UNC Charlotte Center City, Executive Director
Jerry moved to Charlotte about five years ago to lead the completion and opening of UNC Charlotte Center City. He oversees day-to-day operations of the facility, but his primary focus is on community engagement, strengthening the University’s ties to the City and Region. A graduate of Clemson, he hold masters degrees in both microbiology and business, and is a PhD candidate in Public Policy, with a focus on what he terms “University-centered Economic Development.”

Peter Franz, UNC Charlotte, Associate Director of Land Use and Landscape Architecture
Throughout his 19-year career Peter has been involved in a number of initiatives including the development of two University Master Plans, the establishment of the Real Estate Department and Sustainability Office, and he also served as the University’s liaison to bring the LYNX Blue Line rail service onto campus. To date, Peter represents the University in developing coordinated efforts with University City Partners and private developers on projects that impact the University. These partnerships include Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning, Charlotte Department of Transportation, the NC Department of Transportation, and the Charlotte Area Transit System.
 
Daniel Levine, Levine Properties, President
Levine Properties develops, owns and operates commercial and residential properties in the Charlotte area and select national locations.  In Uptown’s First Ward, Levine is currently redeveloping 9 blocks/24 acres anchored by UNC Charlotte’s Center City Campus, Imaginon Children’s Museum and First Ward Park.  His vision is an Urban Village with apartments, hotels, office buildings, retail, restaurants and like all great neighborhoods, a personality of its own.