Dr. John D. Kasarda, Director of the Center for Air Commerce at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School Kenan-Flagler Business School, coined the phrase “Aerotropolis” and defines the aerotropolis model as, “bringing together airport planning, urban and regional planning, and business-site planning to create a new urban form that is highly competitive, attractive, and sustainable."  

Our panel of experts will discuss Charlotte’s “Aerotropolis” known as River District and what factors played a role in the development of it and are contributing to the future of it now. They will share what’s on the horizon and discuss how the development of each will affect the other. The last hour of our program will include a guided bus tour around the Airport grounds to see projects such as the Concourse A expansion, the new Air Traffic Tower site, and the Intermodal facility.

MODERATOR: 
  Rhett Crocker, President, LandDesign  
  Rhett Crocker serves as President of LandDesign.  He     earned his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture   from Clemson University and is a registered landscape   architect in North Carolina and Texas.  On a project level   Rhett is responsible for master planning and project   development   through construction.  A few of his notable   projects include   master plans for the San Juan Puerto Rico Waterfront;  Puerto Cancun Community Plan in Mexico; University Research Park in Charlotte and Romare Beardon Park in Uptown Charlotte. With over 16 years of experience Rhett remains focused on providing every project with the ideas and design leadership that will differentiate projects for better positioning and economic return. 

 PANELISTS:
Brent Cagle, Aviation Director, Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Brent Cagle serves as the Aviation Director of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Prior to this appointment, Cagle was Assistant Aviation Director, Administration and Finance at CLT, overseeing the Aviation Department’s accounting functions as well as overseeing the development and management of the Department’s annual operating budget. Cagle also works closely with the Airport’s signatory airlines in the development and management of Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s Airline Signatory Carriers annual fees and charges budget and settlement.  Cagle brings more than 20 years of experience in municipal government and 9 years of aviation experience, serving in various financial and aviation positions.

 Jack Christine, Deputy Aviation Director, Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Jack Christine serves as the Deputy Aviation Director of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). His responsibilities include complete oversight of three of the Airport’s divisions, which include Development, Operations and Facilities.  Christine has been employed at CLT for 18 years, where his career in aviation has included responsibilities in the following areas: Assistant Aviation Director of Development, Planning & Development Manager, Airport Planner, and Associate Airport Planner.  Prior to joining the City of Charlotte, Christine was employed by the National Aeronautic Association in Arlington, Virginia. He holds a Master of Public Administration from UNC Charlotte and a Bachelor of Science in Airport Management & Aviation Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

 Tracy Dodson, Vice President, Lincoln Harris
 Tracy Dodson has more than 18 years’ experience in   diverse aspects of real estate within Charlotte, NC. As a  Vice President at Lincoln Harris, Tracy serves as a part of  the Development Team as well as the Brokerage Services  team. Her primary focus is to lead large mixed-use  projects through entitlements, preliminary engineering, public-private funding and into construction. Most recent projects include the 188 acre Rea Farms in south Charlotte, and Southbridge, the former Knights Stadium site in Fort Mill, South Carolina. In addition, Tracy works on long range office leasing and business recruitment of companies considering the Charlotte market. She maintains strong relationships with Charlotte and North Carolina’s economic developers, brokers, and City officials to understand a broad range of office relocation/growth opportunities.

 Tyler Niess, Chief Marketing Officer, Crescent  Communities
 Tyler joined Crescent in 2012 and is  responsible for  field marketing across the  businesses' commercial  mixed use, single family,  resort, and multifamily communities.  He previousely spent seven years with Playground Destination Properties, the real estate sales and marketing subsidiary of the global resort development and operations company Intrawest.  There he held the titles of Vice President and Senior Director for sales and marketing with oversight for all aspect of sales and marketing for various projects in Latin America, North America and Europe.  Tyler earned his bachelor's degree with honors from Dartmouth College and has done graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Program Sponsor:

 * Free parking will be available in the Business Valet parking deck. The driveway can be accessed off of Harlee Road. Take the first right into the employee entrance, before the actual Valet entrance. Proceed through the gate arm (which will be raised) and continue to the back of the deck to take a left onto the bottom level. Park wherever you’d like. Take the stairs or elevator up one (1) level and use the designated crosswalk to cross the street to the CLT Center/CLT Admin Building.

If you have any questions, please contact Sara Riggenbach at 704.594.8968 or [email protected].