Miami Leadership - CHAPTER FOUNDERS
STAN CONWAY
HUMMINGBIRD
Stan Conway is a seasoned real estate executive with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He currently serves as the Founder at Hummingbird, where he oversees the firm’s investment strategy and portfolio management. Under Stan’s leadership, Hummingbird has expanded its real estate portfolio, achieving significant returns for its investors.
As a diversified company headquartered in Miami, Hummingbird acquires real estate and develops new projects while also providing capital solutions for other real estate owners and developers. The executives at Hummingbird have capitalized, acquired and developed over $1.5 Billion in real estate transactions across all asset classes.
Stan is known for his expertise in identifying and capitalizing on high-yield investment opportunities across a variety of asset classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. He has a proven track record of successfully managing complex real estate transactions and has been instrumental in the acquisition, development, and disposition of numerous high-profile properties.
Before joining Hummingbird, Stan held CIO roles leading real estate investment firms, where he honed his skills in deal sourcing, underwriting, and asset management. He is also actively involved in industry organizations and regularly speaks at conferences on topics related to real estate investment and market trends.
In his spare time, he enjoys mentoring young professionals in the real estate industry and supports various community initiatives focused on sustainability in South Florida.
RAKESH KUMAR
STAR ROCK ASSOCIATES
Rakesh Kumar stands as a seasoned leader in the dynamic world of real estate finance, bringing a wealth of expertise and strategic insight to the forefront. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Rakesh has played an instrumental role in shaping the financial landscape of the real estate industry.
Born and raised in London, Rakesh Kumar demonstrated a keen interest in finance from an early age. He pursued his passion by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from a prestigious institution, where he laid the foundation for his future success. Rakesh’s commitment to excellence was evident even during his academic years, setting the stage for a remarkable professional journey.
Rakesh embarked on his career in real estate finance with determination and a vision for innovation. Over the years, he climbed the corporate ladder through a series of strategic roles, showcasing his prowess in financial modeling, risk management, and deal structuring. His ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and identify lucrative opportunities quickly set him apart as a leader in the field. His strategic acumen and commitment to delivering results have consistently earned him accolades from peers and industry experts alike.
As a visionary leader, Rakesh Kumar is known for steering teams toward success through a combination of mentorship, innovation, and a focus on sustainable growth. He has a keen understanding of market trends and a proactive approach to adapting to the ever-evolving real estate finance landscape.
Rakesh’s leadership philosophy centers around collaboration and fostering a culture of excellence within his teams. His commitment to ethical business practices and a client-centric approach has not only solidified his reputation as a trustworthy professional but has also contributed to the success of the organizations he has been part of.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Rakesh Kumar is actively involved in initiatives aimed at giving back to the community. He believes in the transformative power of real estate to uplift neighborhoods and is dedicated to projects that contribute positively to society.
Miami Leadership - ADVISORY TEAM
DAVID FERREIRA
"THE CONNECTOR" - PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS & PROJECT DEVELOPER & CONSULTANT
“An experienced professional & analytical thinker dedicated to continuous improvement.”
I am a distinguished “Connector”, a Business Development Professional and Real Estate Development Professional with a passion for forging meaningful connections and driving business growth. I have experience in these roles, which I have honed my skills as an analytical thinker and problem solver, dedicated to delivering results and fostering continuous improvement. My commitment to building strong professional relationships and my ability to manage complex projects makes me a valuable asset in any team. I thrive on challenges and am always eager to take on new opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of International Real Estate Development, with an expertise in Business Development, & Project Development/Management in the Real Estate & Development & Construction industry (AEC), as well as various other professional industries.
TAYLOR BENCIE
CCC MIAMI
Taylor Bencie is the Director of Marketing for CCC Miami, where she leads brand development, storytelling, and strategic communications. She is a United States Coast Guard veteran with experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked in government communications, community relations, and corporate marketing.
She recently founded Conch Collective, a South Florida marketing agency focused on helping brands build influence through thoughtful strategy and compelling creative. Taylor is also currently pursuing her Master of Science in Marketing at Florida International University, where she continues to expand her work in digital strategy, brand identity, and consumer behavior.
Driven by curiosity, culture, and connection, Taylor believes that marketing is most powerful when it tells the truth with intention and style. She approaches each project with a blend of creativity and discipline, aiming to create work that is felt as much as it is seen.
GUILLERMO DE NICOLAS, SIOR
PANTHER CAPITAL GROUP
Guillermo de Nicolas SIOR is the Founder and CEO of Panther Capital Group, a highly successful brokerage specializing in industrial real estate deals. He has transacted on over $270 million in commercial real estate deals over the past four years. He combines deep market knowledge with a personalized approach to ensure successful and efficient deal closures for clients.
Originally from Spain, he came to the US on a tennis college scholarship and achieved a Bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. His passionate and competitive mindset from being an athlete is also applied to his approach on business, real estate, and life overall.
He is a strong believer in the statement “The sky is not the limit. Your mind is.”
JOUN LUIS MATHEUS
PANTHER CAPITAL GROUP
With 13 years of direct experience in supply chain management and global logistics, John brings a holistic approach to all parties involved in the real estate and business deals. He believes in the quote “strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
John is with Panther Capital Group, a highly successful brokerage specializing in industrial real estate deals. With his experience of working first-hand in distribution, manufacturing, import/export, cold storage, warehousing, trucking, equipment leasing and sales, oil & gas, logistics investments, and truck parking, that experience is strategically utilized to best assist the industrial real estate sellers, buyers, and tenants, and any other party involved so that it’s a win-win-win for everyone.
His favorite book is The Alchemist and lives by “when you really want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
DAVID BUTTER
GREENBERG TRAURIG
David J. Butter is a real estate attorney in Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office, where he focuses his practice on land use and zoning law. Mr. Butter represents developers and property owners in securing permits and entitlement approvals. Mr. Butter works with development teams and interacts with municipal staff and elected officials on zoning district boundary changes, site plan approvals, Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) amendments, as well as handling variance applications and other matters throughout Miami-Dade County.
MITASH KRIPALANI
COLLIERS
Holding a distinguished career spanning over 16 years, Mitash is a leading figure in Miami’s commercial real estate industry. As Vice President of the Colliers South Florida Capital Markets team, his expertise in multifamily, retail, and land investment sales is unparalleled.
Mitash is celebrated for his deep understanding of the complex dynamics of real estate transactions, which coupled with his client-centric approach, enables him to deliver top-tier service. His clientele ranges from institutional investors and private equity firms to developers and high-net-worth individuals, all benefitting from his strategic guidance in maximizing returns.
With a successful track record of executing transactions valued at over a billion dollars, Mitash and his team set industry benchmarks in South Florida. He has earned the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation and currently serves as the Chapter President for the CCIM Institute, Miami Dade/Monroe District.
DAVID WARD
BLUE STREAM FIBER
David Ward serves as Director of Sales for Blue Stream Fiber in Miami-Dade, where he partners with condominium and HOA Boards and CAM Managers to deliver state-of-the-art bulk fiber optic internet and TV solutions. He specializes in helping communities fully modernize their infrastructure — upgrading from outdated coax cable to true fiber optics — at zero cost to the association. David focuses exclusively on bulk fiber agreements with mid-to-large-scale communities (150+ units), ensuring long-term value, reliability, and savings for residents.
Holding a PCAM designation since 2021, David’s career began in on-site management in 2014, where he has since served as General Manager for some of South Florida’s most notable luxury high-rise communities — from Fisher Island and Key Biscayne to Edgewater and Miami Beach. Now in his third year of business development, he is widely recognized for his ability to build meaningful relationships, strengthen communities, and drive innovative solutions in an evolving market.
David is an active member of the Brickell Homeowners Association (BHA), BNI Miami Beach, and CAI Southeast Florida, and is deeply engaged in South Florida’s real estate and association circles. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, luxury real estate, marketing, fitness, 90s hip hop, and his beloved Boston Celtics and New England Patriots.
JAZZ MACHIN
JOHN BELL CONSTRUCTION
When we say that John Bell Construction is built on faith, family and teamwork – we aren’t joking. Jazz Machin and our Founder, Oscar Morejon, have been best friends their whole lives, to the point where they consider each other brothers. It was Morejon’s love of construction, strong conviction, and faith that led Machin to joining the John Bell team. His bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Marketing only strengthened his position in the company. He’s now finding that his own love of construction grows every day.
At the beginning of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, Machin searched high and low for ways to keep the staff working efficiently while working remotely. Through the use of virtual meetings, online onboarding, and more, he made keeping John Bell Construction up to date a thing of high-tech beauty.
WORDS HE LIVES BY: “Against All Odds.”
BRUCE GIBSON
SENIOR CAPITAL ADVISORS
Bruce Gibson, an Executive Board Member of Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Miami, has over 25 years of senior housing expertise. His firm, Senior Capital Advisors, with several billion dollars in completed transactions, facilitates senior housing facility and land sales, as well as debt and equity sourcing on a nationwide basis. Bruce is a highly skilled negotiator and has significant experience structuring joint ventures, management agreements and complex capital stacks.
Bruce is also a founding investor in Charter Senior Living, a highly successful senior housing management company with over 60 properties under management.
GABRIEL GRANA
eXP COMMERCIAL
Gabriel Grana is a seasoned Miami-based real estate investor and advisor with over 16 years of experience specializing in multifamily and retail assets. Originally from Argentina, he has built and managed diverse portfolios spanning residential, retail, and mixed-use properties across South Florida and beyond.
Gabriel excels at uncovering strategic opportunities, executing acquisitions, and maximizing value through site selection. His data-driven approach and deep market insight consistently deliver strong, sustainable returns for investors and partners.
Respected for his integrity, strategic vision, and results-oriented mindset, Gabriel serves as a trusted advisor to investors, developers, and business owners navigating today’s complex real estate landscape. Beyond his professional achievements, he is actively engaged in Miami’s business community and passionate about mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals.