LOCUS Announces Jair K. Lynch as Organization’s New President
LOCUS is a network of real estate developers and investors who advocate for sustainable, walkable development. Jair Lynch will work with real estate developers and investors across the country to advance LOCUS’ public policy agenda and business opportunities.
| Dear LOCUS Members— As some of you may already know, effective August 31, 2016, I am stepping down as President of LOCUS after starting the organization eight years ago. However, I will maintain my role as a dues-paying member on the Steering Committee, continuing to work closely with LOCUS and Smart Growth America on the many research projects in our joint pipeline, while remaining active in my other roles at George Washington University, The Brookings Institution, and Arcadia Land Company. I would like to take a few minutes to convey my thoughts about having been a part of this forward-thinking, remarkable team. LOCUS was formed to advocate for sustainable, inclusive walkable urban development in our country. We have come to serve as a vital voice for real estate developers and investors to guide federal policy towards market-driven solutions that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable for America’s future. We have championed changes including:
LOCUS will continue to advocate for the creation of sustainable and inclusive walkable urban communities. We are working at the federal and state levels to promote TOD financing, advocate for comprehensive housing and tax reform packages that provide incentives for walkable urbanism, as well as encourage lawmakers to eliminate and streamline federal transportation programs and policies that do more for American families, communities, and taxpayers. Because of the support I have received from you all as a team, these last eight years have been so very fulfilling and have encouraged me in carrying out my duties as President. Given the great success we achieved together with the transportation bill this year, I felt that this is the ideal time for a new leader to take the organization to the next level. Besides, I have learned that I am best at starting organizations; running them long-term is not my skill set. I am thrilled that my friend and DC neighbor, Jair Lynch, will become the next President. Jair is a progressive DC-based developer with a track record that is admired across the country for his mixed-use, mixed-income, walkable urban development. I am also so very pleased that day-to-day management will continue to be in the remarkable hands of Christopher Coes. Now more than ever, LOCUS’ work is needed to align federal, state, and local policies with the market realities that you and your fellow LOCUS members are developing everyday. To keep the momentum going, I encourage you to make a contribution to LOCUS so we collectively can get closer to these goals. I want to thank each and every one of you for the support and hard work that has helped us achieve eight years of success together. I would like you to give a warm welcome to Jair, as he assumes the role of President of LOCUS. I am sure that under Jair’s leadership, LOCUS will go to the next level. Thank you all again for these treasured eight years…though remember, I am not really leaving since we have so much more to achieve. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Christopher Leinberger |