About the Speakers
 
Karen L. Compton, CPSM
Principal
A3K Consulting
Glendale, CA
 
Karen Compton is Principal of A3K Consulting--a California based business development and strategic planning firm specializing in the built environment. Ms. Compton has more than 14 years experience as a business development professional in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction. She and her team of functional specialists work in collaboration with partners, principals and presidents of organizations to create results-oriented business plans and tactical marketing plans that reflect an organization's long- and short-term goals. Their approach critically examines all impact areas including finance/accounting, human resources, and business development/marketing. Challenges are met with tactical solutions, action plans and resource and staff support for implementation.
 
The firm's clients include local and national architecture and engineering firms, as well as colleges, universities, and public agencies. Ms. Compton is author of The Prospector: A Guide to Developing Clients in a Competitive Environment and has been a featured speaker for the American Institute of Architects, the National Organization of Minority Architects  and the American Association of Landscape Architects.  Her articles have been published in the Rainmaker, the Journal of Public Policy, SMPS Marketer, RainToday.com and she has been featured on the cover of Black Enterprise Magazine (April 2006).  
 
Sean E. Ekiert, CFA
Managing Director
Head of Public Finance
BB&T Capital Markets
Richmond, VA
 
As the Head of Public Finance at BB&T Capital Markets, Mr. Ekiert manages the firm's delivery of financing solutions to state and local governments, public authorities, non-profit organizations, and other entities which qualify for tax-exempt or taxable financing in the municipal bond market. During his 11-year career Mr. Ekiert has served a variety of clients in the mid-Atlantic region in the capacity of Financial Advisor, Investment Banker, Derivatives Advisor and Investment Consultant. This practice has included detailed financial modeling and the execution of a variety of bond structures for some of the most sophisticated issuers in the region, as well as assisting numerous borrowers to improve their credit ratings and market access.

Mr. Ekiert graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After beginning his career in the securities industry at Scott & Stringfellow, Mr. Ekiert entered the Public Finance business in 1997 with a firm specializing in quantitative analysis for municipal issuers. Prior to joining BB&T Capital Markets in January 2005, Mr. Ekiert spent 7 years in the Public Finance Department of a regional broker-dealer. Mr. Ekiert earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from CFA Institute in 2001.
 
Ray Garfield
Principal
Garfield Traub Development, LLC
Dallas, Texas
 
Traub development principal Ray Garfield has over 30 years of experience in the development, finance and asset management of all property types.
 
With an extensive Wall Street background, Mr. Garfield focuses primarily on working with our investment banking partners and counsel to engineer creative financing structures and secure capital for developments. A proven track record demonstrates his ability to create insightful and innovative delivery vehicles for challenging assignments. Additional responsibilities include management of the relationships with the client, its legal counsel and financial advisors, oversight of design--builder relationships, participation in value engineering meetings and negotiation of project documents and agreements.
 
Prior to forming Garfield Traub, Mr. Garfield served as Chairman and CEO of Vista Properties, Inc, a publicly held national land development company with over 6600 acres of land in its portfolio. In addition to overseeing the development and sale of properties in Vista's portfolio, Garfield guided the company through a merger with Centex Corporation, the nation's largest homebuilder.
 
As Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc, Mr. Garfield directed the sales and financing of major properties throughout the western U.S. through 21 offices located in six states. His division was responsible for the asset management, sale and financing of over $2.5 billion of hotel and other domestic properties to national and international investors.
 
As Vice President of Salomon Brothers, Mr. Garfield originated over $2.5 billion in capital transactions through his investment banking responsibilities for a host of major international clients including Wal--Mart Corporation, Weingarten Realty, Inc., Trammell Crow Company, Lincoln Property Company and Pratt Hotels.
 
Prior to that, Mr. Garfield served at Merrill Lynch Commercial Real Estate as Executive Vice President and Manager of National Sales. Mr. Garfield has a Bachelor of Science in Math and Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and served as a Naval Aviator. Garfield Corporation, 50% owner of Garfield Traub Development, is classified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. He has been a member of several professional organizations and a board member of several public companies. He continues to be a speaker for numerous real estate related organizations throughout the country.
 
Diana L. Nickerson
BB&T
Senior Vice President
Washington, DC 
 
Twenty year veteran of real estate finance and currently a Senior Vice President at Branch Banking and Trust.  Responsibilities include the underwriting and administrating of all types of  real estate projects -- existing and proposed - within the BB&T lending footprint. 
 
Served as president of the Eastern Regional South Carolina Chapter of Risk Management & Associates, a lending and credit risk trade association.
 
University of South Carolina -- 1989
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance