WASHINGTON, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Randall K. Rowe, Chairman of Green
Courte Partners, LLC, a private equity real estate investment firm
based in Chicago, has been named
the new Global Chairman of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a
non-profit research and education institute with more than 35,000
members dedicated to leadership in real estate and land use and
creating thriving communities worldwide. Rowe, a longtime ULI
member, ULI Trustee and ULI Foundation Governor, will serve a
two-year term that ends June 30,
2017.
As ULI Global Chairman, Rowe will focus on three areas:
strengthening ULI's capacity for knowledge sharing throughout all
of its member-to-member networks; ensuring that ULI's core programs
have a steady source of funding; and growing the organization
globally, all with the overarching goal of reaffirming ULI as the
most trusted authority worldwide on creating communities that are
highly livable, economically prosperous and environmentally
sustainable.
Rowe's leadership priorities reflect ULI's evolution over the
past several years from a highly centralized, primarily
U.S.-focused organization into a much more decentralized one that
is global in reach and influence. "ULI has this energy, this sense
of possibility and strength that is very exciting. We are only
beginning to realize the very real impact ULI can have around the
world -- the part our organization can play in creating communities
that change people's lives by making them better," Rowe said. "We
must keep the momentum going by offering new opportunities for
engagement, to share lessons learned and exchange ideas about what
works best."
In terms of knowledge sharing, Rowe points to ULI's business
plan, which describes ULI's core strategy as the creation of
adaptive, decentralized global knowledge networks connected by an
integrated system that creates and distributes content to the
Institute's membership. He aims to improve knowledge sharing
throughout ULI's District and National Councils, which serve
members at the regional and local level; as well as its Product
Council program, a prestigious network of members organized by
property sector type. "Building on each other's work is what allows
the Institute to have such great influence," Rowe said. "What we're
doing only has value if the knowledge gleaned is distributed,
utilized and enhanced. If we enhance the member experience and use
technology to give them tremendous access to information, the
impact we have in every community is that much greater, and does
that much more to advance ULI's mission."
In the area of program support, Rowe believes that ULI's core
offerings – such as its 60-year-old advisory services panel
program, the highly popular Urban
Plan design and development course for high school and
college students, and the awards programs that celebrate excellence
in community building and urban open space design – need permanent,
dedicated funding so they can continue without interruption during
economic downturns. "Permanent funding for our key activities is
essential to keep ULI effective during busts as well as boom
times," Rowe said.
In terms of growing globally, Rowe is seeking the implementation
of a regional governance structure that fosters more engagement by
and more leadership opportunities for members in diverse markets
around the world. "ULI's evolution as a global organization relies
on our ability to shape local land use decisions on a global
level," he said. "To do this, we must ensure that what we are
delivering as an Institute helps our members advance ULI's mission
in a way that is tailored to the specifics of very different
markets and regions."
Rowe has a strong record of volunteerism with ULI. In addition
to his service as a Board member and Trustee, he currently serves
on the Operating Committee. He is a member of the ULI Foundation
Board of Directors and has previously chaired several committees,
including the ULI Audit Committee, Investment Committee, and ULI
Global Awards for Excellence Jury. In addition, he served as the
co-chair of the Host Committee for the 2013 ULI Fall Meeting in
Chicago, and he has served on the
Commercial and Retail Development Council, Urban Development-Mixed
Use Council, and the Manufactured Housing Community Council. He has
been actively involved in ULI Chicago, which serves ULI members in
the Chicago metro area and
throughout Illinois.
Rowe's long involvement with ULI, combined with his vast
industry expertise, and his energy and enthusiasm, will be
invaluable as ULI continues to evolve into a truly global and
member-centric organization, said ULI Global Chief Executive
Officer Patrick L. Phillips. "We are
very excited to have Randy at the helm," Phillips said. "He is
thoughtful, he is innovative, and he is a doer who will guide ULI
to new levels of excellence in land use leadership."
Rowe's firm, Green Courte Partners, LLC, specializes in niche
real estate strategies including the acquisition and development of
manufactured housing communities, parking, and infill retail
(mixed-use) assets. Prior to establishing Green Courte Partners,
Rowe was a Co-Founder and Chairman of Transwestern Investment
Company, LLC and Chairman and Director of Transwestern Commercial
Services, LLC. He also was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Hometown America, LLC, a large owner of manufactured housing
communities.
Rowe is a former member of the advisory board of Harvard University's Real Estate Academic
Initiative, and is a former member of the Board of the Primo Center
for Women and Children. Rowe currently serves on the Board of
Trustees of the Steppenwolf Theatre; is a member of the Board of
the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Foundation; and is a
member of the Board of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI). He is an
active member and a former Chairman of the Real Estate
Roundtable.
He holds a Bachelor's degree from Denison
University, a Master of Business Administration degree from
Harvard University and a Juris Doctor
degree from the University of
Michigan.
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban
Land Institute (uli.org) is a nonprofit education and
research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to
provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating
and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936,
the Institute has more than 35,000 members worldwide representing
all aspects of land use and development disciplines.
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SOURCE Urban Land Institute