Mike Ablon is the founding partner of PegasusAblon, a developer and investor focused on the integration of evolving growth patterns and demographic shifts in Dallas- Ft. Worth.

Mike has completed numerous noteworthy and well-known landmark projects with a cutting-edge ethos in the course of his career. He is fortunate to have led the redevelopment of the Dallas Design District, Preston Center Office Submarket, The Oak Lawn District, Frisco Square, The Harbor in Rockwall, Lower Greenville Avenue, and the 7th Street District in Fort Worth. His culture driven projects include the creation of highly innovative developments including Retail, Office, and Multifamily assets. Mike’s work within PegasusAblon has led to the completion of over 5 million square feet in DFW since its inception in 2007, and more than double that in his career.

Mike and his firm have received numerous awards including Best Multifamily Design Projects, the Dallas Regional Chamber Momentum Award- Community Investor, Best Deal Award for Best Public/Private Partnership, 100 Fastest Growing Companies, and named the No. 1 Best Place to Work in DFW.

He received his Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Architecture degrees at the University of Texas at Austin and earned his master’s degree from Harvard University. Early in his career, Mike worked as an apprentice under the world-renowned theorist and architect Robert Venturi in Philadelphia, and was a visiting lecturer at Harvard and Yale. Amongst other personal awards and recognitions, he was a recipient of a Lloyd Warren Travelling Fellowship in Europe for the Paris Prize Competition, a two-time finalist for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Fellowship for architectural theory, named one of the 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in DFW, a recipient of the Pioneer Award for Real Estate in Dallas, named a Living Legend in 2023 in Dallas for his community service work, and named a 2020 Texas Real Estate Icon.

Mike’s community work includes founding Chairman of the Trinity River Corridor LGC for the Harold Simmons Park, Chairman of The Real Estate Council, Executive Committee member for the Southern Gateway Park adjacent to the Dallas Zoo, Vice Chairman of The Legacy, and on the Advisory Board of Directors for BBVA Compass Bank.

Evan Beattie serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GFF, where he has established himself as a transformative leader in architecture and planning since joining the firm in 2005. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaborative design and innovative placemaking that enhances community value. With expertise in shaping complex residential, retail, and mixed-use developments, Evan champions sustainable practices and quality urban design throughout each project phase. A recognized authority in urban development, Evan frequently shares his expertise on sustainable design, density optimization, and New Urbanist principles at industry forums. His commitment to advancing walkable urban design has led to meaningful contributions in Dallas-area zoning reform, where he works to align land use regulations with contemporary best practices. His high level of community engagement and strategic vision continue to shape both GFF’s growth and the broader architectural landscape of the region.

Julia is the kind of attorney clients want in their corner: sharp, strategic, and committed to getting deals done. She combines deep industry knowledge with a practical, business-minded approach, ensuring that her clients’ transactions are not only legally sound but also structured for success from the start.

As a commercial real estate attorney, Julia represents investors, borrowers, and developers in the acquisition, disposition and development of multifamily, hospitality, industrial, retail and office properties throughout Texas and across the country. She also advises on complex transactions involving public-private partnerships, tax credit financing, state and local incentives, traditional debt and equity financing, and joint ventures. Whether working on a straightforward asset acquisition or a large-scale mixed-use development, she moves deals forward efficiently by anticipating challenges and solving problems before they can slow progress.

Julia serves as outside general counsel to a growing roster of real estate companies, acting as a trusted advisor across the full range of legal and business issues her clients face. She is the attorney who says yes: if a matter is outside her lane, she assembles the right team, rolls up her sleeves, and makes sure her client gets exactly what they need from the right people. Attentiveness, responsiveness, and respect are not afterthoughts for Julia; they are the baseline.

Clients value Julia’s ability to negotiate effectively without unnecessary friction. She fights for their interests while keeping the bigger picture in focus, building strong relationships with all parties involved because she knows that collaboration, not conflict, is the key to closing deals. Her thorough but creative approach allows her to navigate tough due diligence issues and find solutions that keep transactions on track.

A Dallas native, Julia speaks Spanish and Italian and enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband and dog. She is the host of Success in Square Feet, a podcast featuring commercial real estate professionals and their unique journeys in the industry.

Michele Wheeler serves as the President & Chief Executive Officer for JacksonShaw. She leads every aspect of JacksonShaw’s commercial real estate development and is a presence in each of the firm’s markets sourcing business opportunities. Michele is involved in land acquisition, entitlements, negotiation of tenant leases, construction contracts, and management/leasing agreements, as well as debt and equity financing.

She began her career at Rosewood Property Company in 1987 and joined JacksonShaw in 2005. Michele creates value for investors and partners across the firm’s product offerings, including industrial, hospitality, and residential developments in diverse markets throughout the United States.

Among her honors, D CEO Magazine named her “Commercial Real Estate Executive of the Year” in 2020. Professionally, her leadership roles have included President of the National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals (NAIOP); National Product Council Chair for the Urban Land Institute; Chair of The Real Estate Council (TREC); Director of the TREC Foundation; member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW); and member of the Real Estate Financial Executives Association.

She serves on the board of the JacksonShaw Foundation and previously was on the boards of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and Circle of Support. Michele is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin, where she earned a BBA in marketing and management. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Melissa Eastman has over 35 years of experience in the real estate industry and joined Stewart in 1987. In addition to managing the National Commercial Services North Texas Division, she has secured international, domestic, multi-state, multi-site, portfolio and single asset transactions. Under her leadership The North Texas Division has earned the distinction of leading one of Stewart’s most profitable offices. Eastman was named Regional Manager of North Texas for National Commercial Services in 2018.

Melissa enjoys time with her two adult children and refers to their family’s trifecta as golf, skiing, fishing/boating. She is a longtime supporter of The Gladney Center for Adoption and The Kukhoma Project in Zambia to rescue young women of abuse. Fitness is a priority, and she can be found on long walks with her Golden Retriever Onni which means Happiness and Luck!