Jenifer Acosta
Midland,MI
Summary
Results-driven development professional with proven track record in consulting. Adept at crafting strategic solutions and driving initiatives to successful completion. Known for strong team collaboration, adaptability, and commitment to achieving results. Skilled in project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Real Estate Developer
Acosta Real Estate & Development
08.2015 - Current
- Secured financing for real estate projects by cultivating relationships with lenders and investors.
- Coordinated with local municipalities to obtain necessary permits, facilitating smooth project execution.
- Collaborated with leasing agents and advertising agencies to market vacant spaces.
- Optimized property management systems to enhance tenant satisfaction and retention rates.
- Evaluated potential investment opportunities, conducting thorough due diligence and risk assessments to inform decisionmaking.
- Developed accurate budgets and financial projections for each project phase, ensuring fiscal responsibility throughout the development process.
- Cultivated a robust professional network within the industry, leveraging connections to facilitate business growth and expansion opportunities.
- Managed lease negotiations for commercial tenants, securing long-term occupancy agreements that benefitted both parties.
- Increased property value by identifying and executing strategic improvements and renovations.
- Managed multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and communication between architects, engineers, and construction professionals.
- Analyzed and evaluated construction bids to select most cost-effective contractors.
- Performed regular job site observations to provide direction for general contractor personnel and subcontractor laborers.
- Tracked project costs and other financial metrics to maximize profitability.
- Led weekly production and operations contractor meetings, facilitating stronger communication, and helping to resolve critical issues.
- Obtained building and specialty permits from local jurisdictional agencies.
- Consulted on real estate development projects for private investors.
- Consulted on community development projects for nonprofit organizations and municipalities.
Faculty
Incremental Development Alliance
11.2018 - Current
- Led small scale development workshops and bootcamps both in-person and virtual in communities throughout the United States and Canada.
- Engaged and collaborated with local community stakeholders about their desires, market dynamics, opportunities, and industry standards.
- Enhanced real estate development understanding by incorporating real-world examples and case studies into lessons.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with small scale developers through bootcamps and coaching.
- Continually refined personal teaching style through participation in conferences, seminars, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Established and maintained inclusive and collaborative culture among cohorts.
- Encouraged discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track participation.
- Fostered curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
Owner's Representative
The Times Properties
08.2015 - 03.2017
- Redeveloped a vacant, blighted historic property into 31 loft apartments in Downtown Bay City.
- Successful project management of the $7.9M budget and timeline.
- Executed historic tax credit application process.
- Coordinated with local municipalities to obtain necessary permits, facilitating smooth project execution.
- Led teams for design, architecture, construction, and leasing.
- Received awards in economic development for The Times Lofts redevelopment.
- 2024 the residents of this redevelopment include enough families that it's the only downtown property to offer a school bus stop.
Owner/Developer The Legacy
Acosta Development & The Times Properties
03.2016 - Current
- Led the redevelopment of an 1890 vacant downtown property into a mixed-use building with 26 apartments, 2 commercial tenants, and a restaurant.
- Received a Governor's Award for Historic Preservation, MHPN Building Award, and Economic Development Awards.
- Built a multifaceted collaborative team to deliver the design and construction.
- Produced all financial modeling and incentive work.
- Delivered a $12M project that required $6M in gap resources.
- Created ways to work with residents and tenants through Covid in order to keep operations stable.
Owner/Operator
Westwood Village Redevelopment
07.2020 - 12.2022
- Redeveloped 10 for-sale condo units that had been damaged by the 500-year flood in Midland, MI.
- Using a phased approach to construction, rehabilitated 5 units and sold them, then completed the other 5 units and sold them.
- Successfully managed the design, construction, financing, listing, HOA, staging, and sales process for each unit.
- Licensed real estate sales agent in the State of Michigan, acted as listing agent on each transaction.
Vice President of Real Estate Development
Renovare Development
01.2023 - 03.2024
- Led and delivered project based incentive applications including HOME, Missing Middle Housing, Community Revitalization Program Requests, and New Market Tax Credits.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Delivered strong financial performance despite challenging economic conditions.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
Lead Consultant, Housing Forward
Midland Business Alliance
03.2023 - Current
- Developed comprehensive strategy to deliver on 5 key pillars of an attainable housing initiative with the Midland Economic Development Team at the Midland Business Alliance.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining key tasks, timelines, resources, and budget requirements.
- Collaborate with local government officials, city council, planning commissions, and housing commissions.
- Attend and speak at public meetings.
- Provide technical assistance to all builders, developers, and small scale investors interested in providing attainable housing.
- Assist local projects with appropriate incentive applications and needs.
- Analyze and communicate data that demonstrates housing need at a variety of price points and product types.
- Lead communication efforts through presentations, publications, articles, and social media.
- Increase collaboration with lenders, foundations, and CDFIs to create more financial pathways for workforce housing.
- Developed custom solutions based upon clients' requirements.
- Conducted regular progress meetings to update stakeholders on project status, challenges, and solutions implemented.
- Collaborated with teams to define, strategize, and implement marketing and web strategies.
- Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.
- Host housing events, roundtables, and engage with area employers to pursue proactive community strategy.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Real Estate Development
New York University
New York, NY12-2017
Master of Arts - International Administration
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL12-2010
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL08-2007
Skills
- Team Leadership & Development
- Issue Resolution
- Processes and procedures
- Business Analysis
- Project Analysis
- Client Relationships
- Project processes
- Project Leadership
- Project Management
- Problem-Solving
- Strategic Planning
Affiliations
- Urban Land Institute
- Congress for New Urbanism
- Incremental Development Alliance
Certification
- Real Estate Sales License in State of Michigan
- CNU-A
Awards
RUBY Award Recipient, Recognizing the Upwardly Mobile and Bright. 2017. Governor's Award for Historic Preservation, Crapo Redevelopment. Michigan Historic Preservation Network Building Award, Crapo Redevelopment. Michigan Downtown Association Economic Development Award, The Times Lofts.
Timeline
Lead Consultant, Housing Forward
Midland Business Alliance
03.2023 - Current
Vice President of Real Estate Development
Renovare Development
01.2023 - 03.2024
Owner/Operator
Westwood Village Redevelopment
07.2020 - 12.2022
Faculty
Incremental Development Alliance
11.2018 - Current
Owner/Developer The Legacy
Acosta Development & The Times Properties
03.2016 - Current
Real Estate Developer
Acosta Real Estate & Development
08.2015 - Current
Owner's Representative
The Times Properties
08.2015 - 03.2017
Graduate Certificate - Real Estate Development
New York University
Master of Arts - International Administration
University of Miami
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Southern Illinois University