People

Professor David Dale-Johnson is the Stan Melton Executive Professor in Real Estate at the Alberta School of Business and Director of the Centre for Cities and Communities. He holds a Ph. D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley and has taught at UBC, Cal Berkeley, USC and Peking University. An expert in real estate economics, real estate finance and city building he teaches real estate economics, investment, finance and development. His research has focused on real estate markets, real estate contracts including long term land leases and international real estate markets. As well as teaching and research, he has worked as a real estate consultant and as an executive in the real estate business. He is committed to building collaboration in the business of city building along with spending downtime on the mountains and on the ocean.

Professor Kyle Murray is the Stanley A. Milner Chair in Leadership and Acting Dean at the Alberta School of Business. Dr. Murray studies human judgment and decision making. His work uses the tools of experimental psychology and behavioral economics to better understand the choices that people make. As a consultant to government and Fortune 50 companies, Kyle has worked with clients that include Air Miles, the Competition Bureau of Canada, General Motors, Industry Canada, Johnson and Johnson, and Microsoft.

Professor Sharon Ohayon earned her B. Comm. with Distinction (2005) and her LL.B. (2008) from the University of Alberta. By 2009 she had been admitted to the Alberta bar. She is partner at Witten LLP, where she advises on all areas of real property transactions, including the purchase, sale and financing of industrial parks, commercial office complexes, retail shopping centres, residential apartment buildings and hotels. She also acts for landlords and tenants on various leasing matters, including single-tenant building leases, build-to-suit leases, ground leases, office leases and retail leases. Sharon is also experienced in land development, subdivision, and mixed-use developments.

Leah Fiorillo is the Admin and Program Assistant for the Real Estate Program in the Alberta School of Business. Leah holds a BSc in biology and philosophy from Western University and a graduate certificate in environmental management and assessment from Niagara College. Over the last 10 years, Leah’s experience has been primarily in contract management and procurement, as well as event management. Since 2019 she has been working closely with David Dale-Johnson to ensure the success of the Real Estate Program and its initiatives. Leah is a mom of two young children, is an avid community volunteer having held numerous roles on her community league board, and in her spare time loves to travel. 

Sarah Kowalevsky is the Assistant Dean of Development for the Alberta School of Business. She has been with the Alberta School of Business for 14  years. For 10 of them she managed a customized suite of business courses for the Government of Alberta and Government of the Northwest Territories clients at Executive Education. She then moved into the Dean’s office where she had planned and executed the events for the School. Sarah has been in a front-line fundraiser role since September 2017. Over the last 2 years, Sarah has focused her time learning about real estate education and working closely with David Dale-Johnson to ensure strong partnerships are secured. At home, Sarah is happily married with two fantastic children. She also spends up to 20 weekends a year singing with her top 40 cover band Five on the Side, entertaining for corporate parties and weddings.

Alex Thomson is the Vice President of development at Cameron Development Corporation. Alex obtained a Bachelor of Science in Land Economics in 1997. At Cameron, Alex leads the company’s commercial development team, overseeing activity from initial concept through to completed projects. During his career, he has been involved in the acquisition, development or disposition of more than $2B of commercial real estate assets. Alex is a member of the Executive Committee for NAIOP North America and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. 

Andy Melton is the Corporate Director for Calgary for Melcor. An experienced commercial real estate executive with over 3 decades of experience in the field. He is a dedicated philanthropist and benefactor supporting various scholarships, charities and organizations such as the UofC, UofA, YMCA, Calgary Health Trust, Forzani Foundation, and Spinal Cord Injury and Neuro Rehabilitation.

Chris Fowler is the President and CEO of CWB Financial Group. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia. Chris is a member of the Canadian Bankers Association's Executive Council, a director with the Art Gallery of Alberta's board of directors, a trustee with the University Hospital Foundation's board of trustees and campaign cabinet member with the United Way of Alberta Capital Region.

Darin Rayburn is President & CEO of Melcor Developments Ltd. and Melcor REIT. Darin graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics. He has worked in the real estate industry since 1991. He was previously Executive Vice President for Melcor, in which capacity he was focused on strategy, acquisitions and the operations of Melcor’s investment property asset portfolio. 

Darren Snider is a Principal at Avison Young. He obtained his B.Com degree from the University of Alberta in 1986 and welcomes the opportunity to participate in retail and real estate related activities at the U of A business school. Darren’s wealth of experience includes project leasing, land sales and tenant mandate work for many of the leading firms in the industry. Darren is an active member of ICSC. 

Dave Young is the Executive Vice President and managing Director at CBRE Limited. David attended the University of Alberta for his Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Finance. He leads the National Investment Team Edmonton and has been involved in sales of investment properties throughout the province.  David’s extensive knowledge of the market allows him to provide clients with the appropriate resources to solve complex real estate transactions. 

Garry Beres is Vice-Chairman of CBRE. Garry graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. In his 42 year career Garry has developed numerous relationships in Canada and abroad with a diverse group of private, public and institutional investors.  Since 1993 he has worked in all aspects of the investment market and travels extensively to promote CBRE's property offerings. Garry is the senior member of the CBRE National Investment Team - Calgary. 

Graeme Young is a founder and former National Chairman of Avison Young and continued his active responsibilities in Alberta until his retirement in 2009. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Estate Management from the Faculty of Economics, from University of London, England. Graeme is also a retired Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a premier recognition for real estate professionals.

John Ross is the President of John M. Ross Consulting Ltd. John holds a Bachelor of Arts  from the University of Alberta, and is a member of International Council of Shopping Centres. Before the re-launch of John M. Ross Consulting Ltd. (a Private Client Real Estate Consultancy), John was Managing Director of Avison Young, with responsibility for the growth of the Edmonton Office and Western Canada. He has 40 over years of experience in all aspects of commercial real estate, having worked on both the Brokerage and Client sides of the business in Western Canada and the South Western United States. 

Kevin McKee is CEO at Pangman Development Corporation. Kevin’s career in real estate development began in 1991 when he joined Avison Young after earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. Following 13 successful years at Avison Young, Kevin joined WAM Development Group, where he was responsible for projects totalling $525 million. In early 2011, Kevin founded Pangman Development Corporation which has developed over $750 Million of projects with another $800 Million currently being planned or under construction. A lifelong Edmontonian, he saw an opportunity in the market for a professional development company focused on projects that transform how people experience the city he loves.

Michael Thompson is the President and CEO of REALTORS Association of Edmonton. Michael holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from York University and a Master of Law from York University. Michael is a business and public policy executive with over 25 years of experience working within and managing organizations focused on economic and regulatory affairs. He has served as president of an industry association, as economic policy advisor to the deputy prime minister of Canada and as a policy advisor with the United States Bureau of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Micheal Dal Bello is the Senior Vice President Real Estate at Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo). The AIMCo real estate investment program has assets valued at  $23 billion invested across Canada, USA, UK and Europe and managed by a team of 40 from 4 office locations on behalf of our clients. Micheal Dal Bello holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Development and a Master of Arts in Urban Geography from Western University. Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) is one of Canada’s largest and most diversified institutional investment fund managers, with an investment portfolio of approximately $118 billion.

Peter Edgar is the Director at Edgar Development. Drawing on over 45 years of experience in real estate development, Peter acts as a vital advisor to the executive team at Edgar Development.

Phil Milroy is the President & CEO of Westcorp. Phil graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree Mechanical Engineering. Westcorp is a vertically integrated, full-service real estate company that he founded in 1980. Westcorp's activities include investment, development, leasing, marketing, property management and construction of multi-family, hospitality, office, retail and industrial properties with a primary focus on the Wester Canadian marketplaces. Phil is a Board Member for ManCap Foundation whose mission is to foster the development of leadership and entrepreneurial skills in Alberta's youth. 

Rohit Gupta is the President of Rohit Group of Companies, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the firm and oversight of all operations. Rohit has facilitated Rohit Group’s transformation from home builder to multi-faceted organization. He is at the forefront of new opportunity development and special projects for the firm. His strengths are in creating new opportunities and identifying unintended consequences. Rohit serves as Member on Business Council of Alberta and a past Director on Explore Edmonton. Rohit has achieved an MBA and a BSC in Computer Engineering from the U of A.

Scott Mackie is the Vice President at Invistec Consulting Ltd. He completed two degrees at the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Business Administration. After a career in municipal government spanning 35 years, Scott retired from the City of Edmonton in 2015. Scott, upon retirement, created his own consulting company and has been providing strategic support and advice to municipalities and the land development industry. After four years in the private sector, Scott decided to take his consulting work to the next level as he joined forces with Ken Liu at Invistec Consulting Ltd. in 2019.

Timothy Melton is the Executive Chairman of Melcor Developments Ltd. Tim graduated from the University of Alberta in 1969 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.  He has been engaged in all aspects of the real estate business with Melcor Developments Ltd., formerly Melton Real Estate. Melcor is a diversified real estate development and asset management company whose roots began in 1923. Tim has been involved with several Boards, public and private, charitable and non-charitable and remains active in the community serving various business and community organizations.

Tina Naqvi-Rota is the CEO of Cameron Development Corporation, an Alberta-based, real estate development company that focuses on commercial, residential, multi family and home building. Tina achieved her Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Alberta in 1990 and her MBA from the same institution in 1995. Tina has lived in and raised her three children in Edmonton. Alongside her business activity, she maintains a huge commitment to family. She is passionate about giving back to the community and her alma mater the University of Alberta School of Business.

Wayne Moen is a RE/MAX Edmonton Associate. He has been licensed for over forty-seven years practicing residential and commercial sales, as well as rural and recreational. Over the past 30 years Wayne have served on numerous committees at the local, provincial, and national level. Wayne has been President of the Edmonton Real Estate Board. In collaboration with Dr. Paul McElhone, Graham Downey and Graeme Young to establish the Stan Melton Chair in real estate in the Alberta School of Business.