Dedicated to advancing Kogod's real estate programs at the graduate and undergraduate level, the Real Estate Advisory Council is comprised of leaders from across the industry with an interest in advancing and educating tomorrow's leaders. From career opportunities to program development, the council works closely with faculty and program leadership to provide students with the most up-to-date tools the real estate market demands. From building development tours, to enhanced classroom experiences the council members are intimately engaged with the students and the program.
The nine member council represents the diversity of the real estate field, with members from brokerage firms to community developers to real estate developers.
Members of the Real Estate Council
Robert Lipnick, Chair
Robert Lipnick is both a graduate of the Kogod School of Business (MBA, '06) and an adjunct professor with the school. An LEED accredited professional, Dr. Lipnick is a real estate investor with Washington, D.C.- based South Decatur Inc. and a physician formerly specializing in rheumatology, the treatment of diseases that affect joints and connective tissue.
James G. Blumenthal
A Certified Public Accountant, Jim Blumenthal earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from George Washington University and a master’s of science in taxation from the Kogod School of Business (’86). He currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer with First Washington Realty Inc.
Gary W. Day
Gary Day is co-founder of DB Capital Management, a boutique investment firm based in Rockville, MD. Mr. Day also works with both public and private sectors to foster the Rockville community’s economic growth as a member of the board of Rockille Economic Development, Inc.
Christopher J. Donatelli
Christopher Donatelli, an MBA graduate of the Kogod School of Business ('91), is president of Bethesda, MD-based Donatelli Development (formerly Donatelli & Klein). He’s heavily involved in affordable housing efforts through his positions on the boards of Victory Housing, a Bethesda-based nonprofit, and Sarah’s Circle, a nonprofit in Adams Morgan that provides services to economically disadvantaged senior citizens.
Alvin J. Nichols
A former Fannie Mae executive, Alvin Nichols holds an MPA from the School of Public Affairs ('78) and currently runs his own business, Nichols Creative Solutions LLC. Mr. Nichols previously served as Prince George’s County, Maryland’s deputy chief administrative officer for business development.
David Leslie Orr
David Orr founded Orr Associates more than two decades ago, and in 2006, the company (now Orr Partners) was named to the Washington Business Journal’s Top 10 commercial real estate developers list. He has been involved in over 20 million square feet of construction projects during his more than 30 years in the industry. Early in his career he supervised construction of Marriott Headquarters in Bethesda, MD.
Clark Rheinstein
A graduate of the Kogod School of Business (MBA, '80), Clark Rheinstein is a former Vice President with Penzance Companies, a real estate investment company that manages commercial properties. He was also Chief Financial Officer at Bethesda, MD-based Walker & Company LLP, a financial and consulting firm.
Berkeley M. Shervin Jr.
Berk" Shervin has been active in commercial real estate development for twenty-five years. He is currently COO and President of The Wilkes Company, where he has been a partner since 1988. Mr. Shervin is a graduate of American University’s College of Arts and Sciences ('88).
