Partners, sponsors, and developers gathered at Mercury Chophouse in downtown Fort Worth for the Community Developers Roundtable (CDR) Partner Dinner, an evening focused on strengthening the relationships that help move community-centered development forward.


The event was proudly sponsored by PNC Bank, with remarks from Karen Riley, who spoke about the importance of collaboration between financial institutions and developers working to bring impactful projects to life. Support from partners like PNC helps expand access to capital and opportunity for emerging community developers.

Current CDR Cohort 3 participants James Walker and Thomas Oliver of Alpha Family Group also shared reflections on their development journeys and the value of the Roundtable network. Their remarks highlighted how the program creates a space for developers to build relationships, exchange insights, and gain the support needed to advance projects that strengthen neighborhoods.


The evening brought together developers, lenders, and industry partners around a shared commitment to collaboration, connection, and community impact.


The Community Developers Roundtable is a capacity-building initiative supporting diverse developers working on community-rooted real estate projects across Fort Worth.


Check out the event gallery below!

To learn more about the CDR Cohort 3 (Fort Worth) participants, click here.

Capital, Credit, and Connection: Financing the Future of Fort Worth

By Asheya Warren • February 27, 2026
The Community Developers Roundtable Fort Worth cohort convened for session 5 focused on capital access, deal structure, and financing pathways, hosted by Olsson . We were welcomed by: Christian Evans – Geography Lead and Vivian Fung – Senior Planner & Area Leader.

Beyond the Groundbreaking: Mastering the Fundamentals of Land Strategy

By Asheya Warren • January 29, 2026
This session continued the cohort’s exploration of the land development process, focusing on how developers evaluate opportunities through deal structure, pricing, yield, and timing—long before a project ever breaks ground. The conversation was anchored by Gilbert Gerst, Senior Vice President of Community Development Banking at Bank of Texas , who emphasized three fundamentals that consistently shape development outcomes: what you pay for the land, what you sell it for, and the time in between. From there, the discussion expanded to include how deal structures and evolving information influence risk, feasibility, and long-term value. Insights from Demarius Seals of DCS Development Services and Jared Helmberger of Bear Land reinforced that land development is an iterative process—one that requires disciplined analysis, adaptability, and an understanding of how product type and yield expectations shift over time.

Bridging the Gap: Fort Worth Cohort 3 Gains Direct Access to City Decision-Makers

December 23, 2025
The third session of the Community Developers Roundtable Fort Worth cohort brought developers inside City Hall for direct access to the leaders and staff shaping development across Fort Worth, hosted by the City of Fort Worth. Opening • Jay Chapa, City Manager City Leadership Panel • Kacey Thomas – Neighborhood Services • Ori Fernandez – Economic Development • DJ Harrell – Development Services City Staff & Program Experts Zoning, housing programs, finance tools, incentives, revitalization, and partnerships were represented by cross-department leaders including Marybel Pena, Sarah Odle, Dyan Anderson, Joshua Hezlap, Lilia Escobedo, Martha Collins, and Phillip Michael Smart. Lunch & Learn • LaShondra Stringfellow – Legislative updates impacting development This is exactly why the CDR exists: to give developers access to decision-makers, understanding of how systems connect, and confidence to move projects forward.
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