Jonathan Maakestad

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Thursday, August 27, 1:25 - 2:35 PM

Partner
CohnReznick

Jonathan Maakestad is a Partner in CohnReznick’s Baltimore tax practice with over fourteen years of experience in public accounting, including spending over a year and a half of experience in CohnReznick’s Project Finance & Consulting practice. As a member of the firm’s Affordable Housing Real Estate practice, he works directly with developers, Community Development Entities and tax credit syndicators on a regular basis. His expertise includes tax-incentivized projects that have been allocated federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits and New Markets Tax Credits.

Jonathan is responsible for working with smaller clients, as well as various large volume clients to plan, review and oversee tax engagements, as well as identifying and resolving tax issues. Services provided to his clients include tax planning and compliance, consulting, and projections for partnerships, corporations and high net-worth individuals, as well as providing guidance to clients throughout the tax credit process.

Tony Smith

New Markets Tax Credit Program
Thursday, August 27, 12:05 - 1:15 PM

Partner & Executive Vice President
SB Friedman Development Advisors

Tony is a Partner and Executive Vice President at SB Friedman Development Advisors, LLC, a leading development finance consulting firm based in Chicago. Tony leads SB Friedman’s community and economic development finance practice, providing technical support and strategic guidance to clients seeking to implement challenging mission-driven development projects that serve disadvantaged communities.

He has expertise in a range of financing tools including New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC), Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Opportunity Zones, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and others. He has assisted with underwriting and structuring of over $2.5 billion in financing, resulting in over $5 billion of project investment. He is registered with the SEC as a Series 50 and Series 54-qualified Municipal Advisor Principal. Tony holds both a Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves on the LISC Chicago Board of Advisors, and has been recognized by Crains Chicago Business as a Notable Leader in Community Development.

Jong Sook Nee

Introduction to Tax Credits
Thursday, August 27, 11:10 - 12:05 PM

Member
Convergent Law

Jong Sook has developed her practice in various fields, including commercial lending and banking, tax credits, public finance, tax exemptions, governmental law, commercial leasing, housing, land use and public private partnerships. These disciplines have allowed her to develop a comprehensive understanding of development finance from multiple perspectives. In addition, she has served two state governors offering policy and legal advice on state issues affecting all aspects of life, including affordable housing, universal healthcare, statewide planning and economic development incentives. Using her past experience in state government and working with local governments, Ms. Nee can provide a balanced insight into governmental policies and procedures.

Ms. Nee combines her years of experience to hone a practice that can creatively address the many issues that impact development across the spectrum, from land use approvals to federal tax credit financings. Since no two projects are alike, no two solutions have to be. Ms. Nee has developed expertise in the fields of redevelopment and real estate finance which has provided her with an insight into comprehensive development financial planning. From modest commercial loan closings to complex tax credit take-out financing with multiple lenders, Convergent Law can structure a solution. Ms. Nee works closely with the tax team to structure holistic financial frameworks that service the immediate financial needs, as well as any future tax or financing interests that could be impacted. Ms. Nee takes a holistic and proactive approach to client projects to help ensure the success of all projects, large and small.

Alex Stekler

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Thursday, August 27, 1:25 - 2:35 PM

Vice President
KeyBanc Capital Markets

Alex is a Vice President in KeyBanc Capital Markets’ Public Finance Investment Banking Group in Cleveland, Ohio. Alex has focused on affordable housing bond underwriting since joining the group in 2017 and has closed over 80 sole or senior managed affordable housing transactions, primarily focusing on LIHTC and Workforce solutions for developers and public housing authorities.

Alex graduated from Bates College with honors in May 2017 with a degree in Economics and was the two-time captain of the Varsity Golf Team.