CORE TEAM

Michael Conlon
Gary W. Craft, AICP
William Jackman, Ph.D
Tom Trzcinski

Michael Conlon

Mr. Conlon is a senior economist specializing in structuring and financing sustainable revitalization programs. He integrates market and investment analysis with land use planning to create balanced solutions for all stakeholders. He has worked internationally in management of large multidisciplinary teams, quantitative analysis of market and socioeconomic issues, preparation of technical documents, public/private negotiations, capital markets structures and transactions, land use and related regulatory programs, and due diligence/portfolio review. Mr. Conlon has managed large public agencies and served as a capital market advisor to Asian governments.

He has been active in the Urban Land Institute, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the American Society of Real Estate Counselors (CRE professional designation), the International Economic Development Council, the California Local Economic Development Association, and the California Redevelopment Association. He has been involved in community affairs, has lectured at several universities, and has taught at numerous professional seminars. He has an MA from the University of Pennsylvania, a License from the Universite de Nancy (France), and a BA from Holy Cross College.

Gary W. Craft, AICP

Mr. Craft is an executive with extensive experience in strategic planning, market and financial analysis, business advisory services, and management consulting for public and private clients. He has conducted numerous economic studies of local economies, focusing on emerging technology sectors. As a nationally and internationally regarded expert on entrepreneurship and business incubators, he has led the development of a number of incubators in the United States, and has served as a consultant for incubator programs in China and Japan.

Mr. Craft’s experience includes senior positions with Lincoln Property Company, The Shorenstein Group, and BetaWest Properties, where he managed the development, marketing and leasing of over 4,000,000 square feet of office space in northern California. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED), and the National Business Incubation Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa Council, of which he is past president, the John Marsh Historic Trust, and the Diablo Valley College Foundation. He holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon.

William Jackman, Ph.D

Dr. Jackman is a research economist specializing in local and regional economics, indicator reports, and industry cluster analyses. He has an extensive background in statistics, econometrics, SAS programming, and data base development. He has worked on numerous economic base analyses, and has authored several cluster studies and economic indicator reports focusing on the biotechnology industry and other leading edge economic sectors. He has particular expertise in the preparation of performance indices, including rankings of social and quality of life factors.

Dr. Jackman’s prior experience includes positions in regional economic analysis at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), where he was a contributor to several reports, including a major review of the Bay Area's economic performance in newly evolving sectors. He also co-authored two major reports on the Central Valley economy focusing on the growth of technology clusters in the region, particularly in the Sacramento area. Dr. Jackman has a Ph.D in Economics from Colorado State University, an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from U.C. Berkeley.

Tom Trzcinski

Mr. Trzcinski is an economic development expert with extensive experience in complex, high profile consulting assignments throughout the United States. He has a strong multi-disciplinary background with skills in economics, engineering, architecture, and urban planning. He has extensive background in project management, financial analysis, applied research, data base development, and statistical analysis. He has worked on numerous economic analyses, and has authored several studies focusing on urban economic issues and leading edge technology sectors. He has particular expertise in the preparation of business plans for technology firms.

Mr. Trzcinski's prior experience includes positions at EDAW in economic and environmental consulting, and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Advanced Building Systems Integration Consortium in software development, applied research, data base applications, technology, and process engineering. He has been active in several professional organizations, and has broad experience in all types of public communications. Mr. Trzcinski has a Master of City Planning in Real Estate Economics and Project Management from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University.