Description

Join us for an informative Breakfast with Brokers focused on one of the most complex—and opportunity-rich—areas of commercial real estate: environmental risk. Brownfields, Phase IIs and Beyond will equip commercial real estate professionals with practical knowledge to identify, evaluate, and manage environmental concerns that can impact transactions, valuations, and long-term property performance.

This session will explore the role of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, common red flags encountered during due diligence, and how environmental conditions influence deal structure, lender requirements, and redevelopment strategies. Attendees will gain insight into navigating brownfield properties, understanding liability exposure, and working effectively with environmental consultants, attorneys, and lenders to keep deals moving forward.

Designed for brokers actively working in today’s market, this members-only program offers actionable guidance, real-world context, and the opportunity to ask questions in an interactive setting—along with breakfast and networking with industry peers.

Panelists:
Aaron Ligon is the Founder and Broker-in-Charge of Ascent Real Estate Partners, which specializes in retail brokerage, general commercial sales, land transactions, and development advisory throughout the Carolinas.

Since founding Ascent in 2010, Aaron has led the firm’s growth into a full-service commercial brokerage representing landlords, developers, investors, homebuilders, tenants, and private owners. He is focused on Investment Sales and high-value infill transactions across the Charlotte MSA and surrounding markets. Aaron is known for his strategic thinking, disciplined underwriting, and ability to structure creative transactions that align real estate strategy with long-term business objectives.

Prior to launching Ascent, Aaron built experience in commercial brokerage and development advisory, developing a strong foundation in retail leasing, investment sales, and land acquisition. He remains active in the Charlotte commercial real estate community and regularly engages in market research, site analysis, and strategic planning initiatives. Aaron is also a partner at Ascent Housing, which acquires and operates affordable housing communities in the Carolinas. Aaron is an active member of CRCBR.  

Dawn Crowell, MELP is the Environmental Manager for Brownfields and the PFAS Working Group Lead at LaBella Associates. A 2015 graduate of Vermont Law School, Dawn brings over a decade of experience in environmental consulting, leading complex site investigations, remediation strategies, Brownfields redevelopment, and multi-stakeholder engagement. 

Her fluency in USEPA, NCDEQ, NJDEP and NYSDEC regulatory frameworks strengthens her deep understanding of hazardous waste, emerging contaminants, and the evolving regulatory landscape. With particular expertise in PFAS, Dawn helps clients navigate shifting requirements with clarity and confidence. 

Her portfolio includes chlorinated solvent assessments and cleanup across multiple media, PFAS investigations at Department of Defense installations, wastewater treatment plants, textiles mills, and private drinking water sources, as well as Federal and State led Brownfield projects throughout the Northeast and Southeast. 

LaBella Associates is a nationally recognized “One-Stop-Shop” environmental and engineering firm with deep expertise in State Voluntary Cleanup Programs and US EPA Brownfields Assessment Cleanup, and Multipurpose Grants. The firm delivers high-quality lender ready Phase I/II ESAs, vapor intrusion evaluations and remediation strategies that reduce uncertainty, streamline decision making and keep redevelopment projects moving on schedule.   

Chris Walker is a Member of Alexander Ricks PLLC.  He focuses his practice on environmental and regulatory matters, including brownfields redevelopment, environmental due diligence, assessment, and remediation, vapor intrusion and mitigation, enforcement defense, chemical regulation, solid and hazardous waste, wastewater management, environmental permitting, environmental insurance, and aboveground and underground storage tanks.  His work includes advising clients regarding various federal, state, and local environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the North Carolina Oil Pollution and Hazardous Substances Control Act (OPHSCA), the North Carolina Inactive Hazardous Sites Response Act (IHSRA), and the North Carolina Brownfields Property Reuse Act.   Chris spends a majority of his time advising clients regarding the purchase, sale, remediation, redevelopment, and financing of contaminated properties or businesses with environmental concerns in complex business transactions. He also works closely with the firm's real estate, land use, corporate, and litigation practices.  Prior to joining Alexander Ricks PLLC, Chris was a partner in the Charlotte office of K&L Gates LLP, where he practiced environmental law for over 11 years.

Moderator:
Kathleen Rose, CCIM, CRE is Founder, President and CEO of Rose & Associates Southeast, Inc. Kathleen has combined over three decades of development and commercial real estate experience to build a certified woman-owned consulting practice that uniquely integrates land use, real estate, economic development, and public health. 

As Chief Problem Solver she serves as a consultant, facilitator, instructor, and investor for public, private, nonprofit and institutional clients. She holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation and is a Life Member of the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute. After receiving the designation in 1989, she served on the Institute’s Faculty and in several committee leadership positions. She also holds the coveted Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) designation. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and previously served as Liaison Vice Chair and on several task forces and leadership positions including its Consulting Corps and External Affairs Committees, leading its Top Ten Issues.  

Ms. Rose is also a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and has served on national Advisory Services Panels, including the Daniel Rose Center for Public Policy, and is active in local district councils in the Carolinas. Kathleen is on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Downtown Development Association. And she is a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA).

Kathleen has presented at several conferences, covering topics such as mixed-use development, land use, urban planning, economic development and related subjects. She is a quoted expert and has authored articles for a wide variety of industry trade publications, including Forbes magazine. Her work in real estate, community and economic development has resulted in several awards, including The Charlotte Business Journal top 25 businesswomen in 2011 and the 2020 “WLI Champions in Real Estate” of the ULI Charlotte District Council. Kathleen is an active member of CRCBR and currently serves on the Education Committee.

Cancellations
Full registration fees will be refunded for cancellations made more than three business days prior to a class or program date. Cancellations made three or less business days prior to a class or program will be refunded, less a $10 cancellation fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellations made after 12:00pm the day before a class or program. CRCBR reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a class or program as needed. Registrants will be notified and will have the option to transfer or receive a full refund. 

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