ACES Luncheons

Presented by Froehling & Robertson. Hosted by the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance at the University of Mary Washington.

We are proud to present the return of the ACES Networking Luncheon series. ACES is dedicated to connecting professionals between Richmond and DC, from the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) industries – a sector that is very active in the adoption of Information, Communication and Technology. These luncheons serve as an opportunity for like-minded individuals to collaborate and network while hearing from industry experts, engaging in insightful conversations and enjoying a local dining experience.

ACES is not an exclusive group and is open to the public. Registration is required and space is limited for all ACES events. Spring 2023 luncheons will take place at the Fredericksburg Nationals Virginia Credit Union Stadium. There are several sponsorship opportunities available for ACES events. If you are interested in learning more, please email Rose Maddox at [email protected]

Registration for Spring 2023 Luncheons will open in February.

If you would like to be added to the invitation list for ACES luncheons, please complete our ACES Interest Form.

Spring 2023 Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor: Branch Civil

Branch Civil roots itself in a longstanding tradition of serving the transportation and infrastructural needs between and within communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast United States. The company’s history of planting, cultivating, and growing transparent, professional relationships with its clients has established Branch Civil as a respected name within the civil construction industry of our regions. Branch Civil offers a dynamic range of services, including heavy civil construction, design-build, and site development. In addition to Branch Civil, The Branch Group includes Branch Builds, providing professional construction expertise to both the public and private sector, Hopkins | Lacy, an electrical and mechanical contractor in Roanoke, Virginia, and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Spring 2023 ACES Luncheons

Wednesday, April 12: 11:30 – 1 pm

Guest Speakers:

  • Nicholas Minor, Director, King George County Economic Development
  • Gary Wilson, Director of Economic Development & Tourism, Caroline County
  • John Holden, Director of Economic Development, Stafford County
Local economic development professionals will be providing brief overviews of the economic development projects in their areas, discussing economic growth, demographic trends, community engagement and attraction, and more during this panel.
Time will be available for Q&A.

Wednesday, May 10: 11:30 – 1 pm

Guest Speaker: Hunter Harris, Flint Development

Hunter Harris is Founder/Partner of Flint Development. He offers decades of experience in the financial analysis of real estate development and the procurement of leverage and equity on real estate developments. His depth of experience in the industry allows him to find efficiencies and enhance the entire development process.
Hunter has completed many projects with complicated incentive structures via successful public private partnerships including Tax Increment Financing, Community Improvement Districts and New Markets Tax Credits. He has an integral strategy of creating win/win partnerships for complex projects utilizing incentives for financing.
He has a background overseeing build-to-suit programs, renovations and re-positioning of various development opportunities, including retail, hospitality, senior living and mixed-use projects. In addition, Hunter has completed many value add renovations to multi-family communities.

Wednesday, June 14: 11:30 – 1 pm

Guest Speaker: Taylor Chess, Peterson Companies

Taylor O. Chess is President, Development for Peterson Companies and serves on the Company’s Investment Committee. Taylor has developed retail projects valued over $250 million. He is a visionary, known for spotting acquisition opportunities, imagining the possibilities, divesting of property, acquiring land, and building joint ventures. Taylor has been instrumental in leading the company’s expansion into new ventures and development and looks at all disciplines of real estate to find the best use based on market conditions and social and economic changes. Most recently, he was instrumental in the sale of over 330-acres of land to Microsoft.
Prior to Peterson Companies Taylor was Senior Vice President, Investments at Regency Centers where he established the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast offices. During his eight years, he developed 11 centers valued at approximately $660 million and assisted in the acquisition of 140 centers.
Taylor studied at California State University, Northridge. He serves on numerous philanthropic boards and committees including Joe Gibb’s Youth For Tomorrow, Fairfax County Sports Tourism Tax Force and mentors real estate students through ULI’s mentoring programs.  He served as ICSC’s State Director of Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia and has been a guest speaker for the GWU Real Estate Program.

About Fredericksburg Regional Alliance (FRA) 

Through recruitment, collaboration and advocacy, the FRA creates an environment to foster regional job growth. They assist existing businesses and industries with workforce development issues and help aggressively market the Fredericksburg region to corporate decision makers who are planning to expand or relocate their companies. 

About Froehling & Robertson (F&R) 

“We are impassioned engineers, scientists and problem solvers partnering with clients to advance the equality and stability of every project we touch to protect people and property.”

Established in 1881, Froehling & Robertson, Inc. (F&R) is the oldest independent consulting engineer/testing firm in the United States. F&R focuses on their clients by offering construction engineering and environmental consulting solutions that are innovative, yet practical.  

F&R maintains a fleet of drilling equipment as well as accredited testing laboratories that are utilized across their twelve offices. These offices, which are strategically located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, possess the local resources needed to deliver the quick, efficient and cost-effective service their clients rightfully demand. 

Questions? Contact FRA Business Development Manager Rose Maddox at [email protected]