Meet Our Team - Launch Development Finance Advisors

The Company. Our core Values. Our Beliefs.

Company

Launch – Development Finance Advisors is a transaction-based real estate consulting firm specializing in the financing of public infrastructure for our clients’ development projects. Launch is a “one-stop-shop,” guiding our clients through the entire financing process—from initial planning to the receipt of the final reimbursement request—utilizing The Launch Sequence™.

Purpose

Our primary mission is to assist the private sector in financing public improvements, reducing improvement costs, and mitigating development risks, all with the goal of enhancing project profitability and returns.

Beliefs

At Launch, we simplify intricate transactions and financing strategies into easily understandable concepts, adhering to our mission of “keeping it simple” and being a hero to the development and home building industry.

We’ve Got The Tools

With experience in the financing of over $17 billion of public infrastructure in hundreds of development projects, we have developed numerous proprietary processes, strategies, agreements, systems, and financial models that provide our clients with proven success strategies for their projects.

See ‘Unique Processes’ for more information.

Experience

Since 1994, Launch has supported the financing of development projects ranging from 6 to 54,000 acres, spanning from California to Florida and everywhere in between.

Support

Our team at Launch is available 24/7 to help our clients achieve their goals.

OUR TEAM

The Following Professionals Provide the Firm with Operational Direction, Collaboration and Support.

Carter Froelich

Managing Principal – Launch Development Finance Advisors

Carter is the Managing Principal of Launch Development Finance Advisors. Prior to the founding of Launch, Carter was the co-founder and Managing Principal of a national real estate consulting firm for 27 years. Preceding this, Carter was a Manager in the real estate consulting department of the national accounting firm of Kenneth Leventhal & Company in both the Phoenix, Arizona, and Newport Beach, California offices. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant in Arizona, California, and Texas, as well as a former State Certified Real Estate Appraiser in Arizona. Carter holds a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Carter has over forty years of experience in the real estate consulting industry. Carter’s area of specialty is in the formulation and implementation of land-secured financings for large-scale developments and the formulation of development strategies for large-scale master-planned communities.
Carter served as a City of Phoenix’s Camelback Village Planning Committee member. Carter is a full member of the Urban Land Institute, Valley Partnership, and is a member of numerous Building Industry Associations in Arizona, California, Idaho, and Texas. Carter was the author of the 2008 and 2016 National Association of Home Builders’ Impact Fee Handbook.

Pam Giss

Principal – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Southwest/Mountain Regions

Pam Giss structures and negotiates complex land secured public finance projects for real estate developments in the Southwest and Midwest regions of the United States. Pam is a licensed Missouri attorney practicing almost two decades for a large regional St. Louis-based law firm in its real estate development and public finance departments. For a decade, she assisted land developers, big box chains, national retailers and sports teams with land acquisitions, leases, entitlements, and public finance. In 2005, Pam moved to Shanghai, China to manage the firm’s Asia operations and spent the decade following assisting US companies expand their Asian presence.

Upon returning to the States, she joined Launch Development Finance Advisors in its Scottsdale Office. Pam assists developers and builders in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Missouri and Oklahoma develop and implement plans to finance real estate development projects, including master-planned communities, mixed-used developments and commercial and entertainment venues. Pam has an intimate knowledge of district finance, tax increment financing, tax abatement, state grants and government buy-lease back statutes throughout the Southwest/Midwest regions.

Pam also leads the group’s District Administration practice.

She is a national board member of Boys Hope Girls Hope, an advocate for and participant in several animal rescue organizations and an avid runner, hiker, traveler and an exceptionally poor golfer.

David Jarvis

Principal – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Houston office

David brings over four decades of experience in the real estate industry, specializing in the analysis and management of residential and commercial projects, including master-planned communities, urban projects, and commercial and retail developments. His expertise in real estate investment, development, and operations, combined with his deep understanding of market research and client development, makes him an invaluable asset to our team. David has a BA in Marketing from DePaul University as well as industry designations such as CCIM and MIRM.

Before joining Launch, David held significant leadership roles, including Principal at John Burns Research and Consulting, where he directed comprehensive analyses throughout Texas, as well as serving as the Houston Regional Director at Metrostudy, which further underscores his extensive knowledge and leadership in the real estate sector. David also served as Sales and Marketing Director for South Shore Harbour, a master planned community on the Texas Gulf Coast as well as sales and marketing with public home builders Centex and Ryland.

At Launch, David will play a pivotal role in driving our mission to simplify intricate transactions and financing strategies, primarily as it relates to The Launch Bond™. His expertise will undoubtedly enhance Launch’s ability to deliver innovative, custom-tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients.

Kent Rock

Senior Manager – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Southwest/Mountain Regions

Kent Rock is a Senior Manager with Launch Development Finance Advisors. He retired from the City of Boise in 2012 having served there since 1981. In 1984, Kent was appointed City Treasurer, a position that he held until his retirement. Previously, Kent worked in the planning and development and banking sectors. Since leaving the City Kent has worked in the development financial consulting sector, first for Development Planning and Financing Group and since 2018 for Launch Development Finance Advisors.

As City Treasurer, Kent oversaw the City’s banking, investment, debt management, collections, purchasing and risk management activities. He was a member of the City’s Deferred Compensation Administrative Board and was the first Chairman of the Employee Health Care Trust.

He has served as president and on the boards of directors for the Idaho City Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers’ Association, Idaho Public Risk Managers Association and the Association of Public Treasurers of the US and Canada. He chaired the Committee on Cash Management and Investment Practices for Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and was a member of their Advisory Committee to the US Treasury on Arbitrage. He chaired the Investment Policy and Debt Policy Certification Committees of the Association of Public Treasurers. He also served on the Idaho State Treasurer’s Investment Policy Advisory Committee.

Kent has been certified by the Association of Public Treasurers as Certified Finance Administrator and as a Certified Public Investment Manager and has received their Dr. Jackson R.E. Phillips Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to the Management of Public Funds. The Idaho City Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers Association has also recognized him with the Dr. James B. Weatherby Service Award for outstanding service to that Association. He has also received certification as a public investment officer from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Kent attended the University of Idaho and has a BA in Business Management from Brigham Young University—Hawaii Campus.

Curry Froelich

Manager – Launch Reimbursement Services

Curry Froelich is the business segment leader of Launch Development Finance Advisor’s Public Bidding and Reimbursement Services division. Mr. Froelich is also one of the key architects of the Launch Reimbursement System (the “LRS”).

Prior to joining Launch, Curry began his consulting career at Development Planning & Financing Group primarily working on the creation of special purpose taxing districts and development impact fee reviews.

Curry is currently active with special districts and processing reimbursements in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. Curry holds a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and is also a member of the Urban Land Institute.

Nick Kral

Senior Manager – Launch Development Finance Group – California

Nick Kral, a seasoned California and Nevada financial consultant has joined the Orange County, CA office of Launch Development Finance Advisors as a Senior Manager.Nick has extensive experience in preparing home builder due diligence and fee reports, impact fee credit analysis, establishing community facilities districts, issuing bonds, tracking reimbursable impact/school fees and eligible public infrastructure costs, processing reimbursement packages as well as preparing fiscal impact studies. Nick’s experience also includes preparation and review of AB1600 impact fee nexus studies and specific plan area fees.Prior to joining Launch, Nick was a Project Manager with Harris & Associate’s Municipal & District Finance Group and a Senior Consultant at Development Planning & Financing Group.

Ryan Mills

Senior Manager – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Dallas / Fort Worth

Ryan Mills comes to us from JP Morgan where he served as a vice president in public finance underwriting municipal and non-profit deals. Ryan has extensive experience in the public sector in urban planning and public finance before spending time at rating agencies in public finance. Ryan holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Southern California as well as an MBA from Indiana University.

James Miller

Manager – Launch Development Finance Advisors

James Miller is the business segment leader of Launch Development Finance Advisor’s modeling division. James is responsible for ensuring that all mathematical models are up to date and running smoothly.

James is involved in multiple segments across our business and has experience in Arizona, Texas, Idaho, New Mexico, and Nevada. James holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics as well as a certificate in Applied Business Data Analytics from Arizona State University.

Jose Almazan

Manager – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Houston

Jose Almazan joined Launch Development Finance Advisors as an Associate supporting our clients in Texas. Jose focuses on creating and running financial models to provide clients with the special district financing options that best suit their respective goals. Although Jose’s primary focus is on Texas, he is involved in multiple segments across the business.

Jose holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance as well as a minor in Management Information Systems from The University of Texas at Austin.

Ozzie Gripentrog

Senior Manager – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Southwest/Mountain Regions

Ozzie has been providing financial and analytical services in both the public and private sector for almost 30 years. He spent the first half of his career working as an analyst and financial manager in the casino industry and the second as a budget and financial manager at the City of Boise. He left the city to work with a colleague, providing consulting services to government agencies throughout the northwest. In the early 2000’s, he relocated to Meridian, ID to enable his family to be closer to their relatives. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

Keaton Labby

Associate – Launch Development Finance Advisors – Houston

Keaton Labby is an Associate at Launch Development Finance Advisors, bringing his extensive experience to support our clients in Texas. He plays a key role in developing and managing financial models, providing clients with special district financing solutions that align with their goals. While primarily focused on Texas, Keaton is involved in various segments of the business.

Keaton holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University in College Station. His career includes tenures at EY, Deloitte, and KPMG, where he honed his skills in financial analysis and advisory services. Additionally, Keaton has a robust background in the real estate industry, excelling as an agent, property manager, lender, and investor. This diverse experience allows him to bring a multifaceted perspective to his role at Launch Development Finance Advisors.

Clients

Partial List of Clients

LKY Development

Argent Management

Brookfield Residential

Castle Rock Development

Catellus Development

Central Arizona Home Builders Association

Century Communities

Community Southwest

DMB Partners

DR Horton

El Dorado Holdings

FDIC

Harvard Investments

Hines Development

Howard Hughes Corporation

KB Home

Lennar

M3 Companies

McWhinney Development

Meritage Homes Corporation

Metro Denver Home Builders Association

Middle Tennessee Home Builders Association

National Association of Home Builders

Newhall Land & Farming

Newland Communities

Olympia Companies

Pardee Homes

Pulte Group

Rancho Sahuarita

Riverside BIA

Shea Homes

Southern Arizona Home Builders Association

Southwest Value Partners

Stratford Companies

SunBelt Holdings

SunCal Development

Taurus Holdings

Taylor Morrison

Toll Brothers

Walton Holdings