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 LEADERSHIP TEAM

Our Leadership Team at Launch Development Finance Advisors brings decades of combined experience in land development finance, public infrastructure bonds, and reimbursement services, helping developers and homebuilders succeed nationwide.

Carter Froelich

Managing Principal – Launch Development Finance Advisors

Carter Froelich is the Managing Principal of Launch Development Finance Advisors, bringing more than 40 years of experience in real estate consulting. A Certified Public Accountant in Arizona, California, and Texas, and a former State Certified Real Estate Appraiser in Arizona, Carter holds a master’s in Real Estate Development from USC and a bachelor’s in Business Economics from UC Santa Barbara. He specializes in structuring land-secured financings and development strategies for large-scale master-planned communities.

Carter has authored the 2008 and 2016 editions of the NAHB Impact Fee Handbook and is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, Valley Partnership, and multiple Building Industry Associations. He is also the author of the Land to Lots™ trilogy and host of the Land to Lots™ Podcast, where he interviews leaders in land development and homebuilding.

Learn more at carterfroelich.com or listen at landtolots.com

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 across the Southwest and Midwest. A licensed Missouri attorney, she spent nearly two decades at a St. Louis-based regional law firm in its real estate development and public finance departments. During that time, she advised land developers, national retailers, big-box chains, and professional sports organizations on acquisitions, leases, entitlements, and financing strategies.

In 2005, Pam moved to Shanghai to manage the firm’s Asia operations, where she spent a decade helping U.S. companies expand their presence in Asia.

Since returning to the U.S., Pam has been a key part of the Launch Development Finance Advisors team, working from the Scottsdale office. She helps developers and builders in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Missouri, and Oklahoma implement financing plans for master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, and commercial and entertainment projects. Her expertise includes district finance, tax increment financing (TIF), tax abatement, state grants, and government lease-back programs.

Pam also leads Launch’s District Administration practice, overseeing compliance, accounting, and management of special purpose districts.

Outside of her professional work, Pam serves as a national board member of Boys Hope Girls Hope, actively supports several animal rescue organizations, and enjoys running, hiking, traveling, and the occasional round of golf.

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™ (“LRS”).

Prior to joining the Launch Development Finance Advisors team, Curry worked at Development Planning & Financing Group (DPFG) 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, TX / Nashville, TN

Ryan Mills joined the Launch Development Finance Advisors team 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 Almazán joined the Launch Development Finance Advisors team in 2022 as an Associate in the Austin office and relocated to Houston in 2024 to establish and lead Launch’s Houston office. He specializes in structuring financing solutions for Texas developers, including Public Improvement Districts (PIDs), Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ), and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), with a focus on Launch’s proprietary Launch Bond®, which forward-funds MUD reimbursements to accelerate project timelines. Since 2024, Jose has managed the issuance of more than $700 million in Launch Bonds, helping residential communities secure scalable, cost-efficient capital while reinforcing Launch’s mission to simplify complex financing and maximize developer returns.

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.

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