The Company. Our core Values. Our Beliefs.

Company

Launch is a transaction based real estate consulting firm that specializes in the financing of public infrastructure that serves our clients development projects. We are the one stop shop to take the financing of public infrastructure from the planning stage until the receipt of the last reimbursement request.

Purpose

Launch’s sole purpose is to assist the private sector finance public improvements; reduce improvement costs and to mitigate development risks. All of Launch’s professional services and Unique Processes are designed to achieve these goals for our clients.

Beliefs

In a world full of complexity, we believe that it’s necessary to boil down complex transactions and financing strategies to easily understood concepts. Our mantra is to “Keep it Simple”.

We’ve Got The Tools

Having worked on hundreds of development projects over the years, we’ve developed a number of proprietary processes, strategies, agreements, systems and financial models to assist our clients improve the profitability of their projects. See our Unique Processes section for more information.

Experience

We’ve been in business since 1994 and have assisted our clients in the entitlement and/or financing of over 1,000 development projects ranging in size from 6 to 54,000 acres from California to Florida . Launch professionals have been involved directly or indirectly in the establishment of over 575 special taxing districts and the issuance of over $9.76 billion in bonds.

Support

There are 7 days in a week and 24 hours in a day; all of which are available for Launch team members to assist our clients achieve their goals.

LAUNCH TEAM

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

Carter Froelich - Launch

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

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.

Kent Rock

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

Curry Froelich

Associate 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

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

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

James Miller

Associate 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

Senior Associate – Launch Development Finance Advisors

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

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.

Gerson M

Gerson Meira

Associate supporting our clients in Arizona and Nevada

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

Gerson holds a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management as well as a certification in Data Analytics from Franklin University.

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