Our People

Why Southland

Board of Directors

  • Diane Williams

    SDA Chair
    Village of Flossmoor Trustee, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Board Member and Executive Committee

  • David Abshire

    David Abshire

    Vice President, LB Steel

  • David Agosto

    David Agosto

    Chief Development Officer, 
Kaufman Jacobs

  • Vernard Alsberry

    Vernard Alsberry

    President, Village of 
Hazel Crest, Immediate 
Past President, SSMMA

  • Frank Clark

    Frank Clark

    Former CEO
(retired), ComEd

  • Kristi DeLaurentiis

    Kristi DeLaurentiis

    Executive Director, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association

  • David Doig

    David Doig

    President, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives

  • Dr. Cheryl Green

    President, Governors State University

  • Felicia Hardy

    CEO, Intuition Enterprise, Inc., eXp Commercial Broker

  • Tim Hill

    Head of Stakeholder Engagement, OMRON

  • Craig Howard

    Program Director (Retired), MacArthur Foundation

  • Bo Kemp

    CEO, Southland Development Authority

  • Steve Koch

    Managing Partner, Bowline Group; Former Deputy Mayor, City of Chicago

  • Rick Reinbold

    President, Village of 
Richton Park; Director, South Suburban Land Bank & Development Authority

  • Lyneir Richardson

    CEO, Chicago TREND; Director, Entrepreneurship Center, Rutgers University

  • Irene Sherr

    Assistant Deputy Bureau Chief, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development

  • Nathaniel K. Sutton

    President, Sutton Ford Lincoln Mercury

  • Robert Weissbourd

    President, RW Ventures, LLC

  • Nancy Wilson

    CEO, Morrison Container Handling Solutions

SDA Leadership

Meet our leaders and directors.

SDA's leadership supports team members and partners, highlighting the importance of community involvement.

Bo Kemp

Chief Executive Officer
Administration
708-400-7063

  • Bo Kemp, a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, is the CEO of the Southland Development Authority. Kemp's career began in finance at Morgan Stanley and TSG Capital Group, followed by a pivotal role in Cory A. Booker’s transition to Mayor of Newark, N.J., leading to his position as the city’s Business Administrator (COO). With over 15 years of experience working with municipal executives across the nation, Kemp specializes in driving growth, major initiatives, and efficiency in municipalities through public-private partnerships. His expertise spans municipal utilities, public infrastructure, and economic development, particularly in legacy cities. Kemp's current focus is on harnessing the potential of Opportunity Zones.

Jean Pogge

Interim Chief of Staff
Administration
708-953-9767

  • Jean Pogge is a social entrepreneur who has proven ability to align social mission with revenue goals. Happiest at the intersection of business and social innovation, she currently serves as the North American Representative for the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and as the Interim Chief of Staff for Southland Development Authority. Her career included more than a decade on the executive leadership team of ShoreBank and she held CEO positions at several nonprofits. Pogge currently is a nonprofit change management consultant. Pogge has a BA in English from Barat College and a Masters in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois. She completed studies of English Literature at Oxford University.

Brandon Blackmer

Director, Finance and Administration
708-722-4796

  • Brandon holds an MBA from Xavier University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. With a decade of experience encompassing finance, operations, education, and real estate, Blackmer's diverse background includes managing property operations for Greystar and leading strategic finance and operations at Evoke Brand Strategies. His leadership skills extend to community service, where he is the president emeritus and consultant for a non-profit organization in his hometown. Blackmer's approach to financial problem-solving combines strategic vision with a people-centered focus, driving excellence and innovation at the Southland Development Authority.

Emmanuel Davila

Director, Business Growth Services
708-575-6748

  • Emmanuel Davila is a dynamic, bilingual professional with expertise in business and community development. He is fluent in English and Spanish and holds a BA in Arts, Entertainment, & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago, along with an MBA in Management from UIC.

    With a strong track record in program management, grant acquisition, and strategic leadership, Emmanuel has been instrumental in the creation and execution of 26 small business and economic development programs since 2020. These initiatives have delivered over 4000 hours of business advising and funneled nearly $5 million in investment into Chicago’s South and West sides.

    Key contributions include his role in formulating Puerto Rico Town’s 10-year economic development plan and the establishment of the BIS Hub in Humboldt Park, which secured over $3 million in funding. At Southland Development Authority, Emmanuel is dedicated to driving economic growth and nurturing an entrepreneurial environment in the Southland region.

    Honored in Negocios Now "Latinos 40 Under 40, Chicago, 2021," and a recipient of the Remy Centaur Award for community development, Emmanuel is also passionate about Latin Urban music and enjoys family time with his daughter and fiancée.

Nicholas Greifer

Director, Municipal Economic Development
708-522-6670

  • Nicholas Greifer, a graduate of the University of Michigan with B.A. and M.P.P. degrees, is the Director of Municipal Economic Development, focusing on capacity building partnerships with Southland municipal governments. He currently leads major projects such as the redevelopment of the 130-acre Calumet Country Club as the primary economic development professional for the Village of Hazel Crest. Greifer's previous roles include economic development strategy and implementation for the Village of Brookfield and the City of Harvey, as well as a TIF/economic development finance consultant for Kane, McKenna, and Associates. His career began with the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) in Washington D.C.

Joe van Dyk

Executive Director, Land Bank
708-295-7977

  • Joe Van Dyk, with a graduate degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Fordham University, serves as the Executive Director of the South Suburban Land Bank & Development Authority (SSLBDA). His over a decade-long career in public service includes expertise in planning, redevelopment, public policy, and economic development. Van Dyk has held significant roles in Gary, IN, and the Pacific Northwest, focusing on housing and homelessness. His leadership in various boards, including the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority and the Land County Land Bank Authority, has solidified his reputation in strategic planning and public service.

SDA Staff

  • Sara Altwal

    Marketing Manager, Administration

    EMAIL →
  • Sergio Anariba

    Sergio Anariba

    Business Education Manager, Business Growth Services

    EMAIL →
  • Paulina Caratachea

    Paulina Caratachea

    Data Analyst, Data Management & Business Growth Services

    EMAIL →
  • Christopher Cooks

    Christopher Cooks

    Relationship Manager,
    Business Growth Services

    EMAIL →
  • Alex Curio

    Alex Curio

    Grants Manager, Administration

    EMAIL →
  • Nigel Griswold

    Nigel Griswold

    Data Analysis/GIS Mapping Consultant, Land Bank

    EMAIL
  • Erik Krieg

    Erik Krieg

    Accounting Consultant, Administration

    EMAIL →
  • Michael Lofton

    Michael Lofton

    Program Director,
    Land Bank

    EMAIL →
  • Jamie Makuch

    Jamie Makuch

    Relationship Manager
    Business Growth Services/Metals Hub

    EMAIL →
  • Jennifer Martinez

    Jennifer Martinez

    Applied Data Fellow, Data Management & Marketing

    EMAIL →
  • Brian Mott

    Brian Mott

    Harvey Housing Initiative, Housing

    EMAIL →
  • Nia Muhammad

    Nia Muhammad

    Coordinator,
    Land Bank

    EMAIL →

  • Laurence Patterson II

    Relationship Manager, Business Growth Services

    Email
  • Bhuvana Ramaswamy

    Bhuvana Ramaswamy

    Senior Data Scientist Fellow, Data Management

    EMAIL →
  • Jay Readey

    Jay Readey

    Managing Director, Harvey Housing Initiative

    EMAIL →
  • Antoine Scott

    Antoine Scott

    Relationship Manager,
    Business Growth Services

    EMAIL →
  • Anissa Smith

    Anissa Smith

    Senior Assistant to the CEO, Administration

    EMAIL →
  • Michael Smith

    Michael Smith

    Food Park/Green Energy Consultant, Administration

    EMAIL →
  • Richard Thornton

    Richard Thornton

    Building Maintenance & Rehabilitation, Land Bank

    EMAIL →
  • Liz Thorpe

    Liz Thorpe

    Office Manager, Administration

    EMAIL →
  • Marisela Zambrano

    Marisela Zambrano

    Relationship Manager,
    Business Growth Services

    EMAIL →