Join Chuck Marohn and Derek Avery, Founder and President of Coir Holdings, LLC, as they discuss one of the most powerful steps you can take to building a financially resilient and prosperous place.
Small-scale developers play a vital role in creating housing options, increasing affordability and keeping wealth in your city—not siphoning it off to a far-away company. Yet most of our towns have numerous barriers in place that prevent regular people from developing housing in the neighborhoods they love. This presentation will explore the important steps you can take to clear the path for small-scale developers, and will include insights from a developer who is actively creating housing opportunities that benefit his community.
Charles Marohn - known as "Chuck" to friends and colleagues - is the Founder and President of Strong Towns and the author of Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity. He is a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the State of Minnesota and a land use planner with two decades of experience. He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, both from the University of Minnesota.
Marohn is also the lead author of Thoughts on Building Strong Towns — Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 — as well as the author of A World Class Transportation System. He hosts the Strong Towns Podcast and is a primary writer for Strong Towns’ web content. He has presented Strong Towns concepts in hundreds of cities and towns across North America. He is featured in the documentary film Owned: A Tale of Two Americans, and was named one of the 10 Most Influential Urbanists of all time by Planetizen.
Derek J. Avery, Sr. is the Chief Executive Officer of COIR Holdings, LLC. Derek is an experienced real estate professional and alumnus of Baylor University. He has been involved in selling, building, developing, and consulting real estate for over 15 years. Derek sold real estate in Houston, Texas from 2006-2014. He was a board member of Southeast Houston Community Development Corporation from 2009-2012 where 125 homes were built including a community learning center.
Over the last 8 years, Derek has saved property owners over a billion dollars in property tax valuation as a property tax consultant. He grew up in transitional and underserved neighborhoods in Houston, which instilled the passion for those areas. Derek is currently building zero-net capable homes in the southern region of Dallas. His life is devoted to spreading the love of Jesus Christ through his life as an example, his professional work, community action, and service to those in need. He is currently a board member and Ambassador of NTARUPT (north Texas alliance to reduce unintended pregnancy in teens). He has three children: Derek Jr., Madison, and Bryce.
