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Management Team: Bios

Gottlieb | Pertiñez | Z. Middlebrooks | M. Middlebrooks

Mark Gottlieb, Founder and Partner

Mark Gottlieb founded MetroGroup Development in 1997 and is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company. Through his leadership, vision and entrepreneurial spirit, MetroGroup has developed over 3 million square feet and expanded into other sectors including office, retail and mixed use. Gottlieb's relationships with tenants, combined with his creative development approach, have positioned MetroGroup as a firm with an accomplished trait for unique design and quality product blended to create a true sense of place within a community.

Gotllieb is also founder and partner of Metro Real Estate Investment Advisors, an investment fund that invests capital in intermediate-term opportunities, such as infill redevelopments and land in the path of future growth.

Prior to forming MetroGroup, Gottlieb was Senior Vice President with Branch Properties, LP where he managed a team responsible for $100 million in retail development and pre-development activities. During his tenure as Vice President of Real Estate and Development with Petstuff, Inc., he opened 56 stores in two years and was involved in the initial public offering and the eventual sale of the company to PetsMart.

Prior to Petstuff, Gottlieb served as a Senior Development Officer with Cousins Properties, an Atlanta-based REIT, and its predecessor company, New Market Development Company, where he managed the development of retail power and neighborhood center projects totaling over 2.5 million square feet. Gottlieb received his initial real estate experience at Carter and Associates, as Director of Tax and Finance where he was involved in deal structuring and financing for office and retail projects. He later served as a retail development officer.

Gotllieb earned a bachelor's degree from Emory University and a master's degree in taxation from Georgia State University. He lives in Milton, Ga. with his wife, Tammy and their three sons.

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Jana B. Pertiñez, Director of Corporate and Tenant Services

Jana Pertiñez joined MetroGroup in 2001 and serves as Director of Corporate and Tenant Services. Pertiñez is actively involved in all aspects of account management for CVS/pharmacy development ranging from site selection and construction draws to marketing package presentations. She is responsible for the tracking, financial management and analysis of all active retail deals and works closely with brokers and corporate executives to determine site selection and growth strategy.

Pertiñez also oversees all corporate and project marketing initiatives including new business presentations, website management, project collateral materials and trade show exhibition. Her strong, professional management skills have proven to be essential to the success of the MetroGroup internal and extended team.

Prior to joining MetroGroup, Pertiñez served as Land Development Manager with Lennar Homes, Inc., where she managed a development team of architects, engineers and contractors that designed and installed development infrastructure for a 640-acre residential development in Miami, Fla.

Pertiñez received her bachelor's degree with an emphasis in business management from Georgia Southern University. She resides in Charlotte, NC, with her husband, Antonio, and their three children.

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Zach Middlebrooks, Vice President of Construction and Development

As Vice President of Construction and Development, Zach Middlebrooks is responsible overseeing the construction process for MetroGroup's developments and for identifying potential land sites for acquisition for future development opportunities. He pinpoints potential sites for retail, mixed-use and office projects throughout the southeast that align with the company's development objectives.

Middlebrooks guides the comprehensive development process from due diligence to construction completion in order to flawlessly bring each project to fruition. His real estate acumen enables him to identify the best use for each tract of land and ensures that careful attention is paid to every detail. Middlebrooks also formulates development budgets, manages fiscal accountability and facilitates the zoning process. Middlebrooks oversees the construction process from start to finish and selects and coordinates the extended team of third party consultants to guarantee performance reflective of the MetroGroup reputation. He manages the CVS/pharmacy account and has successfully opened over 35 locations to date and has managed the development and construction process for nearly 1 million square feet of freestanding retail space.

Prior to joining MetroGroup Development in 2002, Middlebrooks was Project Manager for an Atlanta-based general contractor, where he managed a variety of new construction projects including banks, offices and restaurants as well as several renovation projects. He was responsible for all aspects of construction, including contract execution, scheduling and billing.

Middlebrooks graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in building construction. He resides in Alpharetta, Georgia with his wife, Melissa, and their two sons.

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Melissa Middlebrooks, Marketing Coordinator

Joining the MetroGroup team in 2005, Melissa Middlebrooks serves as Marketing Coordinator and is responsible for the coordination of all deal-specific marketing efforts. She researches and compiles demographic data and prepares statistical reports and graphical map presentations. Her extensive marketing experience enables has developed an acute attention to detail, critical in the production of comprehensive market studies and marketing packages.

Prior to joining MetroGroup, Middlebrooks served as Marketing Services Coordinator at Peachtree Center where she planned and executed tenant retention programs and designed and produced marketing collateral materials. She has also served as a marketing professional for various organizations such as Host Communications where she was responsible for the design and production of sales and sponsorship packages. She has served as an editor and marketing manager in the professional sports arena, proving her adaptability in varying working environments.

Middlebrooks attended Auburn University where she earned a master's degree in communication and a bachelor's degree in mass communication. She resides in Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband, Zach, and their two sons.

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