Background
For more than two decades, Douglas Development Corporation has garnered redevelopment successes in the District of Columbia, as well as in suburban Virginia and Maryland. Douglas Development has earned a reputation for revitalizing underdeveloped, emerging areas and continues to win praise from tenants, landlords, employees, neighbors, and the real estate community at large.
Founder and President Douglas Jemal established Douglas Development in 1985. While Douglas Development remains a privately operated and family-owned company, it has since grown into a fully integrated real estate company with more than 125 employees. Douglas Development’s top executives – Jack Brownell, Douglas Jemal, Norman Jemal, Mathew Jemal, Paul Millstein, and Tim Roberts – have more than 50 years of combined tenure with the firm and have each played an integral role in contributing to its growth and success. Furthermore, each member of the firm’s design and construction teams are hand-picked by Douglas to ensure the highest caliber of work goes into each redevelopment project. Development project teams include nationally recognized architects, historical consultants, brokers, and construction managers.
Between 1990 and 2007, Douglas Development expanded its commercial portfolio from less than 250,000 square feet to more than 8 million square feet, and expanded its tenant portfolio from 15 properties to more than 180.
Douglas Development’s specialty is restoring and preserving mixed-use and retail buildings. It’s most visible and well-known projects are located in the East End of Washington, DC and have served as catalysts for the redevelopment of the entire area. In addition to the historic 7th Street Row (Chinatown) and the Woodies Building, other prominent East End properties include 950 F Street (The Atlantic Building), 800 F Street (home of the International Spy Museum), 1155 F Street, 509 7th Street, 912 F Street (Ventana), and 901 7th Street.
With a current portfolio of more than 8 million leasable square feet and more than 4 million square feet of developable real estate in the pipeline, Douglas Development is well-established as one of the most dominant and successful real estate developers in the Washington metropolitan area. As a result, Douglas Development has received multiple awards and accolades, including the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation, the Downtown BID Citizen of the Year Award [Douglas Jemal], and the Community Service Award for its Atlantic Building.
Douglas Jemal
Founder and President
In addition to restoring notable buildings and revitalizing historic neighborhoods, Douglas Jemal is an active philanthropist proud to give back to the Washington, DC community. Noteworthy charitable contributions in recent years include donations to the Children’s Hospital, Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Shaw Main Street, Animal Rescue Foundation, Manna Inc., and The Studio Theatre Inc., among several others.
In recognition of his philanthropic work and historic preservation efforts, Douglas has received various honors and awards, including Washingtonian’s “45 People who Shaped Washington” in 2010; the Mayor’s Award for “Excellence in Rehabilitation and New Construction” in 2009; the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s “Hitchcock Humanitarian Award” in 2007; and the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ “Merit Award, Historic Resources Category” in 2004 for Historic 7th Street. Additionally, the Downtown BID recognized Douglas as its “Citizen of the Year” in 2010 for his many contributions to the city over the course of his career.
He currently serves on the Downtown Developers’ Roundtable, providing expertise and counsel on important economic and development issues within Washington, DC.
Norman Jemal
Principal and Senior Vice President
Norman Jemal serves as the Principal and Senior Vice President for Douglas Development Corporation and currently directs all of the leasing activity for the company. Throughout Norman’s career, he has negotiated and leased more than 5 million square feet of commercial space — an accumulative value of more than $1 billion. As principal of the company, Norman is involved in all aspects of the business, including acquisitions and dispositions, development, finance, and corporate strategic planning. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, an organization that promotes business opportunities throughout the District and contributes to business retention and attraction activities, and on the Board of Trustees for Ford’s Theatre. He has also served on the Board of Directors for The Little Blue House, a family development center that serves as an oasis for low-income, poor and struggling families.
Matthew Jemal
Senior Vice President
Matthew Jemal serves as Vice President of Douglas Development Corporation. Since joining Douglas Development in 2005, Matthew has been involved in lease transactions totaling over 500,000 square feet of commercial space. Matthew is heavily involved in the management of Douglas Development’s 200 properties and acts as the primary liaison between the commercial leasing brokers and property owners. Bisnow featured Matthew in 2007 as one of the top 10 individuals to watch under age 35.
Tim Roberts
Property Manager
Tim Roberts serves as Property Manager for Douglas Development Corporation. After joining Douglas Development in the accounting department in 1991, Tim transitioned to the property management side of the business, where he has been for the last 15 years. Tim manages more than 8 million square feet and is responsible for maintaining and servicing all property locations.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland.
Stephen O’Donnell
Controller
Stephen O’Donnell serves as the Controller for Douglas Development Corporation. Since joining Douglas Development, Stephen has been responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting for the company. Prior to working at Douglas Development, Stephen worked for the following real estate companies: Carey Winston Company (Transwestern), Mark Winkler Company, and Horning Brothers. Additionally, Stephen has public accounting experience with Deloitte and Touche. Stephen is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Georgetown University.
Jordan Klinger, MSF, Esq., AVA
Financial Analyst
Jordan Klinger serves as Financial Analyst at Douglas Development Corporation. Jordan is responsible for financial analysis related to the acquisition and disposition of investments and the asset management and capital budgeting for Douglas Development’s extensive portfolio. Additionally, he supervises all aspects of the due diligence process for acquisition, disposition, and financing transactions.
Prior to joining Douglas Development, Jordan was a Senior Valuation Analyst with Reznick Group, P.C., where he completed real estate consulting and valuation projects, including purchase price allocations, individual property appraisals for all asset types, and comprehensive portfolio valuations. Jordan also worked in real estate law with Adelson, Loria & Weisman, LLP, a boutique transactional firm in Boston, Massachusetts; and with The Community Builders, Inc., one of the largest non-profit real estate developers in the country.
Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science Degree in Finance from Suffolk University’s Sawyer School of Management, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Suffolk University Law School. Jordan is a bar certified attorney in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is an Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute and holds the designation of Accredited Valuation Analyst from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.
Paul Millstein
Vice President and Head of Construction
Paul Millstein serves as Vice President and Head of Construction for Douglas Development Corporation. Since joining Douglas Development in 1987, he has managed more than $1 billion in development projects. As Vice President and Head of Construction, Paul is responsible for the management of land planning, historic restoration, and zoning requirements for all of Douglas Development’s projects.
Paul is a qualified expert witness for the Historic Preservation Review Board, as well as a qualified expert witness for the DC Board of Zoning and Adjustment. Paul served on the Shaw Main Streets Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007 and was a Shaw Green Team Volunteer in 2009. Between 1986 and 1992, Paul was Vice President of Chesapeake Building Specialties.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Maryland.
Jack Brownell
CFO
Mr. Brownell is a 1985 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Degree in accounting. He spent five years working in public accounting before joining Douglas Development in 1990.
Mr. Brownell has focused on financing, cash management, and coordination with the accounting department throughout his career at DDC. He has facilitated the organization and closing of over $1 billion of finance transactions for assets owned by DDC affiliates.